Preparing a killer CV is the first step to landing your favourite legal job. For a CV to be effective, it must stand out among other applicants, showcasing your qualifications, skills, and experiences. Here are some tips to help you create an impressive CV for legal positions:
Tailor your CV to the specific role: Carefully read the job description and understand the requirements of the position you're applying for. Customise your CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job requirements.
Start with a strong personal statement: Begin your CV with a concise and compelling personal statement that highlights your key strengths, career goals, and what you can bring to the role. This should capture the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading. Here is an example:
- Results-driven law graduate with a passion for justice and a strong commitment to making a meaningful impact. Skilled in research, analysis, and communication. Seeking to leverage my legal knowledge and interpersonal skills to excel in a dynamic legal environment.
Emphasise your education and qualifications: Include your educational background, highlighting your law degree and any additional legal qualifications or certifications you have obtained. Mention any relevant honours, awards, or specialisations.
Showcase your legal experience: Provide detailed information about your previous legal positions, internships, or work placements. Focus on your responsibilities, the types of cases or projects you worked on, and any notable achievements or results you accomplished. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Here are some examples of quantifying achievements:
- Successfully negotiated a settlement in a complex commercial dispute, resulting in a favourable outcome and saving the client $500,000 in potential damages.
- Conducted thorough legal research and drafted a winning motion for summary judgment, leading to the dismissal of a high-profile case against the client.
- Managed a caseload of 30+ clients, consistently meeting deadlines and maintaining a 95% client satisfaction rate.
- Drafted and reviewed contracts with a total value exceeding $1 million, ensuring compliance with legal regulations and mitigating potential risks.
- Conducted due diligence for a merger and acquisition deal worth $50 million, identifying key legal issues and providing strategic recommendations to the client.
Highlight your legal skills: List the key legal skills you possess, such as legal research, writing, negotiation, advocacy, and case management. Provide specific examples of how you have applied these skills in your previous roles. Here are some examples:
- Proficient in conducting comprehensive legal research using various databases and sources, effectively analysing case law, statutes, and regulations to support legal arguments.
- Experienced in drafting and reviewing contracts, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with legal requirements.
- Skilled in preparing legal documents, including pleadings, motions, and briefs, and representing clients in court proceedings.
- Adept at negotiating favourable settlements and agreements, employing strong communication and persuasive skills.
- Exceptional writing skills demonstrated through drafting persuasive legal memoranda, opinions, and correspondence.
- Proven ability to handle multiple cases simultaneously, organising case files, managing deadlines, and coordinating with clients and stakeholders.
Include relevant legal knowledge: Highlight your knowledge of specific areas of law that are relevant to the position you're applying for. This could include contract law, corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, etc. Mention any relevant courses or training you have completed. Here are some examples:
- In-depth understanding of personal injury claims, including extensive knowledge of relevant statutes, regulations, and case precedents.
- Familiarity with constitutional principles and the ability to apply them to legal analysis and argumentation.
- Proficient in interpreting and applying contract law principles, including contract formation, interpretation, and enforcement.
- Understanding of intellectual property rights, including copyright, trademark, and patent law, as well as experience in conducting trademark searches and filing trademark applications.
- Knowledge of employment laws and regulations, including anti-discrimination laws, wage and hour laws, and employee benefits.
- Proficient in utilising legal research tools such as Westlaw and LexisNexis to conduct thorough and efficient legal research.
Demonstrate your achievements: Showcase any significant accomplishments, such as successful cases, settlements, or contributions to legal projects. Quantify your achievements with specific data or outcomes whenever possible. Here are some examples:
- Received the Law Society Legal Heroes Award 2023 for outstanding performance as a junior associate, recognising exceptional dedication, legal expertise, and contributions to successful case outcomes.
- Led a team of paralegals and junior attorneys in a complex litigation case, resulting in a favourable settlement for the client and recognition from senior partners for exceptional leadership skills.
- Published an article in Forbes on emerging trends in fintech, showcasing expertise and thought leadership within the legal community.
- Developed and implemented a streamlined case management system, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency and improved client satisfaction.
- Secured a favourable appellate court decision, overturning a lower court ruling and setting a precedent in [specific area of law].
- Recognised for exceptional client communication and responsiveness, maintaining a high client retention rate and receiving positive feedback.
Include professional memberships and affiliations: List any professional associations or organisations you belong to, such as bar associations, legal societies, or industry groups. This demonstrates your commitment to the legal profession and your desire to stay engaged with the community.
Highlight relevant transferable skills: In addition to legal skills, emphasise transferable skills that are valuable in the legal field, such as critical thinking, attention to detail, organization, teamwork, and communication skills. Provide examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in your previous experiences. Here are some examples:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills demonstrated through client consultations, negotiations, and legal writing.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and handle high-pressure situations effectively.
- Skilled in identifying legal issues, evaluating options, and developing creative solutions to achieve client objectives.
- Collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, fostering strong relationships and achieving shared goals.
- Flexible and quick to adapt to changing legal landscapes, demonstrating resilience in challenging situations.
- Strong leadership skills exhibited through mentoring junior colleagues, coordinating team efforts, and driving successful outcomes.
Pay attention to formatting and presentation: Ensure your CV has a clean and professional appearance. Use a clear and easy-to-read font, maintain consistent formatting, and organize your information logically. Keep your CV concise, focusing on the most relevant information.
Proofread and edit: Thoroughly review your CV for any grammatical or spelling errors. Ask someone else to proofread it as well to catch any mistakes you might have missed. A well-polished CV shows attention to detail and professionalism.
Update your references: Include references from legal professionals who can speak to your skills and work ethic. Ensure you have obtained their permission beforehand and provide accurate contact information.
Remember, your CV should effectively market your skills, experiences, and qualifications to make a strong impression on potential employers. Tailor it to each specific role you apply for and continuously update and refine it as your career progresses.
