As a lawyer, your resume is often the first impression you make on potential employers.
A report by TheLadders shows that recruiters spend an average of just 7.4 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether to move forward with a candidate or not.
So you know now why it is essential to create a lawyer resume that stands out from the crowd.
If you are applying for legal jobs in 2023, you will need a resume that showcases your skills, experience, and accomplishments compellingly.
In this guide, we will provide you with tips and examples for writing a strong lawyer resume and share lawyer resume samples to help you see our suggestions in action.
We will also cover the resume sections to focus on in your lawyer resume, such as education, professional experience, and skills, that can make a big difference in your job search.
So, whether you are a law student or an entry-level attorney, read on to learn how to create a resume that will help you advance your legal career.
- How do I write a resume for a lawyer?
- What are crucial sections in a lawyer's resume?
- What are some lawyer resume samples to refer to in 2023?
How Do I Write a Resume for a Lawyer?
Your lawyer resume has the potential to unlock excellent job opportunities in the United States. However, it depends on how well you can showcase your skills, experience, and professional achievements in it.
But with only a few seconds to wow a recruiter and make your case, your overall presentation needs to be top-notch.
In this section, we will provide you with 3 pointers to look out for when crafting a compelling lawyer resume.
Tailor Your Lawyer Resume
- Research your target law firm or organization and customize your resume accordingly
- Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the requirements of the role
- Use keywords from the job posting and your industry to increase its compatibility with the ATS
Examples:
- If you are applying for a litigation position, emphasize your experience with trial preparation and court appearances.
- If you are applying for a transactional position, highlight your experience in drafting contracts and agreements.
Make Use of Action Verbs
- Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb to create impact and grab the recruiter’s attention
- Mention concrete and quantifiable results to demonstrate the impact of your work instead of only using buzzwords
Example:
- Instead of writing "Responsible for managing a caseload," try "Managed a caseload of 50+ cases, resulting in a 25% increase in successful outcomes."
Keep Your Lawyer Resume Concise
- Stick to a one-page resume especially when you have an entry-level or mid-level experience
- Use bullet points and white space along with a clear and legible font to make your promote readability
Example:
- Use font styles like Arial or Times New Roman in size 11 or 12, and keep 1” margin on all sides. Use bold text for section headings and bullet points to make them stand out.
Important Sections of a Lawyer Resume
In the previous part, we discussed the important factors that can enhance the overall presentation of your lawyer resume.
Now, we will discuss some of the crucial resume sections to focus on when creating a lawyer resume that will help you stand out in the competitive US job market.
Lawyer Resume: Education
A strong educational background can help you stand out in the legal job market.
Consider highlighting your law school and undergraduate degrees, as well as any relevant coursework or academic achievements.
For instance, when applying for a litigation position, one must highlight relevant coursework or experience they possess in trial advocacy or evidence.
Also, if you have completed any certifications or are undergoing some courses, be sure to include them in your resume as well.
Lawyer Resume: Professional Experience
Your professional experience is likely the most important section of your lawyer resume.
Consider highlighting your specific experience in the practice areas relevant to the job you are applying for. Highlight any high-profile cases, significant settlements, or verdicts you have achieved.
Be sure to also include any pro bono or community service work that demonstrates your commitment to the legal profession.
And as discussed earlier, make sure to tailor your information to the job description. Here’s an instance:
If you are applying for a corporate transactional position, highlight any experience you have in drafting and negotiating contracts, mergers, acquisitions, or securities filings.
Lawyer Resume: Skills
In addition to your education and professional experience, your skills can set you apart from other candidates.
Highlight skills like legal research and writing, client management, and communication. Be sure to also include any language proficiency, technical skills, or experience with legal software. Here’s a specific example:
If you are applying for an immigration position, highlight any language proficiency you have in languages other than English that may be relevant to the position.
Additionally, highlight any experience you have with immigration-specific software such as e-immigration or case management software.
Lawyer Resume Samples
In this section, we will provide you with 2 lawyer resume samples and briefly analyze what makes them a good reference for you.
These resumes are designed by Hiartion for college students and entry-level job seekers across the United States who are looking to jumpstart their legal careers.
Lawyer Resume: Sample 1
This resume is an excellent example of how to highlight practical legal experience, including internships and other relevant work.
The candidate's experience in criminal litigation is particularly relevant, and they do an excellent job of showcasing their skills and achievements in this area.
Lawyer Resume: Sample 2
This resume is an excellent example of how to showcase legal skills and experience, even if you don't yet have a law degree.
The candidate's undergraduate education in justice and law administration is particularly relevant, and they do an excellent job of highlighting their skills in drafting legal documents and resolving client disputes.
Key Takeaways
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When writing a lawyer resume, be sure to focus on your education, professional experience, and skills, and customize your resume to the specific position.
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If you are just starting in your career, consider including internships and other practical legal experience to demonstrate your involvement in and commitment to the legal profession.
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It always is a good idea to analyze lawyer resume samples to get an idea of what works and what doesn't.
Is this all becoming overwhelming? Are you looking for something stronger than written tips and suggestions? Fret not!
Check out Hiration’s ChatGPT-powered resume builder consisting of 30+ ATS-friendly resume templates, making the task of building your lawyer resume easy-breezy.
Contact us at support@hiration.com for any concerns, queries, or feedback.
