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Cover Letters

 

Contents

 

A. Purpose

Your cover letter is as important as your resume because it is often read first and plays a vital role in your quest for an interview. A cover letter is not a transmittal letter, and you may be surprised at how time-consuming it is to craft a good one. A cover letter has a purpose, which is to let an employer know why they should bother reading your resume and why they should meet you. It also serves as an example of your written work product; thus it should be clear, brief, and written in a business letter style, without any typographical errors.

B. Types

1. Cover letters for unsolicited applications come in three main types:

  • Personal Letter. These are the most effective cover letters and are sent to people you have met or with whom you have a mutual acquaintance. These letters should all start with the sentence: “_______ recommended that I contact you.” As this type of letter is most likely to get a response, if you have any possibility of establishing this sort of connection to a prospective employer in advance of sending your letter, you should try your best to do so.
  • Targeted Letters. Next best thing. Targeted letters are based on research of the employer, and are individually tailored. Your letter should incorporate the information learned through your research to show the employer that you have skills they will be able to put to use.
  • Mass Mailers. Least desirable. These are generic except for the name and address of the employer, and have a very low success rate of getting interviews.

2. When you respond to a job listing, you will usually be requested to submit a cover letter as part of your application. In this case, use the job description and requested qualifications as a guide. While not slavishly following the language of the listing, your letter should demonstrate that you have what the employer is looking for.

3. A few employers at OCI request that students bring a cover letter to the initial interview. This is essentially to require students to think about why they want to work for this employer, but it makes for a letter which deviates from the usual “please consider me for an interview” approach. See below for suggestions on OCI cover letters.

C. Format

Cover letters should follow standard business letter format, as to spacing, salutation, etc. If you are not sure of the fine points, consult a business correspondence reference source. Avoid abbreviations, contractions and shortcuts (such as a slash instead of “or”), although if there is an accepted short form of the name of the organization you are writing to (e.g., ACLU or Howard Rice) it is acceptable to use it in the text of your letter. Your telephone number and email address should appear somewhere in the letter, either at the top with your address, or in the closing paragraph, when you ask them to contact you. Note that your resume is “enclosed,” not “attached” (which means clipped or stapled).

If you are not sure to whom you should send your letter, it is always acceptable to write to the executive director of a nonprofit, or the hiring partner or head of recruiting at a firm; they can forward your application to the appropriate person within the organization. If at all possible, write to an individual by name, not to “Director” or “Recruiting Coordinator.” Firm and organization web sites are very useful in finding this information (and for confirming correct spellings and the like); it may be more difficult to find the name of an individual addressee for government job opportunities. If you do not have the name of an individual, the salutation should be “Dear Sir or Madam” (not “To Whom It May Concern”). Of course if you are responding to a job posting, address your letter exactly as instructed.

D. Content

First Paragraph. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing. Introduce yourself as a law student (including the year you are in) or a graduate of Berkeley Law and specify what it is you are seeking: a summer job, an associate position, a clerkship, part-time work during the school year, etc.

The goal of this paragraph is to give the reader a reason to want to finish reading the letter. If you don't have a personal connection to cite, try to establish a nexus between yourself and the employer, such as knowledge of their practice, an established commitment to or interest in their work, a connection to their city, or something else which conveys that you are not just writing to them as part of a mass mailing for any job in any location. (If that in fact is what you are doing, try not to be too obvious about it. An employer wants to think that you sought him or her out purposely rather than randomly.)

Body Paragraph(s). This is the section in which you "sell" your experience and qualifications to the employer. Your goal here is to answer the question, “Why should the employer meet you?”

Call attention to something which substantiates your interest in this particular employer. It could be coursework in their specialty, the recommendation of a professor in their area of practice, undergraduate residency in their city, or any other indication of your interest. Try also to show how your experiences will translate into skills which will be useful to this particular employer. Highlight relevant qualifications which are not on your resume, such as coursework, research, or a prior connection to the organization or the issues they work on. If you have general legal skills such as negotiation, litigation, client counseling, interviewing, mock trials, etc., you may want to include them. As much as possible, try to convey understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the aims of the organization.

Employers do not expect first-year students to have highly-developed legal skills to offer. Therefore, for first-year students writing to private firms, this section can be a single, short paragraph, unless you have a strong background in a relevant area. However, even inexperienced first-year students writing to public interest/sector organizations should make an effort to describe skills and interests that are relevant to the employer.

It is appropriate and not uncommon for a public interest cover letter to be somewhat more detailed or personal than a private sector cover letter. Of course, it is still very important to be concise, but it is acceptable for the letter to be a full page if your experience dictates. In a public interest cover letter, it is important both to highlight your demonstrated commitment to the mission/work/client base of the organization through your own relevant work or life experience, and to illustrate your relevant skills. Take another look at your resume for items that show your interest, commitment and skills. Even if you do not have experience in the specific area in which an organization works, it is still important to emphasize your demonstrated commitment to the public interest, and to draw connections between that general commitment and the specific work of the organization. As it is important not to merely regurgitate your resume, consider including a story that illustrates you are interested or qualified in the position.

If your application raises questions that are readily answered, such as availability after the Bar exam, judicial clerkship plans, etc., the letter can address those; other issues may be better deferred to the interview stage. Consult a CDO attorney-counselor if you're not sure whether to include something in your cover letter.

Final Paragraph. In your last paragraph, thank them for their consideration, and say you hope to hear from them soon. For out-of-town employers, indicate when you plan to be in their geographic area and state your availability for an interview. Be sure to include your phone number and email in this paragraph unless you use a letterhead style that includes them at the top of the page. If you state that you will call the employer to follow up on your application, be sure you do so.

If you are bringing a cover letter to an on-campus interview (which you should do only if the employer requests you to), the content will be a bit different. You don't need to introduce yourself, as you will be there in person, and you won't request an interview at the closing. But you can thank the employer for interviewing you and say that you welcome the opportunity to learn more about the employer and to discuss the possibility of working for them. The important thing is to show why you are interested in this particular employer, and how you think your background makes you a good match for them.

E. Common Cover Letter Mistakes

The mistakes most commonly found in student cover letters are:

  • Restating your resume. “I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2005, with a B.A., cum laude, in Political Science, then worked as a substitute teacher in an urban high school before starting law school in the fall of 2008.” Don't waste space with facts that are readily gleaned from your resume! Instead, you could say (briefly) how your work experience led you to pursue a legal career in an area practiced by the employer.
  • Focusing on what you stand to gain from the job. “I am particularly interested in your firm's excellent training program for summer associates, and in gaining exposure to a variety of different practice areas.” Remember, employers only grant interviews to candidates who offer something of potential use to the employer. Try to say how your skills and enthusiasm will help the employer serve its clients, or otherwise further its aims.
  • Being too informal or familiar. “I'm thrilled by the possibility of working with you this summer, and would love to meet with you in person/by phone to chat about what the options might be.” Enthusiasm is good, but it must be presented professionally.

Other cover letter mistakes include: being defensive or apologetic; appearing arrogant or entitled, and being too long and wordy. Unsupported statements of your qualities (“I am highly motivated and a quick study”) do not help your case. Generic reasons for your interest in the employer (e.g., its “excellent reputation”) tend to demonstrate your lack of specific knowledge. Of course typos and inaccuracies, such as misspelled names, or (please!) stating an interest in a practice area that the firm doesn't have, are automatic application-killers.

The sample cover letters at the end of this guide are suggestions only; please do not feel excessively constrained by their approach. Your letter should, of course, be original work that reflects your unique background and the job you are aiming at.

 

Sample Cover Letters

Sample Cover Letter I

1L Public Sector

 

-your street address-
-city, state zip code-

-date

Office of the Attorney General
California Department of Justice
Recruitment and Retention Unit
1300 I Street, Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via email: careers@doj.ca.gov

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am a first-year law student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (“Berkeley Law”), and am writing to apply for the 2009 Public Rights Division Summer Honors Program. As I intend to begin my legal career in the Bay Area after graduation, my top placement preference is the San Francisco office (in the area of consumer law and false claims) followed by the Oakland office (in the area of civil rights enforcement).

My academic, personal and professional experience has solidified my commitment to public service and, in particular, to the vital mission of the Public Rights Division. I would appreciate the opportunity to contribute to that mission, while learning from the experienced government attorneys within the section.

While an undergraduate at Boston College, I had the opportunity to serve as an intern at Greater Boston Legal Services. This experience exposed me to a diverse set of legal issues ranging from employment discrimination to fair housing legislation and provided me with the opportunity to witness the critical role that attorneys play in ensuring justice for all parties in need of representation. Through participating in client intake and supporting the attorneys at administrative hearings, I was able to develop basic fact-finding and investigation skills. Most importantly, this internship furthered my desire to dedicate my legal career to addressing the systematic barriers preventing millions of Americans from accessing legal protections and remedies.

Since arriving at Berkeley Law, I have continued to develop my research and writing skills through my participation in the Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law and during the standard course of legal writing, which required the drafting of three legal memoranda.

My resume and writing sample are enclosed as separate attachments. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you further my qualifications for summer employment and can be reached at (510) 555-5555 or at lawstudent@law.berkeley.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Very truly yours,

-your signature-
-your name typed-

Enclosures


Return to Contents

 

Sample Cover Letter II

1L Private Firm

-your street address-
-city, state zip code-

-date -

Zachary Jones, Esq.
Jones, Brown & Smythe
-street address-
-city, state zip code-

Dear Mr. Jones:

I am a first-year student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, and I am interested in employment with Jones, Brown and Smythe next summer. A copy of my resume is enclosed.

While it is early in my legal career, I have learned a great deal in my studies to date, including practical research, analysis and writing skills, which I am eager to put to use on behalf of you and your clients. My prior work experience, primarily in student services while attending college, has given me a strong sense of client service.

I would welcome the opportunity to interview with your firm; please feel free to contact me at (510) 123-4567, or myname@law.berkeley.edu. I appreciate your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

-your signature-
-your name typed-

Enclosure

 

Return to Contents

 

Sample Cover Letter III

1L Public Interest

-your street address-
-city, state zip code-

-date-

The Children's Law Center Attn: Law Clerk/Intern Hiring 616 H Street, NW , Suite 300
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am a first-year law student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law ("Berkeley Law"). I am writing to apply for a summer internship with the Children's Law Center. I have extensive experience working with youth facing difficult circumstances, and hope to continue this work at the Children's Law Center.

I have a long-standing commitment to working for children and youth. During college, I provided literacy tutoring to elementary school students. I also served as a youth mentor for high school students. Both of these roles required me to develop rapport with children who were facing severe challenges at school and in their home lives. I came to appreciate how important it is for children to have people who are dedicated to supporting and advocating for their well-being. It is my commitment to youth advocacy that influenced my decision to attend law school.

Since beginning law school, I have sought out opportunities to continue my work with young people, while developing legal skills that I will need to be an effective youth advocate. As a volunteer with the Expulsion Prevention Project, a student-run pro bono project of Berkeley Law's Youth and Education Law Society, I work alongside attorneys to represent high school students at expulsion hearings. I have honed my client interviewing skills, building rapport quickly with high school students facing expulsion. I have gained critical advocacy experience through preparing and successfully presenting my client's case at hearing. In drafting an expulsion hearing brief, I was able to effective apply the lessons of my first-year legal research and writing course to benefit my client. I hope to continue my development as a child and youth advocate through an internship with the Children's Law Center.

I have attached a copy of my resume. I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to discuss my interests and qualifications in person, and will be in Washington, D.C. during the week of January 15, 2008. I can be reached by phone at (510) 555-5555. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

-your signature-
-your name typed-

Enclosure

 

Return to Contents

 

Sample Cover Letter IV

1L Private Firm

-your street address-
-city, state zip code- 

-date-

Jane Smith, Esq.
Blank, Blank, & Blank
-street address-
-city, state zip code-

Dear Ms. Smith:

I am writing to express my interest in employment with your firm next summer. I am currently in my first year as a student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.

I am particularly interested in areas of the law that might draw upon my expertise in economics. As my enclosed resume indicates, I am currently pursuing a joint degree in economics at the PhD level, with specializations in finance and labor economics. My training at the M.A. level was in the area of money and banking. The field of economics has afforded me a substantive and analytical foundation which I intend to put to use as a practicing attorney. I am confident that my background in economics, together with my legal training, could be an asset to Blank, Blank and Blank's labor or corporate finance department.

I would very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss my candidacy with you. I can be reached by telephone at (510) 123-4567, or email at myname@law.berkeley.edu. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

-your signature-
-your name typed-

Enclosure

 

Return to Contents

 

Sample Cover Letter V

2L Private Firm

-your street address-
-city, state zip code-

-date-

Susan R. Smith
Global Recruiting Manager
Blank, Blank & Blank
-street address-
-city, state zip code-

Dear Ms. Smith:

I am a second-year student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law ("Berkeley Law") and I am seeking a summer associate position with your firm. While I elected to pursue my education in California, I look forward to returning to the East coast after graduation, particularly to New York City where I was raised. Blank, Blank and Blank's New York base and mix of practice areas, especially its employment litigation specialty, make it particularly attractive to me.

As my enclosed resume indicates, I am familiar with law firm settings through my part-time work in private firms while I was an undergraduate. In my three semesters at Berkeley Law to date, I have gained solid experience in legal research and writing, and a strong foundation in legal concepts and analysis, including coursework in employment law. At my job last summer with the EEOC in San Jose, where I worked with attorneys litigating civil rights violations in the employment arena, I honed my practical legal skills, as well as developing my understanding of employment law. I am eager to return to the private sector and put my skills and training to use on behalf of your clients.

I will be in New York from December 26th to January 11th, and would welcome the opportunity to speak to you or others at your firm about a summer associate position. If you are able to schedule me for an interview during that period, please contact me via my cell phone, (510) 987-6543, or email, myname@berkeley.edu. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

-your signature-
-your name typed-

Enclosure

 

Return to Contents

 

Sample Cover Letter VI

2L Public Interest

-your street address-
-city, state zip code- 

-date-

Corey Lewis
HR & Intern Administrator
Environmental Defense Fund
257 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor
New York NY 10010

Dear Mr. Lewis:

As a second year law student at University of California, Berkeley, School of Law ("Berkeley Law"), I am writing to apply for a summer law clerk position with Environmental Defense Fund's New York Office. Environmental Defense Fund's interdisciplinary approach to environmental protection is especially exciting to me, and I believe my own background in both environmental law and science makes me a good fit for EDF's internship program.

I have long been committed to environmental protection. As an Environmental Science major in college, I gained a solid foundation in physical and biological sciences as they relate to the environment. But it was my community outreach work with Environment California, educating members of the public about legislative efforts to fight global warming, that made me realize that I wanted to go to law school to learn to use law as a tool for environmental protection.

Since beginning at Berkeley Law, I have gained significant experience in environmental law and litigation. Through my coursework in the Environmental Certificate Program, including Environmental Law and Policy, Public Lands Law, Environmental Pollution, and Water Resources Law, I have developed an understanding of the issues, laws and regulations, and stakeholders that shape legal environmental advocacy. As a summer intern at Earthjustice, I had the opportunity to perform legal research and writing on diverse issues, including deforestation, wildlife and wetlands protection, water pollution, and climate change. I worked extensively on an active lawsuit under the National Forest Management Act, drafting significant portions of a trial brief, joining in strategy sessions, and meeting with scientists and experts. Next semester, I will continue developing my environmental litigation skills through an internship with the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resource Division.

I believe my experience and commitment to environmental protection would allow me to make a substantial contribution to the work of EDF. I have enclosed my resume, and would be happy to provide additional materials; please feel free to contact me at (510) 999-9999 or myname@berkeley.edu Thank you in advance for your time; I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Yours truly,

-your signature-
-your name typed-

Enclosure

 

Return to Contents

 

Sample Cover Letter VII

2L Public Interest

-your street address-
-city, state zip code-

-date-

Samantha Smith
U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission
San Francisco District Office
350 The Embarcadero, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94105-1260

Dear Ms. Smith:

As a second-year law student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law ("Berkeley Law"), I am writing to apply for a summer internship at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). I had the opportunity recently to meet with EEOC attorney Jane Doe and, after learning more about your office's work, am enthusiastic about the opportunity to spend my second summer contributing to the EEOC's mission.

Working at the EEOC would be an invaluable opportunity to apply my experience working on employment discrimination and HIV/AIDS issues in a litigation context. At the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (SFHRC), I handled discrimination complaints, including mediation of an employment discrimination complaint for which I drafted a settlement agreement. My work at the SFHRC strengthened my understanding of how city government and regulatory agencies can work to advance civil rights and affirmed my desire to focus my career on fighting discrimination. Having worked at an agency whose authority was limited to investigation and mediation of discrimination complaints, I am eager to experience the ways that having the authority to litigate affects the mediation and resolution of a complaint.

In addition, I have a background in direct service and advocacy. As a paralegal at the Whitman-Walker Clinic in Washington, D.C., I supported attorneys providing direct legal services to low-income individuals living with HIV and AIDS. This experience exposed me to a range of critical legal issues facing my clients; in particular, I worked with a number of clients alleging employment discrimination on the basis of their HIV status.

I believe these experiences would allow me to make a strong contribution at the EEOC, while building on a new set of advocacy skills in the area of litigation. Enclosed please find a writing sample and a resume. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you my qualifications for summer employment and can be reached at (510) 555-5555 or at lawstudent@law.berkeley.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

-your signature-
-your name typed-

Enclosures

 

Return to Contents

 

Sample Cover Letter VIII

2L Private Firm (Part-Time School Year)

-your street address-
-city, state zip code-

-date-

Y.A. Tuttle, Esq.
Tuttle and Gehrig
-street address-
-city, state zip code-

Dear Ms. Tuttle:

I am a second-year student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law ("Berkeley Law"), and responding to your listing in the b-Line for a part-time law clerk position. A copy of my resume is enclosed.

I was pleased to see your posting seeking a law student who is interested in assisting an attorney in a small criminal defense practice. I came to law school hoping to pursue a career serving people who have been accused of committing crimes. This desire was confirmed by my positive experience in my criminal law course here at Berkeley Law, and by my work last summer with the Alameda County Public Defender, where I also acquired real-world experience of the procedure and practice of criminal defense work. Research and writing are, I believe, among my strong skills, and I would welcome the opportunity both to develop them and put them to use on behalf of you and your clients.

Thank you for considering me for this position. I hope to have the opportunity to discuss my candidacy with you. I can be reached at (510) 123-4567, or myname@berkeley.edu.

Very truly yours,

-your signature-
-your name typed-

Enclosure

 

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Updated June 2008