In-House Counsel

The Cover Letter Isn’t Dead (And Here’s Why)

The key is to be professional at all times as it is a matter of first impression.

By  
on

(via Getty Images)

A question I often receive from job seekers, no matter their career level, is whether cover letters are still required or expected. I am still very much a traditionalist when it comes to the job search and all forms of communication. I always recommend sending a cover letter with the resume (even if it’s not required), submitting an email variation of a “thank you” letter within 24 hours following an interview, and attaching a “note” when you request to connect with someone on LinkedIn.

Even if cover letters have a low readability rate of around 30%, the key is to be professional at all times as it is a matter of first impression. However, the approach of cover letters has changed, and I do believe it’s worthwhile to touch on it in this week’s column.

When I graduated law school in 2003, my cover letter was extensive — a full page in length. I can still vividly remember obsessing over it and increasing the length as I continued through a decade-plus of practicing law.

We were ingrained to believe that our cover letter length equated to sharing enough detail about our legal aspirations, commitment to the craft, law school curriculum/relevant coursework, and, of course, accolades. Further, our cover letter represented our writing skills (not to be confused with the resume and the writing sample we also attached to showcase our writing aptitude).

In today’s digital world, an entire-page cover letter is obsolete. In fact, it screams boring and an inability to be succinct. The majority of applications (resume included) are read on a smartphone or other digital device. Just as the old ways of doing business have shifted, so have the methodologies of outreach and interest in roles. Today, your cover letter functions as an e-note, which is why I recommend two strategies: (1) create a master cover letter that you can tweak accordingly for different positions; and (2) keep the cover letter to under 250 words (I strive for closer to 200).

Remember, your cover letter must get the point across — and fast, in less than 10 seconds. Readers prefer language that is direct and succinct. State your objective clearly. Research the company — find things that interest you about the company as well as the position. Connect yourself to the reader and the company — the mission, the values, the projects, and the long-term goals. Think about some of your career wins or best assets that align with the company’s needs for its next in-house counsel or associate attorney.

Sponsored

Make sure your current contact details are easily seen and noticeable. Double check that you aren’t listing an old, outdated phone number. Research who you are sending the cover letter to — that means going the extra mile and analyzing the job posting to see who you will be directly reporting to at the company. Address the cover letter personally to that individual, but also look up that person on LinkedIn to see if there is anything that connects you or your career trajectories.

The key is to show an avid interest in the company, rather than just a “spray and pray” method of applying to 50-plus positions. Keep your focus and keep the reader’s interest. One other importance piece of advice: always follow up after applying for a position and reaffirm your interest. If you do follow up with an e-note message via LinkedIn, the reader will have your profile in front of them, making it easy to see your career trajectory. Just make sure your profile is optimized and updated.

Have a question about cover letters? Send me a message on LinkedIn.

Wendi Weiner is an attorney, career expert, and founder of The Writing Guru, an award-winning executive resume writing services company. Wendi creates powerful career and personal brands for attorneys, executives, and C-suite/Board leaders for their job search and digital footprint. She also writes for major publications about alternative careers for lawyers, personal branding, LinkedIn storytelling, career strategy, and the job search process. You can reach her by email at wendi@writingguru.net, connect with her on LinkedIn, and follow her on Twitter @thewritingguru.  

Sponsored

Topics

, ,