Here is a short extract from Training Contract Winners.

Extract from Section 7: COVER LETTER

Cover letters (one page maximum) for TCs should bring out the following points:

• Who you are
• Why you are applying
  
• Why you will be an asset to the firm and its aspirations
  
• What have you done. Relevant interests, experience and particular achievements (briefly)
  

It is very important to tailor your cover letter to the aspirations of the firm and its culture, pointing out why you will fit in well. This requires considerable research.

Warning: do not attempt to praise the firm’s excellence or reputation. They know that already and Graduate Recruitment staff are sick of reading it. Keep to the point and explain why you merit consideration. The facts should be enough as they are, without dressing them up in flowery adjectives.

If your A-levels or University results were affected by outside circumstances (such as illness), say so in your cover letter. Phrase this carefully of course. This may well help your application.

[Example cover letters provided in booklet]

Law firms abroad tend to be much smaller than their UK counterparts. Most offices contain a mix of UK and local lawyers, which enables the firm to provide expertise in specific areas, alongside cultural awareness of the clients' needs. International experience is a valuable feather in your cap.

TIPS: international VPs
With the global expansion of so many firms, lawyers are encouraged to take up overseas posts. International firms are keen to send people overseas for a ‘secondment’ which may last a few years. International VPs are valuable brownie points and there usually are no application deadlines. Graduate Recruiters are often interested in a range of commercial experience undertaken - this may be raised in the interview. You can try applying in the first year. You should fax, email or write directly to the international office with a cover letter and/or a CV. Here’s an example of a fax transmission that caught the eye of a few international offices [Example provided in booklet].