Saturday, May 30, 2020

Legal Cover Letter Sample, Format Complete Writing Guide

Legal Cover Letter Sample, Format Complete Writing Guide This legal cover letter sample gives solid proof they need to hire you.Your biggest problem?The hiring managerwell call him Chris. Hes so busy he barely has time to glance at your cover letter for legal jobs.You need to hook him fast, then give evidence youre hirable before he knows what hit him.Do that with the right facts, skills, and achievements and hell read your legal resume as if its the original Bill of Rights.This guide will show you a legal cover letter sample, plus tips for how to write your own great cover letter for legal jobs.Want to write your cover letter fast?Use our cover letter builder. Choose from20+ professional cover letter templatesthat match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.Legal Cover Letter for a ResumeSee more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create you r resume nowConsidering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:Legal Assistant Cover LetterParalegal Cover LetterConsulting Cover LetterAttorney Cover LetterWant to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career:Best Cover Letter Examples for All ProfessionsHeres the sample:Sample Cover Letter for Legal JobsMichaela MontgomeryParalegal1426 Cottrill LaneMaryland Heights, MO 63043314-517-7797michaela.q.montgomery@gmail.comlinkedin.com/in/michaelaqmontgomery4/23/19Chris MullensHR DirectorStarge-Pervis Law Group4724 Bruce StreetMaryland Heights, MO 63141Dear Mr. Mullens,With great enthusiasm, Im writing about your need for a paralegal, as stated on your website. Using my legal research and investigation skills in a fast-paced estate-planning law firm like Starge-Pervis Law Group would create an exciting, challenging work life where I could excel and grow.I believe my three years as a legal assistan t at Evans, Baker, Jackson Law have given me the exact legal skills your opening requires. In the job ad, you mention key skills of research, client counseling, and preparing reports. In my previous job I conducted daily research, generating over 350 reports for estate-planning clients with a 99.9% error-free rate. I also assisted paralegals in counseling 35 clients per week concerning their estate-planning needs.The main reason this is such a perfect position for me is Starge-Pervis commitment to employee growth. Im putting myself through law school nights and weekends at Saint Louis University, both online and in person. Id be thrilled to make Starge-Pervis a lifelong partner as I expand my legal career.Id be excited to talk to you in person or on the phone about how my legal skills can further Starge-Pervis quest for legal excellence.Sincerely,Michaela Montgomery, Paralegal314-517-7797michaela.q.montgomery@gmail.comThat legal cover letter could get you hired at Cravath, Swaine Moore. Now its time to write your version.Legal Cover Letter TemplateHeres how to write a legal cover letter that gets noticed:1. Use the right legal cover letter formatBest fonts: Cambria or ArialFont size: 11pt or 12ptLine spacing: 1 to 1.15Margins: 1Read more: The Only Proper Cover Letter Format2. Start with a professional cover letter headerIn your legal cover letter header, list:Your name at the top leftYour addressYour email, phone, and LinkedInTodays dateThe employers contact infoCant figure out the name of the hiring manager? Try LinkedIn, the company website, or try calling the receptionist and asking.Read more: How to Address a Cover Letter3. Start with a hookBegin with Dear, then Mr. or Ms. and the managers last name.Give the job title youre applying to.Make clear why youre enthusiastic about the job.Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter the Right Way4. Give proof youre the right legal job candidateMention your biggest legal accomplishments.Pick achievements that prove t he legal skills they want.How do you know what skills they want? Check the job offer.Give scale to your legal wins by adding numbers like 350 or 99.9%.Whats the right legal cover letter length? The Perfect Cover Letter Length in 20195. Make an offerTo wrap up your cover letter for legal jobs:Ask to meet them in person or on the phone.Offer to explain how your legal skills can help them meet their goals.Read more: The Best Cover Letter Ending Examples6. End with a professional signatureTie things up with, Sincerely, plus your name and professional title.If its an email cover letter, sign off with your digital signature.Last, add your phone and email.Writing an entry-level legal cover letter? Entry-Level Cover Letter with No ExperienceDont vanish after you send a cover letter for legal jobs. Job Application Follow-Up: Examples, Dos, DontsA good legal cover letter can return a hired verdict. Bolster it with a job-getting resume.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet po ints, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.Thanks for reading! Now its your turn. How is writing a legal cover letter going for you? What burns you up most about applying to legal jobs online? Wed love to hear from you!

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

How The Business Worlds Denial of Differences Hurts Women - Classy Career Girl

How The Business World’s Denial of Differences Hurts Women “Denying the existence of differences between men and women (or boys and girls) was a useful phase we had to go through. It got us to here. Now that the reality of gender has changed, so should our approach. Managers â€" both male and female â€" should embrace the differences and get everyone to succeed.” ~ Avivah Wittenberg-Cox That quote summarizes a fantastic article called  To Hold Women Back, Keep Treating Them Like Men I read recently that originally appeared in the Harvard Business Review. It emphasized the importance of companies moving beyond the notion that man and woman are exactly alike, and should be treated as if no real differences exist in who they are, how they think, or how they might lead. Seriously, you should read it. Don’t get twisted before hearing Avivah Wittenberg-Cox out. What she specifically says is that, while most individual managers acknowledge gender differences exist in terms of strengths, perspective, and leadership styles, many companies nevertheless continue to employ diversity policies that ignore this fact. How the Business World’s Denial of Differences Hurts Women According to Wittenberg-Cox, “The business world’s denial of differences hurts women, and excludes them in a myriad of ways â€" consciously and unconsciously â€" from leadership. Because differences are not recognized, women are too often simply judged as “not fitting” the dominant group’s systems, styles and patterns. There were good reasons for pushing “sameness” in the past, and the laws of many countries underlie today’s companies’ insistence on similar treatment â€" being treated the same is, after all, better than being treated worse. But today, those are not our only options. It’s time for companies to adapt to women â€" or watch them walk out the door to competitors who will. In all the companies I work with, lack of recognition of basic differences like career cycles, communication styles, or attitudes to power is enough to eliminate one gender and prefer the other.” (Emphasis is mine.) Lest we think this phenomenon is a one-way street affecting only women, she acknowledges this troubling scenario can hold true when roles are reversed and women dominate a structure without giving regard to gender differences. Offering the U.S. education system as an example where 89% of teachers (i.e. the leadership structure) are women, she cites Raising Cain author, Michael Thompson’s, commentary on the subject. He notes that, in schools, boys are often expected to bend away from their natural tendencies and behave more like girls â€" calm, quiet, with rapt attention. Thompson makes the case that this appears connected to the high rates at which boys are medicated for ADHD and worse, dropping out of school altogether. I so admire that Wittenberg-Cox is willing to say what so many others don’t dare to: that difference does not equate to inferiority. Women and men are different. Women’s contribution to business leadership and boards is well-documented in terms of financial results. At least part of their value-add is because they have had different life experiences and (if they are not the lone woman pressured to be a female version of their male counterparts) therefore bring a distinct perspective that drives better results. I’m thoroughly convinced that acknowledging and empowering male and female leaders to embrace their differing strengths rather than merely morphing toward the masculine is key to taking a company to next-level success. The most vibrant corporate cultures willingly cultivate differences in perspective and leadership qualities, and the rich reward for that willingness is a strong, dynamic synergism. I also think that once enough women reach leadership to counter the ‘lone woman’ pressure to conform, we will see much more of this…which I hope drives businesses to value their women as more than mini-men. In that case, everyone wins.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Formal Occasions A Guide On What To Wear

Formal Occasions A Guide On What To Wear Although dress codes may be unwritten, they underlie almost every office environment and special event. The options for business attire vary considerably, and things can get even hairier when it’s time to get ready for an office party or formal occasions. Deciphering the difference between various dress codes can help you feel like you fit in and avoid confusion. Casual If a dress code is casual, you can get away with wearing jeans, corduroys, khakis and T-shirts. Don’t confuse a casual dress code with streetwear, though. If someone has taken the time to designate a dress code at all, that means that you should give your outfit some thought. Jeans should be clean and free of tears. They shouldn’t be too baggy or too tight. Dark-wash jeans usually look more put-together than those with a lighter or distressed finish. Tops should not be wrinkled, and they should fit well. Avoid wearing graphic T-shirts, jerseys or tops with sports logos to the office. You shouldn’t wear your clubbing clothes to the office no matter how casual the dress code is. Clothing that is too revealing or looks like pajamas isn’t appropriate. Frayed, ragged or raw edges won’t fly. You should feel comfortable, but shouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Other dress codes can be a little more complicated, fortunately this guide is pretty useful. Business Casual Business casual means different things to different people. If you’re in doubt, you should check with your human resources department or the function’s organizer. Typically, a business casual dress code lets you wear comfortable, tailored clothing. Think about what you might wear to church or to meet your boyfriend’s mother. Jeans are usually off limits, but chinos are usually acceptable. Tops should be more tailored than slouchy T-shirts. Look for materials like broadcloth, wool, linen, twill, silk blends, cotton blends and gabardine. Tank tops may not be suitable for business-casual environments, but you might be able to get away with it if you’re wearing a tailored outfit in a dressy material. Stay away from spaghetti straps or tube tops, however. Consider wearing a cardigan or jacket if you’re not sure whether your sleeve length is appropriate. Business Professional A business professional dress code usually requires you to wear a suit or matching separates. You can experiment with fun colors or patterns as long as their balanced with high-quality fabrics and tailored silhouettes. Whether you’re wearing pants, a dress or a skirt, you should always have a jacket. You can take it off if you’re wearing a blouse or tailored shirt. Your shoes should also be conservative. Open-toed sandals are usually off-limits. Business Formal Business formal attire may be required in a conservative work environment. Formal work attire should be modest and neutral. You should wear a suit that consists of a skirt or pants and a jacket. You might be able to wear a turtleneck or shell underneath the jacket as long as it’s made from a professional material. If you’re not sure, stick with a button-down blouse in a neutral hue. Work Functions When you’re getting together with colleagues outside of the office, the rules may change. For example, if your boss is getting married, you might get to wear a formal gown. The dress code for office parties is usually listed as one of the following: Black tie â€" Long gowns, extravagant materials Cocktail â€" Dresses or pants made from formal materials; can have fun with colors and patterns Smart casual â€" Similar to business casual; can mix and match pieces and patterns Adding accessories is a fun way to change up your office look, especially for a wedding or other ceremonial event. In general, your jewelry should get smaller with more professional or formal dress codes. Costume jewelry is appropriate with a smart casual look, but professional attire requires subtler doses of precious gems or metals.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

There Are No Jobs Out There

There Are No Jobs Out There Here in Florida, roughly 100,000 people will have their extended unemployment compensation benefits expire on November 30.   These are workers who had been given special extensions on unemployment because of the severity of the recession.   This means that their safety net (at its peak, around $300 per week in Florida) will end soon.   WorkSource career center staff hears hundreds of stories each week from people who are desperate to find work and are afraid that “there are no jobs out there.” There are people who have been looking for jobs for months â€" even years.   There are those with barriers to employment that make competing in the market challenging even during strong economic conditions: transportation barriers, health, criminal or credit history, or education or mastery of English language.   Assuming that one of these barriers isn’t the problem, what people often mean by “there are no jobs out there” is “I haven’t found the right job for me.” In my industry With my former pay / title / benefits In my preferred location During my preferred shift Many people are stuck in place by circumstances and trying to find a job that will make them whole, bring them back to where they were in their last position.   That, of course, should be the long-term plan.   But your short-term plan could be to find work to replace the safety net (unemployment compensation) income you are receiving.   The issues I raised above (location, salary, title, industry) are what are called objections when you’re trying to change behavior or make a sale.   They’re the “yes, buts” that salesmen get all the time.  One sales training site says, “Sometimes, an objection is really just thinking out loud. If you wait a moment, prospects might overcome their own objection.” To get past your own list of “yes, buts,” try an old sales technique.   Ask yourself what kind of work you’d look for or accept if that factor weren’t an issue.   Here’s a list of what ifs to get you started on thinking differently about your job. What kind of work would you look for or accept if salary wasn’t an issue? What if you were just seeking income to replace what you made in unemployment? What if you didn’t need to work full time? What if you were only planning to work for one year? What if you preferred working at night? Thinking about these things can help you break out of your pattern of thinking about work.   You might find that you are open to new possibilities.   You may find that there are jobs out there â€" in places you hadn’t thought to look.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Is it Possible to Get a Copy of My Resume?

Is it Possible to Get a Copy of My Resume?In the question, 'Is it possible to get a copy of my resume' I'm going to be answering your question by providing some important information to you. We'll discuss whether you can get a copy of your resume, the most common reasons that people ask about getting a copy of their resume, and how you can make your resume stand out from the rest.First of all, I wanted to clarify the fact that it is possible to get a copy of your resume. The only way to answer your question correctly is to understand exactly what it is that you want to do with the information contained in your resume. For example, if you're writing a resume for a job that requires experience and training, you'll need to choose one of the two formats that are typically offered for resumes that are requesting a copy of their resume. You can either have your resume typed or formatted for a computer or printed.Often, employers think that some form of formal education is necessary for an interview or job seekers that can't prove their education and experience is up to date. They want to make sure that the applicant for their position has the right credentials in order to provide them with a great hire.The most important thing to remember when asking someone to provide you with a copy of your resume is that you need to give it to them in a secured manner. Be very careful in your approach in this regard, especially in the areas of email or the web. Any communication that you have with the applicant that makes use of a secure form of electronic communications such as instant messaging or chat should be deleted after a certain period of time so that your information will not become public.It's also a good idea to make sure that the person asking you to provide you with a copy of your resume has the correct information before providing it to you. Make sure that they have all of the relevant pieces of information needed in order to provide you with your resume.You can als o provide the person asking you to supply you with a copy of your resume with all of the relevant skills on it so that they can make a decision about whether or not they want to give it to you. The more relevant your skills are to the person asking you for a copy of your resume, the better chance you have of convincing them to provide you with a copy of your resume.Of course, the person asking you to supply you with a copy of your resume has the best chance of obtaining a copy of your resume if they provide you with their contact information first. Provide them with a phone number or email address so that they can contact you with their resume at any time they choose. A short note of introduction is always appreciated as well.A final thought of advice, if the person asking you to supply you with a copy of your resume actually has a resume on hand, you might want to consider simply providing them with a letter of introduction that has a personal touch about it. No matter what you do, please make sure that you are taking the proper precautions in order to provide a copy of your resume without endangering your contact information or your resume.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Tailoring Your Personal Brand

Tailoring Your Personal Brand It is natural during the job search process to paint the best possible picture of your fit for a particular position. This is called personal branding. Personal branding is a necessary part of the job search process. You have to get noticed and you do so by demonstrating and pointing out your qualifications for a position. As a career counseling firm, we advise that you try and speak to all the requirements/skills listed on a job description. Heres the challenge most of us run into: the job we want to apply for is looking for many skills we either dont have or arent very strong in. How do you handle that? First, evaluate how many skills/qualifications you have. Is this list fairly substantial? Are they near the top of list of qualifications in the job description? If so, dont over analyze the skills that you arent strong in. It is important to lead with the skills you are strong in and how those uniquely qualify you for the position. Companies are often looking for someone to fill some gaps or play a complementary role on an existing team. Assume that your weak areas may already be covered by a team member and that your strengths are what they desperately need! For example, if youve been in sales and business development but want to apply for a field marketing job you probably dont have strong examples of field marketing experience. Thats okay. It is crucial that you are not deceptive about that. Instead demonstrate how your skills and experience qualify you for the job. The truth is you dont know how this new hire needs to fit into the organization. It could be that there are already a number of experienced field marketers who would benefit by having someone with sales experience on their team. Do some networking to see if thats the case. If so, then you know how to position yourself. Crafting your brand in this way will turn more heads than if you downplayed your sales background and tried to put forth sub-par field marketing experience. This is particularly true when it comes to hard or technical skills. You wouldnt tell a hiring manager that you can operate a crane when you really cant! In the same way, dont position yourself as an expert with a particular technology when you are much stronger at a different skill listed on the job description. Personal branding and demonstrating your fit with the position is key in your job search process. Play up your strengths and be ready to speak to the areas of weakness. Be ready to demonstrate why you are a strong candidate for the position and dont pretend to be something youre not. Contact Coach Wolfgang to learn more about our professional resume writing services.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Are You Brave Enough To Live The Life You Long For Most Arent. Heres Why - Kathy Caprino

Are You Brave Enough To Live The Life You Long For Most Arent. Heres Why I had an 18-year a corporate career, and on the outside it was very successful (I earned a lot of money, rose to the level of VP, managed large budgets and global initiatives, etc.), but on the inside, it was not successful. It was bumpy, challenging, and sometimes even harrowing.  Throughout that long chapter in my adult life, I couldn’t figure out what was really at the heart of my challenges, nor could I determine the best steps to take to free myself of the pain and unhappiness I experienced in the workplace. Finally, in the years following a crushing corporate layoff after 9/11, I did figure it out. I totally changed my life and career, and moved into the helping profession (therapy and coaching) which was so much better suited than corporate life to my core values, personality, talents and passions, and my desires for making an impact that meant something personally meaningful to me. And I became a researcher and writer on professional women’s challenges, and I loved it. In short, I  braved up  and finally began speaking up and honoring who I am inherently rather than trying to cram myself into a mold that never fit. After 11 years of doing this work and research, and working with thousands of professional men and women around the world, I stepped back to evaluate if there is  one core missing element  that’s at the heart of so many of these unsatisfying lives.  I re-examined all my research, and the assessments, surveys and quizzes I’ve developed and administered as well as hundreds of case studies of professional crisis in women (and men), to attempt to identify the one most basic issue underlying the majority of these challenges. It turns out there is one core factor undermining our happiness and success. My research revealed this:  Thousands upon thousands of people are simply not brave enough yet to honor their true selves. Women and men by the millions haven’t yet mustered the necessary courage, passion, confidence, commitment and perseverance to rise up, speak up and stand up boldly for themselves, and shift what needs to change in their lives and in the world around them. That doesn’t mean that I don’t see, experience or acknowledge the many societal, cultural and institutional influences and barriers that limit and constrain women today. I do. I’ve personally lived through gender discrimination, sexual harassment, toxic colleagues, being passed over for a promotion by a man 10 years my junior with no relevant experience, and being told I was the “B” word when I was doing exactly what my male colleagues were doing, and getting a promotion for it. And the list goes on and on. But my perspective now that I’m on the other side of that treatment and behavior, and in running my own business and calling the shots, is that all individuals who feel that they can’t create life as they want it need to rise up more bravely and boldly and take control of their lives. That is the only the pathway to shifting your life, and altering how society, culture and institutions treat individuals who are finding their pathway to success, reward and impact blocked. What are the top three areas we need to muster more bravery today? In my recent TEDx talk for  TEDx Centennial Park Women, I share my take on why it’s time to brave up, and how specifically to do it. The three most critical ways we need to brave up to be happier and more fulfilled are: #1: See yourself as you truly are â€" amazing, talented, gifted and important to the world. I’ve reviewed hundreds upon hundreds of responses to my Career Path Self-Assessment â€" a survey I created with questions I wished someone had asked me 30 years ago. The most pivotal questions are “How are you special? How do you stand out in the world that makes you different?” (Heres a link to the survey dont make a move without taking it.) Over 90% of the women who take this survey cannot answer this question. They either leave it blank or offer very vague descriptors.  They don’t see about themselves as I see them â€" extremely gifted, brilliant, talented, accomplished, important and necessary in the world. The problem is, if you don’t see your amazing gifts, then you can’t act on them, and you waste them.  Now’s the time to understand exactly how you’re talented, gifted and deeply valuable in the world, and start doing something important with your special talents. So, do you know how you’re special, talented, and vital to this world? #2: Speak up bravely and share the real truth of what you think, feel and believe. Research study after research study has revealed that women are  viewed significantly more negatively  than men when perceived as forceful or “assertive.” Our society just isn’t comfortable yet with passionate, authoritative and confident women who don’t hold back. Hundreds of women have shared with me personally that they’ve been penalized at work and at home, for being assertive and bold, and standing up for what they believe. What’s the answer? Don’t hold back.  Period. The time for that has passed. Clearly,  the world needs millions more examples of powerful, authoritative and confident women,  and each of us needs to be a role model. But research also reveals there are two critical ways both men and can speak more forcefully yet mitigate and lessen the negative backlash. First, the fascinating research done by  David Maxfield and Joseph Grenny  on gender bias reveals that, if you offer a “framing statement that is grounded in a core value prior to making a forceful comment that may anger people, you’ll mitigate the backlash. The value statement helps listeners hear you in a different way, and allows them to understand your intent more deeply. Here’s an example: If you’re participating in a board meeting and don’t like the direction the group is suggesting taking the company, you can say, “I believe fully in honesty and integrity, so it’s really important for me to share honestly what I think here. I’m just not on board with the direction we’re discussing, and here’s why.” Secondly, it’s critical to say what you need to say but with care, compassion and empathy in your heart, showing respect for all people and all ideas.  You can vehemently disagree with an idea, but it’s critical to hold compassion in your heart for the individual sharing the idea. When you analyze the words and language of some of history’s most memorable and inspiring leaders (for instance, Mother Theresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lincoln, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King) you’ll hear language that uplifts, inspires, enlivens, and presents a compelling vision of a better world for all, and a world that represents a higher version of us all. These amazing leaders don’t condemn, tear down, ridicule, or demean with hate or condemnation. They uplift. To be assertive and compelling â€" to be a true visionary leader â€" avoid all hate and divisive language.  Stay far way from sharing critical, biting, disrespectful and demeaning messages. I’ve found that anything can be said when it’s said with the utmost respect, empathy, care and compassion for all human beings. #3: Leverage the fantastic talents you possess, and do it in service of others. Finally, the third way we need to brave up more powerfully to live happier, more rewarding lives is to “shine” bravely. By that I mean, Stop hiding your light.  Let it out and let it shine. Identify those core talents you possess that come easily to you and   that you love to use, and bring them forward in exciting ways. (And don’t focus on skills you struggle to use; leverage those that are a joy.) One key to this is focusing on leverage your talents to be of help and service to others. When you do that, life becomes more rewarding and joyful.    Don’t let money, age, time, education, or any other excuse stand in your way.  You have only one life to live on this planet and this time, and if you waste it, it’s gone forever and you’ll end up with painful regrets. (Read more about the  top five  regrets  of midlife professionals.) The one mistake I see professionals make over and over is believing two damaging myths: •  That they have to struggle incredibly hard and work themselves to the bone every day to be “successful.” (If it’s too easy, they feel it’s not success.) •  That they’ll need a total reinvention to be happy. They’ve come to believe that they have to throw the entire baby out with the bathwater, and change everything in their careers to be happy. It’s simply not true. What’s required is simply taking one small but bold step every single day  â€" the step of acknowledging your core talents that you love to use, and finding new ways to use them. When you do that â€" commit to exploring new ways to use yourself in service â€" you’ll begin to find new pathways to more exciting work, or you’ll start using your talents in new ways as a hobby or volunteer experience that enriches your life. Either way, you’ll find that shining bravely means you’re finally honoring exactly who you are, and pursuing your highest potential rather than thwarting yourself at every turn trying to be something you’re not. If you want to write, write.  If you want to be an artist, take a class and hone your skills. If you want to sing, find a local group and start singing.  If you want to learn more about becoming a coach, interview five coaches. Stop making excuses, and start finding ways to do the work you long to. When you take these steps, and call up the bravery you need to honor who you are, your life will radically transform and you’ll finally experience the success and happiness you’ve been deeply longing for.  To call up the bravery you need to build a happier, more rewarding life,  watch my TEDx talk, work with me, and take my  Amazing Career Project  training.