How to Construct a Cover Letter

1. How to Construct a Cover Letter Bonnie Tucker

2. Where to look for jobs: • www.craigslist.org • www.monster.com • www.simplyhired.com • www.careerbuilder.com • http://jobs.lawbulletin.com • www.careerjet.com • http://www.ncra.org/Education/joblist.cfm • http://paralegal.jobs.net

3. Job Post: • GREAT opportunity to explore the legal field!Immediate full-time hourly opening for an individual to become a case manager at a law firm. Case managers manage a client caseload, doing a myriad of tasks including appeals and medical evidence gathering. Duties also include preparing correspondence, drafting legal documents, data entry and other office tasks as needed. Skills and Requirements:• Bachelor's degree or completion of paralegal education/training• experience in customer/client contact and any additional relatable experience a plus• proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and record database software/ database application, as well as a proficiency for learning new software/database programs• must have solid administrative and organizational skills • strong analytical skills and attention to detail• ability to manage multiple engagements and competing priorities• ability to evaluate decisions/actions through the lens of meeting customer needs• strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented firm• anticipate challenges and proactively determines potential solutions to problems• respect and value cultural and disability-related differences among client base servedLooking for self-starters interested in a long-term commitment (a minimum of 1 year commitment is desired). An interest in the field of law or legal background is a plus.Please copy and paste your cover letter and resume in an email; include salary history and requirements as well as two references. 

4. Begin a Cover Letter • Your address, the correct date • The accurate name/ address of the employer • Salutation/Greeting • Find a name if you can • Be careful about titles ( Dr., Mr., Mrs.) • Make it pretty!

5. 5530 South Cornell Avenue #3 Chicago, IL 60637 April 10, 2012 Baker & McKenzie LLP 4753 North Broadway Street Chicago, IL 60640 Dear HR Director: I am writing to apply for the position of Case Manager at Baker & McKenzie LLP. My background in administrative work, as well as completing my degree in Paralegal Studies from MacCormac College, makes me an excellent candidate for this position.  Both my work and my volunteer experience have built towards the position of Case Manager. I have two years of experience working as an administrative assistant at the accounting firm Deloitte and Touche. At Deloitte and Touche, I ran the phone switchboard, greeted incoming clients, completed data entry and other filing and administrative tasks as needed. I would put to use the customer service skills I built in that position while working with clients as a Case Manager. I am proficient in Microsoft Office 2010 as well as in learning database entry systems. While working at Deloitte and Touche, I also drafted documents and memos for my supervisors and gained excellent communication and organizational skills. In addition, I graduated Phi Theta Kappa in 2010 from MacCormac College with an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies. While at MacCormac I was on the Dean’s List every semester I attended and served for the academic year 2009/10 as President of the Student Government Association. The leadership skills I developed as President of SGA I would put to use while managing cases and clients for your firm. After working full-time while attending college and working with Student Government, I am confident in my ability to manage multiple events, priorities, and projects at once. I am excited at the possibility of joining your firm and feel that I could make a strong contribution to your team as a Case Manager. I would be delighted to interview with you about this opportunity. My resume is attached. I can be reached at (312) 289-4272 or sfannon@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Shannon McFannon

6. 5530 South Cornell Avenue #3 Chicago, IL 60637 April 10, 2012 Baker &McKenzie LLP 4753 North Broadway Street Chicago, IL 60640 Dear HR Director: I am writing to apply for the position of Case Manager at Baker & McKenzie LLP. My background in administrative work, as well as completing my degree in Paralegal Studies from MacCormac College, makes me an excellent candidate for this position.  Both my work and my volunteer experience have built towards the position of Case Manager. I have two years of experience working as an administrative assistant at the accounting firm Deloitte and Touche. At Deloitte and Touche, I ran the phone switchboard, greeted incoming clients, completed data entry and other filing and administrative tasks as needed. I would put to use the customer service skills I built in that position while working with clients as a Case Manager. I am proficient in Microsoft Office 2010 as well as in learning database entry systems. While working at Deloitte and Touche, I also drafted documents and memos for my supervisors and gained excellent communication and organizational skills. In addition, I graduated Phi Theta Kappa in 2010 from MacCormac College with an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies. While at MacCormac I was on the Dean’s List every semester I attended and served for the academic year 2009/10 as President of the Student Government Association. The leadership skills I developed as President of SGA I would put to use while managing cases and clients for your firm. After working full-time while attending college and working with Student Government, I am confident in my ability to manage multiple events, priorities, and projects at once. I am excited at the possibility of joining your firm and feel that I could make a strong contribution to your team as a Case Manager. I would be delighted to interview with you about this opportunity. My resume is attached. I can be reached at (312) 289-4272 or sfannon@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Shannon McFannon

7. The Meat & Potatoes of the Cover Letter • 1st Paragraph - Introduce yourself – 3 sentences tops • Short • To the point • Why are you a good fit? • 2nd Paragraph – Match your background to the job description – 1 to 2 paragraphs • Match your work experience to the job • Talk about your unique skills • If you need to explain something bad, do it here

8. End on a High Note • Restate in one strong sentence your case for why you are the best for the job with enthusiasm • Call to action—you should say you would be delighted to interview for the position • Give them the best way to contact you • Thank them for their time • Concluding salutation (Sincerely, Regards)