Aspiring lawyers, drafting your resume is key to getting hired. This guide provides examples and expert tips to help you showcase your legal skills effectively. Learn how to highlight your qualifications, experience, and education in a way that speaks to law firms and legal departments. Our advice is tailored to the specifics of the legal industry, ensuring your resume addresses the right points for your next legal job.
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Here's what we see in the strongest attorney resumes.
Show Impact With Numbers: You should show your impact with numbers. Use
Match Skills To The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are also in the job description. Some key ones are
Highlight Legal Specializations: If you specialize, show this clearly. Use phrases like
As an attorney, put your legal education near the top of your resume if you are fresh out of law school or have gone through recent significant legal education, like an L.L.M. Your J.D. or other comparable degree should be one of the first things employers see if you're new to the field. It shows your most relevant training.
If you have been practicing law for a while, your work experience should come first. Show your practical experience in the field before listing your education background. This way, the reader sees your hands-on expertise right away.
In the legal field, specific case experience can set you apart. Highlight key cases you have worked on that show your legal skills. Mention any cases that had significant outcomes or that relate closely to the position you seek now.
Also, list any specialized legal areas you have experience in, like environmental law or intellectual property. This gives employers a clear view of where your strengths lie as a legal professional.
For attorneys with less than ten years of experience, aim for a one-page resume. This keeps your resume clear and to the point. Include relevant positions and skills that match the job you want.
If you are a senior attorney, a resume of two pages is acceptable. This allows you to detail your most vital roles and contributions. Still, be sure to only include experience that shows your expertise and value.
Membership in legal associations or groups shows your commitment to the field. List any bar admissions or professional bodies you belong to at the end of your resume. This shows you are active and respected within the legal community.
Also, note any publications or speaking engagements in the legal realm. This demonstrates your depth of knowledge and your ability to share and discuss complex legal matters, which is valuable in this industry.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes before they reach a hiring manager. Your resume must be ATS-friendly to ensure it's seen. Here are tips to help your resume pass the screeners:
Remember to format your resume with clear headings and use a simple layout. Complex designs can confuse the ATS and cause your resume to be overlooked.
You should shape your resume to show you are a good fit for a lawyer role. Focus on examples from your past work that match what a legal job asks for. Talk about the law areas you know, the cases you have worked on, and how you work with others.
When you show your impact with numbers on your resume, it helps hiring managers see the value you can bring to their team. Numbers can make your achievements stand out and be more memorable. As an attorney, you can use metrics to demonstrate your effectiveness and efficiency. Here are some ways you can do this:
Think about the tasks you do daily and how you can quantify them. If you are unsure of exact numbers, estimate them. For example:
Use these numbers to show how you make a real difference. This can help you stand out and prove that you are a good fit for the job.