UDSL Job Search Manual - University of Dayton

e at least one inch all around the page. The
font style needs to be easy to read and similar
in style and size as used on your resume (refer to
resume section for suggested font styles and size
ranges). It is important to use a standard business
format. As a general rule, you want to limit
your cover letter to three to four short paragraphs
filling one full page. Paragraphs should
be in block form, which means that the first
sentence of each paragraph is not indented.
Return Address and Date
There are three options for the position of your
return address and date at the top of the page:
◗ Indent it approximately two thirds from the
left margin
◗ Place it flush left so it is directly above the
address of the person to whom you are sending
the letter
◗ Use the same letterhead heading you used at
the top of your resume
It does not matter which of the three alternatives
you choose. Just be sure that the signature
line at the bottom of your letter lines up vertically
with the return address and date at the
top. See the examples at the end of this section
for clarification.
Addressee and Salutation
On the left-hand side of the paper include the
name, title, and complete address of the person
to whom you are sending the letter. If the cover
letter is being sent to a law firm, you should
send it to the hiring partner or recruiting
coordinator. Be sure you have the correct spelling
of the person’s name as well as the name of
the firm, company or agency.
If addressed to a lawyer, the proper title is John
Brown, Esq. or Sarah Brown, Esq. Your salutation
should then read Dear Mr. Brown: or
Dear Ms. Brown: (use a colon NOT a comma).
Remember never to use Mr. or Ms. and Esq.
together in either the address or the salutation.
Address a judge as The Honorable John E. Brown
and in the salutation as Dear Judge Brown.
Opening of Letter
The purpose of the opening is to grab the
reader’s interest. The opening should contain a
combination of the following items but not be
more than 3-4 sentences in length.
◗ An introduction to you: “I am a second year
law student at the University of Dayton
School of Law”...
◗ Why you are writing and what you want: “I
am interested in a summer law clerk position
with your firm.”
◗ A referral if possible: “At the suggestion of
Judge Donovan, I am submitting my resume
for the law clerk position available this
summer in your court.”
◗ Reference any previous contact with the
employer: “I enjoyed meeting you last month
at the University of Dayton School of Law’s
annual Lawyers in Practice program.”
◗ How you learned of the position: “I am forwarding
my resume and statement of interest
in the associate position in response to your
posting at the University of Dayton School of
Law’s Career Services Office.”
◗ Knowledge of current events at the employer:
“Professor Durham mentioned your firm’s
plans to expand into the area of real estate
law”.
◗ Any outstanding qualifications you do not
want to be overlooked in the body of your
cover letter: “I have eight years of experience
as an engineer and hold an MBA...”
Body of the Letter
The key to the body of the cover letter is to
focus on what the employer wants and to show
the employer that your skills and qualities meet
his/her needs. Instead of focusing on what you
desire (I want to be a judge one day and this job
will look good on my resume), hone in on what
you can do for the employer.
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