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Can anybody point me to a link where someone has posted a template for a cover letter?

Much appreciated!

Thank you so much!

tagged

The Berkeley sample is way too long, imho, but to be expected from a university that believes each of its students is a beautiful snowflake.


Dear Mr. XXXXX:

I am a student at SCHOOL. [My {extended} family lives in PLACE and] I am interested in becoming a summer associate at FIRM because of my interest in FIRM'S PRACTICE and my desire to practice in PLACE.

In my [prior, if you have another grad degree] education at SCHOOL, I studied management and finance. While there, I DID OTHER THINGS IN ANOTHER PLACE DURING SUMMERS, OR DURING SCHOOL. (If appropriate) I ALSO DID ANOTHER THING.

This summer I worked for LEGAL EXPERIENCE to gain experience with the steps of litigation, from discovery to appeal. This semester I am taking courses in RELEVANT COURSES.

I hope my credentials demonstrate my readiness to work and learn, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

<signature>

YOU


A cover letter should point out relevant courses or distinguishing background information that might not come through on a re'sume', wouldn't be appropriate to sua sponte bring up in an interview, but that might still weigh on a recruiter's decision. Keep it short. Keep it direct. By and large, cover letters are purely an opportunity for them to ding you, not an opportunity for you to score points.