For you, a cover letter may be an afterthought once you’ve created your resume. For employers, your cover letter could be a major factor in deciding whether or not to bring you in for an interview. As a result, writing an effective cover letter is critically important in gaining employment in Sacramento’s legal industry. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you along the way:

DO conduct research.

Take a look at the job description and try to determine what goals the employer is trying to achieve or problems they’re trying to solve by filling the position. Also, go to the law firm or company website to see if they have a blog or news section that can you give you some insider information about them. Conducting research will not only help you determine the best angle to take in your cover letter, but it will also help you prepare for an interview, should you get one.

DO prove your worth.

Now that you have a sense of what the employer is trying to accomplish, illustrate how you would solve a problem for them or help them achieve their goals. To do so, use examples from your work history to show how you were able to do the same in previous positions.

If you weren’t able to get a sense of what the employer is trying to accomplish by filling the position, still include specific examples demonstrating your value. Employers don’t just want to read about your past responsibilities; they want to know if you can deliver positive results.

DO discuss why you’d like to work for the law firm or company.

Demonstrating knowledge about the organization is a great way to show you’ve done your research and you know what the employer is all about. So explain to them why you’d like to work there – whether it’s because they concentrate in a certain area of the law you’re interested in or because they have an excellent reputation in the legal community.

DON’T be verbose.

Hiring managers are busy people and they don’t have the time to read a two- or three-page letter describing your entire work history. So keep it to one-page or less and be as concise as possible. Keep in mind, you’re trying to entice them to call you for an interview, not explain every detail of your career to them.

DON’T try to be funny.

Humor is great in many situations; but a cover letter isn’t one of them.

DON’T forget to proofread.

Make sure you carefully proofread your cover letter and resume for mistakes. Even better, ask someone else to take a look at both. With fresh eyes, they’re more likely to catch any glaring errors.

If you’re looking for a job in Sacramento’s legal industry, please contact Pacific Staffing. Through our legal employment division – Pacific Legal Staff – we can give you access to a variety of rewarding administrative and professional employment opportunities in Sacramento’s legal field.