Investigation
Law firms are not all created equal. They have different criteria, different areas of specialty, different hierarchy, etc. You are an attorney – investigate. Discover the big picture and the tiny details.
- What is the firm’s key practice areas?
- What is their key strategy for growth and operation?
- How involved is their training for new hires?
- What is the culture?
- What is their professional reputation?
- Are there any news stories spotlighting the firm?
Opening Statement
Study the job description/posting. What are the firm’s priorities and needs? Now, write your opening statement – objective – targeting those points. Match your essentials – educations, skills, outstanding cases, etc. – to their requirements.
Write Your “Brief”
Be concise. Be specific. Use power words. Tell your story – the whole of your law education, specialty skills, experience, but make every word carry a punch. Focus on how your story wraps itself around their needs. A great attorney knows how to dig for the truth, how to tell a story, weaving in all the pertinent details, and persuade the hearer that his way is the best choice.
Deliver the Evidence
Show that your skills and abilities – including soft skills – match their position.
- Keep it easy to read.
- Include skills, awards, publications, power cases that align with their requirements.
- Include specific examples of past work and the resulting success.
- Keep your information up-to-date.
- Ensure Accuracy. Honesty, truthfulness, and integrity are absolutely essential in a resume.
Pull at the “Jury’s” Heartstrings
Don’t limit yourself to the cold hard facts. Show that you are a vibrant human being. Share your hobbies, interests, volunteer activities, etc. Keep it brief and use examples that exemplify your skills that fit the position.
Be Ready for the Cross-Examination
Be able to speak intelligently about everything you have listed on the resume. Ensure total accuracy. If you are invited for an interview, they will certainly ask you about different points – be ready to deliver the “wow” factor.
The Final Proof . . . Read
Proofread the entire document. Ask a friend to proofread it also – a fresh set of eyes can find the mistakes that your eyes missed because you knew what you meant to say.
In Conclusion
Use your skills – the ones that enable you to be a great attorney – to write an impressive resume; and then come to OnBoard Legal. We specialize in matching star resumes with best-fit positions. We have connections with legal firms and we can find the best positions for you. Contact us today and discover the OnBoard difference.
