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