writing a Covering Letter for cv or resume.

1. PRESENTED BY-
AKIB KHAN
ROLLNO:-50

2. Covering Letter
A cover letter is a document you send with your CV.
However, it differs from a CV in that instead of being
a written overview of your skills and experience, it’s
specifically written with the job you’re applying for in
mind – allowing you to highlight certain areas you
think would make you right for the role.

3. Date
 1595 Darlington Ave - 57
 Cambridge, MA 02138-8212

 October 26, 2006

 Stuart Rappaport, Esq.
 Public Defender of Santa Clara County
 County Government Center, West Wing
 70 West Hedding Street
 San Jose, CA 95110

 Dear Mr. Rappaport:
 I am a third year Harvard Law student determined to pursue a career as a public defender upon graduation.
I am particularly interested in working for your office and would like to speak to you about the
opportunities available.

 As you can see from the enclosed resume, I have a strong background in criminal defense work. During the
summer after my first year of law school, I worked for the Public Defender Service for the District of
Columbia, where I helped attorneys prepare for trial and conducted extensive research on whether juveniles
could be granted jury trials under district law. In my second summer I interned for the North Carolina
Resource Center, researching issues for capital trials and appeals, writing court documents and meeting
with death row inmates. Perhaps my most gratifying work experience came in interviewing a woman on
death row about her childhood, looking for signs of abuse to support her appeal. Working with her
confirmed my commitment to client-based criminal defense work.

 In addition to my summer positions, I have taken every opportunity possible to prepare myself for a career
in criminal defense. I have completed virtually every criminal law course offered by Harvard Law School.
Through my work on the Women's Law Journal, I have refined my research and writing skills. My training
during the Trial Advocacy Workshop has helped me to develop the strong oral advocacy skills critical in the
courtroom, which I am now putting to use in the Criminal Justice Institute clinical program.

 My academic and professional training, combined with my passion for criminal defense work, make me a
strong candidate for a public defender position. I would appreciate the chance to discuss my qualifications
with you. I can be reached at (617) 555-6452 and will call your office in the next few weeks to speak about
the possibility of setting up an interview. Thank you for your time and attention.

 Sincerely,
 Elizabeth Weiss

4. • Make sure you
address the letter
to a specific person
if possible
(preferably the
interviewer)
Your Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Date
Name of Contact Person
Title
Organization
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Ms., Mr., Dr.

5. Purpose:
•Get the reader’s attention
•Introduce yourself - not by name
•Explain purpose of letter
•Explain why interested in the position or the
company
•Explain how you will help the organization
•Preview the rest of the letter

6. First Paragraph
I am a third year Harvard Law student determined to
pursue a career as a public defender upon graduation.
I am particularly interested in working for your office
and would like to speak to you about the
opportunities available.

7. • Highlight your skills and benefits to the company
• Emphasize interest in the company
• Provide concrete evidence
• Begin paragraphs with topic sentences

8. Middle Paragraphs
As you can see from the enclosed resume, I have a strong
background in criminal defense work. During the summer
after my first year of law school, I worked for the Public
Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where I
helped attorneys prepare for trial and conducted extensive
research on whether juveniles could be granted jury trials
under district law. In my second summer I interned for the
North Carolina Resource Center, researching issues for
capital trials and appeals, writing court documents and
meeting with death row inmates. Perhaps my most
gratifying work experience came in interviewing a woman
on death row about her childhood, looking for signs of
abuse to support her appeal. Working with her confirmed
my commitment to client-based criminal defense work.

9. • Conclude with next step
• Provide contact information
Conclusion
My academic and professional training, combined
with my passion for criminal defense work, make me
a strong candidate for a public defender position. I
would appreciate the chance to discuss my
qualifications with you. I can be reached at (617) 555-
6452 and will call your office in the next few weeks to
speak about the possibility of setting up an interview.
Thank you for your time and attention

10. Sincerely,
Elizabeth Weiss