Cover Letters

Office of Career & Professional Development

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Cover Letters Purpose

Paragraph by Paragraph guide

Formatting

Tips and Common Blunders

Purpose Serves as an introduction Highlights desired skills Shows your enthusiasm & interest in the org

and geographic location Demonstrates your writing skills

Paragraph 1 – Intro

Why are you writing? Where did you find this announcement or

who guided you to this job? Overview of qualifications Entice them to read your resume and invite

you to interview

ExampleAs a first year law student at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, I write to submit my materials for a 2010 summer clerkship with Jackson & Heller. I enjoyed the opportunity to job shadow Ms. Marjorie Johnson, an Indiana Law alumna who is an Associate in your firm this fall. My past work experience has empowered me with a high level of professionalism and I believe I can make a contribution to your firm as a summer clerk utilizing my skills in research and writing.

Paragraph 2 – About You In what ways do you meet their qualification

requirements? What skills do you bring to the table? What is your link to that geographic area?

ExampleAs a permanent resident of Kentucky I plan to return to my home state to pursue my legal career after graduation. A summer clerkship with your firm would allow me to work in the Louisville legal community and synthesize what I am learning in the classroom in a practical setting.

Paragraph 3 – About Them Why do you want to work for this

organization/firm? Articles Web Site Practice Areas or Clients Referrals Specific Cases – But be careful

Example After college I worked for two years as a Business

Analyst at Humana in Louisville earning significant promotions each year based on positive evaluations by my superiors. I believe my accounting and finance background has provided me with transferable skills and practical experience that will be an asset to your firm. Although I don’t know definitively what practice area I want to pursue at this early stage in my academic program, I am interested in Mergers & Acquisitions, which I know is a specialty area for your firm.

Paragraph 4 - Closing Indicate your desire for an interview and

willingness to meet them. Give them your phone number and e-mail

address in case they want to contact you. Thank them in advance

ExampleI plan to be in Louisville from December 20th through January 10th during my semester break and I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss the summer clerkship in more detail. I can be reached at lawstudent@indiana.edu or (812) 855-2345 and I thank you for your time and consideration in reviewing my materials.

Formatting One page Same paper and font style as your resume Sign in black ink Unless you use a letterhead format, don’t

include your name in your address block

Formatting - Spacing Your return address block 1 Space Date 1 Space Employer address block 1 Space Dear Mr./Ms. Smith: 1 Space

Formatting – Spacing (cont) Body of letter with 1 space between

paragraphs 1 space “Sincerely,” 4 Spaces Your Name

Helpful Hints Send to a specific person – if possible Use NALP Directory to identify Hiring

Partner or Recruiting Coordinator Call Receptionist to get a name Avoid restating your resume Give them a time frame that you will be in

their area and available

Common Errors Generic Cover Letters: “. . . and I want to work for

a firm with the prestige and reputation of (enter firm name here).”

Telling them about your skills instead of demonstrating them

My name is… The Informal E-mail Failing to proofread Too familiar – I would love to work in your firm!

Read Your letters out loud. Don’t copy Templates. Questions?

Final Thoughts