Cover letters

A cover letter is a job application letter which candidates use to explain to an employer why they are qualified for the position and why they should be selected for an interview. It is the means by which an employer will be able to gain their first impression. This provides candidates the opportunity to make their applications stand out from the rest and show the employer your personality through your writing.

The essentials

Set out your personal details in the top right corner of your cover letter. This includes your name, address, email and contact number. Below this, on the left hand-side, address your cover letter to the person’s name, their position, the organisation’s name and address. Use a bold heading to state the position you are applying for – e.g. RE: Application for 2020 [Firm] Clerkship Program. Start your cover letter with “Dear Ms/Mr [Last name]”. It is best to avoid addressing them as “Sir/ Madam” or writing “To Whom It May Concern”, as it shows that you have not researched the firm. The job advert will likely advise who to address the application to, usually the Office Manager, Head of Human Resources, Managing Partner or Principal of the firm. If you are ever unsure, ask the Blackstone Careers team or call the organisation to ask.

The benefits of a good cover letter

A great cover letter will show off your achievements and focus quite heavily on why you want to work at a specific firm. It highlights how a candidate can contribute to the firm. Further, it shows how a candidate has prepared for their application by researching the firm, the nature of the position and ensuring that they address the selection criteria. Finally, it gives the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate their written communication skill, structure, and clarity of written expression. In an area such as law it is crucial to demonstrate that you are a good writer! Tips for writing

• Introduce yourself briefly at the start of the cover letter. • Make sure you state what year of study you’re in and when you intend to graduate. • Keep your cover letter to one page. • Ensure your cover letter is addressed to the right person. • If you have a particular interest in an area of law you know the firm specialise in, make sure you mention this. Be sure to mention why it interests you and relate it to the firm. • Plan and write your cover letters well in advance. • Highlight your strengths and how you can use these to benefit the firm. • Write in first-person. • Ensure you tailor your cover letter to each firm and are satisfying the selection criteria. • Do not just repeat your CV.

Give practical examples building on your CV. • Proofread your cover letter, get family and friends to read over it as well. Spelling and grammatical can make your cover letter look weak. • Avoid using big words and colourful adjectives. You should write in plain English; be clear and concise. • Ensure you send the correctly addressed cover letter to the correct firm (you would be surprised how many people mess up!).

introduction Clerkships

… Put your contact details in the header of the document. … Research who you need to address the letter to - the person’s name (if available) and the job title. … Outline your studies and the position you are applying for.

about you the organisation Graduates

… Set out the skills and qualifications you have that are necessary for meeting the selection criteria. Support with evidence or examples of your employment history, extracurricular activities, and volunteer positions. … Emphasising your skills which tie to the job description such as attention to detail, teamwork and managing multiple tasks at one time. Provide examples of how you demonstrated those skills in a practical setting. It is good to think of this part as almost answering an interview question about a time you demonstrated a skill. This would allow you to adequately structure your answer in a well-structured way. … Outline why you are interested in the specific organisation. Use evidence to support this, such as sharing similar values with the firm or identifying appealing aspects about the organisation. … Research the firm, their practice groups, people you have met, interesting work and recent matters the firm has completed or recent achievements or awards the firm has received.

conclusion

… Thank the addressee for their time and consideration of your application, and state that you look forward to hearing from them. … Sign off with ‘Yours sincerely,’ if you have addressed the letter to someone by their name (i.e

Dear Ms. Recruiter). Otherwise, sign off with ‘Yours faithfully’ if you have addressed the letter to someone by their position, if their name is unknown to you (i.e Dear Human Resources Manager).

notes

MISTAKES AND SUGGESTIONS FLAGGED

HAROLD GUNDERSON

CONTACT

PHONE NUMBER: 0400 456 789

EMAIL ADDRESS: hazzadawg123@gmail.com

Ms. Donna Paulsen Talent Acquisition Consultant Zane Specter Litt Wheeler Williams Level 34, Central Park Tower 152 St Georges Tce, Perth WA 6000

Dear Donna,

2022 Clerkship Application

I am writing to apply for a Vacation Clerkship position at Zane Specter Litt Wheeler Williams. I am currently in my penultimate year of my Juris Doctor at The University of Western Australia. I have previously completed a Bachelor of Arts double majoring in Law and Society, Political Science and International Relations with a high distinction grade.

There are 3 reasons that motivate my application to clerk at ZSLWW. First, the firm’s renowned reputation across Australia and the world, particularly in commercial litigation and environment and planning, providing opportunities to work with colleagues in an international firm and an empowering and supportive environment. Secondly, I particularly like the high level of involvement ZSLWW has in the pro bono space, I understand Mike Ross to be a leader in this practice area within the firm. The participation of ZSLWW to pro bono work, despite being a top tier commercial firm resonates with me as I myself want to give back to the community through whichever means that I can. Thirdly, through my paralegal role with the banking and finance team at Bratton Gould, I believe I have developed the skills requied for the role at ZSLWW.

In my experience with the team at Bratton, I conducted legal research including statutory interpretation and contract review for the firm’s clients. I believe my time at Bratton has given me the skills required to succeed in my clerkship at ZSLWW.

My involvement as a vice-president of the Dubstep Music Appreciation Society (DMAS) alongside other extra-curricular activities has allowed me to manage my time affectively between university studies and other commitments. My role at DMAS including DJing major social events, coordinating committee meetings, leading a team and liasing with vendors. Something of which I believe will be useful in my clerkship at ZSLWW.

My interest to applying to clerk at Zane Specter Litt Wheeler Williams developed when I met Partner Louis Litt at the Perth Law Careers Fair in May of 2021. Louis and I both had an interest in mudding, as a core activity to relax and unwind from the stresses of work and study.

Overall, by balancing my commitments between full-time university study and my extra-curricular activities, I am of the belief that I will be able to adapt to the fastpaced and high-pressure environment that awaits me in the commercial law industry. ZSLWW not only appears to me due to its pro-bono involvement, but also its core values of honesty, integrity, professionalism and excellence. Finally, I am confident that my experience will aid in ZSLWW achieving these core values through my time as a clerk at the firm and alongside my personal experiences.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me via mobile on 0400 456 789 or via email to hazzadawg123@gmail.com.T

Yours faithfully,

Harold Gunderson

Commented [A2]: Be more formal than less formal (ie Dear Ms Paulsen). Commented [A3]: This is a good simple heading. If the firm requires you to specify which office you are applying for, state something like ‘Zac Specter Litt Wheeler Williams Perth Clerkship Program 2022/23’. Also, do NOT use the ‘RE:’ - this is not a reply email. Commented [A4]: Justify your paragraphs to ensure a cleaner look. Check the ‘home’ tab in Word or Google ‘how to justify paragraphs in Word’. Commented [A5]: Be concise (ie I have a Bachelor of Arts…with high distinction). Commented [A6]: Numbers one to nine should be in words; numbers 10 or higher can be stated numerically. Commented [A7]: This is a good way to be concise in your cover letter. Use of ‘first’, ‘secondly’ and ‘thirdly’ gives the reader an easy to follow structure.

Commented [A8]: Do NOT abbreviate the firm’s name. Show that you have respect for the firm. In Perth, there are no firms with particularly long names.

Commented [A9]: Do not say ‘the firm’. The ‘firm’ here is ‘Zane Specter Litt Wheeler Williams’. Commented [A10]: Be careful name dropping people or the firm’s previous matters/deals. This ... [1] Commented [A11]: This statement is not necessary - sounds slightly condescending. Commented [A12]: This reads clunky. Be sure to use concise language and write in active voice. Commented [A13]: Check for spelling. Commented [A14]: Check for correct use of language. Commented [A15]: It should read ‘included’. Commented [A16]: Whilst this is a very unique experience, relate the experience back to the role. ... [2] Commented [A17]: This is great! This shows that you can go beyond public information on the firm’s ... [3] Commented [A18]: It is relevant to speak of Louis’ thoughts on the firm’s culture and work (which are ... [4] Commented [A19]: Check for correct use of language. Commented [A20]: Pro-bono v pro bono. Be consistent. I would use whichever variation the firm ... [5] Commented [A21]: Whilst it is good to highlight the firm’s values, it is a stretch to say that the firm ... [6] Commented [A22]: This is not necessary. The firm will contact you if they want you to interview you. Your ... [7] Commented [A23]: Use ‘Yours sincerely’ in letters where the addressee is known, ‘Yours faithfully’ in ... [8] Commented [A24]: Consider creating a more professional email address for job applications.