3 minute read

BAD COVER LETTER BAD COVER LETTER

Harold Gunderson 4 Zane Street, Ultimo NSW 2007

Hi HR,

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I want to apply for a paralegal position at your prestiegious law firm. I am a law student at UTS and I believe my strong academic background and passion for the legal profession make me ideal candidate for this job because throughout my academic carer, i have excellent grades and consistenyl demonstrated my strong work ethic. I am particulilary interested in the firms practice areas of commercial litigiation and intellectual properly law and i believe that my coursework and previous internship experience gave me a solid foundation in these areas.

In addition to my academic accomplishments, I have also gained valuable practical experience through my previous internship at ABC Law Firm. During my time there, I was responsible for conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and assisting with trial preparation. I believe that this experience has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as a legal intern at your firm.

I am confident that I have the qualities you are looking for in a candidate, including strong analytical and communication skills, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic. I am eager to contribute to your team and learn from the experienced solicitors at your firm.

Thank you for considering my application for the Paralegal position at Pearson Specter Litt. I have attached my resume and academic transcript for your reference. I am excited at the prospect of joining a reputable law firm like Pearson Specter Litt. My strong academic background and work experience make me a strong candidate for this role. I am eager to learn more about Pearson Specter Litt's practice areas and to contribute my skills to the team. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and would be thrilled to interview with you. Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Harold Gunderson

1 Make sure you write out your contact details. Otherwise, the hiring manager cannot reach you since they don't know who you are.

2 Who is this cover letter directed to? You can nd the contact person to whom you should send your CV & Cover Letter in the job description. Research the person you are addressing on the company’s website or LinkedIn to determine their position title.

3 Missing a subject line. The subject line should be brief, mention the position you are applying for, and be professional.

4 Never start a Cover Letter with 'Hi' as it is unprofessional. Start the salutation with 'Dear'. Always nd out to whom you're supposed to address the Cover Letter. If the job description does not provide any contact details, use phrases such as 'Dear Recruitment Team at Pearson Specter Litt' or 'Dear Hiring Manager at Pearson Specter Litt'.

5 Try using a more professional font like Times New Roman or Arial.

Introduce yourself clearly in this paragraph. This paragraph serves as your introduction. Firstly state what year you are in academically. Are you a [ rst/second/third/penultimate/ nal] year Law and [second degree] student at the University of Technology Sydney? What is your academic standing, i.e., your weighted average mark? Explain how you obtained this mark whilst completing [work experience/internship/extra-curricular activity/ volunteer experience relating to the job description]. Then emphasise why securing this role is valuable to you. For example, is it because you have a genuine interest in intellectual property and this rm specialises in that? Explain why you are writing to this rm and provide a concise and general overview of your letter. Furthermore, there are many grammatical and spelling errors. Such mistakes re ect poorly on you, showing the hiring manager you are not detail-oriented and diligent. Always proofread your work before uploading it, or have a friend or mentor proofread it. Otherwise, put your work through Grammarly and work through its suggestions.

7 The second paragraph should highlight your resume's 'selling' parts. This paragraph should stand out and convince the hiring manager that you are the most suitable person for this role. Focus on the most vital skills in the job description. Do you believe you internalise those skills? Why? Explain how your speci c achievements and experiences developed the said skills. For example, how did you develop your communication skills in a Commercial Law Moot?

8 The third paragraph should demonstrate why you want to work for that particular rm. Research the rm's values and the type of law it specialises in. Are those areas that you're interested in? How do you internalise the rm's values? Convince the hiring manager that you would seamlessly t into the rm as you mirror them in many di erent ways.

9 The concluding paragraph should thank the hiring manager for their time, be positive and con dent in closing and express an eagerness for an interview.

Harold Gunderson

4 Zane Street, Ultimo NSW 2007 0412 345 678 harold.gunderson@gmail.com

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