​Top 10 Common Legal Resume Mistakes That Keep You from Getting Hired

 

1. Resume Is Over One Page

 

One of the biggest mistakes attorneys make is submitting resumes that are longer than one page. No matter how extensive your experience, hiring managers and recruiters expect a concise, one-page resume. A longer resume can give the impression that you’re unable to prioritize important information, which is a key skill for any attorney.

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Solution: Condense your resume by focusing on the most relevant and recent positions. Use bullet points to present key information and achievements clearly and succinctly.

 

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See Related Articles:

• Should a Resume Be Only One Page Long?
• How Attorneys and Law Students Should Write a Legal Resume: Resume Examples, Suggestions and Resources
• A Complete Guide to Writing an Attorney Resume: Tips, Advice, and the Correct Format
• Crafting an Effective Legal Resume: Essential Advice for Attorneys

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2. Lack of Focus

 

A common error is presenting a resume that covers too many practice areas or unrelated experiences, which makes it difficult for law firms to determine your specialty. Law firms want attorneys who have developed expertise in a specific area, and a broad, unfocused resume can suggest a lack of commitment to a particular field.

Solution: Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for by emphasizing your experience in the relevant practice area. Remove unrelated work experiences that don’t align with the position.

 

3. Failing to Prioritize Experience Over Education (for Attorneys with Five or More Years of Experience)

 

For attorneys with over five years of experience, prioritizing education over professional experience is a mistake. Law firms are far more interested in your work experience and accomplishments than your law school education at this stage in your career.

Solution: Move your education section to the bottom of the resume, making room for your professional experience at the top. Highlight your most relevant and significant legal roles to show your growth and contributions in the legal field.

 

4. Including Irrelevant Information

 

Including irrelevant information, such as personal hobbies or experiences that aren’t related to the job, can clutter your resume and distract from your qualifications. Law firms are only interested in your legal experience, so adding unrelated details can make your resume seem less professional.

Solution: Focus only on the experience and skills that are directly related to the position you’re applying for. Leave out hobbies and personal details unless they directly support your qualifications for the role.

 

5. Overloading the Resume with Too Much Information

 

Another frequent mistake is overloading the resume with too much detail about each job or task you’ve handled. While it might be tempting to include everything, too much information can overwhelm the reader and obscure the key points of your qualifications.

Solution: Streamline your resume by selecting the most important roles and responsibilities. Use concise bullet points to list your duties and keep the information brief and relevant.
 

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See Related Articles:

• Harrison Barnes’s 29 Rules to Make Your Resume More Marketable
• How to Perfect Your Legal Resume: 20 Essential Tips for Attorneys and Law Students
• Making the Most of Your Resume

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6. Inconsistent Formatting

 

Inconsistent formatting can make your resume difficult to read and appear unprofessional. Discrepancies in font size, spacing, or layout give the impression that you didn’t take the time to polish your resume, which is a red flag for law firms that expect attention to detail.

Solution: Ensure that your resume is consistently formatted, with uniform headings, bullet points, and font sizes. A clean, professional layout will help your resume stand out in a positive way.

 

7. Forgetting to Tailor the Resume for Each Job Application

 

A generic resume that isn’t tailored to the specific job you’re applying for can reduce your chances of getting noticed. Law firms have distinct needs based on their practice areas, and sending the same resume for every job doesn’t demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to understand their requirements.

Solution: Adjust your resume for each job application by emphasizing the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position. This customization shows that you are serious about the opportunity and have done your research.

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8. Including Outdated Information

 

Some attorneys leave outdated or irrelevant roles on their resumes, which can make the document seem cluttered and reduce the focus on their current experience. Early career positions that no longer add value should be removed as you gain more relevant legal experience.

Solution: Focus on your most recent and relevant experience. Remove positions that are outdated or not applicable to the role you are applying for, and make sure your resume reflects your current expertise.

 

9. Failing to Show Career Progression

 

Resumes that don’t show a clear progression in your career can make it difficult for law firms to understand how your experience has evolved over time. If your resume lists roles without showing growth or advancement, it may appear that you haven’t gained the skills needed to take on higher-level positions.

Solution: Highlight promotions, increased responsibilities, and significant achievements that demonstrate your career progression. Show that you’ve developed the skills and experience to move forward in your legal career.

 

10. Not Proofreading Carefully

 

Typos, grammatical errors, and formatting mistakes are major red flags for hiring managers. Law firms expect attorneys to have excellent written communication skills, and a resume with errors reflects poorly on your attention to detail and professionalism.

Solution: Proofread your resume thoroughly before submitting it. Consider asking a colleague or mentor to review it for you to catch any mistakes you might have missed.

By avoiding these common legal resume mistakes, you can significantly improve your chances of getting hired. A focused, well-structured resume that clearly communicates your experience and qualifications will help you stand out in the competitive legal job market.

Get Matched with Jobs Tailored to You. Upload Your Resume to BCG Attorney Search Today!
 

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About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

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.