Your Application

Your application has two main parts: the cover letter and the resumé. The hardest thing to do well is your cover letter, so we'll spend a little time giving you a few letter writing fundamentals with the help of a 1921 textbook, "English Composition" (which proves that good writing never goes out of style!). Here's an excerpt from that text:

A business letter is written to ask for, or to give, definite information. The style, therefore, should be simple and clear-cut. It is imperative that business letters should be absolutely correct in details of form and expression; that they should be clear in the wording of the message to be conveyed; that they should be concise, so as to include every detail necessary to a full understanding of the message; that they should be courteous; and, finally, that they should indicate character, so as to be effective in securing the attention of the reader.

As trite as the advice sounds, it's very hard for students to get the cover letter right. Let's examine some of the common problems with the "five Cs".

Correct

Each year, we receive letters that begin "Dear Ms. Wong" (Gail Wong is the student director at McCarthy Tetrault) or "Dear Mr. McGowan" (hopefully we don't have to point out why this is wrong!). In addition, letters are often plagued with spelling or grammatical errors, or references that appear to be about some other firm.

Bear in mind that you're studying to be lawyers, not secretaries. Secretarial work is a whole other skill set acquired with years of experience and training. Chances are you don't have that skill set. So you have to compensate by being extra diligent in double-checking your information, spelling, grammar, name and address. By the time you're finished this process, you'll be cross-eyed and in poor shape to proofread. In the best possible world, have someone else proofread your letter for you. If you can't find anyone to help you, at a minimum you should make sure that you don't edit your work the same day you create it. Get the letters and envelopes done, put them away for a day, and then review them with a fresh eye.

Clear

We know you're smart so there's no need to use big words in your letter to prove it. You may think that you have to use fancy language because that's the way lawyers talk and write. That's not the case; at least not at Cassels Brock. We work hard to make our communications clear. Our clients tend to be sophisticated business people who don't have the time or patience to decipher cumbersome, archaic communications. Our students and lawyers all receive training on how to write well. If you send a letter to us that's clearly written, you're one step closer to being our kind of lawyer!

Here's a bad example: I have utilized and honed said skills in a variety of milieus.

Here's a good example: I used the skills I learned at the Legal Aid Clinic in a number of other positions.

The general rule to use is: "Would you speak to your mother that way?" If you wouldn't utilize said skills to her, please don't use them in your letter to us.

Concise

There's no reason why your cover letter should be more than one page long. Don't use it to reiterate the contents of your resumé. Don't use it to describe yourself. Hopefully, after we read your resumé, we'll say: "This is a bright and dynamic individual." By the same token, it will sound egotistical if you describe yourself that way in the letter.

American law firms seem to like cover letters and resumés that are each one page long. We don't know of any Canadian law firm that demands resumés be restricted to one page. Maybe we're nosier here: we want to know what you do in your spare time! So restrict your cover letter to one page but don't feel as restricted with your resumé. By nature of their point form set-up and headings, resumés are a quick read, so if they're two pages, that's quite all right.

Courteous

Courtesy is good, as long as you don't go too far with it.

For example, don't write like this:

I have long admired Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. Cassels Brock is without a doubt one of the country's pre-eminent law firms. It would be an honour and a privilege to work at a firm of your renowned calibre.

We hope you'll agree that the above paragraph is a bit much. On the other hand, if you'd like to state a specific reason why you want to work at Cassels Brock, please do so (e.g. "I would like to practice widget law, and I note that you have a significant widget practice").

 Character

As you read this, you're getting a glimpse about our personality. Your letter to us should give us a small glimpse of who you are. If you follow tip #2, you won't sound pompous. If you follow tip #4, you'll hit the appropriate tone.

There is no one sort of person we're looking for at Cassels Brock. The most important thing we can tell you is to be yourself.


 

The OCI

The people with the real insight on how to handle a Cassels Brock OCI are the people who did it the best: our students. We asked our 2012 summer students to share their insights with you. Here are some tips from our students on how to handle the OCIs.
 

Tips & Insights

Eat a good breakfast. Have a good lunch. Stay hydrated. Smile. Clara Lee (Windsor) Have a positive attitude. If you get really nervous at some point, take a deep breath, smile and remember how great you are – but don’t let people know that’s what you’re thinking. Jeremy Bornstein (Western) Know your resume, be yourself and don’t fake interest. Confidence, authenticity and interest are everything. Luke Gill (Toronto)
Make a one or two page summary of the firms you are interviewing with – include their major areas of practice, other office locations, names of the interviewers, etc.  When you have several back to back interviews, things can start to get blurry and a quick cheat sheet will help you stay on top of the plethora of information you’re trying to retain. Jessica Lee (Osgoode) Be prepared to speak authoritatively about anything on your resume. The first question I was asked in my first OCI was “So this obscure place you volunteered at almost a decade ago? My sister works there, I visited her there last week. What can you tell me about that?” Be ready for that question. Max Rothschild (Dalhousie) Just be yourself and ask questions which show that you are interested in the firm. Jacob Goldberg (Western)		Even though we’re all focused on the short term benefits of landing a job, try to think how each firm fits into your long term goals as a budding legal professional. Use the process to learn about a firm’s culture, the types of clients it serves, future business development opportunities, and anything else that may become important down the road. Jared Puterman (Osgoode) It’s a great idea to get in touch with current summer and articling students at the firms you are interviewing with to ask any questions you may have and to get some information about those firms that you may not necessarily be able to find online. Kyle Simpson (Western) Whatever you do, be on time... Stephen Henderson (Toronto)

In-firm Interview

Here are a few things you can expect at our in-firm interviews.

Tips & Insights

Jeremy Bornstein (Western): Prepare by getting to know the firm and the people in advance so you can show that you want to work there and that you would be a fit.

Chris Selby (Western): Try to connect with your tour guide at the firm. They can be a great resource during your visit to answer questions that you may not be comfortable asking lawyers.

Clara Lee (Windsor): Wear comfortable shoes. Work them in before you realize that walking around in new shoes for 3 days makes for unhappy feet.

Stephanie Voudouris (Osgoode):Bring lots of bandaids! Also, when you have a free minute, take the business cards you’ve received and try to write down some key words about the conversation you had with that person. This makes it easier to send thank-you emails later!

Max Rothschild (Dalhousie): Relax the weekend before. There’s a very good chance you won’t end up sleeping the Sunday night just based on nerves/anxiety. You want to keep yourself healthy and have your wits about you, especially on the Monday.

Samuel Yorke (Toronto): Make sure you bring a “Tide to Go” to the dinners!

Jessica Lee (Osgoode): If you live far away from the financial district, I would highly recommend staying with a friend or family member downtown or splitting a hotel room in the area with a few friends on the first two nights of in-firm week to reduce anxiety and exhaustion on those very important days.  You may have early mornings and late nights and you want to make sure you get as much sleep as possible!  Trust me, your mind and body will thank you!

Luke Gill (Toronto): Don’t schedule too many, there are a lot of names and faces too remember. I’ve heard 4-6 is the maximum, but even that might be pushing it. And if you forget who is who you might send a follow-up email to a lawyer about the baby pictures you looked at when you definitely did not look at ANY baby pictures with that person.

Jared Puterman (Osgoode): Sometimes it’s difficult to find the right balance between confidence and enthusiasm, I suggest the latter.

Leonard Loewith (Dalhousie): Don’t feel you have to spend every minute “selling yourself” – be honest, be friendly, and don’t worry if conversations seems very light/casual.

Kyle Simpson (Western): Try to meet as many people at the firm as you can, including any articling and summer students that may be helping out during the in-firm process. The more people you are able to meet, the better you will be able to gauge the firm culture and whether the firm would be a good “fit” for you. While it can be a busy few days, try to relax and be yourself, and remember that the interviews work both ways – both sides are trying to find the best fit. Lastly, always be polite, smile, and try to keep your energy level up.