Resume Tips
Resumes generally contain the following sections:
Identifying and Contact Information -helps the employer know who
you are and how to contact you.
Objective or Summary (optional) -a brief statement describing your
areas of interest or goals. The statement should be specific enough
to tell the employer about your interests without limiting the positions
you may be considered for.
Education -an outline of the education you have obtained.
Experience -lists all full and/or part-time work experience as well
as any job related volunteer, extracurricular, or internship experience.
When outlining your work experience, begin with your most recent
position and work backwards with the next most recent position.
When listing your different experiences, be sure to include the
months and years you held each position, so the employer can accurately
determine how much experience you possess.
When describing tasks related to your work, use specific language,
including the names of machines, equipment, software, hardware,
processes, etc. that you used or developed.
Skills -Along with including relevant skills when you describe
your work experience, you may also create a separate skills section
for additional talents learned through education or volunteer, extracurricular
or internship activities.
Professional Certifications, Licenses or Activities -If you possess
work-related certifications or licenses, list them on your resume.
What to Avoid
Personal Information -Do not include personal or non-job related
information on your resume.
Errors -Mistakes or errors, such as misspelled words, improper grammar,
incorrect punctuation, etc. say a lot about your communication skills
and your attention to detail.
Slang -Do not use slang when describing your background.
Personal Pronouns or Third Person -There is no need to identify
yourself by indicating "I, me, or my." Do not word your
resume in the third person, such as, "Mr. Smith managed a team
of five engineers in the areas of..."
References
It is not necessary to include a list of references on your resume
or to submit a separate listing with your resume, unless specifically
requested by an employer. You may wish to add a line to your resume
indicating that references are available upon request, so that the
employer knows you are willing to provide this information.
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Interview
Tips
1. Be confident. Remember that on paper you met the firm’s
standards.
2. Arrive a few minutes early. When you meet the interviewers, shake
their hands firmly, maintain eye contact and smile.
3. Dress appropriately. Wear business attire, be neat, but be comfortable.
4. Relax and be yourself.
5. Answer interview questions honestly, directly and fully. Be
sure to listen carefully to what the interviewer is asking you.
If you are unsure, ask for clarification or a follow up question.
6. Interact with the interviewers. Don’t just answer the
questions asked. Follow them up with questions of your own.
7. Avoid debates or confrontation.
8. Remember to use examples from your past to demonstrate your
strengths and skills. Rather than saying “I am a great leader”,
you can draw an example from your past and say “When I was
at XYZ, I led the research team on project ABC”.
9. Remember to ask your questions about the firm. Feel free to
ask questions about the partnership track, growth areas, structure,
mentoring, and culture.
10. Ask for a business card before you leave.
Interview Follow-up
1. Follow up with your interviewers with an email or letter and
thank them for meeting with you.
2. Review the interview and assess where you were strong and what
could be improved.
3. Review the information the lawyers gave you about the firm,
its culture and work environment and assess whether they match up
with your career objectives.
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