So I am not even done with my first summer internship (LONG post on that later) and I am already having to apply to NEXT summer's jobs. WHAT??? So I have spent my last week in DC slaving away on cover letters. And was inspired to share my fool proof formula for getting a job.
Actual law firm cover letter: Dear (law firm with five/six names that nobody could ever possibly guess how to pronounce), I am interested in a summer associate position with your firm. After law school, I hope to practice law in (enter city where the law firm is, even if you've never been to). I am interested in your specific firm because of their high reputation in (enter legal field that you actually don't even know what it is), and because I have heard such wonderful things about the firm from (enter person you met once who works at the firm, even though you know they hate their life at the firm). I know I am a great candidate for your firm because (enter quality that you can pretend to have). Please see enclosed materials.
Truthful law firm cover letter: dear hiring partner who will actually never read this letter, I am interested in your firm because they for some reason will pay me an absurd amount of money and maybe I won't have to take out so many loans next year. I actually hate the idea of 14 hour days and don't know how to pronounce your name, but I hear you take your summer interns to a baseball game in a limo. I don't know anything about your firm or what corporate transactions even means, but I really hope one of the 50 firms I send this letter to offers me a job. I also hope I don't put the wrong law firm name in this letter.
I think they'd appreciate the honesty.
