CAREERS IN BUSINESS LAW
Today’s Objectives
 Compose a letter of application
(cover letter) for employment.
 Create or update a resume.
 Complete a job application.
Resumes
Read the following slides about
resumes, then create/update
your resume.
What is a resume?
 Summary of personal
information
 Outlines your
qualifications for a
particular job
 Usually includes:
 Education
 Skills
 Work experience
 Awards & activities
Not All Resumes Are Equal!
 Resumes should
be customized for
each position to
which you apply.
 Resumes change
over time and
should be
updated regularly.
Resumes for Employees
 Usually first step
in the job
application
process
 Organizes facts
about you; makes
completing job
applications
easier
Importance of a Resume
 First opportunity to make
contact with an employer
 Represents your qualifications
for the job
 Any mistakes will hinder your job
search
What makes a good resume?
Good Resumes
 Easy to read
 Logical flow
 Includes relevant information
 Name stands out
 Good use of space
Common Mistakes
 Spelling and grammatical errors
 Writing in the first person
 Including unrelated and/or personal
information
 Repetitiveness
 Lacking organization or focus
Resume Writing Tips
In General…
 Keep it concise – no more than one page
 Make it neat!
 Be honest about your qualifications
 Use action words and phrases to describe
your experiences
 Customize it to the job description
 Have others proofread it!
Submitting a Resume
Printed
 Black ink
 White or off-
white paper
 Include a cover
letter
Electronic
 Save it as a PDF
file!
 If you attach it to
an email, the body
of the email will
serve as your
cover letter.
APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP
 Let’s pretend! You have some free
time this summer, so you have
decided to apply for a legal
internship at a local law office.
 Open the Legal Internship file and
read about the position.
RESUME ASSIGNMENT
 Complete or Update Your Personal
Resume.
 Have someone proofread it.
 Save your resume as a PDF with
the file name
ResumeYourName.pdf
 Submit your PDF resume in my
Inbox.
Cover Letters
Read the following slides about cover
letters. Then, complete the assignment
on your own.
What is a Cover Letter?
 Tells the
employer about
you and why you
are applying
 Can also be
used to inquire
about possible
positions
Purpose of a Cover Letter
 Introduces you and
who you are
 Explains why you
are sending a
resume
 Makes a good
impression
 Demonstrates
professionalism
Formatting a Cover Letter
Layout
As with all
professional
business letters, a
cover letter should
be written in block
format.
Cover Letter Contents
 Use simple
language
 Be short &
concise
 Proofread! All
cover letters
should be errorfree.
Paragraph #1
 Explain why you
are writing
 Indicate the
position you would
like to apply for
 Explain how you
heard about the job
opening
Paragraph #2
 Describe what you
have to offer the
employer
 Match your abilities
with their needs
 Refer to your resume
by highlighting
qualifications and
relevant background
Paragraph #3
 Ask for an
interview!
 Thank the
employer for
considering you
 Explain how &
when you will
follow up
COVER LETTER ASSIGNMENT
 Open the CoverLetterTemplate. This is a
general cover letter example.
 Rewrite the cover letter to make it apply to
you. You are applying for the legal
internship position.
 Have someone proofread it.
 Save the letter as a PDF file with the file
name CoverLetterYourName.pdf and drop
a copy in my Inbox.
Job Applications
Read the following slides about completing
applications for employment.
What is an application?
 Form that employers
give to potential
employees to
complete
 Lists relevant
information
 Work Experience
 Education
 Skills
 References
Applications vs. Resumes
 Standardized forms
make it easier to
compare job
candidates
 Demonstrate ability to
follow directions
 Ensure that complete
information is provided
 Require a signature to
attest to truthfulness
Tips for Applications
Make sure to…
 Complete the form neatly.
 Spell all words correctly.
 Use a pen with blue or black ink.
 Answer every question – write “N/A”
for those questions that are not
applicable.
 Use your full name (not a nickname)
Common Mistakes
Watch out for…
 Incomplete or missing information
 Inaccurate information
 Any unintentional marks, such as
scribbles or marking out words
 Colored ink or pencil
 Listing “anything” for your preferred
position
References
Who should be a reference?
 People who know your
work habits and
personal traits well
 People who can
confidently
recommend you for
the job
 People you have
known for a significant
amount of time
Professional References
 Always ask for
permission to use
their contact
information!
 You may consider:
 Teachers
 Former employers
 Friends established
as business contacts
APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT
 You will complete an
employment application for the
legal internship position.
 We will do this as a class – you
will need a blue or black pen.