Lauren Evans, Asia-Pacific (APAC) Recruitment Manager, and Jennifer Lau, APAC Recruitment Advisor, discuss what they are looking for in candidates, why future lawyers should choose White & Case to start their career and what advice they have for making a good first impression with your application. 

DO…

Do your research first – Before you begin writing your application, do some groundwork and consider what information you want to include in your application. It is important that you use your letter to show why you are highly motivated to work for White & Case, what practice groups interest you and why you think you would thrive at our Firm.

Do customize your cover letter – That means doing more than just changing the name of the firm! If you do not have time to craft a cover letter tailored to White & Case, it demonstrates a lack of commitment or genuine interest in joining us. A strong cover letter that is well researched and on point will make you stand out from hundreds of applications. Don't be afraid to showcase your personality too. 

Do highlight your transferable skills – What skills do you already have that will be useful or important as a legal intern or vacation clerk? This might include teamwork, customer service skills, problem solving or commercial awareness. 

Tell us about your skills and experience using your cover letter and your CV to tell us your story. Any experience can be useful and relevant: volunteering; student society involvement; professional work experience; or casual student jobs. 

DON'T...

Don't make grammatical or spelling mistakes – As a law student and aspiring lawyer, it is important that you communicate effectively in writing. Check your grammar, sentence structure, spelling and punctuation. Be sure to read your cover letter at least three times on separate occasions and have someone else proofread the final draft. One typo can be the deciding factor for a firm to screen out your application. 

Don't make it too long – This applies both to your CV and cover letter. A clearly structured and well-formatted CV makes a good first impression. For your cover letter, try to limit it to one page – you are not writing an essay. 

Don't go overboard with style – You are applying to a professional firm, so use a simple and minimalist CV that is easy on the eye. Do not include too many colors or other distractions (such as profile photos), and focus on communicating your value for maximum efficiency and impact.

Don't duplicate – Do not copy-and-paste a website or other standard materials in with the words you write. Be honest and thoughtful. To stand out, you may need to take the extra step and speak to people at the Firm or others who have been through the recruitment process. Looking through articles on Inside White & Case or try out some modules on our open virtual learning programs to get further insights into our Firm and our work.