Whether you are applying for a job that is listed in the want ads or any other place, including blind ads, your best chance for recognition will be the result of a clear, direct cover letter attached to your resume. A good cover letter is well focused and specifically tailored to the job for which you are applying. While you probably have a standard resume that you will include for all job applications, even in your mailing campaigns, every cover letter should be individual. To make this task easier, there are basic guidelines that apply to all the cover letters you write.
As a preliminary step to writing the cover letter, it should be helpful for you to think about the purpose of the letter: Who will be reading it? What do you want to achieve? How can you best do that? W hat will make your letter stand out from your competition so that the reader will see you as someone who has all the personal and professional qualifications he or she wants.
First of all, one of the basic rules of effective writing is to know your audience. This rule applies to writing cover letters. Will you be writing to a personnel manager? A paralegal manager? An attorney? Sometimes you can find out this information from the advertisement. If a name is given, you can call the firm and ask for that person's job title. If a name is not given but a firm is listed, you can call and simply ask who will be reading the applications. Once you have that piece of information, you can tailor your remarks to what you think that person might be looking for in a candidate.
As part of your preparation, you can find out which attorneys you will be working for: the numbers of attorneys, their specialities, even their back-grounds, if that information is available.
All of this information will help to shape the facts you include in your letter. For example, if the position is one that reports to three attorneys, it would be important to emphasize your skills and experience in working in such a situation or in being able to handle multiple responsibilities, work with minimal supervision, manage your time, and set priorities when organizing your tasks. If this information is available, you will position yourself at an advantage by including relevant details about yourself.
There are other ways in which information about the position as well as the reader of your letter will help you: What is there about the firm that appeals to you? What is there about your background, skills, and interests that would make you an asset to the firm?
Your letter is an opportunity for you to highlight your specific qualifications. Do you have exceptional writing skills? Have you achieved distinction in any area that would make you stand out as a candidate, in a work, volunteer, or school situation? You can do this very tactfully by highlighting information that is contained in your resume.
Review your lists of accomplishments as well as your resume. You may find just the right piece of information to include in your cover letter.
Basic Guidelines for Writing a Cover Letter
The following guidelines will help you as you prepare this important part of your paralegal job campaign.
1. If possible, find out the name of the person to whom you will be writing.
2. Who reads the letters of application? Will that person also be handling the interviews? The first person may screen the letters. You will want to be in the final group of candidates that are called in for an interview. Writing to that person by name will make a greater impression, if that information is available. Later on, if you are called in for an interview, you can do research on who will be interviewing you.
3. If the company is listed in the phone book, you can usually call and request information. What if only a post office box number is listed? There are varying views on how to address such a letter. All of them leave a great deal to be desired.
"Dear Box 203A," "To Whom It May Concern," "Gentlemen," and "Madam" are considered to be the least preferable. "Dear Sir" has fallen into the sexist language category, and it might work against you, particularly if the interviewer happens to be a woman.
Some appropriate suggestions included "Dear Personnel Manager" or "Dear Corporate Law Firm," if you wish to be conservative but still remain professional. You may also eliminate the salutation completely or simply address the letter to "Dear Sir or Madam."
Let good taste always be your guide, but if at all possible, find out the name of the person who will be reading your letter.
4. Demonstrate that you understand the requirements of the position and that you have the credentials as well as personal and professional qualifications to fulfill those requirements.
5. Include examples of specific results you have obtained that are relevant to the job. Reviewing your resume and work chronology charts will be helpful.
6. Focus on key points of your resume that emphasize your capabilities and experience.
7. Avoid any negative or apologetic remarks concerning qualifications you do not have for the job.
8. Be confident and positive about the qualities you do have, without sounding arrogant or boastful.
9. Emphasize how you can meet an important need of the company.
10. Do not ramble on or include any personal philosophical statements. Your letter should stand independent of your resume. It must be to the point and directly related to the job. It should motivate the reader to read your resume more carefully.
11. Keep your letter to one page in length. You will have time to expand your remarks and impress your interviewer in person. If that person is bored by a letter that is too long, you may never get to the interview stage.
12. Proofread your final letter carefully. Typographical errors, misspellings, or grammatical errors may cost you an interview.
13. Handle follow-up contacts with care and tact. A tactful follow-up call is permissible to see if your letter and resume have arrived. You may also request an opportunity for an interview; if that is not possible, you may ask when interview selections will be made. After that, you must be careful not to alienate a potential employer or interviewer by any kind of abrasiveness. The line between confidence and brashness can easily be crossed. Sometimes it will depend upon the employer. One may ask that you not call for an appointment; another may find it a sign of initiative on the part of the job candidate. You must learn to read the signals. After making your initial call to see if your letter arrived, you must listen to the response to see if further action on your part is warranted.
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published February 26, 2013
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration law
- Workers’ compensation
- Insurance defense
- Family law
- Trusts & estates
- Municipal law
- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
- Growing firms in small and rural markets
He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes
If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
- Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
- Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.
This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
- Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
- Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
- Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
- Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.
For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.
? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Alternative Summary
Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
More about Harrison
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