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Cover Letter

OPENING OF COVER LETTER

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  • Find out who you are addressing your Cover letter to – if it is not stated in the job advertisement, research and reach out to the recruitment team for the firm

  • (For jobs that are posted on LinkedIn – you can directly contact the member who posted the job advertisement= usually the graduate recruitment manager)

  • If you cannot find who to address the letter to, use ‘Dear Sir/Madam’

  • The subject matter for the letter should be stated as ‘Application for [title of vacancy] at [the firm’s name]’

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PARAGRAPH 1 = THE PURPOSE OF YOUR APPLICATION

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  • Talk about the specific vacancy you are applying for

  • Where did you see the vacancy? On their careers page? On a LinkedIn post?

  • This is a good space to introduce yourself very briefly – your current education stage, the university you attend and your current employment role (if applicable and relevant)

  • If a CV is required, state that your CV is attached.

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PARAGRAPH 2 = WHY YOU ARE APPLYING TO THEM

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  • Explain why you are interested in their organisation/ firm

  • Research the firm! You need to come across as well-researched

  • Draw out points from their website/ LinkedIn – refer to them in your application

  • What sector interests you? Why?

  • Do they have past cases that has brought interest to you?

  • Demonstrate your knowledge of the law firm

  • Have you spoken to a trainee/associate/partner of the firm on a 1-1 basis? If so mention it, and what interested you during that conversation?

  • Do they have a small intake? Does this interest you and why?

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PARAGRAPH 3 = WHY SHOULD THEY CHOOSE YOU?

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  • This is where you need to bring your attributes!

  • Why will you fit the firm? What can you bring to the firm? BE SPECIFIC

  • Mention your previous grades that may be of relevance to the sector you are interested in working in

  • Mention the skills you have developed through previous experiences that will be relevant to use for the role – both legal and non-legal experience is as equally valuable

  • Use the firms buzz words of what they are looking for – have you got those attributes? If so, mention them and back it up with relevant examples of how you have demonstrated it

  • TIP: Do not mention a skill if you cannot back it up with how you demonstrated it or how you would demonstrate the skill for the job you are applying for!

  • REMEMBER they are looking for someone who can support the growth and movement of the firm – not just a trainee! Look forward and mention how you can support and aid the business long term!

  • You need a USP as well as the ability to match your skills to the role

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CLOSING OF COVER LETTER

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  • When signing off your letter be polite and mention your appreciation for the recruiter taking time to read your application

  • Reiterate your interest in the position in one sentence.

  • You can also include your email if you need to be directly reached to – this shows your genuine interest to hear back from the recruiter

  • Remember to say you look forward to hearing from them!

  • Sign off the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’ if you have addressed the letter to a named person. If you have addressed it to ‘Sir/Madam’, sign the letter with ‘Yours faithfully’.

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GENERAL TIPS FOR YOUR COVER LETTER:​

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  • Use a professional and formal tone when writing a cover letter

  • Use the same font as you did for your CV

  • Do not list information that you have already provided through your CV/ online application – avoid repetition!

  • Keep your cover letter as one page and ensure you have split it into paragraphs – they will not read your letter if it longer and has no clear structure

  • ALWAYS create a new cover letter for every application you apply for!

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