Tips For Writing The Perfect Legal Resume

You may have the talent, right experience, and whatever it takes to deserve the best legal job in the market, but if you don't select the right words and themes while preparing your resume, top legal firms and corporate legal departments may easily pass you by. Let's face it, in a tough legal job market - such as the present market - you need a precise and focused approach while you apply for jobs in the legal sector. The first step towards this approach is to write a spot-on resume that can catch the eye of any legal employer or legal recruiter.

Great care should be taken by all professionals to create a quality professional resume, but for legal professionals resume style may reflect more on a job candidate than it may for any other profession. Legal professionals are expected to be a master of words: like a mathematician can play with numbers, a legal professional must know how to play with words. An experienced human resources team in a law firm is adept at culling through resumes and weeding out resumes that do not stand out above the crowd.

The three basic formats for resumes are: chronological, (list jobs in chronological order); functional(where job functions are displayed instead of a chronological listing); and the combination of chronological and functional (where functions are listed on the top of the resume and jobs are listed in laundry list fashion below the functions in chronological order). Choosing the format which is best for you will vary based upon such factors as experience, job stability, and the like. A separate article can be written about these formats and, thus, I simply highlight them here.

However, aside from a basic format, there are no hard and fast rules for personalizing your resume in such fashion as to grab the attention of the hiring authority. Keep in mind that each law firm and corporate legal department may prefer different styles and standards. Hence, since writing a resume boils down to as much art as science it is important to develop your own unique style while writing a resume. A fresh style and a résumé that "pops" will always catch the eye of the employer. Nonetheless, there are a few key pointers that one must keep in mind while putting up his/her resume together. Among them a few are discussed below:

1) Avoid Common Traps: Every professional resume should demonstrate a character that is detail oriented; the same applies to resumes for legal professionals.

a) The most common traps while writing a resume is overdoing the detail part, as it is said rightly "too much of everything is as bad as too little." When you describe your accomplishments and achievements in excess detail, your resume can not only become unpleasant to read, but also, very difficult to understand; you can also hurt your professional character by laboring too hard to prove yourself.

b) We discussed above about trying too hard, now it's time to discuss when people do not provide the right information or may even forget to include important details. Legal firms do not want to simply know whether you can do your job, they also seek to determine how well you can do your job. To satisfy this inquiry, you must emphasize the quality of your experience and not simply list the quantity of your experience.

c) The most important aspect of your resume is spelling and grammar. A single typo in your resume can destroy your chances of landing a job despite a display of superior skills and achievements. As a legal professional you are expected to be well versed in the written language- spelling or grammatical errors can be fatal.

2) Emphasis on Abilities and Recent Achievements: Think about what you are good at and emphasize it. A resume is not a simple autobiography where you can write everything you have ever done in your life. Rather, it's a summary of your professional accomplishments and collection of skills. Employers are interested in what you bring to the table now. Therefore, omit or briefly mention your accomplishments that are more than 10 years ago. Instead focus on your recent achievements and work product. The best resumes are those that perfectly match the set of abilities and skills that the employer seeks. This is why it is highly recommended that you tailor your resume for the specific position that you are applying for.

3) Choose the Right Words: Make sure your resume is well written, a clumsy worded resume suggests that you are a bad communicator and you miss a key skill required to be a legal professional. Your resume speaks your voice and if you sound awkward you will end-up in lower level jobs. Also, avoid clichés like team-player, self-starter, motivated, etc. these make you sound too common. Your goal is stand above the crowd not with it. It is a given as a legal professional that you are "motivated." Instead use words that capture the true essence of your character and you will shine.

4) Make it Attractive: A resume is the first impression that you convey to your prospective employer. By submitting a "normal" resume you blend in with the crowd. However, an attractive eye catching resume instantly allows you to gain an advantage over your competitors. It is not about coloring your resume everywhere like a play-school kid, but it is about using your imagination to turn a sheet of paper into a creative masterpiece. A properly designed professional resume will always have advantage over usual white paper with words on it. Consider, therefore, employing a professional resume writer as the investment is small in comparison to the benefits received.

5) Be Honest: By boldly describing yourself as "best in market", "born leader", or "a visionary" without the corresponding substance, you will raise questions about your character. Ben Franklin once said "that well done is better than well said." By illustrating what you've actually achieved in past positions will aptly demonstrate the relevant qualities that you truly possess. Killing resume space won't help you get a rewarding job in the legal market. Be honest about what you are and what you can do, this not only helps you answer the questions, but also, sets a positive background of your character.

Key points to writing a winning resume for Legal Jobs are not limited to the above list, and you may with your own experience add to this list. Start today by posting a resume to abovealllegal.com

You may want to apply for rewarding jobs on our legal jobs listing - http://www.abovealllegal.com/legal-jobs-listing/

Read more ...

Tips For Writing The Perfect Legal Resume

You may have the talent, right experience, and whatever it takes to deserve the best legal job in the market, but if you don't select the right words and themes while preparing your resume, top legal firms and corporate legal departments may easily pass you by. Let's face it, in a tough legal job market - such as the present market - you need a precise and focused approach while you apply for jobs in the legal sector. The first step towards this approach is to write a spot-on resume that can catch the eye of any legal employer or legal recruiter.

Great care should be taken by all professionals to create a quality professional resume, but for legal professionals resume style may reflect more on a job candidate than it may for any other profession. Legal professionals are expected to be a master of words: like a mathematician can play with numbers, a legal professional must know how to play with words. An experienced human resources team in a law firm is adept at culling through resumes and weeding out resumes that do not stand out above the crowd.

The three basic formats for resumes are: chronological, (list jobs in chronological order); functional(where job functions are displayed instead of a chronological listing); and the combination of chronological and functional (where functions are listed on the top of the resume and jobs are listed in laundry list fashion below the functions in chronological order). Choosing the format which is best for you will vary based upon such factors as experience, job stability, and the like. A separate article can be written about these formats and, thus, I simply highlight them here.

However, aside from a basic format, there are no hard and fast rules for personalizing your resume in such fashion as to grab the attention of the hiring authority. Keep in mind that each law firm and corporate legal department may prefer different styles and standards. Hence, since writing a resume boils down to as much art as science it is important to develop your own unique style while writing a resume. A fresh style and a résumé that "pops" will always catch the eye of the employer. Nonetheless, there are a few key pointers that one must keep in mind while putting up his/her resume together. Among them a few are discussed below:

1) Avoid Common Traps: Every professional resume should demonstrate a character that is detail oriented; the same applies to resumes for legal professionals.

a) The most common traps while writing a resume is overdoing the detail part, as it is said rightly "too much of everything is as bad as too little." When you describe your accomplishments and achievements in excess detail, your resume can not only become unpleasant to read, but also, very difficult to understand; you can also hurt your professional character by laboring too hard to prove yourself.

b) We discussed above about trying too hard, now it's time to discuss when people do not provide the right information or may even forget to include important details. Legal firms do not want to simply know whether you can do your job, they also seek to determine how well you can do your job. To satisfy this inquiry, you must emphasize the quality of your experience and not simply list the quantity of your experience.

c) The most important aspect of your resume is spelling and grammar. A single typo in your resume can destroy your chances of landing a job despite a display of superior skills and achievements. As a legal professional you are expected to be well versed in the written language- spelling or grammatical errors can be fatal.

2) Emphasis on Abilities and Recent Achievements: Think about what you are good at and emphasize it. A resume is not a simple autobiography where you can write everything you have ever done in your life. Rather, it's a summary of your professional accomplishments and collection of skills. Employers are interested in what you bring to the table now. Therefore, omit or briefly mention your accomplishments that are more than 10 years ago. Instead focus on your recent achievements and work product. The best resumes are those that perfectly match the set of abilities and skills that the employer seeks. This is why it is highly recommended that you tailor your resume for the specific position that you are applying for.

3) Choose the Right Words: Make sure your resume is well written, a clumsy worded resume suggests that you are a bad communicator and you miss a key skill required to be a legal professional. Your resume speaks your voice and if you sound awkward you will end-up in lower level jobs. Also, avoid clichés like team-player, self-starter, motivated, etc. these make you sound too common. Your goal is stand above the crowd not with it. It is a given as a legal professional that you are "motivated." Instead use words that capture the true essence of your character and you will shine.

4) Make it Attractive: A resume is the first impression that you convey to your prospective employer. By submitting a "normal" resume you blend in with the crowd. However, an attractive eye catching resume instantly allows you to gain an advantage over your competitors. It is not about coloring your resume everywhere like a play-school kid, but it is about using your imagination to turn a sheet of paper into a creative masterpiece. A properly designed professional resume will always have advantage over usual white paper with words on it. Consider, therefore, employing a professional resume writer as the investment is small in comparison to the benefits received.

5) Be Honest: By boldly describing yourself as "best in market", "born leader", or "a visionary" without the corresponding substance, you will raise questions about your character. Ben Franklin once said "that well done is better than well said." By illustrating what you've actually achieved in past positions will aptly demonstrate the relevant qualities that you truly possess. Killing resume space won't help you get a rewarding job in the legal market. Be honest about what you are and what you can do, this not only helps you answer the questions, but also, sets a positive background of your character.

Key points to writing a winning resume for Legal Jobs are not limited to the above list, and you may with your own experience add to this list. Start today by posting a resume to abovealllegal.com

You may want to apply for rewarding jobs on our legal jobs listing - http://www.abovealllegal.com/legal-jobs-listing/

Read more ...

Law Student Resumes - Essential Necessities in Landing a Legal Position

Law student resumes that are efficiently done are instrumental in securing stable legal positions. In these times, there is quite a shortage in the availability of jobs. What's more alarming is that the number of unemployed people has come to a point that finding work has become quite challenging. This can be evident in several vocations, even in the legal profession. Having the ability to overcome this obstacle is possible though. For an attorney, the first step to finding a job is by preparing a professional resume that will stand out from the rest. This serves a great purpose so make sure that it is done properly.

Job hunters recognize the worth of a resume that showcases their qualities and their skills. In reality, this is the most outstanding way to attract the attention of a company. Due to the fact that jobs are scarce, it is anticipated that there will be a number of employees who will be competing for a single position. Because of this, competition will truly be fierce. Chances are, a resume that is plainly made will be overlooked. So, it is extremely important that a legal professional gets to capture the attention of an employer right from the start. And this is possible with a well laid out and accurately crafted resume.

A resume needs to be excellently written to be prominent among a pile of other applications. This is particularly important for the juniors and those who are making attempts to get hired for the first time. Whether they are still undergraduates, or if it is an internship or clerkship, or an attorney holding a title, there is a need to be equipped with a well crafted professional legal resume. But this can become a major concern for an individual who has yet to have practical experience and needs to develop skills? As dire as it may sound, anyone can work this out with a proficiently written resume.

Practical experience and abilities are two main components in an employer's mission to find competent lawyers. For those who have acquired adequate knowledge and experience from years of being in the industry, this is one part that will come rather easy when enumerating skills and giving an account of their realistic background. Most employers will require these, even for entry-level positions. Most neophytes will be tempted to focus on technical expertise and the acquired skills, but these are not enough. The other things that should be emphasized are passions, interests and commitment to organizations. These factors, when highlighted, give prospective employers a concrete idea on the level of commitment a student can execute. These will clearly show his passion for the profession.

In a cutthroat environment, law student resumes that stand out have better chances of getting results. A student will definitely have limited skills and realistic experience. When on the lookout for his first position, his strongest weapon would be a showcase of his abilities and his potentials. He can provide these in a well written resume that provides a comprehensive description of his passion. Stressing his zeal for his chosen vocation can give him the break he needs.

Law student resumes can shine when done expertly and feature highlights of the applicant's knowledge and working experience. ESQ Resume presents its expertise in producing a competent Attorney cover letter tips that will help make any student or lawyer distinctive from the others.

Read more ...

Make Sure Your Legal Job Resume Isn't Tossed Into The Garbage

Many people view cover letters as a throwaway, something not requiring a good deal of time or attention. They assume that their stellar work experience, as expounded upon in their resume, will do the necessary work for them, dazzling recruiters and prompting a phone call for an interview, if not an immediate job offer.

The savvy job-seeker understands that the exact opposite is true, and that the cover letter can often catch a recruiter's eye, while the resume often seems like just so many phrases to decipher and translate into that company's requirements. The purpose of the cover letter, in fact, is not to rehash what's already in your resume, but to take those skills and knowledge and turn them into a narrative that prompts the recruiter to think "hey, this is just the person our law firm needs!"

This is easier said than done, of course.

The most common mistake that job-seekers make when crafting a cover letter is in turning it into a rundown of what's already in the resume. The sentences read like a resume, strung together in paragraph format. What exactly is this telling the recruiter? Nothing, other than the fact that you're emphasizing the exact same job trajectory that's outlined in your resume.

Then, most job-seekers fail to understand what the recruiter is really interested in knowing about. In other words, the cover letter becomes a reflection on the job-seeker and how wonderful he or she is, and how much he or she has accomplished in past jobs. This is great - except that it bears little relation to how great you'll be in the position the potential company is recruiting for. One might think that this would be intuitive, and yet it requires the recruiter to connect the dots, to make a leap of logic that, quite frankly, they don't have time for, and are disinclined to do. Particularly when they have hundreds of resumes and letters to plow
through.

Your job is to make their job easy for them. Look at the job description, and if there isn't one, get whatever information you can on the position and why it's open. Find out what the company's pain points are. Then, craft your experience in such a way as to address those specific points, outlining not just your impressive experience, but specifically how that experience translates into being able to get the job done for this firm. They have a backlog of cases that need to be gone through with speed and efficiency? Imagine that - this is something you're highly proficient in, having done just that in your last internship. Make your case directly; cover letters that don't make any kind of impression on the reader won't get you anywhere, while stand-out letters demand attention, and receive it.

Your cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself, and that's how it should be viewed. Anything less simply says to the recruiter that you're really not invested in what the firm has to offer, nor are you interested in helping them solve their problems. And that will never lead to a sale, no matter how impressive the merchandise is.

The Lawmatch Juris Job Blues Blog offers attorneys, paralegals, and other professionals seeking legal employment advice and tips on legal resume preparation, job search tips, interview tips for lawyers, and a new perspective on the latest issues graduating law students face as they search for jobs as lawyers at law firms, corporations, and small businesses. Find attorney jobs at top law firms on Lawmatch at http://www.lawmatch.com/

Read more ...

Attorney Resume Writing Service - Your First Step to a Successful Legal Career!

What is an Attorney Resume Writing Service? In today's market the resume has become one of the most quintessential job tools. Sure, it never helps to have a parent or family relative who is a partner at an AMLAW 100 firm, or a best friend who works at a firm and has the inside track about a new position. But, unless you graduated in the top 10% of a top 10 law school, in this economy, you will be fighting amongst the masses for one of the limited positions available in today's market.

Think of it like this: There are at least 250 - 300 law schools in the United States - each one with at least 100 students in the graduating class (Though most have more). That is at least 25000 new graduates you will be competing against for the very limited number of jobs. That is why it is crucial that you have a streamlined, concise, and creative resume to assist you in your job search. Here are some tips to help you.

What is an attorney certified professional resume writer? In order to become a certified professional resume writer, the writer must pass a series of grammar, spelling, and writing tests. Is it as hard as passing the bar exam? No - BUT, it lets you know that the person you are hiring to write your resume is at least proficient to do so. For the legal field, it is important that you have a writer who understands the legal field and preferably has practiced law. Otherwise, you might have a resume with word "judgement" instead of "judgment" or someone who thinks "Discovery" is "a really cool station on cable.

Work with your writer: Be sure to interview your writer. I understand you are busy, and life moves pretty fast, BUT if you want to make sure that your writer is a good fit, then you have to communicate with him or her. This might mean speaking on the telephone or communicating by email, but do not forego this step.

Due Diligence: Do some research on the writer and the company. Are the writers certified? How many years of experience do they have? Have they been published? Not every resume writer needs to write articles or have 20 years of experience to be effective - but remember the old adage "You get what you pay for."

Stay away from large companies: Most large resume companies retain part-time, contract resume writers without any true resume writing experience. They will rush through your resume, like a factory or a mill law firm. Research the smaller companies, and again be sure to interview your writer - in the end you will thank me for it.

Good Luck!

Matthew S. is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, former practicing attorney ( and Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and National Resume Writer Association. He is a nationally renowned resume writer and has worked with top companies, law firms, Fortune 50 Executives and federal agencies. He is the owner of http://www.bestattorneyresumes.com/ and http://www.bestparalegalresumes.com/

Read more ...

Attorney Interviews - What Do Hiring Partners Look For in an Applicant and the Legal Resume

Whether you just graduated from Law School or an LLM program, or have been practicing law for more than 20 years, there are certain key things that are important for you to keep in mind when searching for a new job. Here are a few tips to help you land and ace your next legal interview:

a. Submit a Stellar Resume: Until the Hiring Partner or Interviewer has had a chance to meet you and be dazzled by your incredible personality, they have to want to interview you. Unless you have been referred as a candidate, presumably the resume will precede your grand entrance. Therefore, make sure the resume is perfect. That includes reviewing the content, performing spell and grammar checks, double-checking the format, and then check it again. If one portion of the resume is justified, then make sure any similar sections are also justified. This will make the resume present well, and will show your attention to detail. Finally, and I cannot stress this enough - make sure you have a professional email. While there are ways to win over the hiring partner with some witty responses to interview questions, using an unprofessional "funny" email address is not one of them.

b. Wear a Great Suit: People like to hire people who present well. That does not mean that you have to wear a $2000 suit, but it does mean the suit you are wearing needs to be pressed and clean. The shirt should be crisp and the tie should match the suit. Beyond the suit, it is important that you are well-groomed. This means shave or trim your beard, keep your hair short, pop a breath mint before you enter, and shine your shoes. Also, I ALWAYS recommend wearing a nice watch (studies have shown that it has the underlying effect of showing you value being on time).

c. Practice your interview responses: Sure, you don't want to sound like a robot, but you don't want to sound like an idiot either. Practice your answers to general questions in front of the mirror. This way, you can flush out your responses, and you will be able to determine whether the statement you have practiced in your head sounds as good when you use it in response to a specific question.

d. Follow-up: Within 1 business day of the interview, send a simple email or thank you letter. It is professional and will show that either you are very interested in the position - or at least know what the proper protocol is after an interview, and that will impress upon the hiring partner.

Good Luck!!

Matthew S. is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Former Practicing Attorney, and Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and National Resume Writer Association. He is a nationally renowned resume writer, Career Consultant, and Talent Management Executive and has worked with top companies, Fortune 50 Executives and federal agencies. He is the owner of the http://www.bestattorneyresumes.com/ and http://www.bestparalegalresumes.com/

Read more ...

Attorney Resume Writing Service - Your First Step to a Successful Legal Career!

What is an Attorney Resume Writing Service? In today's market the resume has become one of the most quintessential job tools. Sure, it never helps to have a parent or family relative who is a partner at an AMLAW 100 firm, or a best friend who works at a firm and has the inside track about a new position. But, unless you graduated in the top 10% of a top 10 law school, in this economy, you will be fighting amongst the masses for one of the limited positions available in today's market.

Think of it like this: There are at least 250 - 300 law schools in the United States - each one with at least 100 students in the graduating class (Though most have more). That is at least 25000 new graduates you will be competing against for the very limited number of jobs. That is why it is crucial that you have a streamlined, concise, and creative resume to assist you in your job search. Here are some tips to help you.

What is an attorney certified professional resume writer? In order to become a certified professional resume writer, the writer must pass a series of grammar, spelling, and writing tests. Is it as hard as passing the bar exam? No - BUT, it lets you know that the person you are hiring to write your resume is at least proficient to do so. For the legal field, it is important that you have a writer who understands the legal field and preferably has practiced law. Otherwise, you might have a resume with word "judgement" instead of "judgment" or someone who thinks "Discovery" is "a really cool station on cable.

Work with your writer: Be sure to interview your writer. I understand you are busy, and life moves pretty fast, BUT if you want to make sure that your writer is a good fit, then you have to communicate with him or her. This might mean speaking on the telephone or communicating by email, but do not forego this step.

Due Diligence: Do some research on the writer and the company. Are the writers certified? How many years of experience do they have? Have they been published? Not every resume writer needs to write articles or have 20 years of experience to be effective - but remember the old adage "You get what you pay for."

Stay away from large companies: Most large resume companies retain part-time, contract resume writers without any true resume writing experience. They will rush through your resume, like a factory or a mill law firm. Research the smaller companies, and again be sure to interview your writer - in the end you will thank me for it.

Good Luck!

Matthew S. is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, former practicing attorney ( and Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and National Resume Writer Association. He is a nationally renowned resume writer and has worked with top companies, law firms, Fortune 50 Executives and federal agencies. He is the owner of http://www.bestattorneyresumes.com/ and http://www.bestparalegalresumes.com/

Read more ...

Attorney Resume Writing Service - Your First Step to a Successful Legal Career!

What is an Attorney Resume Writing Service? In today's market the resume has become one of the most quintessential job tools. Sure, it never helps to have a parent or family relative who is a partner at an AMLAW 100 firm, or a best friend who works at a firm and has the inside track about a new position. But, unless you graduated in the top 10% of a top 10 law school, in this economy, you will be fighting amongst the masses for one of the limited positions available in today's market.

Think of it like this: There are at least 250 - 300 law schools in the United States - each one with at least 100 students in the graduating class (Though most have more). That is at least 25000 new graduates you will be competing against for the very limited number of jobs. That is why it is crucial that you have a streamlined, concise, and creative resume to assist you in your job search. Here are some tips to help you.

What is an attorney certified professional resume writer? In order to become a certified professional resume writer, the writer must pass a series of grammar, spelling, and writing tests. Is it as hard as passing the bar exam? No - BUT, it lets you know that the person you are hiring to write your resume is at least proficient to do so. For the legal field, it is important that you have a writer who understands the legal field and preferably has practiced law. Otherwise, you might have a resume with word "judgement" instead of "judgment" or someone who thinks "Discovery" is "a really cool station on cable.

Work with your writer: Be sure to interview your writer. I understand you are busy, and life moves pretty fast, BUT if you want to make sure that your writer is a good fit, then you have to communicate with him or her. This might mean speaking on the telephone or communicating by email, but do not forego this step.

Due Diligence: Do some research on the writer and the company. Are the writers certified? How many years of experience do they have? Have they been published? Not every resume writer needs to write articles or have 20 years of experience to be effective - but remember the old adage "You get what you pay for."

Stay away from large companies: Most large resume companies retain part-time, contract resume writers without any true resume writing experience. They will rush through your resume, like a factory or a mill law firm. Research the smaller companies, and again be sure to interview your writer - in the end you will thank me for it.

Good Luck!

Matthew S. is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, former practicing attorney ( and Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and National Resume Writer Association. He is a nationally renowned resume writer and has worked with top companies, law firms, Fortune 50 Executives and federal agencies. He is the owner of http://www.bestattorneyresumes.com/ and http://www.bestparalegalresumes.com/

Read more ...

Attorney Interviews - What Do Hiring Partners Look For in an Applicant and the Legal Resume

Whether you just graduated from Law School or an LLM program, or have been practicing law for more than 20 years, there are certain key things that are important for you to keep in mind when searching for a new job. Here are a few tips to help you land and ace your next legal interview:

a. Submit a Stellar Resume: Until the Hiring Partner or Interviewer has had a chance to meet you and be dazzled by your incredible personality, they have to want to interview you. Unless you have been referred as a candidate, presumably the resume will precede your grand entrance. Therefore, make sure the resume is perfect. That includes reviewing the content, performing spell and grammar checks, double-checking the format, and then check it again. If one portion of the resume is justified, then make sure any similar sections are also justified. This will make the resume present well, and will show your attention to detail. Finally, and I cannot stress this enough - make sure you have a professional email. While there are ways to win over the hiring partner with some witty responses to interview questions, using an unprofessional "funny" email address is not one of them.

b. Wear a Great Suit: People like to hire people who present well. That does not mean that you have to wear a $2000 suit, but it does mean the suit you are wearing needs to be pressed and clean. The shirt should be crisp and the tie should match the suit. Beyond the suit, it is important that you are well-groomed. This means shave or trim your beard, keep your hair short, pop a breath mint before you enter, and shine your shoes. Also, I ALWAYS recommend wearing a nice watch (studies have shown that it has the underlying effect of showing you value being on time).

c. Practice your interview responses: Sure, you don't want to sound like a robot, but you don't want to sound like an idiot either. Practice your answers to general questions in front of the mirror. This way, you can flush out your responses, and you will be able to determine whether the statement you have practiced in your head sounds as good when you use it in response to a specific question.

d. Follow-up: Within 1 business day of the interview, send a simple email or thank you letter. It is professional and will show that either you are very interested in the position - or at least know what the proper protocol is after an interview, and that will impress upon the hiring partner.

Good Luck!!

Matthew S. is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Former Practicing Attorney, and Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and National Resume Writer Association. He is a nationally renowned resume writer, Career Consultant, and Talent Management Executive and has worked with top companies, Fortune 50 Executives and federal agencies. He is the owner of the http://www.bestattorneyresumes.com/ and http://www.bestparalegalresumes.com/

Read more ...

Make Sure Your Legal Job Resume Isn't Tossed Into The Garbage

Many people view cover letters as a throwaway, something not requiring a good deal of time or attention. They assume that their stellar work experience, as expounded upon in their resume, will do the necessary work for them, dazzling recruiters and prompting a phone call for an interview, if not an immediate job offer.

The savvy job-seeker understands that the exact opposite is true, and that the cover letter can often catch a recruiter's eye, while the resume often seems like just so many phrases to decipher and translate into that company's requirements. The purpose of the cover letter, in fact, is not to rehash what's already in your resume, but to take those skills and knowledge and turn them into a narrative that prompts the recruiter to think "hey, this is just the person our law firm needs!"

This is easier said than done, of course.

The most common mistake that job-seekers make when crafting a cover letter is in turning it into a rundown of what's already in the resume. The sentences read like a resume, strung together in paragraph format. What exactly is this telling the recruiter? Nothing, other than the fact that you're emphasizing the exact same job trajectory that's outlined in your resume.

Then, most job-seekers fail to understand what the recruiter is really interested in knowing about. In other words, the cover letter becomes a reflection on the job-seeker and how wonderful he or she is, and how much he or she has accomplished in past jobs. This is great - except that it bears little relation to how great you'll be in the position the potential company is recruiting for. One might think that this would be intuitive, and yet it requires the recruiter to connect the dots, to make a leap of logic that, quite frankly, they don't have time for, and are disinclined to do. Particularly when they have hundreds of resumes and letters to plow
through.

Your job is to make their job easy for them. Look at the job description, and if there isn't one, get whatever information you can on the position and why it's open. Find out what the company's pain points are. Then, craft your experience in such a way as to address those specific points, outlining not just your impressive experience, but specifically how that experience translates into being able to get the job done for this firm. They have a backlog of cases that need to be gone through with speed and efficiency? Imagine that - this is something you're highly proficient in, having done just that in your last internship. Make your case directly; cover letters that don't make any kind of impression on the reader won't get you anywhere, while stand-out letters demand attention, and receive it.

Your cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself, and that's how it should be viewed. Anything less simply says to the recruiter that you're really not invested in what the firm has to offer, nor are you interested in helping them solve their problems. And that will never lead to a sale, no matter how impressive the merchandise is.

The Lawmatch Juris Job Blues Blog offers attorneys, paralegals, and other professionals seeking legal employment advice and tips on legal resume preparation, job search tips, interview tips for lawyers, and a new perspective on the latest issues graduating law students face as they search for jobs as lawyers at law firms, corporations, and small businesses. Find attorney jobs at top law firms on Lawmatch at http://www.lawmatch.com/

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Attorney Resume Writing Service - Your First Step to a Successful Legal Career!

What is an Attorney Resume Writing Service? In today's market the resume has become one of the most quintessential job tools. Sure, it never helps to have a parent or family relative who is a partner at an AMLAW 100 firm, or a best friend who works at a firm and has the inside track about a new position. But, unless you graduated in the top 10% of a top 10 law school, in this economy, you will be fighting amongst the masses for one of the limited positions available in today's market.

Think of it like this: There are at least 250 - 300 law schools in the United States - each one with at least 100 students in the graduating class (Though most have more). That is at least 25000 new graduates you will be competing against for the very limited number of jobs. That is why it is crucial that you have a streamlined, concise, and creative resume to assist you in your job search. Here are some tips to help you.

What is an attorney certified professional resume writer? In order to become a certified professional resume writer, the writer must pass a series of grammar, spelling, and writing tests. Is it as hard as passing the bar exam? No - BUT, it lets you know that the person you are hiring to write your resume is at least proficient to do so. For the legal field, it is important that you have a writer who understands the legal field and preferably has practiced law. Otherwise, you might have a resume with word "judgement" instead of "judgment" or someone who thinks "Discovery" is "a really cool station on cable.

Work with your writer: Be sure to interview your writer. I understand you are busy, and life moves pretty fast, BUT if you want to make sure that your writer is a good fit, then you have to communicate with him or her. This might mean speaking on the telephone or communicating by email, but do not forego this step.

Due Diligence: Do some research on the writer and the company. Are the writers certified? How many years of experience do they have? Have they been published? Not every resume writer needs to write articles or have 20 years of experience to be effective - but remember the old adage "You get what you pay for."

Stay away from large companies: Most large resume companies retain part-time, contract resume writers without any true resume writing experience. They will rush through your resume, like a factory or a mill law firm. Research the smaller companies, and again be sure to interview your writer - in the end you will thank me for it.

Good Luck!

Matthew S. is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, former practicing attorney ( and Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and National Resume Writer Association. He is a nationally renowned resume writer and has worked with top companies, law firms, Fortune 50 Executives and federal agencies. He is the owner of http://www.bestattorneyresumes.com/ and http://www.bestparalegalresumes.com/

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Attorney Interviews - What Do Hiring Partners Look For in an Applicant and the Legal Resume

Whether you just graduated from Law School or an LLM program, or have been practicing law for more than 20 years, there are certain key things that are important for you to keep in mind when searching for a new job. Here are a few tips to help you land and ace your next legal interview:

a. Submit a Stellar Resume: Until the Hiring Partner or Interviewer has had a chance to meet you and be dazzled by your incredible personality, they have to want to interview you. Unless you have been referred as a candidate, presumably the resume will precede your grand entrance. Therefore, make sure the resume is perfect. That includes reviewing the content, performing spell and grammar checks, double-checking the format, and then check it again. If one portion of the resume is justified, then make sure any similar sections are also justified. This will make the resume present well, and will show your attention to detail. Finally, and I cannot stress this enough - make sure you have a professional email. While there are ways to win over the hiring partner with some witty responses to interview questions, using an unprofessional "funny" email address is not one of them.

b. Wear a Great Suit: People like to hire people who present well. That does not mean that you have to wear a $2000 suit, but it does mean the suit you are wearing needs to be pressed and clean. The shirt should be crisp and the tie should match the suit. Beyond the suit, it is important that you are well-groomed. This means shave or trim your beard, keep your hair short, pop a breath mint before you enter, and shine your shoes. Also, I ALWAYS recommend wearing a nice watch (studies have shown that it has the underlying effect of showing you value being on time).

c. Practice your interview responses: Sure, you don't want to sound like a robot, but you don't want to sound like an idiot either. Practice your answers to general questions in front of the mirror. This way, you can flush out your responses, and you will be able to determine whether the statement you have practiced in your head sounds as good when you use it in response to a specific question.

d. Follow-up: Within 1 business day of the interview, send a simple email or thank you letter. It is professional and will show that either you are very interested in the position - or at least know what the proper protocol is after an interview, and that will impress upon the hiring partner.

Good Luck!!

Matthew S. is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Former Practicing Attorney, and Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and National Resume Writer Association. He is a nationally renowned resume writer, Career Consultant, and Talent Management Executive and has worked with top companies, Fortune 50 Executives and federal agencies. He is the owner of the http://www.bestattorneyresumes.com/ and http://www.bestparalegalresumes.com/

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Attorney Resume Writing Service - Your First Step to a Successful Legal Career!

What is an Attorney Resume Writing Service? In today's market the resume has become one of the most quintessential job tools. Sure, it never helps to have a parent or family relative who is a partner at an AMLAW 100 firm, or a best friend who works at a firm and has the inside track about a new position. But, unless you graduated in the top 10% of a top 10 law school, in this economy, you will be fighting amongst the masses for one of the limited positions available in today's market.

Think of it like this: There are at least 250 - 300 law schools in the United States - each one with at least 100 students in the graduating class (Though most have more). That is at least 25000 new graduates you will be competing against for the very limited number of jobs. That is why it is crucial that you have a streamlined, concise, and creative resume to assist you in your job search. Here are some tips to help you.

What is an attorney certified professional resume writer? In order to become a certified professional resume writer, the writer must pass a series of grammar, spelling, and writing tests. Is it as hard as passing the bar exam? No - BUT, it lets you know that the person you are hiring to write your resume is at least proficient to do so. For the legal field, it is important that you have a writer who understands the legal field and preferably has practiced law. Otherwise, you might have a resume with word "judgement" instead of "judgment" or someone who thinks "Discovery" is "a really cool station on cable.

Work with your writer: Be sure to interview your writer. I understand you are busy, and life moves pretty fast, BUT if you want to make sure that your writer is a good fit, then you have to communicate with him or her. This might mean speaking on the telephone or communicating by email, but do not forego this step.

Due Diligence: Do some research on the writer and the company. Are the writers certified? How many years of experience do they have? Have they been published? Not every resume writer needs to write articles or have 20 years of experience to be effective - but remember the old adage "You get what you pay for."

Stay away from large companies: Most large resume companies retain part-time, contract resume writers without any true resume writing experience. They will rush through your resume, like a factory or a mill law firm. Research the smaller companies, and again be sure to interview your writer - in the end you will thank me for it.

Good Luck!

Matthew S. is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, former practicing attorney ( and Member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and National Resume Writer Association. He is a nationally renowned resume writer and has worked with top companies, law firms, Fortune 50 Executives and federal agencies. He is the owner of http://www.bestattorneyresumes.com/ and http://www.bestparalegalresumes.com/

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How to Make Your Legal Resume Stand Out?

The contents in the legal resumes should be well-organized. It should contain all the details in a well-organized way to grab the attention of the employer. The layout is the most important aspect for a legal resume.

A resume should clearly highlight your key skills, achievements and work history. You have to take into consideration some important guidelines which will help you to write a legal resume which will stand out from all the other resumes in the competition to secure the job.

These guidelines mentioned below will help you to draft a unique legal resume that would increase your chances of getting a job.

? The first step that an individual should undertake before writing a legal advisor resume is to research and collect information about the layout and sections to be utilized in it. Browse different websites which provide the resume writing tips and sample legal resumes. These sample legal resumes will illustrate the layout and sections to be included while drafting your own resume.

? Avoid writing a long resume. Ideally, the length should not be more than two pages. The content included should be concise and focused to the job post that you wish to apply for. Highlight the important skills and achievements in it.

? The formatting should be consistent for the content in your resume. The font size should be simple. The font size should be selected such that it is easily readable. Avoid including any stylish fonts or graphics in the resume. The law related action words or keywords should be utilized in the legal resume.

? You should not include personal details and references in the legal resume. The references included should be professional.

? You should revise the content included in the resume and do the required corrections in it. It is essential to make the resume error free to create the right impression on the employer.

? The resume should contain the sections such as contact details, objective, summary of your achievements, educational qualifications, skills and work history.

? The resume should begin with the personal details which would help the employer to get back to you after an interview. The details included in this section are full name, address, telephone number and e-mail address.

? The objective section should include information such as the post that you wish to apply for. It should be short and focused to the field that you are applying for.

? The skills section should summarize your skills and strengths in it.

? The information in the sections such as skills, summary of your achievements, education and work experience should be listed using bulleted points.

? The educational sections should be listed in the chronological order. Include information such as degree, date of graduation and name of university or college. You can also include information about the certifications and licenses in it.

? The experience section should include information about your work responsibilities undertaken in the previous one. This section should begin with the most recent experience.

Thus, you can use the above mentioned guidelines to draft your own legal resume which will stand out and grab the attention of the employer.

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How to Write a Legal Resume

A legal resume should contain information in a systematic way. It should highlight your key skills and expertise. It should be specific and contain information about the achievements. It should clearly reflect your ability to work in legal profession, take timely decisions and work under the pressure of deadlines.

In order to draft your legal resume you need to critically thinking and research. You can browse the different sample legal resumes. It will give you a brief idea for writing a legal resume. It will also help you to think about all the information that can be included in the resume.

The presentation of the resume is also important. Hence there should not be any grammar or spelling errors. You should try to organize the content in the resume so that it is easily readable and attractive to impress your prospective employer.

Use short sentences and bulleted points. While drafting a legal resume, you have to be well informed about the fact that these resumes are read by the professionals or experts in the legal field. Hence, it is necessary to use appropriate keywords or action verbs. It will help to highlight your legal experiences by using the proper legal terms. However, you should also avoid using too many of these legal terms.

Some useful tips for resume are described below:

? The resume should contain the basic sections generally included such as contact information, objective, summary of skills, education and work history.
? The personal contact information such as full name, email address, phone number and address.
? The objective section should be short and specific to the post you have applied for. It should be relevant to the industry or the post you have applied for.
? The education section should be included in reverse chronological order. It should contain information such as degrees, date of graduation, university and any other certifications or licenses that you possess in the field. You can also include information about the seminars and trainings you have attended. Highlight your major achievements.
? The skills section should contain all your skills related to the legal profession. This will help to make you resume outstanding.
? The work history section should contain information about your previous professional experience. It is the most important section in the legal resume. You should list the most recent work experience in the beginning of the section. List at least four to five job responsibilities undertaken. The information such as name of the company, duration and post to be included in this section.
? Including information about the expected salary in a legal resume is optional. Some professionals such as freelancers in this field have their fixed fee for taking up projects.
? The reference is the concluding section of your resume. It should be professional and should have accurate information. Some employers inquire about your background before appointing you. In case, the information provided as references is found to be incorrect then you are disqualified.

Thus the steps for writing resume mentioned above will help you to draft your own legal resume.

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Why Are Legal Resumes Necessary?

A legal resume is a very important document while getting a legal position. This legal position could be an entry level resume, individual seeking change in career, or a resume for experienced person. Hence it is necessary to draft an effective legal resume that would stand out and impress the employer.

This resume helps to clearly market your skills, capabilities and assist you to get good job. The recruiter has to go through resumes of many candidates every day. So, it is necessary to research and properly plan before writing your resume.

Drafting a legal resume is not at all a difficult task. It has a simple format which has to be followed along with sequence of the sections to be included. The challenge lies in properly organizing the content and creating the right impression on the employer. The typical legal terms should be utilized. The sentences should be short and specific. The content should be organized as per the requirement of the recruiter.

You can browse different websites and refer to the different sample legal resumes or resume templates. It will help you to make your resume attractive and inform you about the ideal format.

It should not be more than two pages in length. The content should be short and focused on your job target. There are increased chances of reading a short legal resume and create the right impact.

It should market your skills. It should be properly formatted and avoid using fancy fonts or colors. The font utilized for the text should be should be clear and easily readable. It should not distract the reader. The sections to be included are contact information, career objective, summary of skills, educational qualifications and work history.

Avoid including the personal information and references in the legal resume. The resume should be proofread in order to check for any grammatical or spelling errors in it. Make the necessary corrections as mistakes will reduce the chances of getting the job.

The sections to be included in the legal resume are objective, education, skills, achievements and references. The career objective should briefly state the post that you wish to apply for and your future career goals. It should not exceed more than two to three sentences. You should include legal achievements only. You can also include additional section such as professional affiliations.

Use bullet-ed points while listing the sections such as education, skills and work history. Keep the content and formatting as simple as possible. The work history should be included in reverse chronological order. The education section is the most important section. Hence it should be clear and well drafted.

You can also include information about your hobbies which will help to make it more interesting. You should also utilize the legal words in the resume. Highlight the important skills and achievements.

Thus, the information mentioned above clearly explains the need for legal resumes. It also briefly describes some useful guidelines for drafting your own resume.

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