Despite rumours to the contrary, we really will read your cover letter - from start to finish. So, make sure that it is clear, concise and that you have proofread it before you send it. Your cover letter is your first chance to make a good impression. Your goal is to ensure that the recipient wants to get to know more about you. Sending a well drafted cover letter also shows maturity and professionalism that firms are looking for.

Make sure that your cover letter (as well as your C.V.) is free of spelling mistakes. This most basic advice is actually the most important: typos and awkward sentence structure in your letter send the wrong message about "who you are". Take the time to show your letter and C.V. to a friend or family member - they might catch that misplaced comma or give you some advice as to how better to present yourself and your accomplishments.

Personalize your cover letter. Tell us why you want to join our firm. By explaining what aspect of our practice or our culture interests you, you are actually showing us that you have done your homework and that you know what you want to do and where you want to be doing it. And if you still don't know exactly what you want to do...? Don't worry - most of the students that we meet during the Course aux stages are still somewhat unsure about what areas of law they want to practice in when they become lawyers. Our best advice is to get on-line: take a look at the descriptions offered on the various firm websites, read up on each firm's training programs, office size, types of clients and typical mandates. Also, find out if you know any of the students who are already working at a particular firm..Your classmates are actually a great resource for first hand accounts about the student experience offered at their office. Of course, it goes without saying that you should also attend Career Day and all the different activities organized by the law firms because there is no better way to get to know a firm than by meeting the lawyers who work there.

Make sure that your cover letter is addressed to the right firm. You really don't want to be one of those students who, every year, sends their C.V. to one firm, but mentions another one all throughout their cover letter. On that note, make sure you have spelled the firm name and the name of the recruiting director, or the lawyer to whom you are addressing your letter, correctly. If you are unsure who you should be sending your letter to, check the student section of the firm's website or call them directly and try to avoid sending letters "to whom it may concern".

Use the body of your letter to highlight your strengths and abilities. For example, describe one of your most memorable experiences or a really great achievement (without repeating the entire content of your C.V.). This is your chance to stand out from the crowd - your chance to tell your future employer about what makes you, well, you.

Don't forget to explain any discrepancies in your application package that could otherwise raise a doubt in the mind of the reader. For example, if you took some time off in the middle of your studies, or you got a lower grade than normal - by providing the reader with a reasonable explanation up front, it's less likely to be an issue down the road.

Your cover letter should contain at the most three (3) paragraphs (on white paper with legible font). And don't forget to sign it - it is a letter after all, not an e-mail.

The best advice that we can give you is to be professional. Make sure that your C.V. is laid out in a simple and logical way that makes it easy to follow.

You don't need to add a paragraph summarizing the kind of job you are looking for, nor your qualifications - that's what your cover letter is for.

Only mention your post-secondary education.

List your work experience in chronological order starting with the most recent, including the dates you held the particular job, the name and address of your employer, and your job title. You might also consider adding a more detailed description of your job tasks if you think it is relevant.

Mention your interests, your extra-curricular activities and any awards or honours that you may have received. These details are helpful in an interview setting - they give you a chance to talk about something you are really proud of and they give us a way to get to know you better. A simple listing after your studies and job experiences will do.

Honesty counts! We have read thousands of C.V.'s and we have all been students. There is simply no point in exaggerating your experiences nor the areas of law that most interest you.

Ensuring that your C.V. has no more than two (2) pages makes it a lot easier to read. The margins should be equal on both sides and again, legible font only, please!

Research the firm.  Read up on the culture, practice areas, transactions and cases, and academic programs.  Information can be found on our website, in the NALP Directory, at career day events, from students at the firm, in newspapers, in brochures, etc. You can also find information online. However, be aware that information contained in anonymous websites and blogs may not be your best source of information. When in doubt, contact a student at the firm who will be able to separate fact from fiction.

Understand what your strengths and skills are and how to best discuss them through examples. We are not looking for perfection but we do want to know what makes you you.

Know your résumé and cover letter. It is that simple. You should be able to discuss anything that you put down on paper.

Identify the qualities of your ideal firm – work/life balance, practice areas, culture, size, travel.  Be sure to ask the interviewers about issues that are important to you.

You can even create a list of questions that you want to ask during the interview.  Some examples include:

1. How is the firm structured?
2. What sets the firm apart from others?
3. In which practice areas does the firm excel?
4. How many years does it take to make partner?
5. Does the firm have billable hour targets?
6. Is there ongoing professional development for students and lawyers?
7. How much responsibility and client contact are students given on files?
8. What practice areas will I be working in and do I have a say?
9. Will I have a mentor?  If so, how does the mentoring system work?
10. Do students get structured feedback and how is the feedback provided?

Inform yourself about the interview process, including the number of interviewers, who they are, where it is to be held.  Read the lawyers’ profiles and identify any interesting topics for discussion.

Practice interviewing with a friend or family member if you do not have a lot of interviewing experience.  Talk about yourself and your experiences and your career objectives.

Be confident.  Remember that on paper you met the firm’s standards.

Arrive a few minutes early to compose yourself.  When you meet the interviewers, shake their hands firmly, maintain eye contact and smile.

Dress appropriately.  Wear business attire, be neat, but be comfortable.

Relax and be yourself. Answer interview questions honestly, directly and fully.  Be sure to listen carefully to what the interviewer is asking you.  If you are unsure, ask for clarification or a follow up question.

Interact with the interviewers.  Don’t just answer the questions asked.  Follow them up with questions of your own.

Avoid debates or confrontation.

Remember to use examples from your past to demonstrate your strengths and skills.  Rather than saying “I am a great leader”, you can draw an example from your past and say “When I was at XYZ, I led the research team on project ABC”.

Remember to ask your questions about the firm.  Feel free to ask questions about the partnership track, growth areas, structure, mentoring, and culture.

Ask for a business card before you leave. You might want to get down some notes when you get home to help you remember the names of the people you met, what you discussed and any questions that may have come to mind after the fact.

Follow up with your interviewers with an email or letter and thank them for meeting with you.

Review the interview and assess where you were strong and what could be improved.

Review the information the lawyers gave you about the firm, its culture and work environment and assess whether they match up with your career objectives.