Resume Help Forum

[SecReg]

Should I include an "interest section" in my resume? Also do you think its wise to limit my resume to 1 page? Also if you have a future clerkship how would you go about indicating that in your resume?

[Blindmelon]

Should I include an "interest section" in my resume? Also do you think its wise to limit my resume to 1 page? Also if you have a future clerkship how would you go about indicating that in your resume?

Interest - sure, if you have something interesting beyond just "working out, pounding beers"
1 page yes unless you have significant, relevant work-experience.
Future clerkship: Clerk, Judge Judy, Future Date

[03121202698008]

Should I include an "interest section" in my resume? Also do you think its wise to limit my resume to 1 page? Also if you have a future clerkship how would you go about indicating that in your resume?

Interest - sure, if you have something interesting beyond just "working out, pounding beers"
1 page yes unless you have significant, relevant work-experience.
Future clerkship: Clerk, Judge Judy, Future Date

Never exceed one page. Several people throughout OCI told me they flat out reject 2-page resumes because they assume you cannot be concise. I have 10 years of significant WE and I made it down to one page. It need not be a chronology of your entire life.

[Blindmelon]

Should I include an "interest section" in my resume? Also do you think its wise to limit my resume to 1 page? Also if you have a future clerkship how would you go about indicating that in your resume?

Interest - sure, if you have something interesting beyond just "working out, pounding beers"
1 page yes unless you have significant, relevant work-experience.
Future clerkship: Clerk, Judge Judy, Future Date

Never exceed one page. Several people throughout OCI told me they flat out reject 2-page resumes because they assume you cannot be concise. I have 10 years of significant WE and I made it down to one page. It need not be a chronology of your entire life.

Eh, thats a little extreme. For example, if you're applying for PI jobs and have tons of experience in that exact line of work, its silly to try to cram it in 1 page or cut things out that could be beneficial. Heck, my resume was 2 pages tailored for certain jobs I had experience with and I got CBs/offers there (not bigfirms).

[03121202698008]

Should I include an "interest section" in my resume? Also do you think its wise to limit my resume to 1 page? Also if you have a future clerkship how would you go about indicating that in your resume?

Interest - sure, if you have something interesting beyond just "working out, pounding beers"
1 page yes unless you have significant, relevant work-experience.
Future clerkship: Clerk, Judge Judy, Future Date

Never exceed one page. Several people throughout OCI told me they flat out reject 2-page resumes because they assume you cannot be concise. I have 10 years of significant WE and I made it down to one page. It need not be a chronology of your entire life.

Eh, thats a little extreme. For example, if you're applying for PI jobs and have tons of experience in that exact line of work, its silly to try to cram it in 1 page or cut things out that could be beneficial. Heck, my resume was 2 pages tailored for certain jobs I had experience with and I got CBs/offers there (not bigfirms).

At this point in your career, very very few people have 2 pages of relevant work experience. People consider too much to be relevant. You're probably providing too many details on each job. (2-3 bullets max per) Internships, etc? Should be just listed by name. If you did anything that would be expected of that job...it shouldn't be spelled out. Only list exceptional or unexpected responsibilities and specific achievements.

Studies show legal resumes are read for less than 20 seconds to decide whether or not to interview. It's a flash picture of yourself. You should be using those details not included to boost selling yourself in the interview. You pick 2-3 of the most relevant and provide detailed info in the cover letter.

[c3pO4]

Should I include an "interest section" in my resume? Also do you think its wise to limit my resume to 1 page? Also if you have a future clerkship how would you go about indicating that in your resume?

Interest - sure, if you have something interesting beyond just "working out, pounding beers"
1 page yes unless you have significant, relevant work-experience.
Future clerkship: Clerk, Judge Judy, Future Date

Never exceed one page. Several people throughout OCI told me they flat out reject 2-page resumes because they assume you cannot be concise. I have 10 years of significant WE and I made it down to one page. It need not be a chronology of your entire life.

Eh, thats a little extreme. For example, if you're applying for PI jobs and have tons of experience in that exact line of work, its silly to try to cram it in 1 page or cut things out that could be beneficial. Heck, my resume was 2 pages tailored for certain jobs I had experience with and I got CBs/offers there (not bigfirms).

This is so so so wrong. If you had a 2 page resume your callbacks were despite, not because of it. People LOL so hard when they see 2 page resumes. It's the classic newb mistake. Stick to one page unless you are 45 and have 15 years of work experience.

[Blindmelon]

This is so so so wrong. If you had a 2 page resume your callbacks were despite, not because of it. People LOL so hard when they see 2 page resumes. It's the classic newb mistake. Stick to one page unless you are 45 and have 15 years of work experience.

u mad? I never said it was because of my resume, but it certaintly doesn't knock you out of your running. Not tailoring your resume for the job your applying to is a newb mistake. 1 page is CR for biglaw/firms in general, but public interest is a different game altogether.

[SecReg]

so you would recommend using bullet points over say a paragraph structure? Anyone have any solid links for an example? My school has been telling me my resume is fine but I think they are just being lazy.

[03121202698008]

so you would recommend using bullet points over say a paragraph structure? Anyone have any solid links for an example? My school has been telling me my resume is fine but I think they are just being lazy.

Absolutely do not use paragraphs. Bullets are standard in resumes. They should be able to scan and not have to read. PM me your e-mail and I'll send you mine.

[03121202698008]

This is so so so wrong. If you had a 2 page resume your callbacks were despite, not because of it. People LOL so hard when they see 2 page resumes. It's the classic newb mistake. Stick to one page unless you are 45 and have 15 years of work experience.

u mad? I never said it was because of my resume, but it certaintly doesn't knock you out of your running. Not tailoring your resume for the job your applying to is a newb mistake. 1 page is CR for biglaw/firms in general, but public interest is a different game altogether.

That still doesn't mean your resume helped you. Your substantial experience alone could have been enough to overcome the harm it caused. Don't risk it.

[SecReg]

so you would recommend using bullet points over say a paragraph structure? Anyone have any solid links for an example? My school has been telling me my resume is fine but I think they are just being lazy.

Absolutely do not use paragraphs. Bullets are standard in resumes. They should be able to scan and not have to read. PM me your e-mail and I'll send you mine.

I fucking new it (pardon the language). I'd rather stay anon, but how would you list your future clerkship with a judge?

Judge Smith Civil Court house, August 2012 - August 2013
Expected duties include:
[*] Writing memorandum
[*] Researching
[*] Hoping to find a job afterwards

I assume it would be pretty generic.

[Blindmelon]

This is so so so wrong. If you had a 2 page resume your callbacks were despite, not because of it. People LOL so hard when they see 2 page resumes. It's the classic newb mistake. Stick to one page unless you are 45 and have 15 years of work experience.

u mad? I never said it was because of my resume, but it certaintly doesn't knock you out of your running. Not tailoring your resume for the job your applying to is a newb mistake. 1 page is CR for biglaw/firms in general, but public interest is a different game altogether.

That still doesn't mean your resume helped you. Your substantial experience alone could have been enough to overcome the harm it caused. Don't risk it.

Unsubstantiated speculation is fun.

[Blindmelon]

so you would recommend using bullet points over say a paragraph structure? Anyone have any solid links for an example? My school has been telling me my resume is fine but I think they are just being lazy.

Absolutely do not use paragraphs. Bullets are standard in resumes. They should be able to scan and not have to read. PM me your e-mail and I'll send you mine.

I fucking new it (pardon the language). I'd rather stay anon, but how would you list your future clerkship with a judge?

Judge Smith Civil Court house, August 2012 - August 2013
Expected duties include:
[*] Writing memorandum
[*] Researching
[*] Hoping to find a job afterwards

I assume it would be pretty generic.

Legal employers know what a clerkship is. Don't bother putting in expected experience.

[03121202698008]

so you would recommend using bullet points over say a paragraph structure? Anyone have any solid links for an example? My school has been telling me my resume is fine but I think they are just being lazy.

Absolutely do not use paragraphs. Bullets are standard in resumes. They should be able to scan and not have to read. PM me your e-mail and I'll send you mine.

I fucking new it (pardon the language). I'd rather stay anon, but how would you list your future clerkship with a judge?

Judge Smith Civil Court house, August 2012 - August 2013
Expected duties include:
[*] Writing memorandum
[*] Researching
[*] Hoping to find a job afterwards

I assume it would be pretty generic.

Don't include details. They know what a clerk does. Hence my point earlier. Only list unique responsibilities. Just list your first line.

No matter what, don't include expected stuff. E.g. Secretary putting they filed or answered phones. But, list that you handled office billing or supervised people.

I was a cop...nothing on my resume talks about normal patrol duties, etc. I list only supervising shifts, helping draft regulations, etc.

[c3pO4]

This is so so so wrong. If you had a 2 page resume your callbacks were despite, not because of it. People LOL so hard when they see 2 page resumes. It's the classic newb mistake. Stick to one page unless you are 45 and have 15 years of work experience.

u mad? I never said it was because of my resume, but it certaintly doesn't knock you out of your running. Not tailoring your resume for the job your applying to is a newb mistake. 1 page is CR for biglaw/firms in general, but public interest is a different game altogether.

That still doesn't mean your resume helped you. Your substantial experience alone could have been enough to overcome the harm it caused. Don't risk it.

Unsubstantiated speculation is fun.

I'm not mad, but just flabergasted that you think you are so special. 1 page resume, period, is the way to go. Ask any RECRUITER in any private or public job. Come back to me when even one person says 2 pages doesn't hurt you.

[Blindmelon]

I'm not mad, but just flabergasted that you think you are so special. 1 page resume, period, is the way to go. Ask any RECRUITER in any private or public job. Come back to me when even one person says 2 pages doesn't hurt you.

I think I'm special? I'm not the one claiming to be an expert on legal recruiting. No point in arguing about it, I don't really care what you do.

[SecReg]

lol I am so happy I made this thread wtf was I doing with my resume and they kept telling me it was fine! So I should have a pretty bare bones resume then. I did do a bunch of internships though (I assume list no details as I didn't do anything crazy), and have worked with a couple law firms (in a file clerk, law clerk and paralegal capacity...I assume these may have some details).

[03121202698008]

I'm not mad, but just flabergasted that you think you are so special. 1 page resume, period, is the way to go. Ask any RECRUITER in any private or public job. Come back to me when even one person says 2 pages doesn't hurt you.

I think I'm special? I'm not the one claiming to be an expert on legal recruiting. No point in arguing about it, I don't really care what you do.

Actually, that's what you did. We both gave generally accepted and safe advice. You advocated disregarding all of that because you knew better.

[c3pO4]

I'm not mad, but just flabergasted that you think you are so special. 1 page resume, period, is the way to go. Ask any RECRUITER in any private or public job. Come back to me when even one person says 2 pages doesn't hurt you.

I think I'm special? I'm not the one claiming to be an expert on legal recruiting. No point in arguing about it, I don't really care what you do.

It's not about me. All I'm saying is don't come on here telling people it's OK to have two pages for your resume. It's clearly bad advice. You made a mistake, and it didn't end up affecting you. Don't advise other people to follow in your shitty footsteps.

[03121202698008]

lol I am so happy I made this thread wtf was I doing with my resume and they kept telling me it was fine! So I should have a pretty bare bones resume then. I did do a bunch of internships though (I assume list no details as I didn't do anything crazy), and have worked with a couple law firms (in a file clerk, law clerk and paralegal capacity...I assume these may have some details).

That's how I'd do it. If you worked on big cases, etc...list those as achievements. Elaborate on most relevant jobs in cover letter. Be prepared to give examples from others in interviews. E.g. What are you most proud of? Well, this one time I worked as part of a team...and we had this great impact.

[Blindmelon]

I'm not mad, but just flabergasted that you think you are so special. 1 page resume, period, is the way to go. Ask any RECRUITER in any private or public job. Come back to me when even one person says 2 pages doesn't hurt you.

I think I'm special? I'm not the one claiming to be an expert on legal recruiting. No point in arguing about it, I don't really care what you do.

It's not about me. All I'm saying is don't come on here telling people it's OK to have two pages for your resume. It's clearly bad advice. You made a mistake, and it didn't end up affecting you. Don't advise other people to follow in your shitty footsteps.

You're going to be a great attorney unequivocally taking one side when there is clearly differing opinions on the issue. From a 2 second google search, e.g.,
http://www.tourolaw.edu/cso/docs/resumes.pdf
http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/C ... stions.pdf

Weird that Yale, Touro would say that 2 pages is okay sometimes when its clearly the wrong thing to do. Then again, your extensive experience as a 1/2L probably trumps career services whose job is to advise students on this stuff.

[c3pO4]

I'm not mad, but just flabergasted that you think you are so special. 1 page resume, period, is the way to go. Ask any RECRUITER in any private or public job. Come back to me when even one person says 2 pages doesn't hurt you.

I think I'm special? I'm not the one claiming to be an expert on legal recruiting. No point in arguing about it, I don't really care what you do.

It's not about me. All I'm saying is don't come on here telling people it's OK to have two pages for your resume. It's clearly bad advice. You made a mistake, and it didn't end up affecting you. Don't advise other people to follow in your shitty footsteps.

You're going to be a great attorney unequivocally taking one side when there is clearly differing opinions on the issue. From a 2 second google search, e.g.,
http://www.tourolaw.edu/cso/docs/resumes.pdf
http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/C ... stions.pdf

Weird that Yale, Touro would say that 2 pages is okay sometimes when its clearly the wrong thing to do. Then again, your extensive experience as a 1/2L probably trumps career services whose job is to advise students on this stuff.

Yes, if you worked for 10 years prior to law school, putting 2 pages is OK like I said earlier. RC fail. Typically there is NO need. Clearly you were the atypical, special, 2 page resume bro. Congrats. Way to tell someone who clearly doesn't need a 2 page resume that it's OK, just because you want to talk about yourself and how it worked out for you.

Also, just LOL at that Touro law trash. You really are a piece of work.

[03121202698008]

I'm not mad, but just flabergasted that you think you are so special. 1 page resume, period, is the way to go. Ask any RECRUITER in any private or public job. Come back to me when even one person says 2 pages doesn't hurt you.

I think I'm special? I'm not the one claiming to be an expert on legal recruiting. No point in arguing about it, I don't really care what you do.

It's not about me. All I'm saying is don't come on here telling people it's OK to have two pages for your resume. It's clearly bad advice. You made a mistake, and it didn't end up affecting you. Don't advise other people to follow in your shitty footsteps.

You're going to be a great attorney unequivocally taking one side when there is clearly differing opinions on the issue. From a 2 second google search, e.g.,
http://www.tourolaw.edu/cso/docs/resumes.pdf
http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/C ... stions.pdf

Weird that Yale, Touro would say that 2 pages is okay sometimes when its clearly the wrong thing to do. Then again, your extensive experience as a 1/2L probably trumps career services whose job is to advise students on this stuff.

A. You're taking career advice from Touro?
B. People at Yale can likely get away with lots of stuff people at the rest of the T14 can't.
C. I'm not saying it can never be justified...but it should be extremely rare. E.g. You need to explain how you invented a cure for AIDs. It should be a last resort when there is physically no possible way to edit it down.

[c3pO4]

A. You're taking career advice from Touro?
B. People at Yale can likely get away with lots of stuff people at the rest of the T14 can't.
C. I'm not saying it can never be justified...but it should be extremely rare. E.g. You need to explain how you invented a cure for AIDs.

+1 less mad version of what I was trying to say .

[Blindmelon]

A. You're taking career advice from Touro?
B. People at Yale can likely get away with lots of stuff people at the rest of the T14 can't.
C. I'm not saying it can never be justified...but it should be extremely rare. E.g. You need to explain how you invented a cure for AIDs.

+1 less mad version of what I was trying to say .

Er, I based it on a 2 second google search as I said. I'm not going to sit here and tell you you're unequivocally wrong and do the research for you. As I said though, I don't care. You win the internet, good job little bud. This is a waste of time - I'm out.