Drafting an Effective Cover Letter

By: Kandice Thorn

Drafting a cover letter can be an intimidating process.  Most people aren't sure what to include so they opt for the "kitchen sink" approach - include everything ("everything but the kitchen sink," as the saying goes) so as not to leave out the one thing that an employer might find interesting. 

Unfortunately this approach usually backfires, as the letter contains so much information that the reader doesn't know what to focus on and misses whatever important point you are trying to make.  Worse, the reader comes away with the impression that you are long-winded and don't know how to edit yourself.

Engage Your Senses for Powerful Proofreading

By: Kandice Thorn

I am constantly emphasizing the importance of a *PERFECT* resume and cover letter, and today I'm going to give you a powerful tool to help you get there: using your senses.

Obviously, I am not suggesting that tasting or smelling your resume will bring it to the next level - that would be gross and creepy and ultimately useless.  But here is how engaging your senses of touch, sight, and hearing can help you make your document perfect.

What's the Deal with Cover Letters??

By: Kandice Thorn

Career advisors give widely diverse advice when it comes to cover letters.  Some assert that a good cover letter is key to getting a good job.  Others tell you that cover letters are obsolete and nobody reads them anyway.  The truth is probably a mix - some recruiters read cover letters and care very much about what they say; many others (perhaps most) toss them in the trash immediately; some might read them only after the resume has passed muster.

Cover Letters: Be Concise

By: Kandice Thorn

I said in a previous post that one common mistake I see in cover letters is that they are too long. This is actually the most common mistake I see in cover letters, so common that I thought the topic deserved its own blog post. First, I am going to describe what a concise cover letter should look like, then, because I like lists, I am going to give you the top five reasons you should keep your cover letters short and sweet.

Advice for Career Changers

By: Kandice Thorn

Most LL.M. students come to the program as the logical continuation of a career path that has been already well defined. However, we also have a number of students who pursue the LL.M. degree as a way to move their career in a new direction. For these students, the question of how to market themselves to employers can be tricky.

Professional Email Etiquette

By: Kandice Thorn

Repeat after me: "Email correspondence is professional correspondence."

We live in a world where email is frequently our primary method of communication. We send our friends two line emails to make plans; we dot our correspondence with smiley faces; we use abbreviations and slang. But it is important to remember that, in the professional world, email correspondence should reflect your professionalism and should be treated with the same level of care you would have used in drafting a hard copy letter in the days of yore.

Five Common Mistakes in Cover Letters

By: Kandice Thorn

Cover letters are perhaps the most daunting job search-related document, and for good reason.  They are highly customized, so a one-size-fits-all formula doesn't really work.  Because they are so particular, they also require a great deal of revising for each position you apply to.  Yet a cover letter is the first "writing sample" a potential employer will see, so the writing must be impeccable.  This week, I will address the top five mistakes that I commonly see in cover letters.  Take care to avoid these pitfalls in your cover letter, and you will be well on your way to an effective cover letter.