Harvard Law School Office of Career Services OCS Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising OPIA Fall 2008

1. Harvard Law SchoolOffice of Career Services (OCS) &Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising (OPIA)Fall 2008 First Year Resume and Cover Letter Workshop

4. Resume: Goals Set forth relevant experience & transferable skills Communication - oral and written Time management Interpersonal Leadership Initiative/ambition Character/interests

5. Resume: Style Basics Bond or plain paper; neutral color is best Dates � consistent format Format - Use simple fonts (for example, Times New Roman, size 11) Bold - only use for section heads like EXPERIENCE and for your name, educational institutions, and organizations you worked for (these also look good in ALL CAPS) Italics - only publications, Latin honors and titles of jobs or offices within organization Underline - don�t use it

8. Resume: Heading Name (in UPPER CASE and bold looks best), email address, phone number (cell phone with caution) Permanent/local address No job objectives

10. Resume: Education List school, city and state Indicate degree expected and graduation date (month and year) List most advanced degrees first List joint degrees separately List study abroad separately or within undergrad section (space dependent) Thesis � Not necessary, but be prepared to discuss! Omit LSAT, GPA (some exceptions) and high school information

14. Activities List under individual school Memberships Elected offices Sports Journal participation and leadership roles Format: Name of organization, followed by role (e.g. BLSA, Vice-President for Membership)

18. SETH D. COHEN 6034 HLS Holmes Mail Center � Cambridge, MA 02138 � (617) 495-8721 � scohen@law.harvard.edu_________________________________________________________________________________________________ EDUCATION Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA Candidate for J.D., June 2008 Activities: Harvard Negotiation Law Review, Subciter Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, Subciter Law School Council, Section Representative Duke University, Durham, NC B.A., cum laude in Political Science, Minor in Psychology, May 2005 Honors: Golden Key National Honor Society Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society) Activities: Senator, Student Government Association Student Counselor, Duke Pre-Law Advising Center Assistant Sports Editor, The Chronicle EXPERIENCE Dallas Environmental Neighborhood Network, Dallas, TX Intern, Strategy Planning Group, Summer 2005 Organized and executed projects to raise awareness about environmental issues locally in the Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Arlington communities. Attended statewide conference of urban planners and architects to discuss future environment-friendly projects throughout the state. Collaborated with other environment-based groups in the city to draft petitions protesting the construction of a factory outside the Dallas city limits. Office of U.S. Senator John Edwards, Raleigh, NC Intern, Constituent Services, Summer 2004 Contacted federal and state agencies on behalf of constituents. Sorted incoming mail and managed incoming calls. Researched special projects concerning banking policy, tobacco farms, and state university funding with designated policy advisors. Answered constituents� questions and concerns via telephone and e-mail. INTERESTS College basketball, international travel, classical music

19. Eliza Doolittle 1234 HLS Holmes Mail Center �Cambridge, MA 02138 �617-876-5432 � eliza@jd10.law.harvard.edu EXPERIENCE Bingham, McCutchen LLP, Boston, MA Summer Associate, June 2008 � August 2008 Researched and drafted legal memoranda regarding rights of shareholders in derivative suit and anti-competition clause in executive employment contract. Reviewed documents in antitrust litigation and observed motion argument in the case. State Senator Henry Higgins, Annapolis, MD Legislative Assistant, September 2006 � June 2007 Researched and drafted reports regarding issues of environmental safety, including analysis of Clean Air Act, state land conservation issues and Chesapeake Bay run-offs. Drafted college intern training manual. Attended sessions of the legislature. Hartford, Hereford & Hampshire, P.A., Silver Springs, MD Legal Assistant, September 2005 � August 2006 Provided administrative and paralegal support for small litigation firm. Organized document productions, court filings and case files. Organized exhibits for employment discrimination trial. Drafted correspondence to clients and opposing counsel regarding cases.

24. Cover Letter: Basics Accompanies your resume in targeted mailings/applications First writing sample and impression Identify appropriate hiring contact Never write �Sir� or �Madam� - use specific name Bond or plain paper PERSUASIVE by highlighting strengths, accomplishments and transferable skills Do not reiterate your resume Tailor skills to employer�s needs Conclusive follow-up Proofread & sign the letter!

26. Cover Letter: Structure Introductory Paragraph Who you are and what you are seeking Referrals/reason for interest If unpaid: volunteer

27. Cover Letter: Structure (example)

28. Cover Letter: Structure Middle Paragraph(s) Set forth reasons they should hire you Highlight your strengths, transferable skills, qualifications & interests Specific examples of relevant experiences are persuasive

30. Structure (cont.) Closing Paragraph Indicate when you will call Provide contact and relevant information for  follow up Thank the employer Note: Further details on cover letters may be  found in: -OPIA Job Search Guides -OPIA Website -OCS Website

33. List of References When to provide Separate reference sheet Choose 3 - 5 references Former employers Professors - law/undergrad NOT family or personal friends Some can be non-legal Request permission Forward resume/explain job search

37. Conclusion OPIA www.law.harvard.edu/current/careers/opia/ OCS www.law.harvard.edu/ocs/