Writing a Cover Letter October 9, 2012. Overview Convey your interest in the employer – tell them...
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Transcript of Writing a Cover Letter October 9, 2012. Overview Convey your interest in the employer – tell them...
![Page 1: Writing a Cover Letter October 9, 2012. Overview Convey your interest in the employer – tell them what you know about them. Be professional – this is.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082712/56649e565503460f94b4ea6f/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Writing a Cover LetterWriting a Cover LetterOctober 9, 2012
![Page 2: Writing a Cover Letter October 9, 2012. Overview Convey your interest in the employer – tell them what you know about them. Be professional – this is.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082712/56649e565503460f94b4ea6f/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
OverviewOverview
Convey your interest in the employer – tell them what you know about them.
Be professional – this is a formal business letter. No chit-chat or colloquialisms.
Don’t oversell or exaggerate. Discuss your writing skills, prior experience, work ethic.
What you can do for the employer – not what you will learn or how you will benefit.
![Page 3: Writing a Cover Letter October 9, 2012. Overview Convey your interest in the employer – tell them what you know about them. Be professional – this is.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082712/56649e565503460f94b4ea6f/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Format & SalutationFormat & Salutation
Include heading (same as your resume)Same font & typeface as your resumeSame paperAlways include the date & address blockUse titles when appropriateDear Ms. Smith: or Dear Mr. Smith:
◦Use a colon, not a comma◦Do not use Mrs. or Miss
Always use a person’s name; never use “To Whom It May Concern”
Use mail merge for targeted mailings
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Introduction ParagraphIntroduction Paragraph
Identify yourself as a 1L/2L/3L at Loyola
State the position you are seeking◦ “I am a first year law student at Loyola University
Chicago School of Law, and I am interested in a law clerk position with your firm.”
State specifically why you are interested in them◦ “I am particularly interested in working for your firm
because of its strong focus on criminal defense.”
If a contact suggested that you write to them, state that in the first sentence
Explain your connection to their city/state
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Middle Paragraph(s)Middle Paragraph(s)
Match your language to the job posting or employer website
Sell your skills and be specific, but don’t inflateUse objective achievements, not subjective
conclusionsFocus on transferrable skills
◦ Critical thinking/analysis; Research & writingDon’t say you want to “begin your career”
◦ It may seem like you view the job as a springboard to something different/better
Summarize at the end of your paragraph(s)◦ “Based on my experience and education, I am confident
that I would be an asset to your firm.”
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Conclusion ParagraphConclusion Paragraph
State your desire for an interviewDo not restate your contact informationDo not offer additional materials
◦ If the employer wants them, they’ll askFor markets outside of Chicago, state when you
will be in town and available for an interview◦ “I will be in Milwaukee several times over the next few
months, and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you while I am there.”
Remind the reader that your resume is attachedSay thank you!
◦ “My resume is enclosed for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
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Proofread & EditProofread & Edit
Read it aloud to yourself – does it flow?
Should reflect your enthusiasm for the job and the firm/organization
Professional impression & look
Can you back up any claim you make?◦Don’t exaggerate!
Ask your counselor to review it
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SignatureSignature
Sincerely will doSkip 3 lines and type your nameIf emailing/uploading to Symplicity, include
signature and attach as a PDFTo include your signature:
◦ Sign name on piece of paper, scan it; ◦ Cut and paste signature from PDF to your letter in Word;◦ Create PDF of letter◦ CSO can scan your signature for you
If mailing, sign with blue or black ink
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Cover Letter Don’tsCover Letter Don’ts
Don’t say: “Let me introduce myself…”
Don’t say: “My name is Joe Schmo, and…”
Don’t use: “To Whom It May Concern:”
Don’t overstate your education, experience, or skills
Don’t undersell yourself (give them the facts)
Don’t overuse adjectives or adverbs
Don’t write a general cover letter and use it for all applications – make it specific to the position
Don’t write to an employer without first doing your research