Covering Letters: The Facts
updated on 14 December 2004
Dear Oracle
I'm currently applying for vacation placements and am wondering what kind of information I should include in the cover letters. The relevant information about myself is included in my CV!The Oracle replies
The covering letter should be used to highlight your best points, so that firms
will go on to look at your CV in detail.
It should consist of three paragraphs as follows:
Para 1: tell them what position you're applying for, where you saw the vacancy (eg, in the recruitment brochure, on the firm's website) and name-drop anyone you've already met from the firm (eg, at a careers fair).
Para 2: tell the firm why you've chosen to apply (no flannel or gushing compliments, just hard facts) and - crucially - what you can offer it. This should take the form of three or four bullet points (eg, mentioning your first/2:1 degree; outgoing, capable personality; experience of working in a law firm etc).
Para 3: sign off on a positive note telling the recruiter you look forward to hearing from them in due course and mentioning any dates on which you're not available for interview.
For more advice on applications see The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook.
