Job Application Materials

Click HERE for a sample resume that has been used by Howard Students for years and is recognizable to many employers. Please try your best to stick to this format, but feel free to make it as personalized as possible.

These are highly important examples of your research and writing abilities. They should be persuasive, organized, and crafted for the position. Avoid the temptation to send out a stock cover letter. If you want a well-paying job, you have to show you are willing to put in the work for it.

Some employers will ask you to submit writing samples of legal or non-legal work. Examples include legal briefs and memoranda. You can used writing samples from your Legal Writing Courses or from your summer employment. Remember to review your writing samples before submitting them to an employer. It is also best to have your sample peer reviewed and reviewed by a professor or Office of Career Services.

Many employers will ask for a copy of your transcript either with the submission of your application or after your initial interview. Generally, an unofficial transcript is fine. You can download your unofficial transcript from Bison Web (student services > student records > academic transcript). If you need an official transcript, you can also order this from Bison Web, but it costs $8.25 per copy. (student services > student records > request printed/official transcripts).

Employers will ask for References that can speak to the academic and professional skills required by the particular position you are applying for. Reach out to professors, clinic instructors, or past employers and ask if they would be will to serve as a reference for you. If they agree, the employer you applied to will typically call or email them to discuss your skills. Note that some professors and past employers will ask you to give them information about the positions that you are listing them as a reference for.

Typically, students should as professors or past employers for a letter of recommendation at least a month before the application is due. Chose someone who knows you and your skills well so the letter can be as detailed as possible. You should also give them detailed information about the position you are applying to. They may also ask to review your other application materials.