7 ways to make a legal CV stand out and find a dream career.

Your CV is an essential part of every job search process. Hiring managers and recruiters often look through thousands of CVs to find the right candidate so you want yours to stand out amongst the rest. Having a tailored CV is a step in the right direction to unlock a prosperous future. Spending time improving this vital part of the job search process significantly improves the chances to:

• Receive an interview invitation quicker,

• Land a dream job,

• Get discovered on job boards.

1. Make spelling and grammar a priority

Spelling and grammar are key to showing a good first impression. Grammar and spelling mistakes can have a negative impact on receiving an interview invitation. A well written CV indicates a mastery of the language and a good attention to detail. Spending time reviewing spelling and grammar mistakes is always a good investment.

Consider using:

• Grammarly

• Microsoft Editor  

2. Think about layout and formatting 

The layout and formatting should be consistent, clear and easy to navigate. A well laid out CV with adequate styling and formatting attributes aids the reader and allows for reading through the content with ease. Typically, people involved in the recruitment process review many CVs and aiding in that process could communicate the right information faster. A good idea is to examine CVs written by others working in the legal  profession.

Formatting attributes to consider:

• Headings for each section e.g. Education; Experience; Skills; etc,

• Bullet points,

• The correct font / font size,

• The correct colours,

• Adequate spacing and white margins,

• Adequate CV length

3. Show impact, achievements and results in previous roles

It is a good idea to include achievements and impact in previous positions (if possible and relevant).

For example:

• Win rate

• Revenue generated

• Clients served

• Cases won

• Awards received for outstanding work

4. Showcase a motivation to grow in your legal career

Many professionals invest continuously in their personal and professional development. Showcasing investments in additional professional development demonstrates a determination for success and engagement in a particular career field. Include some, or all the additional training or learning done in the past. In particular, additional training and certifications relevant to the legal profession.

Consider adding some of the following to your CV:

• Memberships

• Attending professional conferences / events

• Completing professional development courses

• Investing in education e.g. university courses

• Obtaining professional certificates

• Additional training and certifications

• Attending webinars

5. Consider adding a personal summary section

A personal summary section at the beginning, right after name, address and contact details serves as a quick professional introduction highlighting the unique selling points or professional aspirations and achievements. A captivating short summary of a few lines could encourage recruiters to further examine the CV and potentially offer an interview or shortlist.

6. More is not always better. The work experience section can be shorter. 

Adding a full work history is not always ideal. This could take up too much space. Older positions completed a long time ago may be less relevant to a current job application and add little value. Think about the length of the CV and consider reducing the work history if older positions are not relevant or were completed many years ago.

Things to consider:

• Listing work experience in chronological order starting with the most recent first. 

• Reducing the work history and removing older positions to allow space for more relevant information. 

7. Adding professional volunteering / pro bono work

Add additional unpaid work, especially if relevant to current applications or career opportunities. Many professionals invest additional time in unpaid work related to their area of expertise. Adding this information could aid job seekers in three ways:

• Showing proactive involvement in the profession and determination. This could also include a desire to learn and grow,

• Gaining additional work experience on a range of projects. Cross-industry experience or lateral experience,

• A good networking or communication skills. If the applicant is active outside of work (professionally) this could aid the new employer. Potentially promote the new employer in a good way and enhance the brand image.

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