Resume question: being too specific about projects? Forum

[What the f.supp?]

After stuffing myself with BBQ on this fine holiday, I thought I'd update my resume after my 2L SA because I am considering applying for a spring antitrust externship.

My question: I am drafting some points for my job description and I am wondering whether I am being too specific (in a client confidentiality sense). I did a few antitrust memos over the summer--mentioned that and the general topic areas they involved (nothing too specific--just things like monopolization, market definition).

My question primarily revolves around this: I also worked on a due diligence team for a huge merger that wrapped up during my penultimate week. I altered language here to not out myself, but it's something akin to: "Participated on due diligence team for a $2.8 billion leveraged buyout of a plastics company." The sentence as written is enough to easily find the client name on Google, but in most of the news articles, it reported my firm as representing this client in the buyout. Should I be more generalized in my phrasing or would it be OK because the news reported my firm as representing the client?

Thanks and Happy Labor Day!

[lolwat]

If anything, I'd say the amount might be the issue... Everything else appears to be public information.

[What the f.supp?]

The acquisition amount is also in public news. I guess my question is even if the information is publicly available with some searching, is it taboo to put potentially client identifying info on your resume?

[GeePee]

Is anything about the particular industry or amount of any practical importance? It seems to me like your question is, "I want anyone who cares to know who I represented, but without saying it. Can I do that?" I don't see what practical value is lost by just saying, "Worked on due diligence team for a multi-billion dollar buyout," or "buyout of a manufacturing company."

[What the f.supp?]

Is anything about the particular industry or amount of any practical importance? It seems to me like your question is, "I want anyone who cares to know who I represented, but without saying it. Can I do that?" I don't see what practical value is lost by just saying, "Worked on due diligence team for a multi-billion dollar buyout," or "buyout of a manufacturing company."

Practical importance? No not really. Just thought that adding the industry and buyout figure made it sound less generic...perhaps a little bit more interesting or cool?

Do law students generally not put that type of stuff on resumes? ("that type" meaning small details about summer work)

[lolwat]

I agree that the buyout figure would be more interesting. Industry, might not add that much to it.

I would think it's OK considering everything is public info. It's usually non-public info that is a concern. You could always just check with your past employer, however.

I don't have that type of stuff on my resume, but I also didn't do any work that I could describe that way over my summers.