Each year firms receive thousand of CVs from lawyers locally and abroad. While job seekers may feel their chances of being noticed amongst this sea of CVs are low, they can use a number of ways to rise to the top of the CV pile.
Mallesons managing partner Tony O’Malley says the firm receives over a thousand unsolicited CVs each year, many of which are of high quality. “[Legal applicants] write pretty impressive cover letters and they are very specific about the firm and the firm’s client base that interests them,” he said.
To spot the talent, the firm looks for a CV that is accompanied by a good cover letter explaining why the job seeker is interested in the firm and what it is they want to achieve during their time at the firm. Also important O’Malley says, is for lawyers to write about their development and life to date; these experiences will show whether they are the right fit for the firm and can become a productive part of business.
However, the cover letter is not the only area firms look at in a job application. Law Alliance managing consultant Jacqueline Keddie says that firms pay varying amounts of attention to a number of things, such as PQE, areas of specialisation, and stability in employment. “The first thing we look at is where and when the lawyer qualified, and their academics. Following that we then we look at what firms the applicant has been with and for how long,” she said.
While changing jobs after only a short time in a role is sometimes unavoidable, Keddie says lawyers need to have clear reasons for moving otherwise they can come across as lacking direction on their CV. “It’s understandable that lawyers may make a misstep at some point in their career which would necessitate them moving again within a short period. However, lawyers who do make a quick move should be careful to ensure that their next role is one they can stick with for at least a few years,” she said.
To perform well on paper, Keddie advises job seekers to provide a short summary of their overall role at each firm they have worked at, examples of matters they have worked, including the dollar value and their level of involvement. “The best CV will tell you clearly and quickly what sort of lawyer the applicant is, how senior they are and what deals they have worked on,” she said.
Getting stylistic details right is also important, says Law Staff professional consultant Rosie Mamic.
“It goes without saying that your CV gets you through to the interview stage, so ensure that it’s clearly formatted, contains current information and accurately reflects your work history,” she said.
To read the full list on how to construct a great legal CV, click here.
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