I would like to thank Tracy Retchin for putting together a list of suggested resume tips from the Career Services Office. The entire Career Services Office is really helpful in all the aspects of the application process. I highly recommend making an appointment to receive their assistance as you go through the process during your tenure at the University of Richmond School of Law.
The first part of applying for a job is making sure you have a resume that is effective. This is one of the most important aspects of your application package. The Frugal Law Student talks about a few of his tips, along with the importance of the resume to the job application process. Even if you have a resume already, it could prove quite worthwhile to spend some time updating it now.
The following are the tips that the Career Services Office suggests:
- Think about content and presentation. Proofread, proofread, proofread.
- Catalog your interests, strengths, academic and employment experiences, activities and civic involvement, distinctive skills and talents, responsibilities, leadership positions, projects undertaken.
- Create an immediate positive impression.
- Be clear, concise, consistent and accurate.
- Supply specific examples and descriptions of experience.
- Format:
- 1 page in length (can be two pages for public interest or many years of experience)
- Name, section heads, institutions, employers: in bold
- Publications, Latin honors, job titles, journals: in italic
- Do not list a job objective
- Heading — name, address, email (use local and permanent addresses if it ties you to geographic location where you seek employment)
- Education — reverse chronological order (Juris Doctor, not Juris Doctorate)
- Honors — scholastic achievements in order of priority; list organization and role
- Activities — memberships, elected office, athletic team, school newspaper
- Experience — typically include past 4-5 years, list in reverse chronological order, bullets or paragraphs with specific descriptions, need not be paid positions, use action verbs
- Additional information — can be one category or separated into sections, including language(s), military service, personal interests, work not included in experience section (e.g., for defraying costs of undergraduate education)
- Common mistakes:
- Lack of attention to detail
- Misspellings or grammatical errors
- Inconsistencies in format
- Use of unfamiliar acronyms
- Unexplained gaps in chronology
Please come in to the CSO and meet with Denise Carl, Tracy Retchin or Kristen Binette!
Contact information: Phone: (804) 289-8638; e-mail: lawcareer@richmond.edu .
Adam Neal is a second year student at Richmond Law. Submit comments and letters to the editor via jurispub@richmond.edu . |
