LL.M. Cover Letter PPT, October 2017 · and English proficiency. Cover Letter = Business Letter...
Transcript of LL.M. Cover Letter PPT, October 2017 · and English proficiency. Cover Letter = Business Letter...
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LL.M. Cover Letter Workshop:
Creating a U.S. Legal Cover Letter
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What is a cover letter?
• Marketing Document – First Impression
• Focus on WHY THE FIRM SHOULD HIRE YOU(instead of all of the other wonderfully qualified folks who are also applying)
• SHOW (don’t TELL) what sets you apart
• Mention the reason(s) you want to work for the firm in the first paragraph, but these are NOT the focus of the letter.
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What (else) is a cover letter?
• Connection Establisher: Establishes geographic or other connection
• Interest Generator: Tells your story
• Writing Sample: Example of fact-based advocacy and English proficiency
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Cover Letter = Business Letter
JASON SAMPLE [email protected]
(208) 555-5555 School Address: 21 Arlington Street Charlottesville, VA 22903
Home Address: 100 Easy Street
Akron, OH 44325
July 15, 2016 [Full Name of Recruiter] [Title] [Full Name of Firm] [Address 1] [City, State Zip] Dear Ms./Mr. [Last Name]: [Intro Paragraph] [Body Paragraph 1] [Body Paragraph 2] [Closing Paragraph] Sincerely, Jason Sample
JASON SAMPLE [email protected]
(208) 555-5555 School Address: 21 Arlington Street Charlottesville, VA 22903
Home Address: 100 Easy Street
Akron, OH 44325
July 15, 2016 [Full Name of Recruiter] [Title] [Full Name of Firm] [Address 1] [City, State Zip] Dear Ms./Mr. [Last Name]: [Intro Paragraph] [Body Paragraph 1] [Body Paragraph 2] [Closing Paragraph] Sincerely, Jason Sample
• Header/Return Address –consistent with resume
• Employer Contact Details (NALP Directory)
• Proper Salutation
• Proper Closing
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Pre-Writing Process
1. Determine your potential themes (strengths/experiences)
2. Search your memory
3. Compile your useful facts
4. Weigh your evidence
5. Select your themes and best examples
ONLY THEN IS IT TIME TO WRITE.
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Successful Themes/Strengths
• What sets you apart? What skills would you like to highlight?
• Prior Work Experience • Think about how it translates to potential tasks in a law firm
• Highlight practice area or industry sector overlap
• Significant Academic Experience• Graduate work/heavy course loads, etc.
• Academic prizes used as evidence of skills/knowledge/expertise
• Then, match this with what firms value
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THEMES FOR FIRM PRACTICE
Litigation• Litigation Experience• Legal Research• Writing• Project Management• Interpersonal Skills• Analytical Skills• Presentation Skills• Efficiency• Leadership• Ability to Work Under Pressure & Deadlines• Personnel Management• Client Service Excellence• Work Product Excellence• Negotiation Skills• Counseling Skills• Business Acumen• Relationship Management (within organization)• Organizational Skills• Team Skills• Initiative• Poise/Presence
Corporate/Transactional• Business Experience• Business Knowledge / Interest / Training• Negotiation Skills• Drafting Skills• Familiarity with Corporate Agreements• Project Management• Problem-Solving Skills
• Ability to Understand & Explain Complex Concepts• Client Service Excellence• Ability to Work Under Pressure & Deadlines• Presentation Skills• Organizational Skills• Personnel Management• Interpersonal Skills• Poise/Presence• Communication Skills• Counseling Skills• Leadership• Efficiency• Relationship Management (within organization)• Attention to Detail
Regulatory• Regulatory/Government Experience• Regulatory Training• Negotiation Skills• Client Service Excellence• Interpersonal Skills• Analytical Strength (particularized)• Writing Skills• Counseling Skills• Presentation Skills• Ability to Work Under Pressure & Deadlines• Communication Skills• Legal Research• Work Product Excellence• Project Management• Personnel Management• Poise/Presence• Relationship Management (within organization)• Attention to Detail
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Strategies for Assembling Your Letter
• Pick your format (experience-based v. skills-based)• Central paragraphs focused on transferable strengths, OR• Central paragraphs focused on jobs
• Build your topic sentences (focused on themes)• BE BOLD. BE ASSERTIVE. BE CONCISE.
• Compile the facts you have chosen into paragraphs built STRICTLY around your topic sentences
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Picking a Theme – Example 1Business Knowledge
• What topic sentence allows you to discuss all these items?
• Ex: “My academic background and prior experience as a corporate attorney provide me with a solid understanding of corporate finance and business issues.”
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Building on a Theme – Example 1Business Knowledge
• Show how your activities demonstrate the skill you are highlighting.
• Weak: “I am a seasoned corporate practitioner.”
• Strong: “As a senior attorney in the M&A and Private Equity group in Paul, Weiss’s Shanghai office, I negotiated and drafted purchase agreements and other transaction documents, and coordinated and supervised diligence, signing, and closing processes.”
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Picking a Theme – Example 2Interpersonal Skills
• Ex: “I also bring excellent interpersonal skills to your firm.”
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Building on a Theme – Common Mistakes (Ex: 1)
• Provide objective evidence of your strengths (SHOW, don’t tell).
• Weak: “Before law school, I was a top salesperson for a national clothing retailer.”
• Strong: “Before law school, I worked as a salesperson for a national clothing retailer. In that role, I learned to listen carefully to customers’ questions and concerns. I was praised by my superiors for my ability to identify the needs and preferences of our diverse customer base, and I was twice named salesperson of the month by store management.”
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Building on a Theme – Common Mistakes (Ex: 2)
• Your examples MUST be consistent with your topic sentence.
• Example: “I also bring excellent interpersonal skills to your firm. Before law school, I worked as a salesperson for a national clothing retailer…. In my undergraduate university, I utilized similar skills as the president of the University’s Mentor Group. My effectiveness connecting with and motivating people led to a record level of student mentor participation, and I received my college’s Outstanding Student Leadership Award in recognition of my success. While in law school, I also participated in several competitions as a member of my school’s Extramural Moot Court team.”
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Opening Paragraph
• 1st sentence: Who you are and why you are writing
• 2nd/3rd sentences: Why you are interested• Geography – Connections
• Firm – Interest in practice, reputation, people you’ve spoken to, etc.
Example: “I am a corporate attorney from Beijing, China, currently pursuing my LL.M. degree at the University of Virginia School of Law, and I am writing to apply for an associate position in Doe, Roe, and Poe LLP’s Washington, D.C., office. Prior to starting my LL.M. I was a legal assistant in the Banking and Finance group of Linklaters, Beijing, where I worked closely with Doe attorneys on a number of transactions. I am particularly interested in joining Doe because of its excellent reputation in corporate finance and the strong relationship between its D.C. and Beijing offices.”
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Closing Paragraph
• Short and flexibleExample:“I have included a resume and transcript with my application and can provide any other documents you may require. I would welcome the opportunity to interview with your firm. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
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Questions