We have had lots of discussions recently on drafting cover letters. Cover letters can be difficult to draft for various reasons. I have found the attached handouts (that we originally used in an Interview Preparation Workshop) to be an extremely valuable aid as you draft your cover letters. If you are struggling with your cover letter or worried about being prepared for your upcoming interviews, try to find some quality time this weekend to do the following:
- Look at the handout entitled “The Anatomy of a Successful Attorney.” This lists the 25 or 30 characteristics of the perfect attorney (and as we all know, there is no such thing as the “perfect” attorney). Each of us would say that about 5 or 6 of these characteristics are our strengths. So consider each of the characteristics, and decide what you think are your top 5 strengths.
- Then move to the “Agenda Building Worksheet.” List each of your strengths separately, and then list one or two examples of real life situations that best illustrate each strength. For example, the “ability to manage complex tasks” might be illustrated by your handling of a complex nonprofit bond closing or a 1031 exchange. Just make sure you select specific examples that you would want to discuss and maybe even “brag about” a little. (Although it’s not always second nature for some of us to do this, it really is okay to feel good about your accomplishments and talk about them.)
- The “Firm Research Worksheet” helps you analyze why you are interested in a particular firm or position. It’s pretty self-explanatory.
- Incorporate all of the info on your strengths, your specific examples of them, and your firm interest analysis on the “Interview Agenda Worksheet.” You will see from this worksheet that you need to consider at least a couple of areas that might not have been your picks of your strengths but that often come up in discussions. Spend a little time thinking about these issues. They help you get prepared for interviews.
- Finally, the “Interview Candidate Evaluation” form gives you a bit of insight as to what your interviewers will probably consider once you have interviewed. They won’t use this particular form, and they may not use any particular form at all, but they will assess you and your credentials - probably in similar categories.
After you have done this, I think you will start to get excited about your credentials, experience, etc., and you will start to want to talk about what makes you a great candidate for a potential position. Also, you will be focusing on those strengths that might not be evident from a quick glimpse at your resume, and these are what you want to highlight in a cover letter! I think that once this exercise is complete, you will be able to draft the perfect cover letter for you (because cover letters should not be a rehashing of your resume but a precursory look at your real strengths and background).
If, after doing this, you have trouble patting yourself on the back for your accomplishments or highlighting your strengths, call us, email or come by. We can discuss your self-assessments and decide on how best to highlight them in a cover letter or discuss them in person.
If you take the time to go through this exercise, you are going to have a great cover letter. I also think you are going to be ready to take control of the interview process and make sure your interviewer hears what you want him or her to hear about you.
Let me know if you have questions. Just remember, for this exercise, be your own best advocate!
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