ARE COVER LETTERS STILL RELEVANT TODAY?
By Diane Rifkin
President, Rifkin Consulting
We work with clients who want to hire top attorneys, and applicants seeking to work with the best law firms and companies. On a daily basis, we are faced with changes in the recruiting industry – primarily as a result of increased internet use.
For example, many law firms require that attorney candidates be submitted through an online process. Advantage for the firm – efficiency. Disadvantage for the candidate – an impersonal presentation. Other firms still accept email submissions that contain an email cover letter or cover letter that’s in the body of the email. The challenge remains whether words on paper will show that candidate as a person, rather just words on paper…and it IS a significant challenge for a recruiter to be effective at presenting an applicant.
A cover letter should briefly tell a story about the person who is being presented for a job opening. Why should this attorney be considered over others for this position? What traits does this person have that aren’t necessarily evident on the resume? What were this person’s challenges that portray strengths and the ability to overcome challenges at work (or in one’s personal life)?
In my opinion, the story must be told both in the cover letter and on the resume. It must be relayed concisely and clearly. The cover letter should contain information that expounds on the resume – not that repeats it. Unfortunately, cover letters don’t always get read even if included in the candidate submission. I find this to be a real shame, because it’s an integral part of the “ story”. Therefore, a reputable recruiter needs to make a special effort to make sure that a resume tells as much of the tale as possible.
For example, if a candidate is strong at client development - try to quantify that business. If a person worked during law school in addition to studying to make the grades and achieve his/her degree, it’s appropriate to make a very brief mention of this (although the cover letter is the most appropriate place to include this information). Should an applicant be committed to working for a law firm that supports pro bono work – mention one’s previous pro bono matters. This is just a sampling of ways to “personalize” one’s resume in case the reviewer doesn’t read the cover letter – or – read it closely.
Needless to say, a recruiter can only serve the candidate well by really caring about what makes the candidate “tick” – so never hurry the screening process.
Yes, cover letters are still relevant today – although the electronic age certainly depersonalizes a candidate’s special qualities or uniqueness. Make your story great!
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RESPONSIVE. RESOURCEFUL. RESULTS.
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