Lawyer Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Lawyer resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Lawyers are highly trained professionals who are tasked with advising clients on everything from intellectual property rights to estate planning to corporate law. Lawyers provide legal representation in courtrooms and offices, negotiate contracts, and draft legal documents like wills, trusts, and contracts.
If you’re interested in becoming a lawyer but aren’t sure where to start your job search, here are some tips and an example resume for reference when writing your own resume for the position.
How to Write a Lawyer Resume
Here’s how to write a lawyer resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. But they can be tricky to write because they’re so brief. So it’s important to use them to their full potential by including specific details about your experience.
For example, rather than saying you “represented clients in court,” you could say you “represented clients in criminal court on charges of fraud and theft, securing acquittal on all counts in jury trial.”
The second bullet point is much more interesting and compelling because it provides specific details about what you did and the outcome of your work.
Related: What Is a Lawyer? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are used by many companies to help them find the best candidates for their open positions. When you submit your resume online, the ATS will scan it for certain keywords related to the job you’re applying for. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
The best way to make sure your resume makes it past the ATS is to include relevant keywords throughout all sections of your document. You can find a list of common lawyer keywords below:
- Legal Advice
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Legal Research
- Legal Document Preparation
- Corporate Law
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Contract Law
- Intellectual Property
- Legal Consulting
- Dispute Resolution
- Trademark Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Family Law
- Appeals
- Mediation
- Legal Issues
- Legal Contract Review
- Westlaw
- Due Diligence
- Privacy Law
- Criminal Litigation
- Contract Negotiation
- Trials
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Document Drafting
- Due Diligence
- Negotiation
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a lawyer, you need to be proficient in the use of technology in order to effectively do your job. This includes being able to use legal research databases, case management software, and document management systems. You should also be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and other common office software programs. Being able to list your level of expertise in each area will show that you’re a valuable asset to any law firm.
Related: How Much Does a Lawyer Make?
Remember The Basics
As you draft your resume, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind.
Create Scannable Sections
There are a few things you can do to your resume to make it easier to read and understand quickly. Aligning everything to the left, using a standard font type and size, and keeping bullets under 2 lines will help make your resume more skimmable. You should also try to leave some white space on the page to help the recruiter easily scan through your information.
Be Concise
When putting together your resume, it is important to consider the length. A resume should typically be one page long, but if you have more experience than that, you can go up to two pages. When trimming down a resume, remove irrelevant information and focus on the most relevant details.
Check Your Work
Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. 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 to make a great first impression on potential employers, a resume summary statement is an essential part of your job application. A well-crafted summary can help to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences, while also demonstrating your interest in the role you’re applying for. When writing your own, be sure to focus on your key strengths and make it clear how you plan to use them in your next role. Keep it short and sweet, and you’ll be sure to make a great impression.
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