Embarking on your in-house counsel job hunt, you’ve meticulously tailored your resume only to stumble upon the nuanced challenge of the cover letter. This crucial document—an ally in your application—shouldn't echo your resume but rather spotlight a crowning professional moment, illustrating your prowess through compelling narrative. Steer clear of clichés in this formal showcase, and remember brevity is key: a powerful, one-page letter is your aim as you seek to captivate potential employers with your legal acumen.
- Making excellent use of job-winning real-life professional cover letters;
- Writing the first paragraphs of your in house counsel cover letter to get attention and connect with the recruiters - immediately;
- Single out your most noteworthy achievement (even if it's outside your career);
- Get a better understanding of what you must include in your in house counsel cover letter to land the job.
Let the power of Enhancv's AI work for you: create your in house counsel cover letter by uploading your resume.
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In House Counsel cover letter example
Carla Jensen
San Diego, CA
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasizing relevant achievements: Mentioning the successful contract management initiative at Amgen Inc. that led to a 25% reduction in liability exposure showcases the ability to deliver quantifiable results and highlights expertise in a core area of the role.
- Aligning skills with the company's needs: Articulating a match between the applicant's skills and the organization's approach, such as mitigating legal risks and driving compliance, underscores how the applicant's expertise can support the company's strategic objectives.
- Invitation to connect: Closing the letter with an offer to arrange an interview proactively suggests a readiness for dialogue and confirms the candidate's interest in the position, making it easy for the hiring manager to take the next step.
Five tips on formatting your in house counsel cover letter
Do you want to make a good impression on recruiters and, at the same time, follow the best industry advice on writing your in house counsel cover letter?
Make sure to include the following:
- Header and Salutation;
- Introductory paragraph;
- Body paragraph;
- Closing paragraph;
- Signature (this one is up to you).
Remember to use the same modern, simple font for your in house counsel cover letter as you did for your resume (e.g. Lato, Rubik, etc.)
Ensure your in house counsel cover letter is single-spaced and is wrapped around a one-inch margin, like in our cover letter templates.
Once completed, use our cover letter builder to export your in house counsel cover letter in the best format to keep your information intact - PDF.
At the end of the day, your in house counsel cover letter won't be assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) software, but by the recruiters. Your information should thus be legible, organized, and follow a structured logic.
The top sections on a in house counsel cover letter
Header with Contact Information: This includes the candidate's name, address, phone number, and email address, providing the recruiter with immediate access to contact information, reflecting the organizational skills important for an in-house counsel.
Opening Greeting: The greeting should address the specific hiring manager or legal department head by name, if known, demonstrating the candidate's attention to detail and professionalism which are key traits for in-house counsel.
Introduction: The introductory paragraph must capture the recruiter's attention by succinctly summarizing the candidate’s legal qualifications and expressing a clear interest in the organization, showcasing the capability to be concise and persuasive, traits essential for effective legal advocacy within a company.
Body of the Letter (Experience and Skills): This section should highlight relevant legal experience, understanding of corporate law, and specific accomplishments that align with the role of in-house counsel, showcasing the candidate's ability to be an asset to the legal team and manage the company's legal affairs.
Closing and Call to Action: The closing should reiterate the candidate's enthusiasm for the role, include a polite request for an interview, and thank the reader for considering the application, reflecting the diplomatic communication skills necessary for an in-house counsel to successfully negotiate and interact with other departments.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Specialized knowledge of applicable laws and regulations: As in-house counsel, the ability to navigate and advise on the laws and regulations specific to the company's industry is essential.
- Risk management skills: In-house counsels must proactively identify and mitigate legal risks to the company, requiring an acute awareness of potential legal issues and their implications.
- Strong business acumen: Understanding the company’s business model and objectives is critical to providing relevant legal advice that aligns with corporate strategies.
- Excellent negotiation and contract drafting skills: Negotiating terms and drafting contracts are daily responsibilities, so in-house counsel must possess advanced skills in these areas to protect the company's interests.
- Communication skills: The ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to non-lawyers within the company is paramount for in-house counsel.
- Collaborative approach and team orientation: In-house counsels must work closely with multiple departments, necessitating a collaborative spirit and the ability to operate as part of a cross-functional team.
Personalizing your in house counsel cover letter salutation
Always aim to address the recruiter from the get-go of your in house counsel cover letter.
Use:
- the friendly tone (e.g. "Dear Paul" or "Dear Caroline") - if you've previously chatted up with them on social media and are on a first-name basis;
- the formal tone (e.g. "Dear Ms. Gibbs" or "Dear Ms. Swift") - if you haven't had any previous conversation with them and have discovered the name of the recruiter on LinkedIn or the company website;
- the polite tone (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear HR Team") - at all costs aim to avoid the "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", as both greetings are very old-school and vague.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Recipient's Name],
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Hiring Committee,
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
- Dear Members of the [Company Name] Legal Department,
First introductions in your in house counsel cover letter
Within your in house counsel cover letter introduction, genuinely state what you like about the organization.
Research the latest company projects, honorary awards, company updates, etc.
Write up to two sentences to let recruiters know what impresses you about the company,
This would help you to set a good tone for the rest of the communication.
What comes next: your in house counsel cover letter middle paragraphs
In the next three to six paragraphs (or the body of your in house counsel cover letter) you have to prove your unique value.
Most candidates tend to mess up at this stage. They tend to just copy-paste information from their resume.
That's one big no-no.
Remember that when writing your in house counsel cover letter, it has to be personalized. And, your ultimate aim is to catch the recruiter's eye.
So, look back on key job requirements and write down a list that includes the ones you cover.
Next, select just one key achievement from your professional (or personal) history that meets those advert keywords.
Narrate a story around how you've grown your skill set and knowledge. Also, aim to show the unique understanding or soft skills you bring about, thanks to your past success.
Finishing off your in house counsel cover letter with what matters most
So far, you've done a fantastic job in tailoring your in house counsel cover letter for the role and recruiter.
Your final opportunity to make a good impression is your closing paragraph.
And, no, a "Sincerely yours" just won't do, as it sounds too vague and impersonal.
End your in house counsel cover letter with the future in mind.
So, if you get this opportunity, what do you plan to achieve? Be as specific, as possible, of what value you'd bring to the organization.
You could also thank recruiters for their interest in your profile and prompt for follow-up actions (and organizing your first interview).
Addressing limited to no experience in the in house counsel cover letter
There's nothing to worry about if you lack professional experience.
Your in house counsel cover letter could bridge the gaps in your professional history by focusing on what matters most to recruiters, that's either:
- skills - focusing on transferable ones you've gained, thanks to your life experience (e.g. volunteering, certificates, etc.);
- achievements - select the most relevant and noteworthy one from your history (e.g. education, projects, etc.);
- motivation - describe how you envision your professional growth in the next up to five years, thanks to this opportunity.
Key takeaways
Winning recruiters over shouldn't be difficult if you use your in house counsel cover letter to tell a story that:
- Is personalized by greeting your readers and focusing on key job skills greets;
- Isn't spread all over the place, but instead focuses on one key achievement and selling your value as a professional;
- Introduces your enthusiasm for the role, passion for the job, or creativity in communication;
- Is also visually appealing - meeting the best HR practices;
- Ends with a nod to the future and how you envision your growth, as part of the company.
