Cover Letter Tips
Résumé Tips
Interviewing Tips
On-Campus Interview Tips

Open Letter to Students...

As you prepare to apply for summer or articling positions with law firms, the following information may be useful in finalizing your application.  

While most firms are happy to receive applications in electronic format, you should still place the same care and thought into the process as if submitting by mail, i.e. your application should be professional and show strong attention to detail.  Think about your application as a whole where each piece of information (cover letter, résumé and transcripts) complements each other, i.e. how does your cover letter relate to your résumé and transcripts? 

Review your strengths and put yourself in the firm’s shoes.  Consider what qualities the firm is interested in and then tailor your application to demonstrate those qualities.  Highlight skills that provide firms with some insight into your personality.  For example, leadership qualities, time management skills, problem solving abilities, team player capability and other attributes – i.e. what makes you interesting, what are your hobbies and interests, volunteer involvement, work experience, etc.

Research all firms to which you are applying.  Read the website, student brochure, other promotional material(s) and speak with current articling or summer students for additional insights into the culture.  While you should not include all of your life experiences, do highlight those most relevant for a law student position.  For example, at Davies, we are seeking students with strong academics, solid analytical and problem solving skills and who are well-rounded, intellectually curious, enthusiastic, flexible, motivated, committed to professional excellence and teamwork and interested in our practice areas.  Use the information gathered to prepare your résumé and cover letter.  As far as cover letters go, there is no "one size fits all", so you must tailor your letter to each firm.

In terms of assembling your application package, make sure your academic transcripts are organized in a logical fashion and are easy to read.  If you have transcripts from a non-Canadian university, include a grading scheme from that institution.  As a general rule, firms do not require reference letters or writing samples.  However, if you are attaching a reference to explain a weakness in your application or highlight a particular strength, read it carefully to see if it is useful in distinguishing you from other candidates (not all reference letters we read are helpful).

Be realistic about whether your academic credentials and experience fit the firm's specified qualifications or preferences and focus your efforts on positions you can reasonably obtain.  Please speak with your Career Services Office in this regard.  

Finally, below are some general suggestions on résumés, cover letters and interviewing skills.  Best of luck with your application and the interview process.  We look forward to meeting you.

Frances Mahil
Director, Student Affairs
DAVIES WARD PHILLIPS & VINEBERG LLP
fmahil@dwpv.com
416.367.6966

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Cover Letter Tips
This is your first impression.  Take advantage of this opportunity to provide a "writing sample" and display a skill prized highly by law firms: an ability to write clearly and concisely.

•         If not submitting electronically, use simple, good quality plain white paper (your application is typically photocopied for review).

•         Keep font and style plain, simple and consistent with résumé.

•         Keep letter short, simple, interesting and easy to read.  No more than one page.

•         In addition to a short introductory paragraph (who you are and what position you are applying for) and a closing sentence, two to three paragraphs are more than sufficient.

•         Specify what interests you about the firm.  For example, did you meet someone at Career Day, do you know a student at the firm, is there a particular practice area that excites you (that said, it is totally acceptable not to have narrowed down practice area interests).

•         Highlight a valuable skill or strength.  For example, leadership, entrepreneurial skills or creativity and show it by example when describing an experience.

•         Emphasize any accomplishments or activities that truly excite you and which reflect your interests since it helps the firm learn more about you.

•         If required, include a short explanation of anything unique to your situation that may otherwise be confusing or unclear.  For example, gaps in education or work experience.

•         Avoid going overboard with flattery, a sales pitch or regurgitating the firm's marketing material.  The overall tone should be business-like and professional, not a sales pitch.

•         Proofread, proofread, proofread.  Spelling mistakes, document merge errors, awkward grammar and inconsistent verb tenses are distractions and can muddle your message. Ask a third party (classmate or Career Services Office) to review.

Some Common Mistakes •  Standard letter generic enough for any law firm. •  Incorrect addressee (check firm website for up-to-date information). •  Poor attention to detail (typos in firm name, contact or merge problems). •  Busy format or style (lack of white space, loud paper or font). •  Use of legal jargon, defined terms or gimmicks. •  Overboard sales pitch or arrogant tone. •  Information clearly outlined in résumé repeated. •  Length (some letters are too verbose). •  Key information such as phone, cell phone or email omitted. •  Failure to sign letter and check for attachments.

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Résumé Tips
Tell us about your education, work experience, extra-curricular interests and accomplishments.  Examine your life experiences and highlight those most relevant for a career in law.

•         If not submitting electronically, use simple, good quality plain white paper (your application is typically photocopied for review).

•         Keep font and style plain, simple and consistent with cover letter.

•         Keep résumé short, simple and easy to read, i.e. no more than two pages - just enough to spark our interest so we want to learn more.

•         Organize with clear headings and highlight strongest assets first.  Arrange by Education, Academic Awards, Work Experience and Volunteer/Extra Curricular Activities and Interests.  If you are a mature candidate with strong work experience, you might start with that.  Regardless, use headings to guide the reader and list most recent accomplishments first.

•         Include all post-secondary education identifying school, years attended, degree obtained and major area(s) of study.  Exclude High School information.

•         Include awards, accomplishments, publications, interests and community involvement.  These provide conversation hooks during an interview and insights into your achievements beyond work and school.

•         Include recent and relevant work experience identifying dates, employer and position held. Include a brief description with active verbs to describe responsibilities.

•         Repeat contact details from cover letter in case documents are separated (if submitting by mail, it is advisable to staple the entire application, including transcripts, together).

•         Do not include anything in your résumé you do not wish to discuss during an interview.

•         Proofread, proofread, proofread.  Spelling mistakes, awkward grammar and inconsistent verb tenses are distractions and can muddle your message.  Ask a third party (classmate or Career Services Office) to review.

Some Common Mistakes •  Redundant headings such as "Résumé" or "Curriculum Vitae". •  Irrelevant information such as LSAT score or personal details. •  Poor attention to detail (inconsistent tense, spelling mistakes or grammar). •  Busy format or style (lack of white space, loud paper or font). •  Education or work experience not organized in reverse chronological order. •  Gaps in experience not explained. •  Exaggerated job titles and descriptions (brevity is key). •  Motherhood statements such as "good listening/strong management skills". •  Key information as phone, cell phone or email omitted.

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Interviewing Tips
Firms differ in their interviewing styles and formats which can cause anxiety among students.  If you are unclear about the interview process with a particular firm, ask to avoid unnecessary stress.  For example, some firms communicate interview offers in advance of Call Day, others do not.  Some firms arrange meals in advance, others arrange meals during the interview week, some do a combination of the two and some do not offer meals.

At Davies, candidates typically meet with four or five lawyers during an initial visit and spend about 15 minutes with a current articling or summer student.  We prefer to host most of our first interviews on Monday and provide candidates an opportunity to return later in the interview week for follow-up meetings.  Some meals are booked in advance of interview week whereas others are scheduled during the week.  It does not matter, so students should not read anything into being invited for a meal.  In accordance with the Law Society’s procedures, we do not provide any indication on whether you will receive an offer before Wednesday at 5:00 pm.  Accordingly, you should not attempt to decipher what you perceive as a signal or code because we do not have one.  We sincerely hope you do not interpret our low key approach as a lack of interest because we are simply following the Law Society’s rules.

We do not expect thank you notes and cards.  That said, if you wish to pass along your thanks, you may send an email to one of the lawyers you met.  You do not need to send it to every person you interviewed with.  If you really want to thank all interviewers, send one group email.

Basically, the purpose of the interview is for you to learn about the firm and for us to learn about you.  Both sides need to determine whether the firm is the right place for you to build a rewarding career.

•         Be yourself, be honest and try to relax and remain at ease.  Keep in mind that on paper you have already met the firm’s standards.

•         Wear business attire and comfortable shoes.

•         Be prepared.  Understand the process and research the firm.

•         Know your résumé and cover letter.  Anticipate questions and consider responses.

•         Know your strengths and skills and how best to highlight them through examples.

•         Your goal is to make a favourable impression, collect information and assess your fit.

•         Our goal is to provide information, collect information, assess your "fit" and provide a favourable and accurate impression about the firm and selection process.

•         Consider why you are interested in the firm and articulate your reasons.  Feel free to ask tough questions or raise issues of concern.

•         Obtain a sense of the firm's culture, values, opportunities for continuing education and growth and the social atmosphere.

•         Identify qualities for your ideal firm (practice areas, culture, size, work/life balance, opportunities for growth or travel).  Ask interviewers about issues important to you.

•         Engage in conversation and ask thoughtful questions to demonstrate interest.  Avoid being too "scripted" or providing "canned" answers.  Adapt to the conversation.

•         Consider questions beforehand.  Think about one or two questions which are personally important to you and ask all the firms those questions in order to evaluate responses for comparison.  Obviously, do not ask questions already answered on the firm’s website.

•         Inquire about the interview process and format.  If you are interested, ask to meet more people.  Meet as many as you can because no one lawyer is indicative of the entire firm.

•         Obtain business cards from interviewers so you remember whom you met.

Some Common Mistakes •  Lack of preparation: no knowledge of firm's practice areas or values. •  Failure to listen to questions, i.e. be responsive or ask for clarification. •  Failure to engage in conversation – i.e. interact with interviewers. •  Excessive flattery of the firm which rarely comes across as sincere. •  Failure to show sufficient interest in the firm. •  Behaviour at dinner/cocktail parties – still part of interview process. •  Inability to reach candidates – i.e. no answering machine or cell phone. •  Inappropriate attire: business wear is advisable for interviews.

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On-Campus Interview Tips
Although your Career Services Office will help prepare you for the on-campus interviews, you should note firms are meeting a large number of terrific candidates.  Prepare yourself by considering your strengths in order to highlight those which distinguish you from other candidates.  That said, we appreciate students are also meeting a large number of terrific firms and we must also distinguish ourselves in some way and demonstrate what is unique about us.

Given the short amount of time available, Davies tries to provide as much information about the firm and whom you will be meeting in advance of the OCI.  This allows us to focus on learning more about you during the 20 minutes.

•         Cast your net wide and try to obtain as many OCIs as possible.  Keep an open mind.

•         Typically firms spend a few minutes making you feel comfortable.  Embrace this opportunity for casual conversation to develop a rapport with your interviewer(s).

•         Research the firm.  Speak with current or incoming students for inside information.

•         Know your résumé and cover letter.  Firms use these as a starting point to ask questions.

•         Know your strengths and how best to highlight them through examples.

•         Anticipate questions and consider responses.  Firms may ask about law school life, your area(s) of interest, what interests you about the firm and why.

•         Consider what you wish to convey in 20 minutes – what experiences you want to discuss.

•         Do not over-prepare.  It is a conversation not a speech.  Adapt accordingly.

•         Find out in advance who the interviewer(s) will be so you can read their bios.

•         Have one or two excellent questions to ask.  Do not waste time asking questions already answered on the firm’s website.

•         Leave a positive impression (even if you are not successful in receiving a call-back interview, you may reapply for articling).

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