News
Labor/Employment
Aug. 9, 2002
Don't Let Putting It on Paper Send You Right Up the Wall
Employment Column - By Valerie A. Fontaine - A cover letter is an important part of your job search presentation package. While it cannot make you, it certainly can break you.
Employment Column
By Valerie A. Fontaine
A cover letter is an important part of your job search presentation package. While it cannot make you, it certainly can break you.
Most recruiters and hiring partners look at the résumé first. Only if the credentials revealed on the résumé merit further consideration is the cover letter even read. Thus, the majority of cover letters are discarded, recycled or filed away without a glance.
However, in the event your cover letter is read, it should be perfect in terms of grammar, spelling and format, answer any questions the résumé may have prompted, and state why you, the candidate, would be appropriate for the particular position sought. If your cover letter is sloppy or does not do its job, it and your résumé also are likely to suffer the fate of being discarded, recycled or filed away without your being granted an interview.
A cover letter should be short and straightforward. In most cases, it should be three to four paragraphs and no more than one page long. The tone should be professional and neither overly familiar nor too formal. It is an opportunity to sell yourself. Be honest without being boastful or negative; present the evidence accurately but in the best possible light.
Potential employers, especially in a down market, receive numerous résumés for each opening. Therefore, the successful candidate must stand out from the crowd in a positive way. The best way to distinguish yourself is to highlight one or two of your accomplishments or abilities that you believe make you a good fit. You want to let the prospective employer know who you are, what you have accomplished and how you can contribute to the organization.
With today's word processing software, you have no excuse for not generating a tailored letter for each résumé submission. Address your cover letter to someone specific, and make sure you have that person's name, title and firm name correct. These days, you can research most firms on the Internet and, quite often, find the hiring partner or recruiter's name right on the Web. If not, look up the phone number on the Web site or in Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, or call to ask the receptionist to whom résumés of lateral attorneys should be addressed. Also, ask him or her to spell the name, and ask whether it is a "Mr." or "Ms., and confirm that person's title. If you cannot find a name, do not use "Dear Sir" or "To whom it may concern." "Dear Hiring Partner" or "Dear Recruiter" would be preferable.
And don't forget to date your cover letter. Do not use your current firm's stationery unless you are a sole practitioner. And, as with résumés, your cover letter, if read at all, will be glanced at very quickly, so use a conservative and easily read font.
Avoid fancy phraseology. For example, "enclosed please find" sounds as though the recipient will need to search carefully in the envelope to find the hidden résumé. Also avoid legalese such as "enclosed herewith," and use instead "enclosed is." Stay away from slang, clichés, too much jargon and abbreviations. While your letter should be written in the first person, do not overuse the word "I".
The first paragraph should state the position for which you are applying, such as litigation associate or corporate counsel. If a particular individual has referred you to the firm, give that person's name and make sure it is spelled correctly. If you have a connection to someone in the firm, point that out. You may have attended college or law school with a current partner or associate, worked on a case or deal with one or more of the firm's lawyers, participated in bar association or community activities, or served on a committee or panel with someone in the firm. Even if your connection is personal rather than professional, such as having met through social sports events or your children, mention it.
The body of the letter should state why you are seeking a new position and, most important, why you are seeking this particular position. You should emphasize how you believe that you would be a good fit for the firm and the job and what you have to offer. Demonstrate your knowledge of the firm, such as stating "because of Doe and Smith's strong financial services practice" or its "expanding presence in Europe." And show how your background is appropriate.
The cover letter also should answer any questions that may arise from reading the résumé. For instance, if you are applying for a position in a new locale, state why you wish to relocate. If there is a gap between your law school graduation and bar admission or in your job history, briefly explain it.
The closing paragraph should thank the addressee for his or her consideration and request an interview, such as by stating "I look forward to meeting with you to discuss this opportunity further." Inform the prospective employer of the best time and way to reach you, such as by office, home cell phone or e-mail. Use a standard business closing such as "Very truly yours" or "Sincerely." Personally sign the letter with blue or black ink, and include an "Enclosure" line under your signature. And don't forget to include your résumé, of course.
Valerie A. Fontaine, a partner in Seltzer Fontaine Beckwith Legal Search Consultants based in Los Angeles, can be reached at www.sfbsearch.com.
By Valerie A. Fontaine
A cover letter is an important part of your job search presentation package. While it cannot make you, it certainly can break you.
Most recruiters and hiring partners look at the résumé first. Only if the credentials revealed on the résumé merit further consideration is the cover letter even read. Thus, the majority of cover letters are discarded, recycled or filed away without a glance.
However, in the event your cover letter is read, it should be perfect in terms of grammar, spelling and format, answer any questions the résumé may have prompted, and state why you, the candidate, would be appropriate for the particular position sought. If your cover letter is sloppy or does not do its job, it and your résumé also are likely to suffer the fate of being discarded, recycled or filed away without your being granted an interview.
A cover letter should be short and straightforward. In most cases, it should be three to four paragraphs and no more than one page long. The tone should be professional and neither overly familiar nor too formal. It is an opportunity to sell yourself. Be honest without being boastful or negative; present the evidence accurately but in the best possible light.
Potential employers, especially in a down market, receive numerous résumés for each opening. Therefore, the successful candidate must stand out from the crowd in a positive way. The best way to distinguish yourself is to highlight one or two of your accomplishments or abilities that you believe make you a good fit. You want to let the prospective employer know who you are, what you have accomplished and how you can contribute to the organization.
With today's word processing software, you have no excuse for not generating a tailored letter for each résumé submission. Address your cover letter to someone specific, and make sure you have that person's name, title and firm name correct. These days, you can research most firms on the Internet and, quite often, find the hiring partner or recruiter's name right on the Web. If not, look up the phone number on the Web site or in Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, or call to ask the receptionist to whom résumés of lateral attorneys should be addressed. Also, ask him or her to spell the name, and ask whether it is a "Mr." or "Ms., and confirm that person's title. If you cannot find a name, do not use "Dear Sir" or "To whom it may concern." "Dear Hiring Partner" or "Dear Recruiter" would be preferable.
And don't forget to date your cover letter. Do not use your current firm's stationery unless you are a sole practitioner. And, as with résumés, your cover letter, if read at all, will be glanced at very quickly, so use a conservative and easily read font.
Avoid fancy phraseology. For example, "enclosed please find" sounds as though the recipient will need to search carefully in the envelope to find the hidden résumé. Also avoid legalese such as "enclosed herewith," and use instead "enclosed is." Stay away from slang, clichés, too much jargon and abbreviations. While your letter should be written in the first person, do not overuse the word "I".
The first paragraph should state the position for which you are applying, such as litigation associate or corporate counsel. If a particular individual has referred you to the firm, give that person's name and make sure it is spelled correctly. If you have a connection to someone in the firm, point that out. You may have attended college or law school with a current partner or associate, worked on a case or deal with one or more of the firm's lawyers, participated in bar association or community activities, or served on a committee or panel with someone in the firm. Even if your connection is personal rather than professional, such as having met through social sports events or your children, mention it.
The body of the letter should state why you are seeking a new position and, most important, why you are seeking this particular position. You should emphasize how you believe that you would be a good fit for the firm and the job and what you have to offer. Demonstrate your knowledge of the firm, such as stating "because of Doe and Smith's strong financial services practice" or its "expanding presence in Europe." And show how your background is appropriate.
The cover letter also should answer any questions that may arise from reading the résumé. For instance, if you are applying for a position in a new locale, state why you wish to relocate. If there is a gap between your law school graduation and bar admission or in your job history, briefly explain it.
The closing paragraph should thank the addressee for his or her consideration and request an interview, such as by stating "I look forward to meeting with you to discuss this opportunity further." Inform the prospective employer of the best time and way to reach you, such as by office, home cell phone or e-mail. Use a standard business closing such as "Very truly yours" or "Sincerely." Personally sign the letter with blue or black ink, and include an "Enclosure" line under your signature. And don't forget to include your résumé, of course.
Valerie A. Fontaine, a partner in Seltzer Fontaine Beckwith Legal Search Consultants based in Los Angeles, can be reached at www.sfbsearch.com.
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