Companies like to hire attorneys who’ve had previous in-house experience, so getting an in-house internship as a law student can boost hiring potential.
Although it’s only March, companies already have or are starting to hire their summer interns – and the competition is stiff. So to get employers to notice your internship application, here are some cover letter tips.
To differentiate yourself from other applicants, start your letter off with a line that highlights your accomplishments. For example if you’re applying for an in-house tech internship, you might start with a line about how you’re the editor of your law school’s high tech journal and because of that, you’re well-versed in the current legal and policy issues regarding relevant legislation/patent applications/international copyright issues.
Tell them why you love the company. While you don’t want to sound like a brown-noser, your cover letter should convey why you want to work for the company. Remember: A cover letter isn’t all about you and how great you are, it’s about how your greatness can benefit the company, so know your audience. It’s possible that a candidate’s enthusiasm and passion for a company will trump another potential hire’s work experience. So if this is your dream in-house internship, demonstrate your knowledge of the company in your cover letter.
Don’t be afraid to add a little personality. Cover letters need to be professional, but don’t let it deter you from revealing a bit of your personality. For instance, if the company creates educational apps for kids, you might want to mention you taught English overseas before or you tutored part-time in college. Make sure the tidbits of information are relevant to the company and most importantly, don’t try to differentiate yourself so much that you’re out-of-touch with the company’s goals.
While a good cover letter will help you stand out, it won’t guarantee that you’ll get the in-house internship. Don’t be discouraged – companies tend to keep a file on candidates they didn’t hire, but may want revisit if there are future openings.
So remember to be memorable when drafting a cover letter and to turn in a clean copy.
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Related Resources:
- Here’s an example of a great cover letter (Ask A Manager)
- 5 Places to Look for In House Counsel Jobs (FindLaw’s In-House Blog)
- 4 Other Job Tips: When Being ‘Practice-Ready’ Isn’t Enough (FindLaw’s Greedy Associates)
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