Application Materials

i. Purpose of cover letter—the primary goal of a cover letter is for the applicant to demonstrate competence and good fit for the employer. The cover letter should have some specific details of your skills that are not evident from your resume and should demonstrate your writing skills. (Remember, for many employers, the resume and cover letter may be the only writing sample they have from you.)

ii. Harsh Realities—more applicants lose their chance at a job because of mistakes or errors in their cover letter than obtain an interview because of their cover letter. Here is a list of common errors.

• Sloppy template
• Wrong employer name
• Wrong attorney name
• Typos
• Too long
• Boring/overly generic

iii. Tips for Creating Cover Letters

• Follow the rules in the Cover Letter Checklist.
• Keep it short (three paragraphs is ideal, four paragraphs is the maximum).
• Watch your tone—you should be polite, confident, and professional, but not sound like a salesperson.
• Avoid saying anything negative. Don’t try to be humorous or clever.
• Tell your story, including details that are not in your resume.
• Communicate a specific interest in the employer and the reasons for that interest.
• Showcase persuasive writing skills.
• Give them something they will remember.
• End with a specific request for follow up.
• Set the letter aside and review it later, or ask someone else (spouse, friend, classmate, or career advisor) to review it.

iv. Materials to Assist in Preparing a Cover Letter

• Cover Letter Checklist
• Cover Letter Guidelines
• Cover Letter Template
• Cover Letter Samples