Your Words are Your Craft and Your Reputation: Don’t Let Up on Proofreading—In Your Job Search or Your Career

By Frank Zeccola 
LCD Graduate Fellow

Every new lawyer knows the feeling: You just passed the Bar and got sworn in. Now you are applying for a job at a firm that sounds like an amazing opportunity. This will be your first real job as a lawyer. You type up an engaging cover letter outlining exactly why you are a great fit for the firm. You sell yourself like an ad man from the 60s writing about the new Rolls Royce for a billboard in Times Square. There’s no way they won’t hire you after reading this.

Then you read over your cover letter again. And spot a typo. And another typo. Frantically, you scrutinize your letter again and again searching for any little mistake you may have made. After all, one misplaced comma or misspelled word could kill your chances for scoring the job. Before long, your brain starts hurting. And your anxiety skyrockets.

If you fret about making typos in emails to hiring partners and other colleagues, there is good news. A line of research going back several decades shows that, as you advance in your career and earn a reputation in your profession, you can get away with being less formal in email contact with colleagues. Further, typos and proofreading mistakes matter less than when you are an entry-level job seeker.

Stop ‘Wasting Everyone’s Time’: Five Tips to Help Employers Help You Find a Job

By Frank Zeccola 
LCD Graduate Fellow 

An email by a partner at a large national law firm has gone viral across the Internet in the last month. In the message, the partner complained that sending thank you notes after your interviews with BigLaw firms is “Just a complete waste of everyone’s time.” The subtext is that thank you notes add very little value to your prospects of landing the job but cost large firms money by clogging employees’ inboxes with unwanted emails. Whether this advice translates to small, midsized, or public interest law firms remains to be seen, but a general guidepost is probably: “when in doubt, leave it out.”

The bigger picture issue is that hiring and training new employees costs money—some estimates range as high as $300,000 per new lawyer.

 As a new lawyer entering the marketplace to find your first job, the last thing you want to do is waste employers’ time at any point in the hiring process. If you can show that you can seamlessly transition from job applicant to employee without any wasted time and effort on the part of the employer, you stand significantly improved chances of landing the job.

To do that, here are five tips for helping employers help you in the job hunting process. Further, these tips will help get your resume to the top of the pile and increase your chances for scoring the job:

Tips for Tailoring Your Application Materials When Applying to Pro Bono and Public Interest Employment Opportunities

By Corey Farris 
Law Career Development Counselor 

Counselors in law career development often hear this question: “Can I just use the same cover letter and resume for multiple applications?” Unfortunately, it is not that simple. To stand out from among the pile of resumes and cover letters, you absolutely need to specifically tailor your materials to each employer. That is especially true when applying to public interest and pro bono positions where your materials needs to show not only an aptitude for the work, but a passion for it as well. 

Public Interest and Pro Bono Cover Letters 

When drafting your cover letter, focus on the mission of the organization or the community that it
serves. Do not just “cut and paste” the mission statement from a website to show that you read through it. Instead, delve into your personal experiences and background to illustrate that you have a long-running commitment to a specific cause or group of clients. This does not have to be in the form of actual work or volunteer experience. Sometimes a personal story can be just as effective. Do you come from a family of immigrants and your family’s experience has motivated you to do immigration work? Are you a first-generation college student interested in improving access to education for others? These are the types of personal connections that show your commitment to specific types of public interest work.

Battling Your Brain And Finding Those Lurking Typos

by Jared Solovay
Director of Private Sector Programs
& Administrative Director of Honors Lawyering Program

A few years back, the following paragraph made its way around the Internet:

“Arocdnicg to rsceearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pcale. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit pobelrm. Tihs is buseace the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.”

It turns out that there was no such study at Cambridge University, but that’s really beside the point. What’s remarkable about this paragraph is that, despite the fact that nearly every word is misspelled, most readers can still process the content at normal speed. Thanks to a phenomenon known as pareidolia, the brain turns out to be quite adept at spotting overarching patterns and filling in the missing pieces.

The problem is that as helpful as these mental shortcuts can be, when it comes to proofreading your own work, your brain can do you a disservice. Time and time again, when reviewing students’ resumes and cover letters, I find misspelled words arising from missing letters.

Biggest Mistakes People Make On Their Cover Letters

By Erica L. Morris
Law Career Development Graduate Fellow

It is difficult to sit down and write a thorough, individualized cover letter every time one applies for a new job. This is true for everyone. It is especially true when one is pressed with too little time to focus perfectly on the task. The same is true of resumes.

While no one has unlimited time to be perfect, cover letters must be crafted with care, and they must quickly and concisely make your application stand out. A recent study given by the New College of Humanities shows that recruiters, on average, take less than 60 seconds to decide on a resume and over 20 percent never finish reading a single cover letter. "On the whole, employers revealed they spend an average of just three minutes and 14 seconds looking over an application."

Employers spend extremely little time reviewing your application materials relative to the amount of time it takes to put the materials together, because they are strapped for time, too.

So how can work most efficiently to get the job you want by quickly impressing employers?  

One easy way to improve cover letters quickly is to avoid a handful of employer pet peeves. These mistakes are extremely common. Avoiding these big mistakes will readily help ensure your applications are considered on the merits, and not quickly thrown away.

COVER LETTER DON'Ts

The following list is a compilation of complaints employers frequently cite as reasons for tossing an application into the reject pile without even considering an applicant's resume. These reasons are derived from numerous studies taken from sources such as Business Insider, ESQ Resume LLC, Monster, UC Berkeley School of Law, and Independent.

• Not Including A Cover Letter. Read the application instructions! If it is required, then be sure to submit one, and it is a good idea to include one regardless. This is "your first introduction to a potential employer." Do not let the opportunity to make a good impression pass you by.

• Including a Generic Cover Letter. Employers know when a cover letter is generic. If you are going to apply, be sure to read the job posting carefully and draft your cover letter to match the employers needs. While it is smart to have a basic template to start with, "always remember to tailor it."

What Is Your Name Brand?

by Michelle Queirolo 
Grad Fellow 
Law Career Services

During law school, and your professional legal career, you should consciously manage your brand. What is a brand, you might ask? Dictionary.com defines “brand” as “a kind of variety of something distinguished by some distinctive characteristic.” This is the exact purpose of your brand – to set yourself apart from the rest, to highlight the distinct qualities that you can bring to employers, and to show employers and clients what kind of an advocate you are. (For more info on what a brand is, and the importance of a professional brand, read this Forbes article.)

A professional brand is developed by your reputation, which is essential in the legal community. Your reputation is demonstrated by your style and professional interactions, your paper trail, your social media profiles, and your involvement in the community. Ultimately, your personality and values drive your particular brand, so it is vital that you remain genuine.  

Happy New Year! LCS is Open

We're here to help you prepare for PI/PS Day!

Resume/Cover Letter Review: Drop by Law Career Services (40 Jessie Building, 5th Floor) to receive assistance with your resume and cover letters.

• Tuesday, January 6: 11:30 am - 1 pm 
• Wednesday, January 7: 11:30 am - 1 pm 
• Thursday, January 8: 11:30 am - 1 pm
• Friday, January 9: 11:30 am - 1 pm 
• Monday, January 12: 11:30 am - 1 pm and 4 - 6 pm 
• Tuesday, January 13: 11:30 am - 1 pm and 4 - 6 pm 
• Wednesday, January 14: 11:30 am - 1 pm and 4 - 6 pm

If those times don't work with your schedule, call us at (415) 442-6625 to set up a time convenient for you.

Pursuing a Career in Litigation

by Melanie McCormick, GGU 1L

Editor’s Note: Thank you to 1L Melanie McCormick for sharing her impressions of last week’s panel on Pursuing a Career In Litigation. If you missed the program, you can watch a video recording here. A special thank you to the ABA Section on Litigation for sponsoring the event. You can learn more about the Litigation Section here.

When you hear the word “Attorney,” it conjures for me an impassioned trial advocate emphatically arguing the guilt or innocence of their client, like that scene in A Few Good Men, where Lt. Dan Kaffee attacks Jack Nicholson’s Col. Jessup, “I want the truth!” The reality is that many attorneys do not practice in a courtroom (and many try to avoid it). Those that do, the real life litigators, do not resemble the crazed, you-can’t-handle-the-truth types. As was made very apparent at last week’s panel on “Pursuing a Career in Litigation,” real litigators are poised, calm, and clear. Their arguments are planned and organized. The panelists helped clarify a few things about the nature and philosophy of the world of litigation, and the path I, and other future litigators, need to go to reach it.

Microsoft Office Tutorials – for FREE!

By Henghameh Poya, LCS Intern

Ever wonder, "How do I alter the margins in my document?" "How do I add those equations in Excel?" You're not alone. Legal employers expect their interns and attorneys to be self-sufficient when it comes to computer skills; check out these resources that offer videos and step-by-step instructions.

1. Straight from the source

This website offers video tutorials for all of Microsoft's available programs. You can also choose which version you have and whether you're using a PC or Mac. Try using the search bar at the top of the page to navigate you to what you're looking for.

2. If videos aren’t your thing

This website offers step-by-step instructions (with pictures) on how to do a variety of tasks. It also offers some helpful explanations on what the tools do and what they would be useful for. The directions may differ slightly depending on the version of Office you’re using, but you'll get a nice overview from this website.

3. Just another option

This website is another text-based instruction site, but it's not quite as comprehensive as the previous one. It offers some simple instructions and gives you the option of choosing which version you're using.

Tip: If there isn't a tutorial for what you're looking for, try running a Google search with a brief description of your question. Example: "how to add column Microsoft Word."

Happy New Year!

by Elisa Laird-Metke

Law Career Services welcomes everyone back from the winter break! LCS counselors are available to meet with you to help with applications for spring and summer jobs. Make an appointment by calling (415) 442-6625

If you need just a quick resume/cover letter review, drop-in hours are also available. Stop by Monday, January 6 through Friday, January 10 between 11:30 and 1:00 pm daily at 40 Jessie, 5th floor.

Don't forget that PI/PS Day applications are due January 16!

We look forward to working with you in 2014!

How To Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

by Jan Nussbaum
Assistant Director for Professional Development

• The Hook: Remember that potential employers only spend 30 seconds reviewing a cover letter and resume. Think of the cover letter as a direct marketing piece similar to what you might receive in your mail box - it must contain something that peaks your interest and hooks you to read further. You want the employer to be interested enough to read your resume and put your application in the "YES, let's interview this candidate" pile.
  
• Why Are You Writing?: In the first paragraph of the cover letter simply state who you are and the name of the position for which you are applying. This is also a good place to name drop; i.e., inform the reader that someone they know has recommended you or believes you may be a good fit with the firm. Don't say much more. You want the reader to get to the "hook" in paragraphs 2 & 3.
  
• Why Them?: In the second paragraph, tell the reader why you want to work for them. You need to provide specific reasons, preferably beyond those stated in the firm's website, to show that you have thoroughly researched the firm and are genuinely impressed and interested in their practice. You want to stand out, and many other applicants are not going to do more than read the firm website.
  
• Why You?: In the third paragraph, tell the reader about why you are the best candidate for the job. The employer is looking to see if you have those skills that it has outlined in the job description. Print out the description and go over it with a fine tooth comb. Ask yourself "what are the key skills that the employer is looking for in a candidate." You may not have had experience in all of the items listed, but identify in the cover letter the ones that you do have experience in and provide specific examples. Be creative. You may be able to correlate some of your skills and past experiences to what the employer seeks.
  
• The Closer: Close with just the essentials: a) you are attaching your resume and any other requested documents; b) you look forward to the opportunity of speaking with them further; and c) a thank you. By the time they get to this paragraph, the reader should be intrigued enough to want to read your resume. You don't want them bogged down reading any additional information.

A cover letter that shows the employer in as few words as possible that you have skills necessary for the position and a good sense of the firm's practice will often lead to the employer wanting to know more about you, landing you an interview.

You may also wish to review the Cover Letter Handout from our Resource Library.

Tell Your Story!

by Susanne Aronowitz
Associate Dean for Law Career Services

This weekend a panel of prestigious attorneys gathered at GGU to offer advice to law students as part of the Asian American Bar Association's Career Day. When asked how students can stand out in their cover letters and interviews, the attorneys had the same advice: Have a compelling narrative that tells your story. Share your connection to the field or to the organization you are seeking to join. Explain how you've developed an interest in the work you are pursuing and the steps you have taken to prepare yourself for this path. If your prior experience is in a (seemingly) unrelated field, find ways to explain how that work has prepared you for this new opportunity.

For more tips on how to write an effective cover letter, take a look at our newly revised Cover Letter handout.

How and When to Name Drop

by Elana Konstant
Assistant Director of Public Interest Programs

In the current job market, everyone’s touting a return to networking as the best way to find employment and develop professionally. Ever the trendsetters, we here at LCS have always encouraged our students to build a network and make contacts to drawn on while in school and beyond. One of the best ways to take advantage of a large network is through referrals and introductions. While knowing the right people is key to the job search, using that knowledge correctly is how you land the job.

Here are some helpful guidelines for name dropping:

1. Ask permission: If someone refers you to an employer or gives you the name of a contact, be certain to ask if you can use his/her name when reaching out. Don’t assume that everyone mentioning a contact in conversation is comfortable with having their name dropped, especially if their contact is a personal one. This goes for faculty and staff at the law school, and other personal and professional contacts you have established. Always ask before you put the referral out there.


2. Mention those contacts upfront for maximum attention: If you know someone (or know someone who knows someone) at an organization that you are applying to or hoping to set up an informational interview with, mention that name in the first paragraph of your cover letter or email inquiry (e.g. “Chuck Bass of Gossip Girl LLC suggested I contact you regarding opportunities in your policy department.”). Be sure to get in touch with your contact before sending the letter to establish permission and allow him/her to follow the proper protocol for employee referrals.


3. Make sure the references are recognizable and well-respected: If you reference someone, be sure that the person you are contacting actually knows the person you are referencing. It is of no use to you (and can look unprofessional) to refer to someone that the employer/potential interviewer does not know well enough to recognize by name. Even more harmful is referring to someone who left an employer on bad terms. Make sure you are not associating yourself with someone else’s bad reputation.


4. Take advantage of very close connections: If someone you know is closely connected to an employer that you are especially interested in, it can be particularly effective to ask him/her to pass on your materials to the employer. Having your materials already vetted by a close contact might encourage the employer to review your candidacy more carefully. This request should be reserved for special opportunities to have the strongest impact, and also to keep you in the good graces of your contact.


5. Pass along your materials to your reference: If you are using someone’s name in a cover letter or email inquiry, you should copy the reference on the correspondence. That way he/she is aware of your materials and can speak about them if questioned.

The bigger your network, the more people that can help you find your way. By using references properly, you can make your network work for you. Happy name dropping!

A Cover Letter Is Not Expendable

As you toil over writing the perfect cover letter, you may be wondering, "is this effort really necessary?" As this recent NY Times article highlights, effective cover letters can make all the difference in your job search.

• A Cover Letter is Not Expendable

Resume / Cover Letter Tips

Thanks to all of the students who took advantage of recent resume & cover letter drop-in hours at Law Career Services. We were glad to see students incorporating the feedback into polished application materials.

We learned a few things ourselves, and wanted to pass on some tips to help you with your materials:

1. Paper, please. When bringing in your documents to be reviewed by a counselor, please bring in a hard copy for us to review.
   
   
2. Timing is everything. Please allow enough time prior to an application deadline to prepare your applications, incorporate the feedback you receive from a counselor, and upload or submit your materials in the manner requested by the employer or job fair. As many students learned the hard way, it can be very time-consuming to submit your applications. The sooner you can take care of it, the better.
   
   
3. Whether and how to list GPA, Dean’s List, and class rank. Students must be extremely cautious when presenting academic credentials. You may not indicate Dean’s List and similar accomplishments to employers until you have received official communication from the school that you have earned them. Once awarded, students are encouraged to present Dean’s List, Witkin Award and CALI award on their resumes (please make sure you understand the criteria for earning these accomplishments!). As a general rule, students should list class rank if it is Top 30% or better, and GPA if it is 3.5 or better.
   
   
4. Help is available! Please remember that LCS has handouts on resumes, cover letters, transcripts, writing samples and reference lists, all of which can be downloaded from the Resource Library on LCSonline. First-year students can also view a video from the main page of LCSonline of a recent Resume/Cover Letter Workshop. If you have not had your documents reviewed, please make an appointment to meet with a counselor at LCS.

Ace Cover Letters: Customizing for Employers

by Leslie Hom

A great cover letter explains why you want to work for this employer. The reader should be left with the impression that the letter was written solely for them. To be effective, you need to research the employer, figure out what’s important to them, and highlight how you are a good match.

First, gather information. Review their website and written materials. Search Google and talk with others who may know something to learn about their reputation and priorities.

Second, ask yourself these questions:

1. What is compelling about their cases or clients?
2. What is meaningful about the work they do?
3. Do they have a mission statement that reflects your own values?
4. What connections can you draw that link their work with your strengths and experiences?

Last, write your cover letter with your notes on hand.

Tip: Use IRAC to organize your writing in a cover letter.

Related Link: Cover Letter Handout

The Beauty & Blueprint of a Cover Letter

by Leslie Hom

I have the pleasure of guiding students through the challenging and exciting process of preparing job application materials for their first legal positions. I often see them laboring over their resumes but not their cover letters. Why?

“Cover letters are hard.” “Employers do not read them.” “I do not know why I want to work for this employer. I just need a job.”

These are some of the responses I hear from law school students about their cover letters. This is when I unveil the beauty of the cover letter.

Writing a cover letter requires that you clarify what you want and what you bring to the table. This is an important process that takes time and thought. Great cover letters answer two questions: why do you want to work for this employer and why should this employer hire you. In that process, you get a chance to ground yourself in what is important to you about your work. This is invaluable to you in finding a place that fits and work that is meaningful.

Cover letters and resumes have different purposes. Resumes are about presenting a record of current and past accomplishments. A cover letter forecasts the future based on your past experiences. You can identify broader career themes in a cover letter, including one’s career objectives and a summary of skills that would not be used in a legal resume.

The other reason to ace the cover letter is that employers do read them. They can make the difference between you and another candidate. And in this competitive market, why leave it to chance when you can send a spot-on letter to your target employer?

Here’s the simple and effective cover letter blueprint:

Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself.
Paragraph 2: Answer the question: Why do you want to work there?
Paragraph 3: Answer the question: Why should they hire you?
Paragraph 4: Wrap up. Thank them for their attention.

Tip: Read your letters aloud before sending.

Related Link: Cover Letter Handout