5 Tips for Law Students on How to Write a Cover Letter to Get an Interview
I don’t supply “model” cover letters for a reason:
A “model” is the antithesis of what any cover letter should be.
Instead, a cover letter should scream:
“I’m different; I’m better; you want me; you want only me!”
To be sure, you need to format it traditionally and use professional prose, but in terms of what you say after that, PLEASE try to stand out from the pack.
To do that, you need to:
—Be unique.
—Go beyond the boilerplate.
—Create a cover letter no one else could replicate.
Here are five tips to help you do it:
1️⃣ Be confident: Treat each cover letter as if you are a highly credentialed, sought-after candidate. Do not let mediocre grades douse your ability to craft engaging copy, and do not downplay. Focus on your strengths and demonstrate the value you can bring.
2️⃣ Be enthusiastic: I don’t care if your grades are As or Cs, and I don’t care if you are applying to one firm or 100. You should approach each one as if it’s your #1 choice.
No, don’t say the firm is choice #1 if not true, but are you really sure? A firm that you might gloss over initially might end up as your number one bet in the end. There’s simply no reason to give away that you plan to preclude an offer from a firm before you know all your options. Remember, too, often it’s the firm that ends up choosing you, not the other way around.
3️⃣ Be specific about the firm: Research and find out something specific about the firm that makes it somewhere you want to work (as opposed to every other firm). Force yourself to find a distinguishing firm trait. If your letter could easily be sent to several other firms, you haven’t found something specific enough.
4️⃣ Be specific about yourself: Strive to find something about you that would be hard for someone else to replicate. For example, don’t just write that you’ve gained analytical and legal-writing skills from your law school classes or that you know how to research on WestLaw. Everyone else can say that, too.
To help generate ideas for unique content, you might ask yourself these questions:
▪️ What’s something you’ve done in the last year (or 2, or 5, 10, etc.) that your classmates have not done?
▪️ What’s something specific you plan to do with your degree that no one else can say?
▪️ What’s a trait you’ve developed based on experiences that no one else can talk about in the same way?
5️⃣ Inject some personality: What’s something interesting or funny that has happened to you? Any story will do. Tell it briefly, and then tie it to some specific trait about you, your background, or your achievements that makes you a top candidate for that firm.
Anecdotes let your personality come through and distinguish you from others. Personal stories are gold.
RECAP:
You’re adding your resume to a stack.
You need to stand out from the pack.
Be YOU, and you’ll see.
You might even, if you dare,
add some creativity!
💌 Amanda