Squire Patton Boggs Winter Vac Scheme

Annalise2.0

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Jan 15, 2019
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Hiya, I am currently applying for SPB's winter vac scheme. It only requires a CV and cover letter and was wondering if anyone could advise how to best structure my cover letter. I've always usually applied to firms with set questions.

This is the structure I have in mind:
1. Why Law and Commercial Law
2. Why SPB and why I want to do a vac scheme there
3. Demonstrate competencies that I have that would make me a good trainee.

Does this sound like I am on the right track? I was also wondering how long a cover letter for vac schemes usually is - I am planning to write a page to keep it concise. My current CV is also 2 pages long but I have heard a few firms prefer a one page CV for vac schemes and training contracts. Do I submit my 2 page CV with my application?

Thanks a lot in advance :)
 

Jessica Booker

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There’s no set structure really for a cover letter just as long as it is well structured and concise (no more than one page). I would suggest ordering it paragraphs 1, 3 then 2 - but that’s just a personal preference as I think this is a better flow - but it completely depends on what you write and how the paragraphs link together (if they do).

One page CVs tend to be some US firms but even then that’s not consistent. A two page CV is far more common for law firms.

But a 1 page CV will be well viewed by any firm. Don’t bulk out a CV just to get it across 2 pages.
 
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gricole

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  • Jul 6, 2018
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    I used a two-page CV. Who should I address my Covering Letter to? I'm thinking of Giles Chesher, the training principal, (according to Chambers Student).
     

    Helena

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    Feb 28, 2018
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    I used a two-page CV. Who should I address my Covering Letter to? I'm thinking of Giles Chesher, the training principal, (according to Chambers Student).
    On their website it is a Miriam Edwards, Emerging Talent Advisor who says I look forward to receiving your application under the winter VS London and Birmingham so I would be inclined to address it to her.
     

    gricole

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  • Jul 6, 2018
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    On their website it is a Miriam Edwards, Emerging Talent Advisor who says I look forward to receiving your application under the winter VS London and Birmingham so I would be inclined to address it to her.

    Thank you, Helena! I noticed the name but was unsure whether to send it to her. To complicate matters further, LawCareers.Net only state Apply to Graduate Recruitment Team. I will take the risk, however, and go with Ms Edwards. Best of luck!
     
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    Jessica Booker

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    Thank you, Helena! I noticed the name but was unsure whether to send it to her. To complicate matters further, LawCareers.Net only state Apply to Graduate Recruitment Team. I will take the risk, however, and go with Ms Edwards. Best of luck!

    You’d be perfectly fine with any of those three options
     

    Jessica Booker

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    Hi, on the CV do you list all your module grades? I have quite a lot of work experience and listing all of my modules is going to make my CV more than two pages! Thanks

    not sure what their policy is but seen people get it on a couple of lines by formatting it like

    Year 1 - average 64: Module 1 (68), Module 2 (45), Module 3 (56), Module 4 (60) Year 2: Etc etc etc etc
     

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