50 Hot Attorney Resume Tips

While professional resume writers will agree that there are many ways to create a successful attorney resume, there are some basic rules of thumb that most of them follow when writing a resume. Here are 50 hot resume-writing tips that can help your attorney resume, regardless of who does the resume writing:

•  Proofread your attorney resume for grammar, spelling, typos, and factual errors
•  Use consistent and traditional font size and styles
•  Avoid graphics completely when creating your attorney resume
•  Use upper case letters sparingly and only when appropriate
•  Avoid colorful or fancy stationary, and opt for white or cream instead
•  Use bullets to make you attorney resume easier to read
•  Include volunteer/community service work if work experience is light
•  Set resume margins no smaller than .5,
•  Avoid personal pronouns like "I", "my" and "me"
•  List only the city and state of past employers rather than the full address
•  Do not include names of references on the resume
•  Do not include “references available upon request”
•  Focus on the top 30-40% of the resume; it’s what gets the most attention
•  Include all of your position titles under each employer
•  Include page numbers if the resume is more than one page
•  Add your “LinkedIn” address if you have one
•  Stay away from resume blaster services
•  Your online profile is not the same as an attorney resume
•  Use tables to align columns and remove lines
•  Use a professional email address on your resume
•  Hyperlink your email and LinkedIn address
•  Do not place information above your name
•  Set resume font sizes no smaller than 10 points
•  Recent law school graduates should put education at the top of the resume
•  Experienced attorneys can move education to the bottom
•  Try to keep your attorney resume to two pages or less
•  Not every attorney resume requires an objective statement
•  Write a strong "Summary of Qualifications/Skills" section
•  Include “keywords” on your attorney resume
•  Identify specific successful outcomes on your attorney resume
•  Use specific practice examples to demonstrate achievements
•  If you are no longer employed update your dates: 2000-2009
•  Include a separate section with your bar admission and include dates
•  Research advantages of the Chronological resume versus Functional resume
•  Be consistent with date formats on the resume: 09/02, Sep 02, Sep 2002
•  Tailor your attorney resume to each position you are applying to
•  Get others to proofread your attorney resume and be open to criticism
•  It is not necessary to include every job you have ever had
•  Keep all resume content relevant to the type of positions you are seeking
•  Do not include your hobbies or other personal interests on your attorney resume
•  Include publications, speaking engagements, and other professional activities
•  Resumes, cover letters, and thank-you letters should have the same format
•  Do not leave unexplained gaps on your attorney resume
•  Never lie on your attorney resume; honesty is the only policy
•  Do not use legalese or abbreviations on your attorney resume
•  Use Action/Active verbs to describe accomplishments
•  Use short paragraphs. 3-5 sentences maximum
•  Do not omit your graduation dates, it will not prevent age discrimination
•  Make sure your resume contact information is current
•  Consider working with a professional resume writer