Resumes
CLEAR & CONCISE
Studies show that employers will spend between 10 and 30 seconds looking at your resume. It is essential therefore that your resume conveys your experience, accomplishments, and talents quickly, clearly, and in a way that is relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Use short, powerful phrases (bullets work well for this) that give detailed descriptions of your skills and experience. Every word should be there for a reason.
WELL-WRITTEN AND WELL-EDITED
Use the proper tense (past for former jobs, present for current jobs), use the proper verb (active vs. passive), and use plain English (describe duties & assignments using the proper terms but don’t lapse into “legalese”).
Employers will tell us over and over that they receive numerous resumes and cover letters with typos, incorrect spellings of the firm’s name, and errors in grammar. Have Dean Everman, your spouse, your roommate, your friend, and your references, anyone who is willing, review your materials and make sure that they are free of error.
PROFESSIONAL AND APPROPRIATE TO YOUR PROFESSION
Resumes must be stylish, pleasing to the eye, and easy to read. Make your layout simple and attractive. Be consistent. If you used bullets in your educational section, use them in your other sections. If you use bold or italics in one section, repeat it in a similar place in the next.
The law is still a fairly traditional, conservative profession. Stick to traditional fonts and muted colors on your paper. Most hiring partners report that they do not want to see more than one page. If you are changing professions you must realize that most of what you did before will not be directly relevant to a legal position. The emphasis placed upon it should reflect that fact.
HONEST
Resumes are definitely self-promotion pieces but they must also be an honest reflection of your experiences, skills, and academic record. Be detailed and specific when describing your credentials, but don’t exaggerate or stretch the truth. If you choose to include your GPA, list your actual GPA and do not round up. State your foreign language proficiency candidly.
