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– For all you job-seekers out there – the WSJ advises how to write a good cover letter to go with your resume.
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K
Does anyone have advice on how to write a good cover letter to someone who already knows (and likes) you and your work ?
Context: I’d like to return to work at a place where I interned while in law school. No jobs are specifically posted at the moment, but I’d like them to keep me in mind when they do have openings later this year. I’d like my cover letter to be professional, of course, but still acknowledge the relationship.
Any thoughts?
LP
It sounds like you already have the right idea re: acknowledging the relationship. When I transferred from my old firm to my new firm, I was “following” a partner. Nevertheless, I had to send a cover letter/resume and go through the interview process. I kept the usual form of my typical cover letter, but made a specific effort to discuss my (positive) working relationship with the partner I was following, and mention some of the projects we did together and my already-established connections to the clients — you get the picture. It makes sense to do so, since I would be continuing with the same work/clients. If you aren’t sure whether what you did in the past will be what you are (could be) assigned to do in the future, you probably shouldn’t pigeonhole yourself as much, and make sure to mention other experiences/internships as well. You don’t want to give off the impression that you *think* you are certain to get the job just because you would be a returning employee. Relationships are key though, so don’t gloss over yours.
Erin
Are you addressing the letter to a person you worked with before? If so, save the Mr. or Ms. and address it to Dear Firstname. I find it so awkward when someone I was on a first-name basis with suddenly calls me Ms. when they want something from me.
Other than that, I’d keep the normal format of your cover letter, but highlight what you really enjoyed about your internship and why you’re hoping to return there. I’d also mention a specific project you worked on as an intern, or the name of the people you worked with (if you aren’t addressing the letter to a specific person). And highlight any major changes since you interned – if you published a student note on a relevant area of law, for example, or won the moot court competition.
K
“You don’t want to give off the impression that you *think* you are certain to get the job just because you would be a returning employee.”
Right – this is precisely what I’m trying to avoid. Thanks for the advice!