The purpose of a resume is to secure an interview.  When your resume arrives at a potential employer, the employer has already been introduced to you, before you even step into the office.  It is your calling card, and therefore it is critical that your resume be flawless. 

An effective resume highlights those experiences and accomplishments that are directly relevant to present career goals.  Recruitment coordinators and hiring attorneys receive thousands of resumes each year, and thus your resume should meet, if not surpass, the average resume in its presentation.  Resumes should be word processed or typeset and laser printed on quality, 100% cotton resume paper.  Since there is no such thing as a "minor" typo, the resume must be carefully proofread.   

Students are strongly encouraged to have their resume reviewed by a Counselor in the Career Services Office before it is reproduced in quantity or sent to a potential employer. 

1.  Layout and appearance.  The resume should in almost all cases be limited to one page.  Only law students with extensive work experience can consider using two or more pages (see a CSO counselor for a 2-page addendum format).  Several sample resume formats are attached for you to follow when preparing your resume.  Please note that the differences in resume format are primarily a matter of style and personal preference.  You may wish to choose different aspects from each resume to suit your own needs and style preference. The resume should be letter quality, not dot matrix.  Students are welcome to use the computers and laser printer in the Career Services Office.  When selecting the type style or font for your resume, it is sufficient to use one basic font with boldfacing and capitalizing for emphasis.  Major headings, school names, and employer names can be highlighted with boldfacing (do not underline).  Do not use extra large print for your name. Your resume should be memorable for its content and overall appearance, not for the fact that your name literally jumps off the page, or any other "special effects" like the use of color paper and creative layouts.  Always keep your audience in mind - lawyers – who are generally conservative and pay close attention to detail. 

2.         G.P.A. and class rank information.  In general, information concerning your G.P.A. and class rank should be included in your resume.  The lack of such information causes an employer to assume that academic performance was weak.  However, if inclusion of the grade information would cause an employer to dismiss the application immediately, it might be prudent to omit the grade information and hope that other information on your resume proves attractive to the employer.  If in doubt as to whether or not to include certain information, ask us!  Please note, if you list your G.P.A. or rank – it must be mathematically precise. ** 

**Code of Conduct: Please be sure that all information on your resume is completely accurate.  Any misrepresentation on your resume could constitute a Code of Conduct violation, resulting in a disciplinary proceeding.  

           3.          Dean's List.   Whenever you note that you were on the Dean's List, you must also list the specific semester(s).  If you were on the Dean's List for all semesters, you may then use only Dean's List or Dean's List (All semesters).

4.         Career objectives.  Do not include a general statement regarding career objectives and goals. 

5.         High school.  Information concerning preparatory or high school education is generally not of interest to employers and should not be on your resume. 

6.         Personal data.  Omit personal data such as physical appearance, health or marital status. 

7.         Self-assessment.  Do not engage in self-assessment on your resume or in your cover letter.  For example, do not describe yourself as having "excellent communication skills" or "excellent writing skills". 

8.         Descriptions.  In describing legal experience, do not simply say "researched and drafted memoranda."  Rather, indicate which particular areas of law you researched and whether you drafted memoranda of fact and/or law.  Your descriptions should focus on responsibilities and contributions rather than routine duties.  Never use "I", "my" or any other form of the first person in describing your tasks. Omit phrases such as "duties/responsibilities included."  Be sure to call particular attention to those skills relevant to the practice of law.  For example, legal research and writing, negotiating, analyzing data, drafting, decision making, communicating and supervising are skills that should be noted.  When describing your work, use action words like "direct", "review", "manage", "analyze", etc.  Past tense should be used for former jobs and present tense for current employment. 

9.         Characterizations.  Avoid characterizing employers you have worked for, such as "the foremost law firm in Suffolk County." 

10.       References.  Do not note References Available on Request on your resume. 

11.       Interests.  Students with little or no legal experience, or no work experience, may wish to include the interest category.  Under the heading of "Interests" or "Additional Information" you might want to mention interests, hobbies, or perhaps unusual travel experience.  Significant community service can be mentioned here or under its own heading but it is generally not advisable to list political or religious activities. 

            Computer skills.  You can include computer skills under the "Additional Information" heading or "Skills" heading.  Many interviewers use the information in these sections as a way of opening up the interview on a non-threatening note.  However, as space becomes an issue in the preparation of your resume, you should eliminate this section. 

            Languages.  You should always add a second language with this heading.

SAMPLE RESUMES