1. Keep It Simple and Clean
Why It Matters: A simple, clean resume ensures that the hiring manager can quickly and easily find the most important information. Cluttered resumes with too many fonts, colors, or design elements are difficult to read and can give the impression that you lack attention to detail. In the legal field, where precision and clarity are paramount, a messy resume is a red flag.
Example: I worked with a senior attorney who had a five-page resume filled with unnecessary details, outdated information, and various fonts and formatting styles. After simplifying the layout and focusing on the most important parts of his experience, we reduced the resume to two pages. The result was a clean, professional-looking resume that immediately caught the attention of hiring managers.
Recommendation: Stick to a classic font like Times New Roman or Arial, use consistent formatting, and avoid design elements like graphics or bold colors. Your resume should be visually appealing but not distracting. Keep the focus on your qualifications and experience.
See Related Articles:
- Harrison Barnes’s 29 Rules to Make Your Resume More Marketable
- How Attorneys and Law Students Should Write a Legal Resume
- Attorney Resume and Cover Letter Advice
2. Focus on Results, Not Just Duties
Why It Matters: Law firms are looking for candidates who can bring real value to the firm. Simply listing your duties doesn’t give employers a sense of what you’ve accomplished. Highlighting the results you achieved in each role will demonstrate your ability to deliver concrete outcomes, which is far more compelling than a laundry list of responsibilities.
Example: A litigation attorney I worked with had initially listed “handled discovery” as a responsibility. This was vague and didn’t communicate the value she added. After we revised it to “Managed discovery for a class-action lawsuit, leading to a favorable settlement for the client,” her resume became more results-oriented. This one change helped her secure more interviews.
Recommendation: Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “drafted contracts,” say, “drafted and negotiated contracts that led to a $10 million deal.” This provides tangible evidence of your contributions and makes your resume stand out.
3. Tailor the Resume to Each Job Application
Why It Matters: A generic resume may not align with the specific needs of each employer. Tailoring your resume to match the job description shows that you’ve done your research and are serious about the role. It also allows you to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to that particular job.
Example: A law student I worked with was applying to both litigation and corporate law positions with the same resume. Her resume lacked focus, and employers struggled to see how she would fit into their specific practice areas. After we tailored her resume to emphasize litigation experience for litigation roles and transactional experience for corporate positions, she received a significant increase in interview requests.
Recommendation: Read the job description carefully and adjust your resume to highlight the most relevant experience for each application. This might mean rearranging sections, changing the focus of your bullet points, or adding/removing certain details. Customizing your resume for each job shows that you’re a serious candidate who understands the needs of the firm.
See Related Articles:
- How to Write a Resume that May Actually Get You a Job
- Making the Most of Your Resume
- What Is the Best Way to Get My Resume and Cover Letter Noticed?
4. Highlight Relevant Experience at the Top
Why It Matters: Most hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds on an initial resume review. If your most relevant experience is buried on the second page or below less important information, it may be overlooked. Placing your most important qualifications and experience at the top increases the chances that they will be seen.
Example: A mid-level associate came to me with a resume that emphasized her earlier work in criminal law, even though she had recently transitioned to corporate litigation, which was the focus of her job search. By moving her recent corporate litigation work to the top, we ensured that hiring managers immediately saw her current, relevant experience. She quickly began receiving more interview invitations from firms seeking litigation associates.
Recommendation: Structure your resume so that your most relevant experience appears at the top. This could mean creating a “Relevant Experience” section or simply reordering your bullet points. The goal is to ensure that hiring managers see your most pertinent qualifications right away.
5. Emphasize Consistency and Commitment
Why It Matters: Law firms invest significant time and resources in training and developing their attorneys. They want to see that you’re someone who is committed to the profession and capable of staying with an employer for the long term. Frequent job changes can raise red flags and make it seem like you’re unstable or not fully invested in your career.
Example: I worked with an attorney who had changed firms three times in five years. Each move was for legitimate reasons, but the frequency of job changes was off-putting to employers. We restructured his resume to focus on the skills and experience he had developed over time, and we briefly explained the transitions in a way that showed he was advancing his career, not just hopping from job to job. This approach helped him secure a position at a more stable firm.
Recommendation: If you’ve had multiple job changes, emphasize the progression of your career and how each move has contributed to your development as an attorney. If possible, provide brief explanations for your transitions that show they were motivated by professional growth.
6. Minimize Gaps in Employment
Why It Matters: Gaps in employment can raise concerns for hiring managers. They may wonder why you weren’t working and whether you’re fully committed to your career. If these gaps are unexplained, they can create doubt about your reliability and dedication.
Example: An attorney I worked with had a two-year gap in her resume due to family responsibilities. By adding a simple explanation—“Took time off to care for family while maintaining legal education through CLE courses”—we addressed the gap head-on. This reassured employers that she had stayed engaged with the profession during her time away and was now ready to return to full-time work.
Recommendation: If you have gaps in your employment, briefly explain them on your resume or cover letter. Whether it was due to family responsibilities, a career break, or pursuing further education, showing that you stayed engaged with the legal profession during the gap will help alleviate concerns.
7. Showcase Relevant Skills, Not Just Practice Areas
Why It Matters: Listing only your practice areas doesn’t give employers a full sense of the specific skills and expertise you bring. They want to know not just that you worked in employment law or litigation, but what you did and how you contributed to the success of your cases or clients.
Example: I worked with an employment law attorney who had only listed “Employment Law” as a practice area on her resume. After revising it to include specific skills, such as “Handled wage and hour disputes for Fortune 500 companies” and “Advised clients on compliance with labor regulations,” her resume became much more compelling. She began receiving offers from top firms in her field.
Recommendation: List not only your practice areas but also the specific skills you’ve developed within those areas. For example, if you work in corporate law, mention skills like “drafted complex contracts,” “managed due diligence for M&A transactions,” or “negotiated multi-million-dollar deals.” This provides a fuller picture of your capabilities.
8. Include Law School Achievements, but Keep Them Brief
Why It Matters: For recent graduates or junior attorneys, law school achievements can be important selling points. However, as you gain more experience, these should take a backseat to your professional accomplishments.
Example: I worked with a third-year associate who had her law school activities (moot court, law review) prominently listed on her resume, even though she had already gained valuable work experience. After we minimized the focus on law school and highlighted her professional experience, she received more positive feedback from potential employers.
Recommendation: For recent graduates, law school accomplishments like law review, moot court, and top grades are worth highlighting. However, as you gain more experience, focus on your work experience and achievements, and reduce the emphasis on law school activities. By the time you’re three to five years into your career, law school should take up only a small section of your resume.
9. Avoid Overly Long Resumes
Why It Matters: Hiring managers don’t have time to read through long resumes. If your resume is too long, it can make it difficult for them to quickly identify your most important qualifications. Additionally, a lengthy resume can give the impression that you don’t know how to prioritize or edit your work, which are important skills for an attorney.
Example: A senior attorney I worked with had a five-page resume listing every job, project, and case he had worked on over the past 20 years. After trimming it down to two pages and focusing on the most relevant and recent experiences, he saw an immediate increase in interview requests from top firms.
Recommendation: Limit your resume to 1-2 pages, even if you have decades of experience. Focus on your most recent and relevant experience, and remove outdated or irrelevant details. This shows that you know how to prioritize and present information clearly.
- See Also: Should a Resume Be Only One Page Long?
10. Don’t List Every Job You’ve Ever Had
Why It Matters: Employers are only interested in your legal experience and roles that demonstrate your ability to succeed in the position you’re applying for. Including unrelated jobs or early-career positions can distract from your qualifications and make it harder for hiring managers to focus on what matters.
Example: An attorney listed several unrelated jobs he held before law school on his resume, including positions in retail and food service. After removing these irrelevant jobs and focusing on his legal internships and associate work, he immediately began receiving more interview requests.
Recommendation: Only include legal jobs, internships, and other high-level professional positions on your resume. If you have non-legal experience that’s relevant to the position (e.g., business experience for a corporate attorney role), focus on the transferable skills you gained.
11. Be Honest About Your Experience
Why It Matters: Misrepresenting or exaggerating your experience can have serious consequences. Law firms will eventually verify your background, and if they discover discrepancies, you could lose the job offer or damage your reputation in the legal community.
Example: I worked with an attorney who exaggerated his role in a high-profile case, claiming to have been the lead attorney when he was actually a supporting associate. When this was discovered during the interview process, he was immediately disqualified. After revising his resume to accurately reflect his role, he landed a position at another firm.
Recommendation: Be truthful and accurate about your responsibilities. If you worked as part of a team or assisted a partner on a case, say so. Employers value integrity, and being honest about your experience will help you build trust with hiring managers.
12. Avoid Personal Information
Why It Matters: Including personal information such as your age, marital status, or hobbies is irrelevant to your ability to practice law and can make your resume appear unprofessional. Hiring managers are only interested in your qualifications and legal experience.
Example: An attorney included his age, marital status, and a list of hobbies on his resume. After removing this personal information and focusing solely on his legal experience and skills, he saw a significant increase in responses from potential employers.
Recommendation: Stick to professional information. Only include details like foreign languages or other skills if they are directly relevant to the job. Personal details should be omitted unless they directly impact your ability to perform the job.
13. Avoid Using Jargon or Overly Technical Language
Why It Matters: While it’s important to demonstrate your legal knowledge, using too much jargon or technical language can alienate hiring managers who may not be familiar with the specific terms used in your practice area. Your resume should be accessible and easy to understand, even for non-experts.
Example: A securities attorney had filled his resume with technical terms and acronyms that would only be understood by someone with specialized knowledge of securities law. After simplifying the language and providing more context, his resume became much more accessible, and he received more interest from firms.
Recommendation: Use clear, concise language that a non-expert can understand. Avoid excessive legal jargon or acronyms. If you’re applying to a generalist role or a firm outside your specific niche, make sure your resume can be easily understood by someone who doesn’t have the same technical background.
14. Don’t Include Your GPA Unless It’s Exceptional
Why It Matters: If your GPA isn’t particularly high, listing it on your resume can draw unnecessary attention to a potential weakness. Law firms are more interested in your professional experience and skills than your academic performance once you’ve gained practical experience.
Example: A law student with a 3.1 GPA had listed it on his resume, and he wasn’t receiving many responses. After removing the GPA and emphasizing his work experience and skills, he secured several interviews with top firms.
Recommendation: Only include your GPA if it’s above 3.5 or if it’s specifically requested by the employer. Focus on your work experience, internships, and skills instead of your academic performance.
See Related Articles:
- If You List the GPA for Undergrad, Does It Hurt You to Not Include the Law School GPA?
- 10 Factors That Matter to Big Law Firms More Than Your Law School
- How Should I Prepare My Resume If I’m Getting Ready for a Law Firm Job Search?
15. Use Action Verbs to Describe Your Experience
Why It Matters: Action verbs make your resume more dynamic and engaging. They show that you were actively involved in your legal work, rather than passively assisting or observing. This makes your experience seem more impactful and shows that you’re a proactive attorney.
Example: A corporate attorney initially listed “assisted with contract negotiations” on her resume. After revising it to say “negotiated contracts for multi-million-dollar mergers,” her resume became much more compelling, and she received multiple interview requests.
Recommendation: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb such as “led,” “negotiated,” “drafted,” “managed,” or “represented.” This emphasizes that you were actively contributing to the success of your cases or projects.
- See Also: Action Verbs for Effective Resumes
16. Remove Objective Statements
Why It Matters: Objective statements are outdated and take up valuable space on your resume. Hiring managers already know that your objective is to get the job. Instead, use this space to provide a brief summary of your qualifications or a headline that highlights your experience.
Example: A law student had an objective statement at the top of her resume that said, “Seeking a position in a top law firm.” After removing the objective and replacing it with a headline that emphasized her experience in litigation and her law review involvement, she started receiving more interview offers.
Recommendation: Skip the objective statement. Instead, use a headline or summary that highlights your key qualifications. For example, “Litigation Associate with 5 Years of Experience in Commercial Litigation and Class Action Defense.”
17. Emphasize Leadership Roles
Why It Matters: Leadership experience demonstrates that you’re capable of taking initiative, managing others, and contributing to the firm’s overall success. These are qualities that are particularly important for senior-level positions or partnership-track roles.
Example: A senior associate had been managing a team of junior associates for several years but had buried this information at the bottom of his resume. After moving it to the top and expanding on his leadership role, he landed a partnership-track position at a prestigious firm.
Recommendation: Highlight any leadership roles you’ve held, whether it’s managing cases, supervising junior associates, or leading a practice group. Demonstrating leadership skills is crucial for advancing in your legal career.
18. Proofread for Errors
Why It Matters: A single typo or grammatical error can raise serious questions about your attention to detail, which is a critical skill in the legal profession. Even minor mistakes can undermine an otherwise strong resume.
Example: An attorney submitted a resume with a typo in the name of a prominent case she had worked on. This mistake raised concerns about her attention to detail, and she wasn’t called for an interview. After correcting the error and resubmitting the resume, she received positive feedback from several firms.
Recommendation: Proofread your resume multiple times, and ask a trusted colleague or mentor to review it as well. Spelling, grammar, and formatting errors are major red flags for hiring managers.
19. Highlight Bar Admissions and Certifications
Why It Matters: Your bar admissions are a key qualification for practicing law in specific jurisdictions. Failing to list them can lead to your resume being overlooked, especially if you’re applying to firms in multiple states.
Example: A multi-jurisdictional attorney initially buried her bar admissions on the second page of her resume. After moving them to a prominent position on the first page, she received more interview requests from firms needing attorneys in multiple states.
Recommendation: List your bar admissions prominently, especially if you’re applying to firms in multiple states. If you have additional certifications relevant to your practice area (e.g., LLMs, specializations in certain areas of law), include those as well.
20. Quantify Your Successes When Possible
Why It Matters: Quantifying your achievements gives hiring managers a concrete sense of your impact. Instead of vague descriptions, numbers provide evidence of the value you’ve brought to your previous employers or clients.
Example: An attorney originally listed “handled corporate mergers” as a duty on his resume. After we revised it to say, “Led corporate mergers and acquisitions totaling over $200 million,” his resume became much more compelling, and he secured interviews with several top firms.
Recommendation: Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements. This could include the value of deals you’ve worked on, the number of cases you’ve managed, or the amount of money you’ve saved clients. Concrete metrics help employers understand your value and make your resume stand out.
About Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
About BCG Attorney Search
BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
