Now that your resume has been polished and updated, now it is time to think about that cover letter (2Ls – bidding for OCI starts this week!) Cover letters are notoriously difficult. Nobody wants to sound pompous, but you do have to sell yourself. The formatting and content of your cover letter (which we will not go into presently) is covered in the Cover Letter Guide under your Resources tab on Symplicity.
What we are focused on today are the most common mistakes that job applicants make as relayed to us by employers and how to avoid those mistakes.
Number 4 – Being cute or informal.
Don’t say: “I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.” You may very well be funny or even be familiar with the firm, but it is not the right time or place to be cutesy. Just don’t.
Do: Be professional. You are making a first impression as soon as the employer reads your materials, so put your best self forward.
Number 3 – Not being confident enough / qualifying everything.
Don’t say: “While my experience is not exactly what you are looking for, I do have some experience in…” We are attorneys and are trained to find weaknesses. A cover letter is not the place to point out those weaknesses – it is a sales document and you are trying to sell yourself.
Do: Employers know whether or not you have the qualifications they looking for in candidates. Be ready to address any perceived weaknesses you may have later on in the process, but don’t address them in the cover letter.
Number 2 – Focusing solely on why the opportunity is good for you.
Don’t say: “This clerkship is a perfect opportunity for me to further develop my research and writing skills.” The employer knows you want the job because it is a good opportunity for you (otherwise you would not be applying). This adds nothing to your cover letter.
Do: Focus on why you would be an asset for the employer, not the other way around. An employer knows why you want the job. Explain why she should want you in that position.
Number 1 – Taking too vague an approach / not tailoring your cover letter to the specific employer.
Don’t: Having one cover letter for every single job you apply for may seem convenient, but it is not advisable, as you miss a significant opportunity to sell yourself to the employer. Learning how to tailor your cover letter takes time, but it is worth the investment. A cover letter is a great opportunity to express to the employer why you would be perfect for this particular job and highlight your qualifications of interest to that specific employer.
Do: Review the job post and research the firm/organization/judge before you write your letter, so that you have the necessary background information to really focus in on qualities that will make you stand out. If the position is a public interest job, highlight your public interest experience and passion to serve the mission of the employer. If the position is one where you will interact with clients and be in court often, explain how your previous experiences have prepared you to interact with clients and the court. Small adjustments can be the difference between being asked in for an interview and not being offered the chance.
Don’t rob yourself of a great opportunity because of a poorly constructed cover letter. Follow these do’s and don’ts, review and follow the Cover Letter Guide on Symplicity.
Happy writing!
Tagged: cover letters, employers, job search strategy, opportunities
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