1l law student cover letter

A resume is a marketing tool and writing sample. Studies show that employers spend about 15 seconds reviewing each one. A strong resume should be well-organized, visually appealing, and have content that is tailored to the prospective employer. Please read through the Resume Anatomy to learn more about the basics of drafting a legal resume. Remember, each individual has different experiences and skill sets to highlight, and the sample resumes are just that - samples to give you further guidance and a visual reference point.

Law Clerk Program

A resume is a marketing tool and writing sample. Studies show that employers spend about 15 seconds reviewing each one. A strong resume should be well-organized, visually appealing, and have content that is tailored to the prospective employer.

Please read through the Resume Anatomy to learn more about the basics of drafting a legal resume. Remember, each individual has different experiences and skill sets to highlight, and the sample resumes are just that - samples to give you further guidance and a visual reference point.

For instance, you may use either bullet points or a paragraph format, the latter as long as the narrative is not so dense that it becomes difficult to read. You should consult with an OCPD career counselor for specific deviations or questions. To request an appointment with a counselor, please access CareerLink. Cover letters, like resumes, give employers a first glimpse of your writing abilities and show that you are a serious, enthusiastic, and qualified candidate.

A well-written cover letter should make a positive impression on the employer by compelling them to review your resume and take further action. Therefore, any spelling or grammatical mistakes can overshadow an otherwise impressive resume. Writing an effective cover letter may seem difficult at first, so please visit the Cover Letter Anatomy link for some general guidelines. If you have any questions and would like further guidance, schedule an appointment with a career counselor in OCPD via your CareerLink account.

Your writing sample should reflect your own work. If you produced a document with another writer e. An "unedited" writing sample is one that has not been substantially edited by any other individual so that it could no longer be considered your own work.

Below are additional guidelines to keep in mind for writing samples:. However, career counselors can advise on the size, style, and type of sample that should be submitted. For a formal review of a potential writing sample, you may contact the Legal Rhetoric Program. Absent such guidance, pages is typically sufficient.

Writing Style :Unless otherwise directed, a traditional legal writing sample should demonstrate superior legal analysis, advocacy where appropriate , perfect grammar, and formal use of a recognized legal citation method.

If a few facts are needed to put your argument in context, they can be included in an explanation that should be no longer than a few sentences. Type of Writing Sample : Ideally, you can offer an employer a variety of samples from which to choose. Absent such direction or repertoire, any of the following may be appropriate:.

Legal Rhetoric Appellate Brief submit only an analytical section of the brief, and attach a cover sheet see above. Actual Work Product— from your job, an externship or clinic, for example.

In doing so, obtain approval from your supervisor to use the work product and to redact all confidential information. Scholarly Work— these may include published articles and law review articles. As above, the emphasis here should be on providing a sample of your legal analytical and writing skills. Blogs— speak with a career counselor before offering to submit your blog postings in relation to either your resume or as a writing sample.

Sample Cover Sheet. References are people who know you professionally or academically and can attest to your skills, knowledge, professionalism, and work experience. Do not use family members or social acquaintances. List a maximum of three references, but no fewer than two. Please see the Reference Sheet Anatomy link for a sample reference sheet. Reference Sheet Anatomy. Thank you letters should be sent via email or hardcopy as soon as possible following each interview.

During the Fall OCI season, a thank you letter is not typically expected after a screening interview, but students should consider sending one to their top-choice employers. Thank you letters, like cover letters and resumes, must be error free. If you interviewed with more than one person, it is best to send each one an individual thank you letter.

Try to make each letter distinctive by mentioning one thing specific to that interview er and reiterate your interest in that position. Thank You Letter Anatomy. Career and Professional Development. Section Navigation Toggle. Job Application Documents. Below are additional guidelines to keep in mind for writing samples: Review of Writing Samples : OCPD does not provide critical review of writing samples.

Absent such direction or repertoire, any of the following may be appropriate: Legal Rhetoric Appellate Brief submit only an analytical section of the brief, and attach a cover sheet see above Actual Work Product— from your job, an externship or clinic, for example. References Resources Reference Sheet Anatomy. Connect with our office.

I am a first-year student at Harvard Law School and am writing to apply for a volunteer summer internship with the Department of Education's Office for Civil. “I am currently a second year student at Texas A&M University School of Law, and am The second, and possibly third, paragraphs of your cover letter compose.

Toolkit for Student Job Seekers. The cover letter is a sample of your written work and should be brief preferably one page , persuasive, well-reasoned, and grammatically perfect. Determine to whom you should address the cover letter. If you are applying to law firms, address your letter to the recruiting director. NALP also provides a useful mail merge feature for generating multiple letters.

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Introduction There are two opposite, yet equally wrong, myths about cover letters that we must dispel right away. A cover letter which recites one's experience in reverse chronological order is a duplication of the resume.

Cover Letter Advice & Samples

Your cover letter is as important as your resume because it is often read first and plays a vital role in your quest for an interview. A cover letter is not a transmittal letter, and you may be surprised at how time-consuming it is to craft a good one. A cover letter has a purpose, which is to let an employer know why they should bother reading your resume and why they should meet you. It also serves as an example of your written work product; thus it should be clear, brief, and written in a business letter style, without any typographical errors. When you respond to a job listing, you will usually be requested to submit a cover letter as part of your application. In this case, use the job description and requested qualifications as a guide.

Internships go hand-in-hand with law school. Many experts recommend that you do several internships to give yourself the best chance of getting a full-time job. This is where a well-written, thoughtful cover letter comes in. It can be a powerful tool for securing a law internship, an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise, work ethic, knowledge, and passion for the subject. Tailoring your cover letter to a particular firm's specialties and needs can help you stand out as a polished and professional applicant. Your cover letter should show your personality and give specific examples—either from your work your education or in a previous internship—of how you can fulfill the internship's responsibilities. This is important information. She understands the types of cases it takes on and what it seems to want to achieve. The writer uses this to mention why she would be a good match for this firm given these considerations. Consider if you only provided your cell number, then you lose your phone.