A polished resume helps you get your foot in the door with employers, which is why CSO dedicates spends a substantial amount of time helping you refine your resume. Resumes look simple enough to construct, but they are tricky. You need to be detailed but not too detailed; you have to consolidate seven years of activities into one page, and all the while, you must remember that your resume may only be skimmed over for about thirty seconds.
CSO is always willing and eager to help students with their resumes in-person, but here are some of the most common pitfalls and helpful advice for crafting a concise yet thorough and compelling resume:
1) Make it Easy on the Eye – Given that a resume is generally scanned rather than read, it is vital to make sure your resume is easy to follow and the most important information is placed prominently. For example, if you have a GPA 3.0 and above, you want to make that information distinct – even bold it – to make sure the employer will see it. Do not be afraid of bullet points when formatting your resume; since you will not be using full sentences, bullets are an easy way to indicate a new topic.
2) Be Specific in your Work Experience Descriptions – When reviewing a book, “specificity” is generally used as a term of praise, meaning that characters have a degree of believability and experience that reads as true. Likewise, specificity is what you need to aim for when describing your past work experience. Your goal is to convey to the potential employer that your past experiences have prepared for you for the role, while also showing your experiences were unique and understandable. You should never just say that you “researched case law and wrote memoranda.” This tells the employer nothing more than that you are a typical law student. Describe in detail the type of work you did and the areas in which you researched and wrote.
3) Tailor Your Resume to Each Employer – Not all jobs are the same and, therefore, employers are seeking specific types of experiences and strengths when looking for the best person for the job. You will increase your chances for success if you learn how to tailor your resume to address the particular traits and qualities that are a best fit for the position. For example, if you apply to the prosecutor’s office, you want to elaborate on any experience you have with criminal law, as opposed to your experience at a civil litigation firm, which would not be as valuable to the employer. This is not to say you need to remove experiences that seem “irrelevant.” Every past experience carries some weight; you simply need to learn how to leverage your skills. In the end, small changes to a resume can make a big difference.
4) Include the URL to your LinkedIn page (also HAVE a LinkedIn page) – A resume can only contain a page’s worth of information. Any more, and if you have lost your audience. On LinkedIn, however, you have an almost unconstrained ability to shape and project your image. Pay attention to and craft a LinkedIn page that expounds upon your experience, qualifications, and interests. Include a link to your LinkedIn page on your resume so employers can easily find it and take a more thorough look at who you are. It is easy and effective.
If you would like some sample resumes to review, check out the Resources section on Symplicity. Members of our office are also always available for one-on-one help. Still seeking more tips and tricks? Then RSVP (via your Symplicity Events tab) for Part 1 of CSO Boot Camp, which is being held on Thursday, July 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. In the session, we will go more in depth on resumes, cover letters and other documents needed in your job search!
Tagged: employers, job search strategy, resumes
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