How to Attract the Most Reputable Law Firms with Your Resume

Be truthful

Sell yourself, but keep it real. Lying or exaggerating on your resume is never a good look, especially if you get caught! Just be honest about your experience.  Instead of making things up, provide real-life involvement and skills that you have developed—and be ready to back it up with details. Always be prepared to defend and speak to those details with facts and stories in face-to-face interviews.

Keep it short, sweet, and simple

We have all heard the saying “less is more,” which is important to consider when creating your resume.  The best thing any lawyer can do for themselves is to condense and not puff up their resume with irrelevant words. Saying less on your resume can actually help you to get your point across more effectively and give you more to talk about in your interview. The last thing you want is for an employer to find any reason to not want to hire you.

Stand out, but keep it professional   

Anything that you put on your resume should remain relevant to practicing law. Of course, you want your personality and individuality to shine through (slightly), but avoid mentioning random things about yourself such as previous businesses you started that failed, or even framing yourself in a way where employers feel as though you are conspiring to leave the company.  Leave out random jobs that you had prior to law school with no relevance. Do this in order to prevent painting yourself in a bad light.

Make sure it’s perfect

Remember that your resume is one of the best ways to market yourself.  And if you want any reputable law firm to take you seriously, it is imperative that you deliver the best of the best. One thing to remember is to triple check for grammar, keep it compelling, and easy to read.  Perfecting the mechanics of your work will result in employers taking you seriously.