Cover Letter Personalization Forum

[Anonymous User]

How much does personalization matter on cover letters? Is referring to a judge's opinions beneficial? Or will it seem inauthentic/ brown-nosy?

[Anonymous User]

How much does personalization matter on cover letters? Is referring to a judge's opinions beneficial? Or will it seem inauthentic/ brown-nosy?

FWIW, I never personalized beyond geographic connection generally to the court. Did not have stellar grades and landed several interviews (district and coa) and accepted two clerkships. Haven't started yet so can't chime in on what it looks like from the other side. Referring to judge's opinions seems odd to me. ("I really liked your opinion in Smith v. Jones, great writing and solid analysis!" seems try-hard and generic). OTOH, that is sometimes a topic in interviews where you're asked if you've read the judge's opinions or tangentially as an answer to why this judge.

[Anonymous User]

How much does personalization matter on cover letters? Is referring to a judge's opinions beneficial? Or will it seem inauthentic/ brown-nosy?

FWIW, I never personalized beyond geographic connection generally to the court. Did not have stellar grades and landed several interviews (district and coa) and accepted two clerkships. Haven't started yet so can't chime in on what it looks like from the other side. Referring to judge's opinions seems odd to me. ("I really liked your opinion in Smith v. Jones, great writing and solid analysis!" seems try-hard and generic). OTOH, that is sometimes a topic in interviews where you're asked if you've read the judge's opinions or tangentially as an answer to why this judge.

Same level of knowledge from me, same advice. No, referring to specific opinions seems goofy. Geographic or personal connections (e.g. your prof is a friend of the judge and encouraged you to apply) are fine though. Unless I knew something specific about what the judge looks for, especially stuff from the OSCAR posting (often a public service focus), I didn't really customize besides geography. Worked out well, no shortage of interviews and offers.

[Fireworks2016]

Unless you are an absolute can't-miss candidate (i.e. tippy top grades from HYS, etc), then I think it's very important to tailor cover letters to judges for whom you can manufacture some credible connection.

Judges are people and they want to understand why you want to work for them. The reason could be related to geography, their career path, a particularly distinctive writing style, etc ... it doesn't have to be lengthy, but it's important to have something. Especially when chambers can receive anywhere from 200 to 500 apps for one position, it's easy for someone screening apps to weed out borderline applicants that don't appear particularly interested in the actual job.

In short, it's all about getting to the interview, and one of the ways to get into the short stack on a judge's desk for lining up potential interviews is to clearly express why you want that clerkship.

That said, you never know when lightning will strike, and it's better to use a form cover letter than straining beyond belief to find something worth emphasizing (no, it doesn't help your application to mention that your Great Aunt Sally used to live in X, and you enjoyed visiting her there).

[mjb447]

I don't think it's usually a good look to single out individual opinions in your cover letter, but I think there are circumstances where it would be okay to mention the judge's general writing style (if it's distinctive [in a positive way] and you're clerking, in part, to become a better writer). You may have to elaborate in an interview, though, so make sure you can stand behind anything you say with some specificity (this would more likely be the time for giving particular opinions as examples).

[Anonymous User]

As an applicant, is there really anything to say beyond geography, common law school, or their career path? Most judges I apply to have worked for a firm or the government (generally as an AUSA), do I say something like "I'm also interested in doing those things" or just mention it's an interesting career path? Not sure exactly how to word these things.

[HillandHollow]

As an applicant, is there really anything to say beyond geography, common law school, or their career path? Most judges I apply to have worked for a firm or the government (generally as an AUSA), do I say something like "I'm also interested in doing those things" or just mention it's an interesting career path? Not sure exactly how to word these things.

Those are about all the things you'd mention. If the career pre-judging was specific and you have some actual interest in that area, then that can show that you've done some homework. Meaning, if the judge did some sort of niche prosecution as an AUSA and you are knowledgable about that niche area, that might be worth bringing up. But if the judge was sort of a generic criminal AUSA, it isn't a very special thing you're going to create by mentioning that you also want to be a crim AUSA. Same with the judge having been a lit partner at a law firm.

That being said, I clerked for a judge who *appeared* to have a specific niche area of practice before judging, but it turned out to be something they sort of ended up in by happenstance, not because they cared about that niche particularly. So it always ended up being funny when an applicant was SUPER in to that niche thing, and the judge actually didn't care about it so much.

Anyway, the general advice still holds: do not try to manufacture a connection. IF you have one, fine, say it. But don't stretch to get one. Clerks and/or judges end up reading dozens or hundreds of cover letters (depending on chambers practice), and it becomes obvious who has a real thing and who doesn't. Plus, it doesn't matter so much, to be honest (except for CERTAIN judges who have a known preference for whatever). Just a value add when it's authentic.

[Anonymous User]

I agree with most of the above, but am just chiming in to note that, as a general matter, it is far more important to focus on why you'd be an asset to the judge, rather than emphasizing why the clerkship would be great for whatever your career plans are. Emphasis on the latter instead of the former is probably the most common mistake applicants make. Judges know that clerkships are valuable to your career. An exception might be where you are a mid career applicant or something and need to provide a brief (like 1 sentence) explanation as to why you, as a nontraditional applicant, are interested.

[nixy]

I agree with most of the above, but am just chiming in to note that, as a general matter, it is far more important to focus on why you'd be an asset to the judge, rather than emphasizing why the clerkship would be great for whatever your career plans are. Emphasis on the latter instead of the former is probably the most common mistake applicants make. Judges know that clerkships are valuable to your career. An exception might be where you are a mid career applicant or something and need to provide a brief (like 1 sentence) explanation as to why you, as a nontraditional applicant, are interested.

I agree that judges don't need you to explain why you want to do a clerkship (except if you're non-traditional). But focusing on why you'd be an asset to the judge often boils down to rehashing your resume, which I think is actually the most common mistake applicants make. I don't quite subscribe the the Harvard (?) school of cover letters, which basically say only, "I'm applying for term [whatever], I'm a student at Law School X, happy to talk to you at any time at your convenience" kind of thing - I think a little more info than that is helpful. But don't go overboard describing all your accomplishments in your cover letter, either, because it ends up listing everything they'll see in your resume. Short and sweet.

Re the original post - I mostly agree that the only kind of personalization that's relevant is geographical area, shared law school or undergrad, and maybe career path if it seems specific enough (there are some PI-minded judges, like former public defenders, who hire for that - as noted, probably less helpful for something as common as biglaw lit partner or AUSA). The one thing I'd add is personal connections, if you have any - like if you worked with a former clerk who recommended you apply, or you have a prof who knows the judge, or something. This is obviously going to apply only to a small number of judges though (and of course ideally your connection will reach out regardless of what your cover letter says, but still something to keep in mind. Probably more pertinent if you're applying to local clerkships).

[Anonymous User]

I agree with most of the above, but am just chiming in to note that, as a general matter, it is far more important to focus on why you'd be an asset to the judge, rather than emphasizing why the clerkship would be great for whatever your career plans are. Emphasis on the latter instead of the former is probably the most common mistake applicants make. Judges know that clerkships are valuable to your career. An exception might be where you are a mid career applicant or something and need to provide a brief (like 1 sentence) explanation as to why you, as a nontraditional applicant, are interested.

I agree that judges don't need you to explain why you want to do a clerkship (except if you're non-traditional). But focusing on why you'd be an asset to the judge often boils down to rehashing your resume, which I think is actually the most common mistake applicants make. I don't quite subscribe the the Harvard (?) school of cover letters, which basically say only, "I'm applying for term [whatever], I'm a student at Law School X, happy to talk to you at any time at your convenience" kind of thing - I think a little more info than that is helpful. But don't go overboard describing all your accomplishments in your cover letter, either, because it ends up listing everything they'll see in your resume. Short and sweet.

I'd agree rehashing your resume at length is an equally bad thing. It should be 1, 2 sentences max focusing on what you think you bring to the table that others don't ("As someone who did X and Y, I think I'd be a great asset to your chambers" or something similar). This can also be a geographic connection if the judge isn't in a huge market and might be interested in clerks who will stay local, subject matter expertise if you know the judge is looking for something like that, work experience, noteworthy law school accomplishment, etc. I'd also be careful not to force it if you don't have anything particularly distinguishing to say. A cover letter should be very short as a general matter.

[mjb447]

I agree with most of the above, but am just chiming in to note that, as a general matter, it is far more important to focus on why you'd be an asset to the judge, rather than emphasizing why the clerkship would be great for whatever your career plans are. Emphasis on the latter instead of the former is probably the most common mistake applicants make. Judges know that clerkships are valuable to your career. An exception might be where you are a mid career applicant or something and need to provide a brief (like 1 sentence) explanation as to why you, as a nontraditional applicant, are interested.

I agree that judges don't need you to explain why you want to do a clerkship (except if you're non-traditional). But focusing on why you'd be an asset to the judge often boils down to rehashing your resume, which I think is actually the most common mistake applicants make. I don't quite subscribe the the Harvard (?) school of cover letters, which basically say only, "I'm applying for term [whatever], I'm a student at Law School X, happy to talk to you at any time at your convenience" kind of thing - I think a little more info than that is helpful. But don't go overboard describing all your accomplishments in your cover letter, either, because it ends up listing everything they'll see in your resume. Short and sweet.

I'd agree rehashing your resume at length is an equally bad thing. It should be 1, 2 sentences max focusing on what you think you bring to the table that others don't ("As someone who did X and Y, I think I'd be a great asset to your chambers" or something similar). This can also be a geographic connection if the judge isn't in a huge market and might be interested in clerks who will stay local, subject matter expertise if you know the judge is looking for something like that, work experience, noteworthy law school accomplishment, etc. I'd also be careful not to force it if you don't have anything particularly distinguishing to say. A cover letter should be very short as a general matter.

YMMV, but I think my judges mostly would've found that a little disingenuous, or at least not particularly helpful. Applicants often don't have enough career experience or know enough about how chambers works to address that issue in an interesting, credible way. (There probably ARE situations where it could work or be useful, but I don't think it's especially important for most applicants to address this or that not addressing it is the most common mistake.)

I feel pretty much the same way about mentioning what a clerkship will do for you. It might be okay if you have something unusual to say but, most of the time, it'll be clear that you're trying to generate a unique application package from pretty run-of-the-mill circumstances.

[Anonymous User]

I'd agree rehashing your resume at length is an equally bad thing. It should be 1, 2 sentences max focusing on what you think you bring to the table that others don't ("As someone who did X and Y, I think I'd be a great asset to your chambers" or something similar). This can also be a geographic connection if the judge isn't in a huge market and might be interested in clerks who will stay local, subject matter expertise if you know the judge is looking for something like that, work experience, noteworthy law school accomplishment, etc. I'd also be careful not to force it if you don't have anything particularly distinguishing to say. A cover letter should be very short as a general matter.

YMMV, but I think my judges mostly would've found that a little disingenuous, or at least not particularly helpful. Applicants often don't have enough career experience or know enough about how chambers works to address that issue in an interesting, credible way. (There probably ARE situations where it could work or be useful, but I don't think it's especially important for most applicants to address this or that not addressing it is the most common mistake.)

I feel pretty much the same way about mentioning what a clerkship will do for you. It might be okay if you have something unusual to say but, most of the time, it'll be clear that you're trying to generate a unique application package from pretty run-of-the-mill circumstances.

I don't disagree with that either. What I'm perhaps inartfully trying to express is that judges, to the extent they are interested in the cover letter at all, are generally going to be more interested in what you can do for them relative to what they can do for you. In most cases, for law student applicants especially, there isn't anything noteworthy to say on either end of the spectrum, and that discussion should be avoided entirely. The judges I worked for would get sooooo many letters talking at length about what great opportunities the clerkships would be for the applicants, and both my judges explicitly talked about not appreciating that discussion. Take that observation for what it's worth.

[Anonymous User]

first anon to reply. The remarks about avoiding emphasis on what the judge/the court/the job will do for you are spot on. It's about what you will do for the judge. I have not clerked *yet* but have work experience and ample interviewing/recruiting experience too. It's the same everywhere. Potential employers want to know what you bring to the table: why will you make their lives easier, add value, make the company better, etc., why do you stand out from the hundreds of others. Who wants to hear how the experience will "hone your writing skills"? You should already have excellent writing skills. Same goes for wanting to: "gain experience in XYZ", "learn in/adapt to a smaller work environment", "be part of a team", and so on. Those latter ones are more egregious, but the point is stay away from emphasizing how the clerkship will make you better (because the direct implication is that you are relatively weak in those areas).

A brief sentence about how the experience will make you a better litigator or something like that is plenty.

[mjb447]

I'd agree rehashing your resume at length is an equally bad thing. It should be 1, 2 sentences max focusing on what you think you bring to the table that others don't ("As someone who did X and Y, I think I'd be a great asset to your chambers" or something similar). This can also be a geographic connection if the judge isn't in a huge market and might be interested in clerks who will stay local, subject matter expertise if you know the judge is looking for something like that, work experience, noteworthy law school accomplishment, etc. I'd also be careful not to force it if you don't have anything particularly distinguishing to say. A cover letter should be very short as a general matter.

YMMV, but I think my judges mostly would've found that a little disingenuous, or at least not particularly helpful. Applicants often don't have enough career experience or know enough about how chambers works to address that issue in an interesting, credible way. (There probably ARE situations where it could work or be useful, but I don't think it's especially important for most applicants to address this or that not addressing it is the most common mistake.)

I feel pretty much the same way about mentioning what a clerkship will do for you. It might be okay if you have something unusual to say but, most of the time, it'll be clear that you're trying to generate a unique application package from pretty run-of-the-mill circumstances.

I don't disagree with that either. What I'm perhaps inartfully trying to express is that judges, to the extent they are interested in the cover letter at all, are generally going to be more interested in what you can do for them relative to what they can do for you. In most cases, for law student applicants especially, there isn't anything noteworthy to say on either end of the spectrum, and that discussion should be avoided entirely. The judges I worked for would get sooooo many letters talking at length about what great opportunities the clerkships would be for the applicants, and both my judges explicitly talked about not appreciating that discussion. Take that observation for what it's worth.

No real disagreement here; maybe my judges were lucky enough not to receive many of those kinds of letters.