Your competition in the legal field is already stiff; therefore, you must put effort into making an impressive CV, which will significantly improve your chances of being offered an interview. CVs are important tools for the advertisement of skills and achievements, whether you want to be an aspiring lawyer, a legal executive, or even a paralegal. However, it is not enough to have the relevant qualifications; a great deal of effort needs to be put into impressing prospective employers. Below are some tips that will make your CV even more appealing.
In the legal field, a single job position may have many applicants, so employers may be quite particular about whom they are willing to offer a job to. You should first comprehensively read a specific job advert and then adjust your CV appropriately to showcase suitable experiences and skills.
Example: When going for a litigation position, speak about your involvement in preparing case files, conducting research, or drafting pleadings as your significant experience in the field.
Your CV is supposed to have a professional touch, as law firms emphasize orderly presentation combined with accuracy. Your CV is supposed to follow their ethics of business, law, and justice. Structure the CV in sections such as Contact Information, Professional Summary, Education, Work History, and Skills, all neatly separated from one another. Use appropriate fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or even Calibri, and stick within the 10 to 12-point range.
The summary serves as the pitch, so make it interesting without overdoing it.
Example: “A meticulous legal assistant with over five years of experience in corporate law, proficient in drafting of contracts and fulfilling compliance functions. Equally effective in firm settings with empirical evidence of contribution to the legal success of the case.”
Use bullet points to explain the achievements you earned instead of your responsibilities during your work experience.
Example: Instead of saying, “Legal documents were prepared with assistance,” write, “Managed the drafting and editing of more than 50 legal contracts and achieved 100% compliance with corporate standards.”
In the legal field, specific skills are essential. Highlight both hard and soft skills relevant to the job.
Your law school education and any other necessary qualifications must be listed. Include your law degree, paralegal degree, and all the honors received or courses taken that are relevant.
Tip: If it is required, check and ensure that admission to a bar or other certifications are given more attention.
If you remember working in a pro bono context or working in a legal clinic at some stage, throw those down on your CV. Law firms have shown some regard for social contribution.
Lawyers are not supposed to have typos on their CVs. Make sure you reiterate the document a couple of times and try to get it checked by a colleague or someone you trust.
CVs are often first marked by ATS software in lawyers’ offices. Use words from the description of a given job in your CV in order to pass the first cut.
For example, if the advertisement says, “case management,” or, “contract drafting,” do not forget to write those down in your CV.
Solicitors have long hours and care about brevity. If they could have the same information on less than two pages, well, they would appreciate it.
An out-of-the-ordinary CV sets you apart from the competition and earns you a place in a great legal firm. Focus on the position, and do not forget to highlight your skills and achievements. Do so and legal recruiters and hiring managers will surely pay attention to your CV and cover letter.
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