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You’re Your First Client!
THE LAW RESUME:Making a case for yourself
Lisa Patterson
Associate Dean for Career Services
University at Buffalo Law School
The State University of New York
2011
The People
Lisa PattersonAssociate Dean for Career Services
Marc DaviesAssociate Director
Dawn SkopinskiAssistant Director
Kathleen DevereauxCareer Counselor
Gale StraussRecruiting Coordinator
The PlaceOffices
608 O’Brian Hall
Access resources online at: law.buffalo.edu/CSOtoGo.asp
OverviewPart A: What is a Resume, what is it for?
How a Resume Functions
Part B:Style and Formatting
Putting in the details
Part C:Resume Critiques
Question & Answer
Length of Program: 60 minutes
Part A:How the Resume Functions
1. Advertisement! Employer’s First Impression Helps you get the interview.
2. Interview Material reference your skills and achievements
during the interview Control the process!
3. Calling Card Reminder of who you are Serves as a way for the interviewer to
remember you LATER
First Function:First Impressions,
Resume as Advertisement
First Function - Get their attention!
Next time you watch TV, notice the ads! Know the product Hit highlights of the product Know the audience Catch their attention!
Example: McDonalds Different ads highlighting different products
to different audiences. Happy Meals to kids, Big Macs to adults.
Make the reader hungry for more!
Advertisement 1:Know the Product—You!
More Self-Assessment - know “thyself”
Pick out your best selling points. Are you Prius or an Escalade? Both are
popular cars, but appeal to very different buyers.
Evaluate yourself with Objectivity/Distance Identify your weak points
(avoid “spin,” prepare to answer) Bring out your best and relevant credentials
Make others a part of the process
Advertisement 2:Know your Audience
Define your target audience.
Put yourself in the employer’s shoes Who is reading your resume? What is their practice all about? What do they need in a candidate? What is the employer looking for in a
candidate (experiences? ties [e.g., geographic, personal]? grades? courses? commitment? interest?) Bring them out.
Research, network
Home Sales Example:How to use words
The premise: Real estate agents use certain words to describe houses for sale that may hint to other sellers’ agents that a house might sell for less than advertised.
Five of the following ten words hint at a possible defect or drawback to a house, while the other five indicate a more saleable quality. Which are which?
Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by Steven d. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner, 2005
What do the five “good” terms have in common?
Fantastic Granite
Maple Charming
Great Neighborhood
Gourmet
State-of-the Art Spacious
Corian Anything with a “!”
The Secret About Lawyers.
THEY LOVE EVIDENCE!
Make a case for why you should be hired
Use examples of good qualities
Don’t state conclusions without examples (“I’m a hard worker”)
Resume is evidence that you are going to be a great employee
Advertisement 3:Design to catch their attention!
Be clear and memorable
Use capitalization, indentations, underlining, italics, white space to make key words stand out but . . .
Do not cross the “too confusing” line
Not more than 3 types of emphasis or font styles
More on style later
Second Function: Interview Material
Outline for the interview
Your opportunity for control If it’s good, put it in If it’s not, leave it out Do I need, want to talk about it?
Be prepared to discuss everything!
Hit a chord with your interviewer (interests, sports, volunteer)
Interview Material:Accuracy, Trust and
Thoroughness
Don’t get caught squirming in the interview!
Information and data Be positive Exaggeration, fantasy and fiction Penalties
Technical Grammatical Typographical
Third Function:Calling Card
Remember me?
Details, descriptions, get more attention as a reference document
Interviewer may make notes– need some white space
Here’s where your “Interests/Hobbies” come in!
Part B: Style & Formatting
No standard structure, but UB Law has 4 approved formats
Use best template for you What do you want to emphasize?
Flint Village Apts. 100-36B Buffalo, NY 14261- 0090
Home (716) 555-1234 Cell (716) 555-1234 E-mail [email protected]
B. Excellent Resume
Education State University of New York at Buffalo Law School Buffalo, NY Juris Doctor expected 2009 Estimated Class Rank: Top 1-15% Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
Fordham University Bronx, NY Bachelor or Arts in Political Science, 1996 Graduated Summa Cum Laude, GPA: 3.85 Dean’s List Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Legal Experience Jones, Day, Reavis, & Pogue New York, NY Southridge, SC
Litigation Project Assistant, 2004 - 2006
Prepared trial notebooks of key documents and witness files. Organized, and mark and index trial exhibits. Performed court filings and deliveries Organized and file pleadings, medical records, exhibits, correspondence,
investigative reports, and transcripts. Prepared and index key pleadings notebooks. Performed page checking of key documents. Certified key documents.
Professional Experience
Apex Communications, Inc. Hasbrouk Heights, NJ Medical Communicator, 2000 - 2004
Recruited physicians to participate in interactive scientific meetings. Trained new medical communicators on effective recruiting techniques. Provided doctors with advice in the selection of products.
Hackensack Medical Center Hackensack, NJ
Medical File Clerk, 1997 – 1999
Maintained patient filing system. Analyzed medical accounts. Distributed information to collection agencies, insurance companies, and
law firms.
John Doe 123 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14000 (716) 123-4567
[email protected] Education State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law Juris Doctor expected, May 2009 Estimated class rank: Top 15-25% Managing Editor of the Buffalo Environmental Law Journal Member of the Buffalo Public Interest Law Program State University of New York at Binghamton Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Law & Society, May 2000 Brunel University, Uxbridge, England Exchange Program in Political Science, September 1997 - May 1998 Legal Experience Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, New York Law Intern, Real Estate Investments, May 2008 - August 2008 Reviewed leases and created abstracts from those leases, researched legal issues, completed the dissolution of a Limited Partnership, conducted due diligence for commercial property loans in excess of $20 million, including abstracting leases, review of service contracts and management agreements. The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, New York, New York Law Intern, Commercial Litigation Div., May 2007 - August 2007 Researched and prepared various pleadings and memoranda; drafted and filed motions with New York courts; reviewed and critiqued advisory’s legal memoranda. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, New York Government Relations Assistant, April 2005 - August 2006 Tracked legislation and regulation of ten states; administrator of compliance tracking database; assisted in special projects and state insurance examinations; organized conferences and made presentations; compiled expenditures for tax department and auditors. Litigation Paralegal, August 2002 - March 2005 Conducted research for the preparation of legal documents; maintained case files; examined and analyzed insurance policy language; reviewed legal documents for relevancy and/or privilege. NYNEX Corporation, White Plains, New York Paralegal, November 2001 - August 2002 Prepared and organized corporate records for discovery; maintained antitrust library; reviewed documents for accuracy; data entry of documents. United States Army, Fort Hood, Texas Legal Specialist, June 2000 - June 2001 Researched and analyzed regulations in the Uniform Code of Military Justice; advised supervisors of appropriate actions; drafted correspondence; informed soldiers of legal military regulations. Language Elementary German.
Sue M. Hall 123 Central Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14237
(716) 123-4567 [email protected]
EDUCATION State University of New York at Buffalo Law School Buffalo, NY
Juris Doctor expected May 2010 Activities: Buffalo Public Interest Law Program Domestic Violence Task Force Bar/Bri
Representative Criminal Law Society Cornell University Ithaca, NY
Bachelor of Science, Human Development and Family Studies, May 2006 Honors: Psi Chi National Honor Society, Dean’s List Honors
LEGAL Research Assistant for Professor Suzanne Tomkins Fall 2007 - present EXPERIENCE UB Law School Family Violence Clinic Buffalo, NY Researched various issues concerning domestic and family violence. Edited articles for semi-annual newsletter published by the clinic.
Communicated with county domestic violence coordinators regarding agency activities. Legal Assistant/ Intern Summer 2006 - Summer 2007 New York State Capital Defender Office Rochester, NY
Assisted capital defense attorneys in trial and motion preparation. Researched and drafted client social chronologies for use in mitigation phase of capital trials. Managed discovery, pleadings, and mitigation files. Organized and maintained law library.
RESEARCH Research Assistant, Cornell University Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 EXPERIENCE Department of Design and Environmental Analysis Ithaca, NY
Conducted interviews using various psychological measures and observational techniques. Interpreted and analyzed data in written report. Collaborated with research team to analyze assessment effectiveness and data.
Research Assistant Summer 2005 University of Rochester, Mount Hope Family Center Rochester, NY
Interviewed subjects using demographic and psychological assessments. Interpreted and scored subject data. Edited the scoring of other research assistants. Integrated data into database using Center’s software.
SKILLS Westlaw Lexis-Nexis Microsoft Word and Excel Word Perfect Internet
Ima Jobseeker 123 Central Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14237 (716) 123-4567 [email protected]
EDUCATION University at Buffalo Law School, State University of New York 2005-present • Juris Doctor expected May 2008 • Dean’s Advisory Council Scholar: full scholarship recipient • Associate: Buffalo Law Review
• Member: Buffalo Environmental Law Journal Stanford University 1994-1998
• Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology: Natural Resources Policy & Management • Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps: full scholarship recipient
• Semester study abroad in Florence, Italy LEGAL EXPERIENCE United States Court of Appeals, Third Judicial Circuit; Philadelphia, PA Summer 2006
• Summer Clerk for the Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell • Assisted judge and fellow clerks in preparation of bench memos for upcoming oral arguments; reviewed and analyzed appellate briefs and trial court records, researched applicable law, drafted and filed non-precedential opinions of the Court.
Preston, Gates & Ellis LLP; Seattle, WA 2004-2005
• Litigation Clerk, Document Analysis Technology Group • Worked directly with leaders at the forefront of document retention and electronic discovery policy; facilitating large-scale electronic collections, litigation support software-based review, and high-speed production in patent and complex litigation cases throughout the Pacific Northwest.
King County Neighborhood Legal Clinic; Seattle, WA 2005
• Volunteer Legal Assistant • Managed client intake, assessed various legal issues including landlord-tenant, bankruptcy, insurance and family law; conducted referrals and educated clients regarding additional legal resources.
Watanabe, Ing, Kawashima & Komeiji LLP; Honolulu, HI 2003-2004 • Litigation Paralegal, Case Manager • Principal assistant to senior partner in Government/Regulatory Affairs practice group; managed multiple concurrent lawsuits; communicated with clients, subject-matter experts and opposing counsel via telephone, written correspondence and meetings; researched federal/local procedures; summarized depositions, legal briefs and discovery documents; helped clients and noticing-attorneys prepare for depositions; assisted in drafting motions and preparation for trial.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
United States Navy: Surface Warfare Officer 1998-2002 • Navigation Officer, USS SACRAMENTO (AOE-1); Bremerton, WA
• Qualified to supervise, navigate and tactically employ naval warship during in-port and at sea operations; directed navigation team in planning and safely completing voyage of 650-crew warship to and from the Persian Gulf; planned and successfully conducted hundreds of at-sea replenishments with coalition forces in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea after Sept. 11, 2001; • Awarded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal: Meritorious service while deployed with Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet (Middle Eastern Forces) during Operation Enduring Freedom; 2002.
• Undersea Warfare Officer, USS JOHN HANCOCK (DD-981); Mayport, FL • Supervised full-time at-sea decision-making team manned by several watch stations; managed sonar technicians and torpedo operators during anti-submarine warfare operations; • Awarded Navy Achievement Medal for exemplary service during six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf.
INTERESTS
• World travel, foreign policy, pottery, film, energy & natural resources conservation, cooking, cycling, swimming, cross-country skiing
Number of pages
1 page -- Yes
2 pages -- Maybe is the information relevant, important? did you waste space on page 1?
3 pages -- NO!!
Clarity
Convey key points quickly: surviving the 3-second review(creating subliminal messages)
location, location, location We read Left to Right, Top to Bottom prime “real estate” = TOP, LEFT
BIG = more attention/importance
DARK = grabs attention
HEADINGS = define your first impression
Eye appeal
Readability: easy, key words white space, font, emphasis (e.g., bold,
underline, italic) bullets -- not too many spacing -- not crowded or cluttered unnecessary words = clutter and
distraction
A positive impression Quality: paper (25% rag), layout
From the top down (1): Heading
NO: “Resume of”
NO: Photo
Neutral name - if you are concerned, use Ms./Mr.
Address and Telephone Local, Current, Permanent: both or one Telephone number with area code, write
(cell) if it’s a cellphone. Voicemail/Answering machines: (no goofy
greetings) Answering the phone: professional
email, website: Make sure you have a professional email address, website (if you list it).
From the top down (2): Personal Info
No, or at least not here!
Is information vital? Is it a plus, minus? What is the information REALLY saying
Date of birth: age Place of birth Marital status: single, married Height, weight, health -- NEVER!
From the top down (3): Objective
Not usual in law. Use your cover letter
Targeted: can be limiting
General: says nothing
Very useful for law-related positions (management, compliance, human resources, etc.) to clarify your motives in applying
From the top down (4): Education
The most relevant, recent
Reverse chronological order
Law, Graduate, Undergraduate Other (e.g., continuing education,
certificate programs) High school
No Something special
Education – Degree Information
Name of institution You are at the University at Buffalo
Law School, State University of New York (can use SUNY) OR State University of New York at Buffalo Law School
Degree, date of conferral (month/year) Use “JD expected 2010” or
“Juris Doctor expected 2010” Juris Doctorate is incorrect!
Major, minor, dual major, concentration
Anything special
Education (cont’d) -- Achievements
Degree honors, awards, rank
GPA: Found on the HUB Class Rank - Use benchmarks provided
by Records and Registration Courses:
law: 1L (elective); 2L, 3L (relevant courses) undergrad/grad -- major/minor, concentration
Estimated Rank Calculations
Generally, a GPA over 3.0 is listed.
Your class rank is estimated based on benchmarks released by the registrarand may fall at top 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25%.
PLEASE ASK if you have any questions, concerns or a special situation!!!
Reminders and Phrasing
On resume, “Estimated class rank:”
Have employer talk to CSO to verify if necessary!
From the top down (5): Experience
Experience (vs. Employment)
Establish credibility
Account for time
Experience -- DetailsOrder: reverse chronological order
Key words on the left [“scan line”]
Your title
Name of organization
Geographic location
Dates“Box” format is easiest to read
Employer City, STTitle DatesJob description goes under here—see next slide!
Experience -- Dates
Time / Dates (Watch your dashes!)
Incorrect! 11/1/04-10/26/05 November 1, 2004-October 26, 2005
TOO DETAILED
Correct: November 2004 - October 2005 Nov. 2004 – Oct. 2005 2003-04 Academic Year 2004-05 Spring 2004
Nothing to Write ?
The Young: “I am right out of undergraduate, and I have no experience.”
The Not as Young: “This is my second career; I am over experienced and have no legal background.”
Everyone:“I do not know how to distinguish myself from everyone else.”
Experience – Job Description
Description: focus on your skills, achievements
Start with a verb (no “I”); use short, succinct phrases
Let the reader know what you know and can do for him/her
Experience (continued)Legal and Non-Legal: To divide or not to divide.
Other headings internships, clinical experience, more
specific (e.g., teaching, business, law-related, industry-specific)
Minor jobs List, drop, combine, summarize Some job descriptions are obvious -
receptionist, caddy, wait staff - don’t waste space on a description(it also makes it look BIGGER)
From the top down (6): Other Headings
Miscellaneous, Languages, Skills, Interests, Volunteer, Affiliations, Publications . . .
Make sure it says something Common ground; base for casual
conversation Odds n’ Ends: you’re someone to
remember--positively!
Examples of Other Skills/Interests
Language skills very important public interest, immigration level (e.g., fluent, conversational,
reading, writing)
Computer skills Basic word processing is assumed! Lexis/Westlaw and other legal programs
are important List only extraordinary/relevant
proficiencies.
Interests: “reading” vs. “books by Asimov,” antique car restoration
Sports: discipline,time management, leadership
For Further Reference…Supplemental Materials
Writing Sample
References
Cover Letters (later)
Writing SampleHave it ready
Short (3-5 pp. ok); best quality (always); relevant (if possible); updated
Gives reader a sense of how you think and analyze
Shows if, and how effectively, you can make a point
Can have more than one
Published pieces
1L R & W assignment
Example -- References
“References Available on Request” is fine, but not required
Use separate page for references
How many: 3-5
Contact info only! Name, Title, Address,
Phone, Email
References -- to list
List (name, title, business address, telephone number, email)
“Bell ringers” or known to prospective reader
References -- whom to list
Lawyers like to talk to lawyers: attorneys, judges, faculty(Research and Writing faculty)
Employers, pre-law faculty: people who REALLY know you
Personal
References -- check
Contact your references first:
Permission to use their name Remind them: be sure they know
who you are and what you did Be sure they will be enthusiastic
references Prompt them on what you would
like them to say; draft the letter
Summary
Perspective on the process: overview and an example
Draft your resume andbring it in for review
Long is OK. Easier to cut out than to figure out what is missing
Set up an appointment to have your cover letter and resume reviewed
Where to get more information
Alumni lists, BAMP lists, books, articles, electronic sources
See Bibliography Dawn Skopinski (Room 610)
GOOD LUCK!!