Focus on Experience Over Education
Once attorneys have been practicing for more than five years, their experience becomes far more important than where they went to law school or their academic achievements. The advice from the webinar emphasized that after five years, a legal resume should prioritize experience, moving education to the bottom. Firms are much more interested in an attorney’s track record in practice, as it demonstrates the skills they’ve developed and their contributions to real-world cases.
At this stage, it’s important to lead with your most recent and relevant work experience. This means moving the education section to the bottom of the resume and ensuring that your professional experience takes center stage. Law firms want to see how you’ve applied your legal training in practice and the results you’ve achieved over the years.
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- Experience is Not Enough – Senior Attorneys and Jobs in Law Firms
Tailor Your Experience to the Role
When crafting your resume, it’s crucial to tailor your experience to the specific role you’re applying for. The transcript highlighted the importance of focusing your resume on one specific area of law rather than presenting a range of unrelated practice areas. Firms want to see a clear alignment between your experience and their needs.
If you have experience in multiple areas of law, ensure that your resume emphasizes the experience that is most relevant to the job. For example, if you are applying for a litigation role, your resume should focus on your litigation experience. List the significant cases you’ve worked on, your role in those cases, and the outcomes. By narrowing the focus of your resume to highlight the most relevant experience, you make it easier for hiring managers to see how you fit into their firm.
Remove Unnecessary Information
As you gain more experience, your resume should become more streamlined. The advice from the webinar stressed the importance of eliminating irrelevant information that no longer contributes to your candidacy. Early in your career, you may have included internships, part-time jobs, or other unrelated work experiences to fill out your resume. However, after five years, such details can detract from your professional accomplishments.
Your resume should focus only on the positions that demonstrate your legal expertise and contributions. By removing outdated or irrelevant roles, you present a more polished and focused document that highlights your professional growth and specialization.
Keep Your Resume to One Page
A key point made in the webinar is that, even after five years of experience, your resume should still be no longer than one page. No matter how much experience you have, law firms expect concise, easy-to-read resumes that clearly convey your qualifications. A resume longer than one page suggests that you are unable to prioritize effectively, a critical skill for attorneys.
To keep your resume concise, avoid lengthy descriptions of your duties and instead focus on the most important aspects of your work. Use bullet points to break up text and make the document easier to skim. Law firms reviewing resumes may only have a few minutes to decide whether to move forward with an application, so clarity and brevity are essential.
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
Demonstrate Focus and Commitment
Your resume should show that you have a clear focus in your legal career. The webinar emphasized that law firms prefer to hire attorneys who have developed expertise in a specific practice area rather than generalists who have experience in many unrelated areas. Your resume should reflect your commitment to one area of law, demonstrating that you have the depth of knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to the firm.
For instance, if you specialize in litigation, your resume should highlight your litigation experience, including any trials, motion practice, and case outcomes. By focusing your resume on one area, you make it clear to law firms that you are dedicated to excelling in that field.
Conclusion: Adapting Your Resume for Senior Roles
As you advance in your legal career, your resume should evolve to reflect your growing expertise and accomplishments. After five years, the focus shifts from education to experience, and your resume should prioritize the skills and achievements you’ve developed in practice. By tailoring your resume to the specific role you’re applying for, removing unnecessary information, and keeping the document concise, you make it easier for law firms to see your value. A focused, well-structured resume will help you stand out in a competitive job market and position you for success in your next role.
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.
