General Counsel Resume Example & Writing Guide

The role of general counsel is multifaceted, but it’s one of the most important positions in any company. As the top lawyer on staff, general counsels are responsible for advising their companies on legal matters big and small. They’re also tasked with protecting their organizations from legal liabilities, ensuring that they follow all relevant regulations and laws, and helping their companies avoid costly lawsuits.

Because of the high stakes and complex nature of this job, most general counsels have years of experience under their belts before they land their first role. And while experience is important, a resume for this role should also reflect your legal expertise, as well as your ability to manage complex projects. Here are some tips and an example to help you write a compelling general counsel resume that will get you noticed by hiring managers everywhere.

How to Write a General Counsel Resume

Here’s how to write a general counsel resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters and hiring managers will see. And they’re the best way to showcase your experience and qualifications.

But many lawyers make the mistake of using generic bullet points that don’t really tell a story or provide any context. For example, rather than saying you “provided legal counsel,” you could say you “provided legal counsel for $10B merger of two of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, resulting in no litigation or regulatory issues.”

The second bullet point is much more interesting and provides more detail about what you did and the outcome of your work.

Related: What Is a General Counsel? How to Become One

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you apply for a general counsel role, your resume will likely go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This software scans your resume for certain keywords related to the job opening. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, your application might not make it past the first screening.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, use these commonly used general counsel keywords as a starting point and then add in other relevant terms that are specific to your work history:

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a general counsel, you are responsible for providing legal advice to your organization. In order to do this effectively, you need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and systems. This might include familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, or contract management tools. Additionally, general counsels need to be familiar with the laws and regulations that are specific to their industry.

Related: How Much Does a General Counsel Make?

Remember The Basics

As you draft your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.

Make It Easy to Scan

There are a few things you can do to make your resume easier to read, such as left aligning your text, using a standard font type and size, and using bullets instead of paragraphs to list your experiences. You should also use all-caps and bold sparingly, and keep your bullets under two lines. Additionally, you can include some white space on the page to make the document easier to scan.

Be Concise

There is no set rule for how long a resume should be, but it is generally recommended to keep it to one or two pages. This allows you to communicate your relevant experience and skills without taking up too much of an employer’s time. When trimming down your resume, focus on removing unnecessary information and details.

Proofread

Proofreading your resume is essential to ensuring that it looks its best. Spell checking is a must, as are punctuation and grammar checks. It is also helpful to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may catch mistakes that you have missed. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.

Consider Including a Summary

If you’re looking for a new opportunity, a resume summary statement can be a great way to introduce yourself and explain why you’re a great fit for the role. Summaries can also help to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences, and showcase your transferable skills. When writing your summary, be sure to keep it short and simple, and make sure to explain your goals and intentions.

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