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1L Resume Bomb: Snail Mail or Email?

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 12:28 am
by legalnoeagle
Thoughts? I'm leaning towards email.

Most firms just point you to someone in HR, with physical and email address included.

Re: 1L Resume Bomb: Snail Mail or Email?

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 12:35 am
by MrAnon
email. permits the recipient to broadcast your resume to a wider audience by forwarding it if he thinks it is okay but he can't use you.

Re: 1L Resume Bomb: Snail Mail or Email?

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:40 pm
by ntugwater
For law firms, go with email if that's easier for you. If snailmail is easier, then do that (it won't really make a difference)

Re: 1L Resume Bomb: Snail Mail or Email?

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:38 am
by PirateCap'n
So, if you do email, do you guys just let the email count as the "cover letter," or do you also attach a cover letter with the resume in addition to having a body to the email? I was planning on doing snail mail since email seems too informal to me, but, with stamps at 44 cents apiece and 150-200 apps and resume paper/envelopes, the costs add up if doing snail mail.

Re: 1L Resume Bomb: Snail Mail or Email?

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:13 pm
by mlipsco
I use the body of the email as my "cover letter." This was recommended by my MBA administration (I am a JD/MBA student), but I would guess that it is fine advice for firm emails.

A mid-sized firm visited our school last fall and stated that e-mail was actually preferred by them. I think that, for the vast majority of firms, it doesn't matter either way. I also chose e-mail, which is more convenient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective.

Re: 1L Resume Bomb: Snail Mail or Email?

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:17 pm
by Unitas
Firms that you cold apply at and people you know - e-mail, judges and places you believe you are likely to get a job based on previous conversations, but don't know well - snail mail on nice paper in a resume envelope. Cost is 1.05 for postage for each hard copy sent this way.

Re: 1L Resume Bomb: Snail Mail or Email?

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:29 pm
by ntugwater
PirateCap'n wrote:So, if you do email, do you guys just let the email count as the "cover letter," or do you also attach a cover letter with the resume in addition to having a body to the email? I was planning on doing snail mail since email seems too informal to me, but, with stamps at 44 cents apiece and 150-200 apps and resume paper/envelopes, the costs add up if doing snail mail.
I used to do that but I don't anymore. I think its better to just have a really short email saying who you are/ what you are applying to/ what's attached and attach your cover letter along with your resume and other documents. I think it looks more professional and I've gotten better responses that way

Re: 1L Resume Bomb: Snail Mail or Email?

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:53 pm
by Aqualibrium
ntugwater wrote:
PirateCap'n wrote:So, if you do email, do you guys just let the email count as the "cover letter," or do you also attach a cover letter with the resume in addition to having a body to the email? I was planning on doing snail mail since email seems too informal to me, but, with stamps at 44 cents apiece and 150-200 apps and resume paper/envelopes, the costs add up if doing snail mail.
I used to do that but I don't anymore. I think its better to just have a really short email saying who you are/ what you are applying to/ what's attached and attach your cover letter along with your resume and other documents. I think it looks more professional and I've gotten better responses that way

+1 No one wants to open their email and see a wall of text. A short message conveys everything you need, and makes it easier to create a folder and file away all your attachments quickly.