CVs Hints and Tips
Purpose of a CV:
- In simple terms the purpose of a CV is to get you an interview, which will allow you to sell yourself to a potential employer. At interview your CV may also provide a focus and structure for the interviewer to direct their questions.
- On some occasions (temporary work) a strong CV can secure you a job.
- At worst, a poorly constructed CV can give a potential employer a negative impression of you as a candidate and prevent you from securing the interview.
Presentation:
- More often than not, your CV is the first impression that you'll make on a potential employer and although each employer will have different views on what constitutes a ‘good’ CV you should aim to present yourself clearly and professionally.
- Use good quality A4 white paper with a plain type face – try not to use italics and decorative fonts – content, not style, is what is important for lawyers.
- Try to keep your CV to three pages – two is even better!
- Taking a little time on design, construction and wording will ensure you promote yourself to your best advantage.
- Your CV should present facts about yourself clearly and concisely! Avoid superfluous details. Use bullet points rather than complete sentences.
- Check your CV carefully – lawyers are keen on attention to detail. Always run a spell check and re-read to check it also makes sense.
- If sending in a hard copy, staple the pages together and include a covering letter.
CV Structure:
- Wherever possible try to tailor the CV to the job for which you are applying.
- Put your name right at the top of the front page, with your contact details directly underneath. It is advisable to include a mobile number - only include your work number if you are happy being contacted there.
- It is becoming increasingly commonplace to begin with a personal profile – this will summarise your key strengths, attributes and ambitions. This should be no more than three or four lines long.
- Your educational history, academic achievements and work experiences should be listed in reverse order – university degree should come before your school exam results. Lawyers will expect to see grades for school/university subjects. Do not lie – these details are checked!
- Never leave gaps – if you took a year out, or carried out interim assignments, say so - otherwise, employers will wonder why.
- List achievements and responsibilities against each role. Try to quantify wherever possible e.g. lead associate on £600m acquisition, supervised team of six lawyers etc. More emphasis / information should be put on more recent jobs.
- Highlight any language skills you possess, but do not oversell your capabilities.
- When describing your responsibilities and achievements try to bring out any key skills e.g. project management.
- Leave hobbies and interests to last - keep this section short.
- References should be 'Available on Request'. Current salary details should not be included.
Useful words for CVs and covering letters/emails:
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Accelerated
Accomplished
Achieved
Acquired
Advised
Approved
Arranged
Assessed
Budgeted
Built
Collated
Conceived
Conducted
Constructed
Controlled
Co-ordinated
Counselled
Defined
Demonstrated
Designed
Developed
Devised
Directed
Drafted
Edited
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Engineered
Enhanced
Established
Evaluated
Exceeded
Executed
Expanded
Expedited
Formed
Formulated
Founded
Generated
Headed
Highlighted
Identified
Implemented
Improved
Initiated
Inspired
Instigated
Instructed
Introduced
Invented
Investigated
Judged
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Launched
Led
Liaised
Maintained
Managed
Maximized
Minimized
Mitigated
Modified
Monitored
Motivated
Negotiated
Obtained
Optimized
Organized
Originated
Overcame
Piloted
Planned
Pioneered
Prepared
Presented
Presided
Processed
Procured
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Produced
Prevented
Programmed
Project Managed
Proposed
Proved
Publicized
Recommended
Recruited
Redesigned
Reduced
Regulated
Rejected
Rejuvenated
Reorganized
Represented
Researched
Resolved
Retained
Restructured
Reviewed
Revised
Revitalized
Revolutionized
Stabilised
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Standardized
Started
Stimulated
Streamlined
Strengthened
Structured
Successfully
Suggested
Supervised
Supported
Surpassed
Surveyed
Taught
Terminated
Tested
Traced
Trained
Transferred
Transformed
Translated
Uncovered
Undertook
Unified
Verified
Won
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Further Sources of Information:
- 30 Minutes to Prepare the Perfect CV - Lynn Williams (Kogan Page)
- The Perfect Cover Letter – Richard H Beatty
-
www.LawCareers.net
-
www.cvtips.com
- Real World Magazine