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How to write winning covering letters for law firms

targetjobs editorial team

Last updated: 24 Mar 2023, 17:42

When applying for a training contract or vacation scheme, your covering letter may be the first part of your application a law firm considers.

Your covering letter creates a powerful first impression, so make it easy for the recruiter to see that you have strong potential as a lawyer.

Many law graduate jobs at solicitors’ firms in the UK will ask you to apply for a training contract with a covering letter. Read this advice from recruiters at Slaughter and May, Cleary Gottlieb and Ince & Co, then follow our law cover letter template.

Some recruiters will want you to upload your covering letter as part of an online application form (such as Baker McKenzie and Jones Day), while others – usually smaller, high street law firms – will want you to send the letter alongside a CV (see our law CV example here ).

• Cover letter template: see our annotated law covering letter sample for more tips and format examples .

How to write a law cover letter tip #1: use the letter to explain why you want to be a solicitor at that particular law firm

A covering letter is a golden opportunity to explain your motivations for becoming a lawyer and for applying to that specific firm. ‘My advice is to use the cover letter to introduce yourself and to explain why you are applying to that firm,' says Janine Arnold, trainee recruitment manager at Slaughter and May . ‘Be sure to include any additional information that you feel is relevant to your application.’

If you’re uploading a covering letter as part of a larger application form you should avoid repeating examples you’ve used to answer questions on the form. Give as broad a picture of your skills and experience as possible and only repeat something if you think it is particularly significant to that law firm. Your covering letter is an introduction to get the recruiter’s attention – a sample of your potential, if you like – not your overall application.

‘A well-written, succinct, persuasive covering letter crafted by an aspiring trainee solicitor who has really thought about the firm stands out,’ says Nichola Rowe, director of legal human resources at Cleary Gottlieb . ‘Ask yourself: what sets this firm apart from other law firms and how do my individual skills and experiences marry with that firm?’.

How to write a law cover letter tip #2: how long should it be?

A covering letter should be a maximum of one page, with a font size of 11 or 12. Slaughter and May ’s Janine Arnold agrees: ‘A lengthy covering letter is not necessary; aim for it to be no longer than one side of A4.' Remember that some firms will give a word count for the covering letter they want you to write as part of your application. It's important to stick to that word count. It shows that you can write succinctly and follow instructions.

Get the insights and skills you need to shape your career journey with Pathways. We’ll show you exactly what goes into a convincing cover letter, so you can give yourself the best chance of getting to the next stage of the application process.

How to write a law cover letter tip #3: the format law firms like

The best law cover letter examples have a clear structure, such as:

1. The introduction to your cover letter

Introduce yourself, explain what stage you are at in your degree course (including the university you’re attending), state that you are applying for a training contract and where you read about the law firm. This should only be a sentence or two.

2. A paragraph on why you want to work at that law firm

The second paragraph should cover why you want to be a solicitor and why you want to work for that law firm in particular. Highlight any experiences you’ve had that have convinced you that you want to be a solicitor, such as vacation schemes, open days or insight days. You can even mention mini-pupillages – it will impress graduate recruiters if you’ve put the effort into comparing the two sides of the legal profession, as long as you have good reasons for picking a career as a solicitor (this could come up at interview).

Make it clear why you want to work in the particular area of law that the firm focuses on. For example, if it’s a commercial firm you’ll want to draw on any work experience you’ve had at other commercial firms. Show off your research about the firm by explaining your interest in their main legal practice areas – don’t just say ‘I am interested in shipping law’, for example, but provide evidence of that interest.

You might also want to mention the firm’s training structure. Some firms will have compulsory seats, in which case you’ll need to show an interest in those areas. If you’ve chosen a firm that doesn’t have compulsory seats, or has no seat structure at all (such as Jones Day for example), then you could explain why this appeals to you above a more defined training contract structure.

3. A paragraph highlighting why you're a good fit for the law firm

Next, you need to pitch yourself to the recruiter. Make it clear that you are suited to a career as a solicitor: highlight achievements that show you have the competencies the firm has asked for. If the firm hasn’t specified exactly what it's looking for, see our article here on the skills most legal recruiters want from applicants. Don’t just say ‘I have good communication skills’ – you need to mention an achievement that hinged on your use of those skills.

4. The ending to your law covering letter

Close by referring the recruiter to your CV or application and stating your availability for interview(s) or assessment centre(s).

How to write a law cover letter tip #4: explain any extenuating circumstances

'Covering letters should also explain any mitigating circumstances relating to exam results and to address any questions that you may reasonably expect to arise from your application, such as any gaps in your CV,’ explains Janine.

How to write a law cover letter tip #5: proofread your cover letter before you hit ‘send’

Once you’ve put your covering letter together, don’t be tempted to rush it off. Ask friends, family and your university careers adviser to check it. ‘There is no good excuse for spelling errors, especially when you’re applying for a job that requires scrupulous attention to detail,’ points out a legal recruitment adviser at Ince & Co . ‘The number of applications we receive that contain errors is surprising. Your application is all we’ve got to go on, so you owe it to yourself to ensure it’s not let down by something so easily avoidable.’

Remember that law firms will be judging your ability to communicate professionally with clients on the professionalism of your covering letter – you’re making a pitch, just like you would do as a practising lawyer.

Legal recruiters at major law firms read through hundreds, if not thousands, of applications from aspiring trainee solicitors each year and will only spend a minute or so reading your covering letter. Some recruiters say that they make their decision paragraph by paragraph – if you haven't impressed upon them that you would be a good fit for their firm halfway through the cover letter, they might not even read the rest. Your covering letter creates a powerful first impression, so make it easy for the recruiter to see that you have strong potential as a solicitor by following the tips above.

In other news: Massive changes to the way solicitors qualify are on the horizon. Do you know how they will affect you? Find out here .

targetjobs editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the targetjobs content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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Writing a Training Contract Cover Letter: A Guide (With Sample)

• Post author By Bote Elizabeth
• Post date October 11, 2023
• No Comments on Writing a Training Contract Cover Letter: A Guide (With Sample)

In the UK, applying for a training contract with a solicitor’s company frequently involves submitting a cover letter along with your resume and other materials. You have the chance to demonstrate your commitment to and interest in a legal career at this point. As a result, your training contract cover letter should be properly written, highlight your greatest traits, and be personalized for the business you’re applying to. This post will explain the value of training contract cover letters, demonstrate how to create one and offer a sample.

What is a Training Contract Cover Letter?

A Training Contract Cover Letter is a formal document submitted as part of the application process for a legal training contract in the United Kingdom. A training contract is a crucial step in a law student’s journey toward becoming a qualified solicitor in the UK. It typically spans two years and provides aspiring solicitors with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at a law firm or legal organization, developing practical skills and knowledge.

The training contract cover letter is a written statement that accompanies the applicant’s CV (Curriculum Vitae) and other application materials. It serves several key purposes:

• Introduction: The cover letter introduces the applicant to the potential employer or law firm. It provides a personalized and engaging opening to the application.
• Demonstration of Interest: It demonstrates the applicant’s genuine interest in the specific law firm or organization and the training contract opportunity. This shows that the applicant has done their research and is not submitting a generic application.
• Highlighting Qualifications: The cover letter highlights the candidate’s qualifications, skills, and experiences that make them a strong candidate for the training contract. It provides an opportunity to align the applicant’s background with the requirements of the role.
• Professionalism: It showcases the applicant’s professionalism, writing skills, and attention to detail. A well-crafted cover letter is an indicator of the applicant’s ability to communicate effectively, a crucial skill in the legal profession.
• Personalization: A training contract cover letter should be customized for each application. It allows candidates to address the law firm’s specific requirements and demonstrate how they are an ideal fit for the firm’s culture and objectives.
• Request for Consideration: Finally, the cover letter typically concludes with a polite request for consideration and may include contact information for further communication.

In summary, a Training Contract Cover Letter is a tailored document that law students and graduates in the UK use to apply for a legal training contract. It is a critical part of the application process and plays a key role in convincing potential employers of the applicant’s qualifications, motivation, and fit for the training contract role.

What is the significance of a training contract cover letter?

A training contract cover letter is frequently requested in addition to your resume and any other relevant documents when you apply for a training contract at a law firm. The last phase before you qualify is a two-year placement known as a training contract, which is completed by trainee solicitors. It’s the legal profession’s equivalent of an apprenticeship in this regard, making it crucial to your legal career. You need a strong cover letter if you want to stand out from a crowded field of applicants.

Legal firms prefer to choose the best applicants for training contracts because they often last two years. Your training contract cover letter is a personalized essay that outlines why you’re the most qualified applicant.

A training contract cover letter holds significant importance for several reasons:

• Introduction and First Impression: The cover letter is your initial introduction to a potential employer or organization. It’s the first document they read before delving into your CV or resume. A well-written cover letter creates a positive first impression and sets the stage for a deeper review of your qualifications.
• Demonstrating Enthusiasm: Your cover letter allows you to express your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the training contract. Employers are often looking for candidates who are genuinely excited about the opportunity and the organization, and your cover letter is the ideal place to convey your passion.
• Personalization: It provides an opportunity to tailor your application to the specific organization and training contract. You can highlight why you’re a great fit for that particular role and how your skills and goals align with the organization’s mission and values.
• Showcasing Soft Skills: A well-crafted cover letter can showcase your communication skills, attention to detail, and writing abilities. These skills are highly valuable, especially for positions that require clear and effective communication.
• Addressing Gaps or Unique Qualifications: If you have any gaps in your CV or unique qualifications that need further explanation, the cover letter is the place to do so. You can address any questions or concerns the employer might have.
• Personality and Culture Fit: Employers often seek candidates who not only have the right qualifications but also fit well with the organization’s culture. Your cover letter can give a glimpse of your personality and how you would contribute positively to the workplace.
• Professionalism: Submitting a well-structured and error-free cover letter demonstrates professionalism and a serious commitment to the application process. It shows that you’ve put thought and effort into your application.
• Differentiation: In competitive fields, a strong cover letter can differentiate you from other candidates with similar qualifications. It allows you to tell a unique story about yourself and your motivations.
• Interview Invitation: A compelling cover letter can significantly increase your chances of being invited for an interview. It’s an opportunity to make a strong case for your candidacy, which may lead to further discussions and assessments.

In summary, a training contract cover letter is a vital component of your job application. It serves as your introduction, a platform to express your enthusiasm and qualifications, and a means to address specific employer concerns. When well-crafted, it can substantially impact your chances of securing a training contract.

How to Create a Training Contract Cover Letter

Several prospective solicitors submit applications to law firms after finishing the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in the hopes of getting a training contract. A lot of them are generic and only slightly different from a model or master copy. To stand out and improve your likelihood of being chosen, your training contract cover letter needs to be organized and customized. Writing a strong cover letter requires a bit more work, but the effort is worthwhile. This post offers you a step-by-step manual on writing this kind of cover letter:

1. Describe your motives for writing

Your training contract cover letter should begin with an explanation of why you are writing it. Explain that the reason for your application is a particular position that you saw advertised if that is the case. You can also state how you discovered the listing. Indicate the type of training contract you’re requesting as well as the start date.

2. Identify yourself to the recipient

After stating your purpose for writing, you can give a quick introduction of yourself. In your training contract cover letter, mention whether you are nearing completion of the LPC or have just finished it. Additionally, you can specify where you obtained your LLB and the grade you earned upon graduation.

3. Describe your motives for applying to the company.

The chance to specifically address the company in question in your cover letter is now. If you wish to stand out from the crowd, don’t send multiple versions of your training contract cover letter to different companies like many applicants do. Since this is also fairly generic, you need to say more than just that you would like to work there because it is a “big and respectable firm.”

Research the company before writing your cover letter. Learn about the practice’s location, size, and any current modifications or additions, as well as the legal subjects that are covered there. Then you can explain why you find these things appealing. Justify your rationale and anticipate being prompted to do so in an interview.

4. Suggest reasons why they need to choose you.

The second step in convincing the reader of your training contract cover letter is to list your most admirable qualities, traits, and accomplishments. Your prior research about the company can help you understand its priorities and the qualities it seeks in candidates. Discuss how you have the attributes they are seeking. Along with your expertise, you are welcome to discuss your extra talents and skills as long as they somehow relate to the training contract. While without reiterating anything, your cover letter should complement your resume.

5. End the cover letter.

After presenting your case for being selected, thank the person for reading and considering your application. You can quickly reaffirm your interest in the company’s training contract and let the reader know when you’re available for an interview. Sign off formally by providing your complete name and any pertinent contact information.

6. Check your cover letter for errors

Before sending your cover letter, spend some time reviewing and editing it. This provides you the chance to check your writing for any spelling or grammar errors and make any necessary corrections. You can evaluate your writing to see how well it flows if the formatting must be changed, and whether you missed any crucial details. You can ask a relative or a friend who has relevant expertise to review your cover letter and offer comments.

Training contract cover letter sample

Here is a sample training contract cover letter to assist you in creating your own. It is built on the previous steps and recommendations. You can use the following as a rough template or guideline.

Dear Ms. Kim,

My name is William Cooper, and I’m writing to express my interest in the training position at Harold and Quinn. My desire to work for the company dates back to when Mr. Harold delivered a guest lecture at my institution. I could relate to his explanation of why clients must understand the law, and it inspired me to constantly strive to be able to do so.

I received my LLB from the University of Bedfordshire with first-class honors, and I will soon finish my LPC at the College of Laws. Additionally, I finished a summer program that taught me how to create trademark opposition and revocation paperwork. The lawyers I worked with never had to take these back for revision. This experience also taught me how important case law relevancy and laws about charities are.

I’ve actively sought out opportunities to gain knowledge and abilities that would make me a great asset at Harold and Quinn, and I’m looking forward to the chance to finish my training contract with your company.

I appreciate that you took the time to review my application. I welcome your response and am willing to speak with you at any time that works best for you.

William Cooper

[email protected]

111-222-3344

It is essential to write a strong cover letter if you want to obtain a training contract, so put in the effort to get it right.

You can write a captivating cover letter that will impress hiring managers and guarantee that your resume is reviewed, resulting in more job interviews for you, by using the suggestions and examples above.

Wishing you success in your job hunt!

Frequently Asked Questions about Training Contract Cover Letter

• What is a contract cover letter?

A one-page typed overview of your qualifications for the position you want is typically included in a cover letter for a contract expert. You can go into greater detail about the professional experiences and talents you’ve stated on your resume or application for a job using this format.

• What are the three different kinds of cover letters?

Application cover letters, prospecting cover letters, and networking cover letters are the three primary varieties. Short emails are another efficient and more popular approach to presenting your resume (we call them “non-cover letter cover letters”).

• What are the top 3 requirements for a cover letter?

Three paragraphs should make up a cover letter: an introduction, a sales pitch, and a conclusion.

• How long should a training contract cover letter be?

A training contract cover letter should typically be concise and to the point. Aim for one page, with clear and well-structured content. Avoid being overly lengthy or including irrelevant information. Your goal is to capture the employer’s attention and make a compelling case for your qualifications in a brief and focused manner.

• Should I include specific examples of my achievements in the cover letter?

Yes, including specific examples of your achievements can be beneficial in a training contract cover letter. These examples provide evidence of your skills and experiences and make your qualifications more tangible. However, ensure that these examples are directly relevant to the position and organization you’re applying to, and keep them concise to maintain the overall brevity of the cover letter.

• Tags Cover Letter , training contract , training contract cover letter

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Dayna Rodrigues

• Ellis Jones (Company News)

How to write a successful training contract application

Writing a training contract application can seem like a daunting prospect, whether it’s the first application you’ve ever made, or one of many. We have a tendency to overthink job applications, or feel uncomfortable writing about how brilliant you are, but a good training contract application for Ellis Jones should come naturally.

We are interested in getting to know the person behind the paper and want to see your personality shine through .

I am a trainee solicitor at Ellis Jones Solicitors, currently in my third seat of four. I can clearly remember how demoralising and exhausting preparing applications for training contracts, vacation schemes and legal work experience felt. Overall, the best advice I received was to make it clear, why that firm in particular?

What is it about the firm you’re applying for that stands out to you?

Whilst the below is not exhaustive, I have summarised below some of the most helpful strategies I used when applying for training contracts and what ultimately secured me an interview with Ellis Jones.

What area/s of law interest you?

It’s important to research the many different areas of law and to try formulate an idea of what interests you. You may not know what area you want to qualify into and that’s normal, but you will reach a broad idea of whether for example, you want to be a prosecutor, or defence lawyer, whether you want to do criminal or family law, or perhaps maritime and shipping interests you more.

Some law firms are full service whilst others are more niche. Apply for firms where, if you secure a training contract, you will likely spend time in a cross section of service areas that interest you.

Here at Ellis Jones, we are proud to offer legal services across a multitude of areas both broad and niche including Dispute Resolution, Employment, Corporate and Commercial, Banking and Finance Litigation, Equine, Sports Law, Criminal, Personal Injury, LGBT+, Regulatory, Insolvency, Family and Wills, Trusts and Probate amongst others.

What is unique about the firm you are applying for?

What is that firm’s unique selling point (USP)? You might admire a firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, or their achievements in diversity and inclusion. Perhaps you are drawn to a firm’s unique client approach. Highlight this in your application.

Amongst our many other achievements and endeavours, at Ellis Jones we actively engage with many of the charities we sponsor including Dorset Wildlife Trust. Read about our recent beach cleaning day with the Dorset Wildlife Trust here .

We are also proud of our ethos: Put People First.

Read the criteria for applications

It is of utmost importance to carefully read and make sure you understand what the firm has asked you to include in your application. Here at Ellis Jones, a training contract application consists of sending us your CV and a covering letter, but we also ask you to specifically include something extra.

Have a look at our training contract applications page here and identify what this is!

It may seem simple, but many people forget to include specifically requested information in their applications. By correctly including this, you are showing key skills that you will need to be a successful lawyer, including the ability to critically analyse a document.

Can you see yourself working here and why?

You will find yourself researching a firm through their website, social media and reputable publications such as Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. During this process, you might naturally get a feel for whether you can imagine yourself working for that firm.

Where is the firm based? What are the firm’s connections? What does that firm stand for?

Have you attended any events hosted by that firm that you particularly enjoyed and why.

By considering the above in the round, you should get an idea of whether you are excited to apply for that firm and let this shine through in your application. We want to know about you and why you think you would be a great fit for the firm.

Proofread, proofread, proofread

Proofread everything. The legal industry is particularly competitive and it would be frustrating and disappointing to have your application rejected for a silly mistake such as a typo or forgetting to update your CV before applying. Have a look at some of the most commonly misspelled words here .

Use your covering letter wisely.

Your CV already tells us about your grades and work experience so it is not necessarily a good use of space to reiterate this in your covering letter, unless you have a particular reason to do so.

Avoid unnecessary waffle.

Read your application out loud if that helps. Have you repeated the same point? If a sentence is not conveying a message or particular point, cut it out.

Take a break

If you find yourself faced with writer’s block, take a break. Go for a walk in the sunshine. Return to your application with fresh eyes.

We hope to hear from you with your training contract applications and look forward to welcoming many of you to Ellis Jones.

If you think that you would fit into our culture, please give us at least one example of how in a covering letter attaching your CV. Please send your CV/Covering letter to  [email protected] .

How can we help?

When you submit this form an email will be sent to the relevant department who will contact you within 48 hours. If you require urgent advice please call 01202 525333.

Related news

Ellis jones’ 2024 commercial negotiation competition, my training contract & becoming a contentious trusts & probate trainee, ellis jones celebrates treble awards nomination, mojo: a motivated workforce.

Training contracts

A guaranteed six-month overseas seat. Working in diverse teams on the most complex challenges for the world’s biggest companies. Building the friendships and personal connections that will last a lifetime. And the chance to develop an international reputation at the cutting-edge of City law. A lot can happen in two years.

retention rate of trainees qualifying in 2022

Trainees recruited annually in london, of the only law firms to guarantee an overseas seat, solicitors qualifying examination (sqe).

The SQE is the new route to qualification for solicitors in England and Wales. Trainees joining White & Case from September 2024 onwards will train via this route (commencing their SQE preparation course from September 2023). Prospective solicitors are required to pass this new centralised assessment which is divided into two stages, SQE 1 (functioning legal knowledge) and SQE 2 (legal skills). Upon successful completion, our future trainees will also gain an LLM in Legal Practice. 

We’re committed to providing exceptional training that will equip you with the skills to practise in a market-leading global law firm, and we’re proud to be partnering with the University of Law to design and deliver our tailored offering. 

After completion of SQE 1 and 2, you’ll complete the SQE Plus. This course builds on the core legal modules previously covered and will be unique and fully tailored to the Firm, allowing you to gain further experience and critical skills specifically relevant to your career with White & Case.

Once you’ve completed the 11 months of study for the SQE 1, 2 and Plus, you’ll then complete your qualifying work experience (QWE) with the Firm by undertaking the two-year training contract.

To learn more about your SQE journey, view the full programme outline here .

Four different seats

You’ll rotate through four six-month seats: one overseas, one in Finance and one in a contentious practice area. Alternatively, you can join our Litigation Training Programme. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet our teams, learn about their work and explore different areas of the law.

Live and work overseas

To complement the global mindset that underpins everything that we do, you’ll get the chance to experience working in one of 16 White & Case offices around the world. Experience living in a different country, gain valuable insight into the working practices of another jurisdiction and build professional contacts that will last throughout your career.

Wherever you go, we’ll help you relocate and you’ll stay in regular contact with the Early Careers Development team during your overseas seat. You’ll receive the same level of personal training, including a dedicated supervisor, a cost-of-living salary adjustment and free language lessons in certain countries.

Learn more about the overseas seat experience from London trainee Steph Lartey

Comprehensive support

Everyone needs back-up. Not only will you work directly with our partners and senior associates, you’ll have the benefit of a dedicated supervisor (an experienced associate or partner) and ongoing support from the Early Careers Development team. Together, they’ll ensure your skills, knowledge and practical experience are constantly expanded.

Training and professional development

As well as our comprehensive legal training programme, you can expect on-the-job learning, in-house courses and more. From Lunch & Learn sessions with senior associates focusing on specific areas of the law to specialised seminars with City professionals, we’ll make sure you have everything you need to become the best lawyer that you can be.

Training contract for 2026/27

When can i apply.

11 September 2023 – 14 July 2024

Who can apply?

Penultimate-year students, finalists and graduates from any degree discipline

The White & Case London Training Contract

Learn more about our training contract in London and how to apply.

Assessment process

Rising salary and great financial rewards.

We believe that high performance deserves great rewards. Our compensation package reflects the calibre of our trainees.

year-one trainee starting salary

Second-year trainee.

£150k 

salary on qualification

Interest-free loan upon joining, pgdl maintenance grant plus fees, sqe maintenance grant plus fees.

As well as 25 days’ annual leave , we’ll give you up to six weeks of unpaid leave on qualification. We also provide a suite of flexible benefits, which you can tailor to suit your particular lifestyle, needs and priorities.

Ready to apply?

When it’s time to apply, complete our online application form. Join us and make a mark.

Inside White & Case

Learn more about our training contract from past and present trainees on our recruiting content hub.

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Training Contract Covering Letter

Finding a training contract is hard enough without a bad covering letter letting you down. You might think your CV is the star of the show, but without a good supporting act, your application will flop.

Even in these days of fancy online applications, many firms will still ask for a covering letter to accompany your application. You’ll also definitely need a covering letter if you’re planning on applying to high street and medium-sized firms.

Covering letters do much more than just ‘cover’ your CV…

A good covering letter will give a voice to the person behind your CV. It’s your chance to highlight the impressive parts of your CV, smoothly convince the employer that you’d be a fantastic trainee, and tell them what it is that makes you jig with excitement at the thought of working for their firm.

Seeing as drafting letters will be part of your responsibility as a trainee, a poorly constructed, ineffectual covering letter, riddled with mistakes, won’t exactly set a good example.

Before you put pen to paper…

Think of yourself as a Savile Row tailor, every training contract covering letter should be custom-made for the law firm. Put your excellent research skills into practice and find out as much as you can about the firm.

What areas of law do they specialise in? What is their company culture? What kind of skills are they looking for in trainee solicitors? Visit them at law fairs and scrutinise their website. You should know exactly who they are and what they do.

Next, think about the kind of skills you will need as a trainee solicitor and make a list of your own personal strengths.

Take a look at your CV and pick out the skills and experience you want to highlight in your training contract covering letter.

Constructing your training contract covering letter…

Research over; let’s have a crack at writing that covering letter. In its very basic form, it should answer these five questions:

1. Who are you?

2. Why are you writing to me?

3. Why do you want this role?

4. Why do you want to work for this firm in particular?

5. Why should we offer you a training contract?

As well as these questions, there are two words you need to keep in mind: relevance and brevity.

Keep the covering letter short, concise, and to the point. Here’s a suggestion for the general structure of your training contract covering letter, but it’s by no means gospel:

Structuring your covering letter…

Use a formal business letter template: your address and the name and address of recipient should be at the top of the letter. If you are emailing them, put the covering letter in the body of the email and omit the addresses.

Try to find out the name of the person who will be reading your covering letter. That way you can address it to them. It might be a small thing, but it does make a difference.

Paragraph One

Here you can answer the first two questions: “Who are you?” and “Why are you writing to me?” You might want to tell them the position you are applying for (e.g. trainee solicitor), how you found out about it and, if the firm advertises more than one training contract, the year you’ll be able to start.

For example, you could say something like: “Further to your advertisement on AllAboutCareers.com, I would like to apply to your trainee solicitor position starting in 2014.”

Paragraph Two

Next, you might want to show them why you are interested in the type of work they do at the law firm. Give examples to back up your claims, such as relevant work experience, extracurricular activities or modules you’ve chosen to take at university.

Most important of all, tell the firm why you’re interested in them specifically. What is it about the firm that made you want to apply to them? And no, “the sizeable salary” and “sheer desperation” aren’t the right answers.

Paragraph Three

Here you might want to summarise the strengths and skills you have which you feel would make you an ideal trainee solicitor. Back each assertion with an example, whether that’s from previous work experience, extra-curricular activities or something else.

For instance, you might want to use your vacation work as an example to demonstrate your interpersonal skills or your commercial awareness.

Say when you’re available for interview and cover any practical issues they ask about (e.g. what your salary expectations are). Be positive: “I’m looking forward to your reply.”

You should end the letter “Yours sincerely” if it’s being sent to a named person; if you haven’t managed to find out a name then use “Yours faithfully”, followed by your name (obviously!).

Final points…

– Think about the tone of your letter. It needs to be professional and formal, but, at the same time, you need to convey your own personal voice. You might want to use different ways to structure and formulate your sentences to really show off your writing style.

– If you’re emailing your covering letter or they’re likely to read it onscreen, then use a font designed to be read on a screen, such as Verdana or Helvetica. You should also use shorter paragraphs in emails as well.

– Go back over it with a harsh editing eye. Strike out anything superfluous. Can you make your sentences shorter? Can you get that point across in fewer words?

– Scrutinise your cover letter for mistakes. Double check it. Triple check it. Get your parents, your granny, the postman and your friends to proofread it. Spelling and grammar mistakes aren’t cool. End of.

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• Training Contract cover letter examples

A good cover letter will make your application stand out from all the other Training Contract candidates, and ensure that your CV gets noticed.

But selling yourself effectively in a few sentences can be tricky.

So, to help you out, we have put together 3 Training Contract cover letter examples and a guide that tells you everything you need to know about writing a winning cover letter.

Guide contents

How to write a Training Contract cover letter

• What to include in a Training Contract cover letter

CV templates 

Training Contract cover letter example 1

Training Contract cover letter example 2

Training Contract cover letter example 3

These Training Contract cover letter examples provide you with some guidance and inspiration for writing a cover letter that gets noticed and ensures your CV will get opened.

But if you really want to master the art of writing a winning cover letter , then follow our step-by-step cove letter writing guide below.

Here’s how you can write your own eye-catching cover letter, broken down into simple steps.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Start with a friendly greeting

To kick your cover letter off, start with a friendly greeting to build rapport with the recruiter instantly.

Your greeting should be personable but professional. Not too casual, but not too formal either

Go with something like…

• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

• I am interested in applying for the position of Training Contract with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The main purpose of your cover letter is to excite recruiters and make them eager to open your CV. And you achieve this by quickly demonstrating your suitability to the job you are applying for.

Take a look at the job adverts you are applying for, and make note of the most important skills being asked for.

Then, when you write your cover letter, make your suitability the focal point.

Explain how you meet the candidate requirements fully, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider your application.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To finish off your cover note, add a professional signature to the bottom, stating your important contact details and information.

This not only provides recruiters with multiple means of contacting you, but it also adds a nice professional appearance to the cover letter, which shows that you know how to conduct yourself in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Aaron Smith Customer service professional 075557437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Training Contract cover letter

So, what type of information should you write about in your Training Contract cover letter?

The specifics will obviously depend on your profession and the jobs you are applying to, but these are the key areas you should be covering.

• Your industry experience – Tell recruiters the types of companies you have been working for and the roles you have held in the past.
• Your qualifications – Highlight your most important relevant qualifications to show employers you are qualified to do the roles you are applying for.
• The impact you have made – Demonstrate the positive impact you have made for employers in previous jobs. Have you saved money? Improved processes? Made customers happy?
• Your reasons for moving – Employers will want to know why you are leaving your current/previous role, so provide them with a brief explanation here.
• Your availability – When will you be able to start a new job ? Check your current contract to find out your notice period if you are in a position already.

To round up

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Training Contract, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

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Successful training contract application example - free.

Who are Next CIty Lawyer?

We are a team of qualified lawyers from US, Magic Circle and Silver Circle law firms law firms.  We publish articles like this one every fortnight to give you the inside scoop on how to secure your training contract.

With years of experience analysing and reviewing documents for some of the world's most sophisticated clients, we've channeled the same level of care and attention into curating our database of successful applications to world's best commercial law firms.

Application Database

We set out to create a unique database of exceptional law firm applications that:

• shows candidates what a successful vacation scheme / training contract application looks like
• delivers expert insights based on our years of experience as lawyers and application reviewers to show:
• why the application succeeded
• how the application can be further improved and
• how candidates can apply these principles in their own vacation scheme / training contract applications
• makes our help affordable to all students from any socio-economic or geographic background

The bolded sentence was most critical for us.  Many of our readers can source winning applications to glance at, but it’s hard to reverse-engineer an application.  You need to identify what the candidate did correctly and then apply the same principles to your own work.  If you copy whole sections, you risk getting caught by law firms’ anti-plagiarism software.  If you paraphrase, you risk sounding robotic and vanilla.  Graduate recruitment teams read thousands of training contract applications each year - do you really want yours to sound like someone else’s?

That’s why we created our Application Database .  It’s the only source of successful law firm training contract and vacation scheme applications with expert commentary from qualified lawyers from leading US, Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms.  Our market-leading commentary is the missing ingredient that can really help you learn how to write brilliant law firm applications on your own.

We hope you enjoy the below free sample of our analysis of a successful training contract application form to Memery Crystal, a rapidly growing commercial law firm in London. We have set out the original student answer first (so you can test yourself on the good/bad elements) followed by our insights. As this is Part 1, we have included only half of the application.

We now have over 110 successful vacation scheme and training contract applications for ~90 different firms available to buy for only £14.99 each .

Search Application Database

Training Contract Application - Memery Crystal

Question 1 - original application answer.

Tell us about something you have achieved or are passionate about apart from your academic studies.

“My most significant achievement is when I personally established an adaptive (disability skiing) sub-division of my ski school in Switzerland. It was important to me to do this because I felt that disabilities should not be a barrier to participation. I was solely responsible for fundraising, marketing, insurance and health and safety compliance. I enjoyed taking on this level of responsibility as I witnessed the beneficial impact it had on clients.

I led on fundraising by encouraging the team to run a half-marathon, which secured £2,000 for specialist equipment. We achieved this target 5 weeks in advance of our target, which meant we exceeded our fundraising by 37%.

I also led on the school’s marketing activities. I posted on disability forums and Facebook pages and had friends advertise on our behalf. Having worked as a volunteer instructor with Disability Snowsports UK, there were numerous clients who could vouch for my professionalism and the reputation of the school. I drew on this to demonstrate the professionalism of the school and the experience we could offer. I also reached out to a disability specific UK gym and built a relationship which allowed us to reach a wider number of people.

I was able to effectively build a rapport with accommodation and transportation providers in order to negotiate a significant discount for clients. The outcome was that the client could book with ease and secure a significant discount. The scheme continues to grow in attracting more people every year.”

Question 1 - Next City Lawyer Analysis

Paragraph 1.

This question invites a STAR-structured reply: situation, task, action, response/result. Hence, we would recommend splitting your answer in four paragraphs, where each paragraph clearly signposts the next section of the structure. You should also note that this question invites some flexibility: you may write on an achievement or a passion. Make sure you are clear in your answer as to what aspect of the question you wish to address/are addressing.

This candidate does well to introduce and contextualise his answer in the opening paragraph, and he also begins to explain why the example is of importance to the candidate. At times the applicant’s phrasing could have been improved; for example, the candidate could have rewritten the opening sentence to avoid the use of brackets which somewhat disrupts the flow of the answer. Furthermore, a little more background context would have been useful – the candidate could have mentioned what year this was in and why he was part of a ski school. Nevertheless, this paragraph is a decent representation of a ‘situation’-paragraph.

Paragraph 2

First, we would like to highlight that the candidate does extremely well regarding the specificity of his/her writing. We always recommend that candidates use facts and statistics to substantiate their examples and claims. These two sentences, written by the candidate, exemplify this advice when put into practice.

Secondly, however, these two sentences unfortunately do not fit into the overall answer. It is a little unclear as to how the preceding paragraph flows into this one, and what exactly the candidate is talking about. Remember to use introductory sentences and signposting to establish what each of your paragraphs is doing: you need to show whether it is extrapolating on a preceding paragraph or it is an entirely new point. If it is a new point, you will need to demonstrate this with an introductory word or phrase (e.g. ‘additionally’).

Finally, the candidate’s phraseology could be slightly improved. For example, ‘I led on fundraising’ is a slightly strange way of wording what the candidate meant. Make sure your writing is as clear as possible; it is always better to have simpler, shorter sentences than to have long-winded prose. You should remember that law firms will be assessing the quality of your written application, and so any spelling and grammatical errors will count against you, with no exceptions made for international students (see our free guide to getting a training contract as an international student here ).

Paragraph 3

This is a decent paragraph in which the candidate has done well to highlight the role played in expanding the service offering of the ski school he worked at. The candidate has also been able to subtly discuss some core competencies, such as entrepreneurship, which helps to augment the strength of their answer.

However, as with the preceding paragraph, the candidate’s phrasing is slightly cumbersome; for example, ‘I also led on the school’s marketing activities’, and ‘a disability specific UK gym’. Regarding the ‘disability specific’ paragraph, the candidate should be very careful in his phrasing. Though this merely comes across as clunky, when discussing more delicate matters, such clunky phrasing can be misconstrued as insensitive.

Finally, the applicant unnecessarily repeated some of his answer in consecutive paragraphs: ‘ numerous clients who could vouch for my professionalism and the reputation of the school. I drew on this to demonstrate the professionalism of the school and the experience we could offer ’ [emphasis added]. We would have recommended merging these two sentences together to cut down the number of words used, and to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Paragraph 4

Though this is a decent concluding/‘result’ paragraph, it suffers from not having some key terms/events defined or fully developed, respectively. Throughout this answer, the candidate should have made it explicitly clear what the task was regarding setting up this scheme.

While it is implied, the reader is never told exactly what the candidate had to set out and do. Furthermore, who were the clients? Notwithstanding the reader’s ability to infer who the clients may be, it would have been better, once again, for the candidate to be explicit.

Additionally, it would have been good to read about why the candidate was committed to securing a good discount for the clients – though it seems like an intuitive aim, it actually is something of note. Remember, law firms want to employ someone who is focused not only on the needs of the firm but also on the needs of the client.

Finally, the last sentence of the paragraph is a little weak – the candidate would have benefited from adding some statistics to evidence how the scheme has grown and, thereby, what their tangible value-add for his ski school was.

When writing your concluding/‘response/result’ paragraph, make sure you reread your answer to check that your conclusion makes sense in light of what you have written. Much like when you write a university essay, your conclusion should be a summary of what you have written and a distillation of any key findings as a result of your previous analysis. Though law firm applications might seem less formal than such academic assignments, your formality and the quality of your writing should be at the same level."

Question 2 - Original Application Answer

Based on what you know about Memery Crystal; please give 3 reasons why you have chosen us and 3 reasons why we should choose you?

“Clear sector focus

I am drawn to Memery Crystal’s commercial practice because I have a profound interest in businesses and the markets they operate in. I was excited to learn of Memery Crystal’s AIM focus because of the opportunity to learn about clients in different industries and jurisdictions.

I listened to Nick Alfillé discuss at the Open Day on the 19th November how the firm assists the client throughout their life-cycle and read with interest about Pelatro’s first acquisition following its admission to AIM in 2017 as evidence of this. I would add value to Memery Crystal because I would have a genuine interest in the firm’s clients.

Trainee experience

The Open Day reinforced my understanding of Memery Crystal as a firm where the trainee is afforded responsibility from the outset. In particular I am drawn to the one-to-one trainee experience and friendly and supportive approach.

I would add value to Memery Crystal because as a funds paralegal at [redacted law firm] I have been afforded responsibility by way of working as the sole paralegal on co-investments and drafting facility agreements. I have experience working as a team and individually to meet client expectations and contribute meaningfully to the firm.

Memery Crystal is an innovative firm as evidenced by its status as market leaders in medical cannabis and appointment as the exclusive legal partner to the Centre for Medical Cannabis. I am drawn to Memery Crystal because it stays ahead of the curve and is willing to embrace new industries.

I would add value to Memery Crystal because I recognise that innovation is important from a firm perspective and individually. For example, I regularly read around innovation strategies and have taken a keen interest in data sets and how they can assist law firms in the future.”

Question 2 - Next City Lawyer Analysis

Section 1 - clear sector focus.

The candidate has split his answer into three clear sections which helps maintain a logical structure and prevents them from missing any crucial information out.

This section picks out a unique aspect of the firm, namely the firm’s focus on companies listed on the AIM stock exchange. Some excellent evidence is provided by the candidate, notably mentioning by name the individual the candidate listened to on an open day and discussing a specific deal.

However, the candidate’s answer could do with improvement when it comes to depth. Most of this section is quite generic and does not go into the details of the firm’s sector focus nor the candidate’s interest in the mentioned sector. Given the limited word count, the applicant should have gone straight into the details of the firm’s sector focus, and then drawn out specifically why he is attracted to it.  This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your commercial awareness.  Remember, you must substantiate your claims by providing specific, personal evidence – it is not enough to just assert that you have a ‘genuine interest in the firm’s clients’, you must evidence that interest in the clients of the particular law firm that you are applying to.

Section 2 - Trainee experience

This is a stronger section – the candidate’s use of their previous work experience does well to evidence their claim of enjoying high levels of responsibility. However, much like the previous section, the student would have been better off spending a little more time unpacking what exactly is unique about Memery Crystal’s one-to-one trainee experience. For example, the candidate’s answer would have benefited from the addition of some specific examples or testimonies that evidenced the existence or effectiveness of such an experience.

Furthermore, though the discussion of the candidate’s work as a paralegal is fitting, the candidate could have been a little more specific when describing the kinds of work they completed. Again, you should be as specific as possible because facts and statistics add credence to your answer and better show off your abilities.

Finally, the last sentence of this section is a little ill-fitting with the paragraph it is in. The candidate has used this section to discuss how they work well alone with high levels of responsibility. Naturally, teamwork is essential to working in a law firm, and the candidate felt as though they needed to mention their ability to work in a team. However, the student has “tagged” this teamwork-sentence on and it does not serve the answer well. If needed, you should link your sentences together with introductory words – this will help you properly demonstrate your logical thought process to the reader. For example, the candidate could have written: “ In addition to working well in one-on-one settings, I also have extensive experience working in teams. [insert evidence here] ”.

Section 3 - Innovation

In light of the demanding question and the restrictive word limit, this is a good section. The candidate has used specific evidence to substantiate his claim that the firm is innovative and has linked that claim back to themselves and why he would fit the firm on those grounds.

The only point of improvement would be regarding the last paragraph: though the candidate gives some evidence for why innovation is important to him, it would have been better if the candidate provided some more personal and specific examples rather than generically stating ‘read around innovation strategies’. This is not a bad example, however, to write this, the candidate would have needed to specify what strategies they read about and why they are interested in those specific strategies. Indeed, the same comment goes for the statement “ how they can assist law firms in the future ” – instead of stating that, the candidate could have actually specified how such strategies and data sets can help law firms.  Again, this is another opportunity to showcase your commercial awareness by demonstrating that you understand what innovation actually means for law firms.  

We hope you have enjoyed this free sample from our Application Database.  If you want to see more applications and commentary like this to help you secure vacation schemes and training contracts, our reviews of >70 other successful applications for >60 firms are available to buy for just £14.99 each .

So, what next?

If you are ready to move from research to action, you should look at our application database BEFORE you put pen to paper on your applications. You wouldn't walk into an exam hall without carefully reviewing past papers.  It's exactly the same with applications to law firms. If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.

Most candidates read a few well-intentioned but obvious articles on how to apply to law firms.  Most candidates then spend a couple of hours writing an application before optimistically submitting it.  But most candidates don't even get an interview.  Every year, thousands of candidates are part of the 90% that are rejected at first round.

Join us as part of the successful 10% instead. Let us give you an unfair advantage: through our comprehensive analysis of successful applications to every major law firm, our qualified lawyers will break down the ingredients of a phenomenal application.  We will help you beat the odds, secure your interview and then avoid final-round failure at your assessment centre.

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Nov 28, 2018

Written By Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw

Applying for qualified solicitor roles - your cover letter

Before we take you through a step-by-step guide of what to put in your NQ cover letter, there’s a quick checklist. Firstly, make sure you’ve researched the firm and the job opportunity you’re applying for. Secondly, remember to keep things brief - cover letters are not CVs, and yours should not be more than ¾ of a page. Certainly no longer than this article. Now we’ve got that cleared up, behold your cover letter guide...

First things first

Start your cover letter with a formal address, i.e. Dear [person]. We highly recommend obtaining the full name of the person who will read the cover letter, and addressing it to them - this may be someone in recruitment or HR. The information will be available on the firm’s website, and it makes you look as though you’ve done your homework.

Next, you should state that you wish to apply for the role, including the full title of the job as advertised. It’s also good to say where you heard about the job, be it on a jobs board, on the firm’s website, or from a recommendation.

Once you’ve laid this information out (in no more than a sentence or two) you can launch into the important bit - who you are, and why they should hire you!

All about you

The second paragraph is your chance to introduce yourself: tell the recruiter what you do at the moment, how long you’ve been doing it, as well as your current seat or job title. It can refer to things detailed extensively in your CV, but it should be more of a reference guide than a repetition: tell the recruiter exactly where they should divert their attention once they open your CV by briefly summarizing your key professional achievements. It’s good to touch upon a couple of your professional highlights in this section, but back up everything you write - if you’re claiming to be an apt leader, finish the sentence by referencing a time you lead a team on a particular case.

Why should they consider you?

This paragraph is where you show that you’ve done your research. Take another look at the job description and the website of the firm, and decide what it is exactly that has prompted you to apply. Pick around three examples that stand out, and then link them back to yourself - how would you fit into this aspect of the job? What skills do you have that mean you fit the job description? Show that you understand exactly what the firm is looking for, and address the ways in which you fit the bill.

Practicalities

Before you finish your letter, you need to provide your current notice period, and state that you’ll be available for interview. There are a number of other logistical details you can include here, especially if you’ve got a few years of PQE under your belt. If that’s the case, include the salary you currently earn, and any other benefits you enjoy as part of your employment package, such as healthcare or a pension.

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Finishing things off

That’s a wrap - almost! Conclude your cover letter with a brief sentence saying that you look forward to hearing from the employer. Follow this with “Yours faithfully” if you know the name of the person you’re writing to, and “Yours sincerely” if you do not. Alternatively, you could put a different salutation, such as “Best wishes” or “Kind regards”.

Finally, put your full name. A couple of lines below this, you may want to include a telephone number, for ease of reference, but this isn’t essential.

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How to Write the Perfect Law Cover Letter

In the modern legal market, you have to have a competitive edge, this means you need to know how to write the perfect law cover letter. This article covers the very basics of writing a cover letter every employer would dream of receiving.

Want more advice on writing great cover letters?  Take 30 seconds to sign up to TLP and receive more top cover letter tips straight to your inbox!

What Should I Write in my Law Cover Letter?

When writing a piece of text like a training contract cover letter , for example, you need to answer these three questions:

1. Why this area of practice?

Think of this question as the theme for the opening paragraph of your law cover letter: in it, you will need to set out who you are, the role you are applying for , a very brief summary of your experience and a concise line or two on why these experiences have directed you to this field. It should be clear to the reader the kind of lawyer you will be throughout.

Put in your own unique style, as long as it is clear why this area, that is enough.

2. Why this firm/chambers?

The real question this is asking is what do you know about us  and about our culture? So, this is a two-pronged question that enables you to show off research skills, commercial awareness and to lead into how you would fit into the company.

There are business and personal reasons for employers’ interest in this: on the business side, the less time spent in training, the more you can earn and they are looking for long-term rainmakers. On the personal side, they want to know if you will get along with other members of staff and be happy with the work-life balance .

This information can be attained in many ways:  you might have been a long-term reader of the company blog or attended insight days or talks. Better yet, you might have interned there or worked with associates through an affiliated company . Whatever the details, you need to show an interest in the company and the people via your law cover letter.

3. Why you would be a good fit?

If you have played your cards right and been selling your motivations and understanding of the company effectively so far, odds are you have done a great job of leading up to this question. In the mind of the reader, you may already be a good fit.

At this stage, you need to sell the value you bring to the company. Maybe you have noticed they are struggling with GDPR and need an expert, and it just so happens that besides commercial law you also have specialist knowledge of computing and data security acquired in your work/study which will be of great assistance.

You need a few USPs here, as well as the ability to match up your skills to the role.

Partners, recruiters and QCs at chambers all agree this is a good starting point for any good cover letter.

What to Avoid in a Law Cover Letter

Saying a lot without selling yourself to the employer is one of the main pitfalls when writing a law cover letter. Make sure you make it clear what you can contribute to the firm – don’t simply rewrite your CV in long form.

The second most common is demonstrating ignorance of the company. This prevented promising candidates being offered jobs they were qualified for. Make sure you do plenty of research and that this is reflected in your cover letter. 

Lastly, make sure your letter is written coherently and follows a clear structure. If you’re worried about grammar and spelling, ask someone to check it before you submit your application!

Words: Cameron Haden

Find out more on making the best applications employers have ever seen:

• 4 Essential Law Firm Research Strategies
• How to Write the Perfect Pupillage Application
• 6 Vital Things You Should Include in a Work Experience Cover Letter

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