Creating a U.S. Legal
ResumeLL.M. Resume Workshop
A legal resume is a marketing document
It should be strategic, NOT comprehensive
Goal: Show the firm why it should hire you
Think from the employer’s perspective
What skills and qualifications are important for the position?
What aspects of your experiences best illustrate these?
RESUME BASICS
“I just want a job – any job!”
Applying to multiple practice groups in an office, or multiple offices in the firm, does not show extra interest: it tells the employer you lack focus
One targeted application is better than 10 generic applications
Think hard about your strengths, skills, and experiences
Think hard about which can help the employer
Decide what to include, exclude, and emphasize on this basis
THE TARGETED RESUME
First review by a U.S. legal recruiter is about 30 seconds
One Page U.S. legal employers expect a one-page resume; they will
generally stop reading after that If warranted, attach a Deal Sheet or list of Publications
Clean, Organized, Consistent Keep white space: no tiny margins; no big blocks of text Use consistent formatting: inconsistencies look like errors;
employers do not want to hire careless lawyers Proofread for perfect English: spelling, grammar, syntax Use the templates online and the samples in the Handbook
FORMATTING: Key Points
FORMATTING: Examples
Name
U.S. Phone Number Make sure you have a
professional voicemail greeting
UVA Law Email Address Use UVA email address
U.S. Mailing Address Use UVA address; can add home
address to establish geographic connection
HEADING
Use bullets, leave white space
Remove redundant items Define awards, honors,
and distinctions a U.S. legal employer won’t otherwise appreciate
Include UVA Law activities, relevant coursework, anything that demonstrates strong written or spoken English
Exclude high school (almost always)
EDUCATION
List in reverse-chronological order Consider removing old / less
relevant experience Try to avoid big gaps in time
Be consistent with abbreviations and formatting
Define experiences, positions, and titles a U.S. legal employer won’t otherwise appreciate
Emphasize experience with U.S./ common law
EXPERIENCE
Always start with action verbs List of action verbs at pages 23-24 of LL.M. Handbook
Use formal language Avoid abbreviations and industry jargon; translate if possible
Tell the reader specifically what you did
Include enough detail to i l lustrate your strengths “Supported key partner on deals” doesn’t tell us anything: how did
you “support”?
Keep bullets clear and concise
Focus on highlights of your experience Choose aspects of your work that used transferable, high-level skills
EXPERIENCE: Bullet Details
EXPERIENCE: Power Bullets
Basic Powered
Three potential uses: Start conversation Round out resume Reinforce desirable skills
Specific but not bizarre Writing = Too general Writing World War II Reenactments =
Too Niche, Odd Signaling Writing haiku = Just right
Nice to have, but not essential Don’t include at the expense of
experience / academic activities
INTERESTS
Have your resume reviewed by Career Services before you start networking or applying
Proofread – no formatting inconsistencies; no mistakes in English spelling, grammar, or syntax. Errors cost jobs.
Columbia Job Fair Resume Upload Deadline: October 25, 2017 This is the date your resume must be perfect
Questions?
FINAL THOUGHTS