Resume filler or bad look? Forum

transfer57 · Post by **transfer57** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:56 am

I am trying to highlight law school achievements in order to make downplay my lackluster experience, undergrad, etc sections. The specific question is dealing with CALI Awards. Should I list them separately to take up more space/highlight them, or should they all go together?

Example1: Listed Separately:

John Doe
University of Law School
Class Rank: X/XXX
GPA: X.XX
Awards:
Law Review
CALI Award for Excellence in Class 1
CALI Award for Excellence in Class 2
CALI Award for Excellence in Class 3
CALI Award for Excellence in Class 4

Example2: Listed Together:

John Doe
University of Law School
Class Rank: X/XXX
GPA: X.XX
Awards:
Law Review
CALI Award for Excellence in Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4.

I'd really like to go with Example 1, as it would make my law school section stand out. But, if I look like a complete douchebag doing it, I guess I shouldn't. (Unless douchebags are the people getting hired nowadays, in which case I would love to be one)

lolwat · Post by **lolwat** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 12:09 pm

I've reviewed some clerkship applications and I always find it much better when it's listed together, like in example 2. Otherwise it looks like the applicant is trying too hard. You don't need 100 lines of honors under your LS.

But that's just me, and I don't review anything for firms. Maybe ask the OCI interviewer guy that has his own thread here what he thinks? I'm sure he reviews way more resumes in a year that I have in my lifetime.

Another · Post by **Another** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 12:10 pm

Borhas · Post by **Borhas** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:28 pm

go with #2

soj · Post by **soj** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:50 pm

#2. Either way it's obvious you didn't have enough actual achievements to fill out your resume. At least save your interviewers some annoyance/amusement at your expense.

lolwat · Post by **lolwat** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:11 pm

#2. Either way it's obvious you didn't have enough actual achievements to fill out your resume. At least save your interviewers some annoyance/amusement at your expense.

Meh; nothing new, IMO. I'm sure a lot of k-jds have this problem. I certainly did since I didn't work (not even during the summers) prior to 1L year. When that happens, achievements/honors during LS/undergrad get overplayed to make up for lack of experience.

soj · Post by **soj** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:13 pm

Unless your margins are already at 1in, you can increase margins. Or add more descriptions to your summer job experience. Add specific detail so your interviewer can ask you about them.

dixiecupdrinking · Post by **dixiecupdrinking** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 3:46 pm

Number 1 is a transparent attempt to draw attention away from your non-law school sections, and will just make people look at them with greater scrutiny to see what it is you're trying to hide.

oblig.lawl.ref · Post by **oblig.lawl.ref** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:50 pm

Agree that #2 will kind of red flag the rest of the resume or make a reader think you're beating a dead horse. Either way I don't think it will look good. That being said, I think having that many CALI awards qualifies as some kind of actual achievement. gj. (But I wouldn't want to be in the shoes of a k-jd filling out a resume. Eek.)

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