Content of Your Attorney Resume - Part 3

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Content of Your Attorney Resume - Part 3

Avoid irrelevancies. Attorney Resume: It is important to exclude all irrelevant information, including experience, employment and superfluous information. If you worked as a waiter during college, it is not necessary to list that job. However, don't attempt to fill the gap by stretching your relevant employment dates. Instead, make sure you can give an honest answer if asked about it during an interview. Include your objective on the resume at the top so that your employer will understand why you are applying and have context for understanding your experience.

Personal information other than your name, address, phone number, and email address is unnecessary. The employer does not need to know your birth date, height, weight, marital status, or hair color. This is a general statement that may have exceptions; if, for example, your spouse is the manager of a client or potential client of the firm, you may consider disclosing your marital status and spouse's name (but do not be boastful). No matter how gorgeous you are, the HR manager does not want a photo of you. Unless requested, you should not include a salary history, references, thesis, or other superfluous materials. With the amount of time given to each resume, do you want it spent gazing at your photo or reading your many accomplishments?

Give attention where attention is due. If your Attorney resume describes your most recent position with a law firm in only one line, but describes the paper you wrote for your thesis in four, you need to reassess your priorities. Accomplishments and experiences should get attention proportional to their importance. Generally, your current job is more important than your summer internship in college, unless that internship gave you more relevant experience and skills.