UDSL Job Search Manual - University of Dayton

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Cover Letter Writing 19
How to Write Compelling Cover Letters Introduction Your cover letter is as important as your resume because it is the employer’s introduction to you. First impressions tend to stay with the reader and are difficult to overcome. To create a well-written cover letter takes hard work and many revisions, but it Is worth the effort since it may be the deciding factor that persuades the employer to give you an interview. A cover letter is a sales document that introduces you and tells the employer why he/she should speak with you. Its purpose is to highlight various aspects of your resume and show how they apply to the position available. It is also a sample of your writing ability and organizational skills, so it needs to be perfect. Your cover letter should convey genuine enthusiasm for the position and/or the employer. Keep in mind that a cover letter will not get you a job offer. It may be instrumental, however, in landing you an interview (or at the very least, it will get the employer to read your resume). You want the letter to spark the reader’s attention in terms of your achievements and enthusiasm. The best cover letters tend to have a natural tone, use straightforward language, and avoid complex sentences or fancy wording. Your goal is to try to make a connection with the reader and persuade him/her to meet with you to further discuss your qualifications. Preparation Employer Research Before you begin your cover letter, you need to research the employer and the person to whom you will be sending the letter. There are many public sources of information. Most students rely on literature from the employer, websites, Martindale-Hubbell, the NALP Directory, legal directories, legal periodicals, and the CSO files. In addition, you should speak to alumni, classmates, or other lawyers in the community who may know the employer. Finally, it is always a good idea to stop by the CSO and ask what additional resources or information may be available for a particular employer. Useful information to gather before you begin your cover letter: ◗ Type of employer (government, firm, corporation, public service organization) ◗ Areas of practice ◗ Number of lawyers ◗ Lawyers’ biographical information ◗ Cities where the employer has offices ◗ Major clients ◗ Recent Cases ◗ Newspaper articles about the employer or its lawyers Assessment of Your Strengths Before you can persuade an employer to hire you, you first need to understand what you have to offer in terms of skills and qualifications. After you research an employer, you will better understand the type of work it performs and the qualities it seeks in new employees. Knowing this information will allow you to tailor your cover letter so that you highlight the skills and qualifications the employer desires. Do a self assessment and figure out what you have to offer before you draft your cover letter. List your accomplishments and personal qualities on a blank sheet of paper. Add to your list a brief discussion of how you have demonstrated these qualities in the past whether in a work context, volunteer setting, or college or church activities. Then, prioritize your strengths based on the employer’s needs and select the top 2-4 strengths to showcase in your cover letter. Contents Formatting Your cover letter should be one page in length, single-spaced, and printed on medium-weight bond paper. The color and type of paper should be the same as your resume. The margins must 20
Page 2 and 3: UDSL Job Search Manual Table of Con
Page 4 and 5: Staff Tim Swensen Assistant Dean, D
Page 6 and 7: Internships, Fellowships and Writin
Page 8 and 9: Career Planning Guide To be effecti
Page 10 and 11: ___ Law professors ___ Undergrad sc
Page 12 and 13: How to WOW Prospective Employers In
Page 14 and 15: exceptional work ethic, ability to
Page 16 and 17: Arthur B. Radley aradley@hotmail.co
Page 18 and 19: Thomas J. Robinson 423 Cheyenne Dri
Page 22 and 23: e at least one inch all around the
Page 24 and 25: A targeted mailing to a large numbe
Page 26 and 27: UNSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTER 35 S
Page 28 and 29: UNSOLICITED Maude E. Atkinson 5435
Page 30 and 31: THANK YOU LETTER 107 Westminster Ro
Page 32 and 33: Tips for Successful Interviews Firs
Page 34 and 35: The Interview General Reminders An
Page 36 and 37: Networking Tips 35
Page 38 and 39: Bar Exam Information 37
Page 40 and 41: The Ohio Bar Examination The State
Page 42 and 43: Due Dates: February 2006 Ohio Bar E
Page 44 and 45: State Contact Information Date/Loca
Page 46 and 47: Judicial Clerkships Benefits of a J
Page 48 and 49: Careers in Federal Government Worki
Page 50 and 51: LawMatch Reference Guide 49
Page 52 and 53: NALP Guidelines 51
Page 54 and 55: Summer Employment Provisions for Fi

UDSL Job Search Manual - University of Dayton

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?