Cover letters

[Saffa]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to apply for training contracts that requires to submit cover letters. I need advice on what sort of information is needed to go on cover letters and how long should a cover letter be? If anyone could help, that would be great.

Thank you in advance.
Regards
Saffa

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

This is a generalisation as some firms have their own preferences:

No more than a page of A4

If in the form of a Word document, then go with a traditional letter format (addresses, dates, Dear, appropriate sign off etc).

If applying with a CV, three paragraphs (not necessarily in the following order):

Why the opportunity
Why them
Why you

At best, a fourth paragraph for any extenuating circumstances or information you need to present (eg when you are available for interview if you are outside of the UK).

Don’t repeat detail provided in elsewhere in your application or CV.

Don’t waste space/word count with unnecessary phrases like “I am writing to you to apply for the role of the Summer Internship with Gobbledegook law firm” or “Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information from me”

 

[Saffa]

This is a generalisation as some firms have their own preferences:

No more than a page of A4

If in the form of a Word document, then go with a traditional letter format (addresses, dates, Dear, appropriate sign off etc).

If applying with a CV, three paragraphs (not necessarily in the following order):

Why the opportunity
Why them
Why you

At best, a fourth paragraph for any extenuating circumstances or information you need to present (eg when you are available for interview if you are outside of the UK).

Don’t repeat detail provided in elsewhere in your application or CV.

Don’t waste space/word count with unnecessary phrases like “I am writing to you to apply for the role of the Summer Internship with Gobbledegook law firm” or “Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information from me”

Thank you, Jessica.

 

[gricole]

Should we provide brief information on why commercial law more generally in the beginning, especially for students who did conversion courses?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Should we provide brief information on why commercial law more generally in the beginning, especially for students who did conversion courses?

It doesn’t need its own paragraph but could be integrated. If you are doing a conversion course it will be obvious you are looking to get into law though.

 

[Giovanni Figa]

Hi Jessica

Do we need to include our name and address at the top of the covering letter if this is included elsewhere in the application form?

Giovanni

 

[Helena]

Hi Jessica

Do we need to include our name and address at the top of the covering letter if this is included elsewhere in the application form?

Giovanni

I would say no - it's a waste of word count.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica

Do we need to include our name and address at the top of the covering letter if this is included elsewhere in the application form?

Giovanni

Not if it is a free text box as part of an application. I would do it if it is an attachment to an application though

 

[Giovanni Figa]

Thanks Jessica and Helena

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Hi @Jessica Booker, if I'm addressing a cover letter 'Dear Graduate Recruitment' should I sign off with 'Yours sincerely' or 'Yours faithfully'?

Thanks in advance

 

[Daniel Boden]

Hi @Jessica Booker, if I'm addressing a cover letter 'Dear Graduate Recruitment' should I sign off with 'Yours sincerely' or 'Yours faithfully'?

Thanks in advance

Yours faithfully if it's not a specific person

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Yours faithfully if it's not a specific person

Perfect thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker, if I'm addressing a cover letter 'Dear Graduate Recruitment' should I sign off with 'Yours sincerely' or 'Yours faithfully'?

Thanks in advance

Agree with Daniel