Law Career Services Presents:

Resume & Cover Letter Writing Workshop

November 2007

Resume Introduction

Your legal resume is your personal marketing tool.

It provides a snapshot of your professional and educational experiences. (It should not list every job you have ever worked)

30 Seconds!!!

Most employers spend about 30 seconds scanning a resume, so it must be error free, pleasing to the eye and concise.

Resume Guidelines

The legal community is conservative and legal employers expect to see a traditional legal resume. For example, an eye-catching resume you

prepared to market yourself in the advertising field would be ineffective when sent to a legal employer.

It may be desirable to create more than one legal resume depending on the types of employment you are seeking.

Length: One Page

A law student’s resume should be restricted to one-page unless the student’s relevant experiences and accomplishments warrant continuation onto a second page.

More is not always better.

Style

Select an easy-to-read typeface. Avoid using a font that looks like you typed your

resume on a typewriter (like Courier), script, ornate, or overly decorative styles. Commonly Used: Times New Roman,

Book Antiqua, Ariel. Use capital letters, large and small caps,

bold or italicized typefaces for sections, to add interest and enhance readability.

Type of Paper

Use white, ivory, or pale cream resume paper. Pastels, patterns, bright colors and pictures are unacceptable.

The paper for the resume, cover letter and reference page should all match. Your writing sample does not need to

be printed on resume paper.

Content of a Traditional Legal Resume

Identity and Contact Information Education Experience Things that May be Included:

Skills Interests Community Involvement Licenses Military Experience

Identity and Contact Information

On your resume, include your name, current address, email and a telephone number where an employer may reach you or leave a message.

A permanent address may be included along with your current address if you wish to show ties to the geographic area of an employer with whom you are applying.

Mary A. SmithCurrent Address: Permanent Address:123 Elm 4356 Arbor Ct.Toledo, OH 43606 Columbus, OH 43083419-902-4873msmith@utoledo.edu

Objective

This section should be omitted for 97% of all law students. The only times an “objective” is recommended on a legal resume is when the individual is pursuing a second, totally disparate career.

Education

The law school resume typically begins with the Education Section (whereas the resume of an alumnus often begins with the Experience Section).

Everything in Reverse Chronological Order (i.e. most recent first)

Education: Should Include….

The name of the school, city and state where the school is located, your degree, and the date your degree will be completed.

The University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, OHJuris Doctor Anticipated, May 2010

Education: Academic Performance

Law school grades can be central hiring criteria for many legal employers. (especially large firms)

The presumption is that your GPA is less than a 3.0 unless it appears on your resume.

Education Issue 1: Low Grades

If you have less than a 3.0, anticipate that you will be questioned about your grades, and take the time to formulate a positive response: For example: “Although Civil Procedure has

been a difficult class for me, as evidenced by my first semester grade, I have put in extra time and work this semester and anticipate a positive final result in the course.”

Education Issue 2: Transfers

If you attended more than one undergraduate institution (or law school), we suggest the following:

The University of Toledo, Toledo, OHBachelor of Arts, May 2007

Owens Community College, Toledo, OHCompleted 30 credit hours toward Bachelor’s degree.

Education: Honors & Activities

List honors and activities under the school to which they relate.

Honors include academic achievements, such as graduating cum laude, scholarships, awards, moot court, trial team and any other club participation.

The activities section demonstrates your interest, leadership potential, and “well roundedness”.

Example: Education Section

The University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, OHJuris Doctor Anticipated, May 20103.24 GPA• Honors: Dean’s List, Fall 2007• Activities: Public Interest Law Association (PILA),

Environmental Law Society

Experience: Should Include…

The name of the employer, city and state, your title, dates of involvement and a description of the areas of responsibility.

Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Toledo, OHVolunteer Intake Clerk, Summer 2007 Screened individuals at walk-in clinic. Conducted intake for new clients by assessing needs

and making referrals to appropriate agencies.

Experience: Transferable Skills

Identify transferable skills that highlight "lawyerly" experiences & responsibilities.

Stress tasks and responsibilities that relate to the position you are seeking.

Use action words to describe skills gained from previous employment.

Skills Legal Employers Desire:

Ability to Communicate Ability to Handle Conflict Leadership Skills Willingness to Accept Responsibility High Energy Level Interpersonal Skills Flexibility Intelligence

Experience Issue 1: Non-Legal Job

If you have no legal experience, you are not alone. Emphasize traits legal employers

desire. Use Action Words in your descriptions.

Instead of “Responsible for managing client files for Medical Office” (Passive), write “Managed client files” (Active).

I work as a Bartender….how do I make that relevant to a legal employer?????

Instead of: “Mixed and served beverages”

Try: “Anticipated customer needs,

communicated effectively with clientele, and resolved pressing situations in a responsible manner.”

Skills

Include skills that may be of interest to a potential employer. Technical writing Language Proficiency Specialized computer skills (not word

processing skills or legal databases such as Westlaw or Lexis unless certified)

Business/Accounting Background

Skills: Language Skills

If language is particularly important to the employer, a separate category called Language Skills may work best for you.

If you list a language be specific about your proficiency such as fluent in Spanish, conversant in French, read and write Latin, translate Chinese.

Interests

The Interest section enables candidates to demonstrate that they are well-rounded and have interests valued by an employer. Can be perceived as assets in

networking or business development as well as good conversation starter.

Utilize as space allows.

Community Involvement

Demonstrated commitment to public service is very important to public interest employers and a plus to many others.

Extensive volunteer work that

demonstrates transferable skills may be described under Experience or in a Community Involvement/Service Section. List the name of the organization, your title

and tenure.

Licenses

List professional licenses and certificates, such as RN, Certified Financial Planner, Professional Engineer, CPA or Real Estate Broker.

List legal and non-legal affiliations, including the name of the organization and state of issuance.

Military Experience

Some government employers give preference to veterans, so listing service involvement is a plus. **Note: If military experience includes

transferable skills, such as research, journalism, management etc., it should most likely appear in the Experience section.

References

It is an ineffective use of valuable space to include the phrase, "References or Writing Samples Available Upon Request.”

You should provide your “References” on a separate sheet of paper that has the same heading as your resume.

Reference Norms: who, how many…

Cover Letter Introduction

The cover letter is a written introduction to your resume, professional characteristics and attributes, enabling you to elaborate on your most relevant skills and explain your interest in the position.

A cover letter should accompany every resume you send out unless the employer specifically requests otherwise.

Cover Letter Content

Salutation Introductory Paragraph Second Paragraph: Why Them Third Paragraph: Why Me Closing

Salutation

Make your cover letter personal. A cover letter should not be

addressed to a generic entity such as “Hiring Partner” or “To Whom it May Concern”.

Instead, call the firm or entity and ask to whom you should send your application materials.

Introductory Paragraph

If you have a connection to the employer, identify the connection in your opening sentence. “At the request of Professor Davis, Professor

of Law at The University of Toledo College of Law, I am writing to……..”

State your intent. “I am writing to submit my resume for the

purpose of obtaining a Summer Associate position with…….”

Introduce yourself briefly.

Second Paragraph: “Why Them”

Express your familiarity with the employer and identify reasons you are applying for employment.

Draw attention to qualities you possess or experiences that you have had that would make you an asset to the employer.

Identify any geographic connection you have to the employer.

Geographic Connections

Acceptable Connections: Home State (resume should indicate a

permanent address in the state) Family in the area Spent time in the area and/or have detailed

knowledge of the area Unacceptable Connections:

Girlfriend/Boyfriend in the area It would be a “cool” place to live No demonstrated knowledge of the area

Third Paragraph: “Why Me”

Highlight relevant work experience and/or coursework and demonstrate how your specific experiences translate into transferable skills which will be of use to the employer. “My experience in various legal settings,

including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. District Court, has provided me with a broad understanding of federal litigation which will be particularly useful to your Litigation Team.”

Demonstrate why you are the best applicant for the position.

Closing Paragraph

Close the letter and thank the reader for their time. “I would be pleased to have the opportunity to

interview with you for ___ position. Thank you for your consideration.”

Let the employer know that you intend to follow-up with them. “I will be calling within the next two weeks to

ensure your receipt of these materials and to discuss the possibility of arranging an interview.”

Cover Letter: Final Pointers

Your cover letter should provide a brief highlight of your qualifications and accomplishments.

It should never be longer than one page.

Be brief, get to the point, and then move on.

Cover Letter: Final Pointers

Reference language used by the employer in the position description in your cover letter. Give the employer exactly what they are looking for. For instance, if the firm has indicated

that it seeks someone with litigation experience, make sure you specifically mention your litigation experience and/or training.

Cover Letter: Final Pointers

A cover letter allows you the opportunity to showcase your writing & editing skills.

It is judged as your first writing sample. Throughout the typical law firm hiring

process, a cover letter may be reviewed by several members of the firm, as well as by pre-screeners and human resources staff. Any errors will be found and will undoubtedly work against you.

Thanks For Coming!

Any Questions???