Law Student Resume

Discover the art of crafting a compelling resume for law students that stands out and secures job opportunities. Access a template designed specifically for law student resumes and adhere to a series of expert recommendations to enhance your chances of success.

After dedicating years to studying law, you may find yourself eager to transition from theory to practical application. However, when submitting your law student resume to firms and agencies, the offers you receive are limited to mailroom positions and unpaid internships.

Don’t halt your career aspirations; instead, challenge the status quo by crafting an impactful law student resume that will impress recruiters and propel your career forward.

This comprehensive guide will cover:

– A law student resume example that surpasses 90% of other resumes.
– Strategies for writing a law student resume that increases your chances of securing interviews.
– Tips and examples on effectively showcasing skills and accomplishments in your law student resume.
– Guidance on describing your experience in a way that positions you for success in any job you pursue.

Law Student Resume Template

Here’s how to write a law student resume that proves you’re a vital asset:

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Law Student Resume

In preparation for entering the legal profession, law students have the opportunity to pursue various entry-level and internship positions within the legal field. Your law student resume can be tailored to target roles such as a court messenger, file clerk, document coder, attorney assistant, and notary.

However, the question remains: How can you embark on your journey toward a career in law?

Maintain composure and follow a systematic approach:

1. Commence by creating a well-defined law student resume, starting with a professional resume header containing your essential contact information.
2. Organize the document into easily navigable sections. If uncertain about which sections are essential, refer to the provided resume outline tips.
3. Select an appropriate resume format, with a preference for the chronological layout as it highlights your recent achievements.
4. Opt for traditional fonts to maintain a formal tone in your resume.
5. Avoid overcrowding your resume with information and make effective use of white space.
6. When deciding between a PDF and Word resume, lean towards the former unless the employer specifies otherwise.

2. Write a Law Student Resume Objective or Summary

Just as the opening statement in a court case can significantly impact the outcome, the initial paragraph of your law student resume holds equal importance. Capture the attention of the hiring manager by incorporating a professional profile, a concise introductory paragraph positioned just below the resume header.

The most effective choice for this section is a resume career objective, particularly suitable for candidates with minimal or no professional experience and those targeting entry-level positions. Unlike summarizing your limited experience history, a career objective places emphasis on skills and career drive.

Leverage your resume objective to demonstrate to recruiters that you can bring tangible value to the company. Illustrate how your skills and talents can prove advantageous for their organization.

3. Make Your Law Student Resume Education Section Great

As a law student, the education section of your resume holds paramount importance. Whether your target is a modest law firm or a prestigious corporation, your educational background must be compelling.

Situate the education section immediately below your resume objective, and persuade potential employers with your academic accomplishments.

To achieve this:

1. Begin with your highest or current degree, prioritizing your master’s degree followed by your bachelor’s degree. Omit high school details.
2. Present the information in the following order: degree, institution name, graduation date (or anticipated graduation date if still pursuing the degree), major, and minors (if applicable).
3. Enhance each education entry by including GPA (if above 3.5), relevant coursework, key academic achievements, and extracurricular activities.

Note: If you’re gearing up for bar exams and seek the latest information, refer to the National Conference of Bar Examiners website.

4. Create a Great Law Student Job Description for a Resume

How to construct your resume job description when faced with limited or no professional experience?

Consider this as presenting your case on a blank pleading paper – there’s no room to leave it empty; you must make your argument.

For law student resumes, a winning strategy involves reflecting on the following experiences as valuable entries:

– Freelance jobs (writing, document checking)
– Pro bono work
– Volunteering in courts
– Internship experience
– Judicial clerkship gigs
– Witnessing transactions and contracts

If you’ve had a few pertinent jobs in the past, adhere to this structure when detailing them on your resume:

1. Begin with your most recent or current job.
2. List job titles, company names, locations, and dates of employment.
3. Present responsibilities and achievements in a bullet-point format, with up to 6 bullets for each entry.
4. Initiate each bullet with action verbs such as managed, coordinated, monitored, performed, etc.

In cases where elaboration on past experiences is limited, streamline the experience section:

1. Start with the section header, e.g., Legal and Transferable Experience.
2. List job titles, primary responsibilities, and company names (one bullet point each), e.g., Freelance Notary, witnessing 20 contracts per year, Willis & Jones.
3. Begin each bullet with action verbs for added impact.

5. Highlight Your Law Student Skills

Refer to the following list to identify and incorporate essential skills into your law student resume, ensuring alignment with relevant keywords:

Example Law Student Resume Skills:

1. Understanding of legal procedures
2. Specific knowledge of law related to the position
3. Research proficiency
4. Strong writing skills
5. Client service aptitude
6. Demonstrated work ethic
7. Negotiation abilities
8. Litigation expertise
9. Documentation proficiency
10. Attention to detail
11. Organizational skills
12. Persuasiveness
13. Interpersonal skills
14. Presentation abilities
15. Analytical skills
16. Teamwork collaboration
17. Critical thinking
18. Decision-making capabilities
19. Problem-solving skills
20. Time management proficiency

Note that the above list encompasses both soft and hard skills, highlighting the inclusion of work ethic, a crucial aspect in law practice. When presenting these skills on your resume, be strategic and tailor them to align with the specific requirements outlined in the job advertisement.

6. Add Other Sections to Your Law Student Resume

Looking to make a positive impression on the recruiter by highlighting additional achievements or sharing aspects of your personal life? Exercise caution in your choices, ensuring they present you in a favorable light. Consider incorporating the following examples into your law student resume:

– Published works, both in journals and non-journal platforms
– Participation in conferences
– Involvement in student organizations
– Volunteer experiences
– Engagements in moot court competitions
– Showcasing language proficiency
– Listing noteworthy achievements and awards
– Sharing hobbies and interests

7. Attach a Law Student Resume Cover Letter

Here’s the reality.

A multitude of law student resumes awaits a swift review. Based on our HR statistics report, your resume receives an average of merely 7 seconds of the hiring manager’s attention.

This underscores the immense significance of a cover letter—surprisingly, only 50% of candidates include it, while over 50% of recruiters anticipate its presence!

Leverage the following suggestions to craft a compelling law student cover letter that advocates for you:

Adhere to the appropriate formatting rules for cover letters.
Convey your key points succinctly in the introduction of your cover letter.
Highlight skills and accomplishments that bring value to the firm.
Conclude your cover letter with a compelling call to action.