Resume writing tips for law students

Top 10 Do's

1. Do limit your resume to one page, if possible. (This demonstrates your ability to write efficiently and succinctly.) A good resume is only one page.

2. Do tailor your resume to the specific employer, i.e., be sure to include skills and experience sought by that employer.(Different legal employers – e.g., public interest vs. civil law firm – do not necessarily seek the same skills/qualifications. You will have several versions of your resume.)

3. Do follow one of the acceptable resume formats. ( Reverse chronological or functional formats)

4. Before including anything on your resume, do ask yourself this: Does this information have relevance and significantly contribute to my presentation?

5. Do make sure that the telephone number you use on your resume is current and has a professionally appropriate voicemail message. (Note: background music is not appropriate for a professional voicemail message. And do not forget to make your e-mail address professional too.)

6. Do emphasize/prioritize your relevant legal experiences over non-legal work. (Grab the employer’s attention quickly.)

7. Do make sure your resume is easy to read, but use underlining, italics, bold and bullets for emphasis without going overboard or making your resume too distracting.

8. Do proofread (for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and correct telephone number).

9. Do have two other people proofread. (Perfection is key!)

10. Do regularly update your resume(e.g.:additional legal experiences, grades received, law school competitions).

Top 10 Don'ts

1. Don’t list personal information – your resume should be professional (e.g., do not reference marital status, children, religion, etc.).

2. Don’t list references on your resume or indicate “References Available Upon Request” (legal employers do not want to see references on your resume). Have a separate list available if requested.

3. Don't use personal pronouns (I, my, me) in a resume. Instead, use “action” verbs to start all phrases.

4. Don’t use the resume templates which come with most software packages. (They confine your ability to create your best legal resume.)

5. Don’t include an “Objective” section on your resume (which is not generally used for law clerk or lawyer positions).

6. Don’t use fancy fonts. (Times New Roman or Arial are both good choices at 11 or 12 font, depending on resume length.)

7. Don’t lie. Emphasize your strengths, skills, and qualifications, but never overstate your qualifications.

8. Don’t include your whole life’s history. (Remember: succinct and relevant.)

9. Don’t use passive voice.

10. Don’t use colorful paper (e.g., white, buff, muted gray or beige is standard).