Resume Tips!

Here are a few tips to make your resume the most effective marketing document it can be for you...

A resume is a formal document. Accordingly, minimize abbreviations:

Use Juris Doctor, not J.D.
Use Bachelor of Arts, not B.A.
Use Professor, not Prof.
Use Honorable, not Hon.
State abbreviations (e.g. NY, NJ, CA) are fine, but do not use periods after the letters.

Try not to use seasons for dates, except for "Summer."

Use January 2006 - April 2006, not Spring 2006

In general, prospective employers most value research and writing skills. According, the first item in a job description for a previous employer should be something like:

Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda, motions, and ....

Lawyers tend to use Times New Roman as a font for their legal documents. Using this font for your resume and cover letter will make your documents look familiar to prospective employers, which is good.

Remember, your resume is one of the first writing samples a prospective employer will see. Make sure it is perfect. Have it reviewed by a CSO counselor before you submit it, and please make an appointment with us if you have any questions about your job search documents.