RESUME WRITING & Employment Letters

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RESUME WRITING

&

Employment Letters

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RESUME WRITING AND EMPLOYMENT LETTERS

THE LEGAL RESUME

Purpose of a Resume

The most useful resume is not a mere written record of what you’ve done in the past. Instead, a resume should be your own personal marketing tool. A well-done legal resume does the following:

 Summarizes your education and experience

 Introduces you to potential employers and focuses their attention on pertinent areas of your background

 Gets you through the door to an interview

 Shows prospective employers how your background makes you valuable to them  Serves as an example of your work product

All of this boils down to one simple point: your resume tells employers what a great job you can do for them. If you keep this in mind when preparing your resume, you’ll end up with a resume that is perfect for you.

Also, remember that your resume is not carved in stone. As you gain legal experience and participate in new activities, update your resume. In addition, the same resume may not be appropriate for all

employers. As you target different employers, review your resume and make changes to emphasize the information that will be of greatest interest to your audience. For example, the resume that catches the eye of the hiring partner at a conservative law firm might look a little different than the resume you send to a non-profit corporation. It all comes back to the guiding principle behind your resume – it is meant to show employers what you can do for them.

Format and Stylistic Details

The look and feel of your resume can often determine whether it is read. Because you want the employer to focus on the substance of your resume, not its form, be sure that the format is not

distracting, is easy to read, and has a professional appearance. Most lawyers are conservative, so make sure employers do not eliminate your resume at the beginning due to an unusual format, colored paper, or bizarre font. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

 Various formats can be used effectively, so select a format that appeals to you and best highlights your background. A number of samples are presented in this handbook. Make sure any format you choose uses white space, headings, spacing, indentation effectively

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 Avoid the urge to use an unusual format to stand out from the crowd. Legal employers are much more impressed by a crisp and professional resume which presents your qualifications in an easily readable manner.

 Use letter-size white or cream good quality paper. As a general rule, your resume should be on one page unless law is your second career or you have a great deal of relevant experience. Once you hit your third year, you may need to expand it to two pages.

 Use black ink and a conservative font between 10 and 14 points in size.

 A good rule of thumb is 1" margins on all four sides of your resume, although slightly smaller margins may be used to keep resume to one page.

 Use a good quality printer.

Remember, a visually appealing resume will command more attention. Aim for spaciousness and ease of reading. Most people will spend about 30 seconds reviewing resumes – those that look promising are set aside for a second look. A concise, easy-to-read resume with a professional appearance stands a better chance of receiving this second look. A resume with a typographical error will surely land in the “round file.”

Preparing Your Resume

Now that you’ve got the format and style issues out of the way, you can concentrate on drafting a resume that best conveys what you have to offer a legal employer. Before you start writing, take two preliminary steps. First, list all of the possible information that might be included – your bar

membership, law school, graduate, and undergraduate education, work experience (both paid and volunteer), school and community activities, honors and awards, outside interests, professional affiliations, military experience, publications, special skills, and language proficiencies.

Second, put yourself in the employer’s shoes and think about the information that best conveys what you have to offer. Identify the attributes the employer to whom you are applying is seeking. Attributes a legal employer is likely to look for include determination, self-confidence, creativity, excellent

analytical and writing skills, persuasiveness, persistence, commitment, high energy, maturity, conscientiousness, attention to detail, thoroughness, and good people skills.

It is difficult for an individual to identify his or her skills. We are conditioned to focus on our

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Fundamental Lawyering Skills Problem Solving

 Identifying and diagnosing problems

 Generating alternative solutions and strategies  Developing a plan of action

 Implementing the plan

 Keeping the planning process open to new information and new ideas Legal Analysis and Reasoning

 Identifying and formulating legal issues  Formulating relevant legal theories  Elaborating legal theory

 Evaluating legal theory

 Criticizing and synthesizing legal argumentation Legal Research

 Knowledge of the nature of legal rules and institutions

 Knowledge of and ability to use the most fundamental tools of legal research

 Understanding of the process of devising and implementing a coherent and effective research design

Factual Investigation

 Determining the need for factual investigation  Planning a factual investigation

 Implementing the investigative strategy

 Memorializing and organizing information in an accessible form  Deciding whether and when to conclude the process of fact-gathering  Evaluating the information that has been gathered

Communication

 Assessing the perspective of the recipient of the information  Using effective methods of communication

Counseling

 Establishing a counseling relationship that respects the nature and bounds of a lawyer’s role

 Gathering information relevant to the decision to be made  Analyzing the decision to be made

 Counseling the client about the decision to be made

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Negotiation

 Preparing for negotiation

 Conducting the negotiation session

 Counseling the client about the terms obtained from the other side in the negotiation and implementing the client’s decision

Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures  Litigation at the trial-court level

 Litigation at the appellate-court level

 Advocacy in administrative and executive forums  Proceedings in other dispute-resolution forums Organization and Management of Legal Work

 Formulating goals and principles for effective practice management

 Developing systems and procedures that ensure that time, effort and resources are allocated efficiently

 Developing systems and procedures to ensure that work is performed and completed at the appropriate time

 Developing systems and procedures for effectively working with other people  Developing systems and procedures for efficiently administering a law office Recognizing and Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

 Understanding the nature and sources of ethical standards  Knowing the means by which ethical standards are enforced

 Following the processes for recognizing and resolving ethical dilemmas Generic Characteristics Important for Lawyering

 Energy  Initiative  Motivation  Follow-through

 Ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize  Ability to pick up new information quickly

 Ability to deal with time pressures and tight deadlines  Ability to work well in a team

 Creativity

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Resume Sections

After you’ve finished listing and evaluating all of your experiences and have thought about what will be of greatest interest to a legal employer, you are ready to begin the writing process. Every resume will include a heading and sections for education and experience. Other sections are optional and will depend on your unique background. Some of the most common sections are discussed below. Heading:

Your full name, address, phone number and email address should appear at the top of your resume. The word “Resume” should not. If your permanent address is outside Phoenix and you are seeking employment in that area, also include your permanent address. Always include a reliable telephone number and an email address where you can be reached.

Bar Membership:

When you have graduated from law school and passed the bar, you will begin your resume with a Bar Membership section. List bar(s) passed; date licensed and license number. For example: Arizona, July 2010, Bar Number: 000000. If you have taken the bar but have not received results, identify the bar taken and awaiting results. For example: Sat for Arizona Bar July 2010, awaiting results. If you passed the bar but are awaiting character and fitness, identify the bar passed and awaiting character and fitness. For example, Arizona, July 2010 (passed bar exam and awaiting character and fitness). Education:

With rare exceptions, this will be the first major section of your resume. List schools in reverse chronological order (law school first, then other graduate programs, then undergraduate). Include the name of the school, city and state, and degree attained. Do not include associate arts degrees or high school (although there may be some rare exceptions for certain private schools in some areas - check with Career Services).

Law School:

Indicate the month and year you expect to graduate. For example, “J.D. expected May 20__ or J.D. Candidate 20__.”

 Although Career Services staff encourages employers to use many indicators of competence, some employers place great reliance on grades. If your GPA places you in the top third of your class, you should include this on your resume.

 If your overall GPA is not as high as you’d like, you may choose to highlight an upward trend in grades by indicating your GPAs for various years along with your overall GPA. You can also indicate those classes in which you excelled, as long as they are relevant to the employer. Never estimate or round-off your GPA or speculate your class rank. Only the Registrar can provide you with your exact GPA and rank.

 If you are a first year student and received a high grade of A- or above in Legal Research and Writing, include this on your resume.

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 If your grades are not your strongest point, consider ways of highlighting other achievements in law school (i.e. your performance in specific courses where you can show an exceptional standing, placement in competitions, high grades in legal research and writing).

 Generally, include any activities or honors related to each school (see discussion below) Undergraduate or Graduate Schools:

 Indicate the degree, month and year received

 Include your GPA if above 3.5 and any honors received with your degrees (“cum

laude,” etc.). However, don’t include GPA if you did not include it for law school; in this case, just include honors received.

 Include any relevant activities or honors related to each school (see below) Honors and Activities:

Honors and activities should generally be included under the school they relate to, unless you have a substantial number of honors and activities that are outside the educational sphere, or many major honors that you wish to highlight. In that case, you may wish to create an entirely separate section entitled “Honors and Activities.” Whichever approach you use, keep the following in mind:

 List honors first, then activities

 You may use two subheadings to separate honors and activities under each school, or one major heading. If space allows, list one honor or activity per line for easier reading

 Provide enough of a description so that the reader will understand your honors and activities. Make sure your descriptions emphasize your achievements.

 Examples of common law school honors and activities include journal experience, scholarships/grants, awards, competitions/moot court accomplishments etc. In listing accomplishments in Moot Court competitions, distinguish between various competitions.  List your extracurricular activities: membership or leadership positions in student organizations,

clubs or student/faculty committees; sports activities; competitions where you participated but did not place etc. Provide the full name of the organization/club (not just the acronym). It is not necessary to put the word “member” before each organization listing; however if you are an officer in the organization, designate that position.

 Undergraduate honors and activities may include scholarships, student

government, participation in athletics, student organizations, and debate. If you have extensive undergraduate activities, include only those that were most significant and would be of greatest interest to a legal employer.

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targeting. There is no right or wrong answer here, just what is best given your particular situation.

Experience:

This section can be called “Experience” or “Employment.” “Experience” has the advantage of encompassing paid, volunteer, clinic, and externship positions. As you prepare your “Experience” section, keep the following hints in mind:  If you have extensive work experience prior to entering law school, you may want to separate this section into different groups such as “Legal Experience,” “Business Experience, “Professional Experience” etc.

 Generally, you will list all relevant experience in reverse chronological order. This format is preferred by most legal employers.

 In some rare cases – for people with extensive pre-legal career experience or several career paths - a functional format may be appropriate. With this format, job experience is grouped by function rather than employers. However, you should stick to the chronological approach for your legal experience. See Career Services for more information on this issue.

 For each job, list the employer name, city and state, your position, dates of employment (months are not necessary if employed at least a year), and description. Several different formats can be used, but it is important to be

consistent with each position. Highlight your major responsibilities and use action verbs to begin your sentences and describe your responsibilities. If you are

applying for public interest positions, describe community activities that are both law and non-law related.

 When deciding whether to lead off with the employer’s name or your position, consider which is most impressive or likely to catch an employer’s eye. Once you decide, follow the same format for each position.

 Describe any accomplishments at each job first, using action words (“Increased sales by 20%,” “Implemented new computer program”). Then, describe duties, again using action words. A list of commonly used action words is included in this handbook.

 Use present tense verbs for current jobs and past tense for past jobs

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to try a summary description such as “Continually employed in a variety of jobs including ____ and _____ to finance undergraduate education.”

 Remember your goal – to show how your past experiences have prepared you to make a contribution to your target legal employer

Special Skills:

This is a good place to indicate special proficiency in languages, computer skills, or licenses and credentials. Identify your level of language skill such as fluent or conversational and your legal research proficiency.

Licenses:

Create a separate section only if you have enough of these to warrant using the space. Examples include: CPA, Real Estate Licenses, and computer certifications. Bar memberships could eventually be included here, however, when you first graduate from law school and pass the bar, this will be the first header on your resume.

Publications:

Include all publications if relevant. If you have one publication that was

completed as part of law school or undergraduate work, you could include it under the section for that school.

Military:

Can be included as a separate section or as part of “Experience” section. You can list the service with the inclusive dates, then list assignments underneath in reverse chronological order. Include medals received and rank at time of discharge.

Interests:

Although this section is optional, it shows you are a living, breathing person with a life beyond the law. What you include in this section may spark an employer’s interest and provide good conversation material for an interview. Include items that are unique (bungee jumping), demonstrate worthy personality traits such as self-discipline (competing in marathons), or suggest rainmaking potential (golf, tennis). Beware of items that may be controversial, and resist the temptation to be too humorous in this section. Finally, be truthful - if you falsely claim to be a classical pianist, odds are that your interviewer will share that interest and ask you about it or ask you to perform!

References:

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Personal Data:

This information is seldom helpful or relevant to employers. Marital status, dependent information, health status, and date of birth are not legally relevant and may not be questioned by employers.

Falsification of Resumes

Putting false or misleading information on your resume is a serious offense. Falsifying your resume could cost you your job and your professional reputation, not to mention that this is no way to start your career. Anyone found to have falsified information on his or her resume will not be allowed further use of the Career Services Office. Notice of the violation will also be sent to the Associate Dean for

disciplinary action. Sample Resumes

Sample resumes for first, second and third year students are provided in this handbook. These are just examples and are not meant to represent the “perfect” resume. The perfect resume for you is one that presents your background and what you have to offer in the most clear and readable way possible. Resume Updates

Your resume should be updated continually while you are in law school to reflect changes in GPA, work experience, externships and extra curricular activities. Refer to the “Updating Your Resume” document on page 13 for tips on updating your resume.

Resume Review

One of the services offered by the Career Center is resume review. Before you send your resume out, please take advantage of this service. Schedule an appointment by contacting our office at

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LIST OF USEFUL RESUME ACTION VERBS

Use action verbs, adjectives and adverbs to describe accomplishments, positions and attributes. Below is a list that may prove helpful in your description.

accelerated checked discovered grossed modified

accomplished chose drafted guided monitored

accounted for classified dramatized handled motivated

achieved closed dropped hastened moved

acquired combined earned heightened named

added communicated edited helped negotiated

adjusted compared educated highlighted netted

administered completed elected hiked observed

advised composed employed housed opened

aided conceived encouraged hunted operated

alphabetized concluded enjoyed identified ordered

analyzed conditioned enlarged implemented organized

anticipated conducted enlist improved overcame

appointed constructed ensured included oversaw

appraised continued entered incorporated paid

arbitrated contracted established increased painted

argued controlled estimated indicated participated

arranged convinced evaluated initiated perceived

assessed coordinated excelled innovated performed

assisted copied executed inspected persuaded

assumed corrected exercised instructed pioneered

assured counseled expanded insured placed

attended counted expedited interpreted planned

authored crafted explained interviewed played

authorized created explored introduced policed

awarded critique familiarized investigated prepared

began dealt filed kept presented

bolstered debated financed labored prevailed

boosted decided forecast launched processed

bought defined foresaw lectured produced

briefed delegated formulated led profited

brought delivered forwarded licensed programmed

budgeted demonstrated fostered located prohibited

built designed found looked projected

calculated determined gained made promoted

cataloged developed gathered maintained proofed

caught devised gave managed proved

caused digested grabbed mapped out purchased

chaired diminished graded maximized put

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quickened revised spearheaded targeted unearthed

Ran saved specified taught unfurled

Rated saw spoke tested updated

realized scouted started tighter upped

received screened stated took welcomed

recognized scrutinized straightened totaled won

recommended selected streamlined toured worked

reduced sent strengthened tracked wrote

related served stripped trained

renovated set studied transferred

reported shipped submitted transformed

rescued showed suggested translated

researched sifted summarized traveled

resulted in simplified supervised treated

returned smoothed supported tutored

revealed solved surmounted typed

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UPDATING YOUR RESUME: SUMMER UPDATE

(Developed by The George Washington University Law School Career Development Office)

Selling Your Summer Experience

At the beginning of the fall semester you have an opportunity to “put your best foot forward” to employers eager to consider ASU Law School candidates for employment. In the initial stage, your resume, exhibiting your strengths and experiences, is the sole standard by which employers select interviewees. The importance of accurately and effectively reflecting academic performance and job experience cannot be overstated.

All summer legal employment is valuable for the knowledge and experience it provides you. Whether you have worked for a law firm or a judge, supported a professor in summer research, or obtained temporary legal work, you have been successful in acquiring knowledge about the legal process. It is common

knowledge, however, that whatever the experience, many law clerks (if not most) spend the majority of their time conducting legal research and drafting memos and/or briefs. The system fosters conformity of

experience. As a result, it is very difficult to portray a summer experience as unique. The most effective way to express your summer experience is to be straightforward about the functions you have performed. Here are some guidelines and samples to assist you in updating your resume. Please contact career services if you would like your resume reviewed.

Description of Summer Legal Employment on Your Resume

 Conducting research is conducting research, however you look at it. A statement about this function may be enhanced by briefly explaining the areas of law that you researched or the purpose for this research, i.e., “conducted research in international law to support the professor’s upcoming publication on (topic).”

 Writing experience is viewed by employers as key to your future success and should be highlighted on your resume. Be specific about the type of documents you have prepared and, if possible, elaborate on their ultimate use. Be cognizant of confidentiality while writing your descriptions. Details about cases can be disclosed only if that case is of public record.

 Client contact of any sort implies that the employer trusted your judgment and your interpersonal skills. It is always worth mentioning.

 Descriptions of summer legal employment should be brief but descriptive and thorough enough to allow the reader to envision the type of position you held and to assess the depth of knowledge you may possess. Lengthy descriptions are acceptable in cases of unique opportunities of responsibility.

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Study Abroad

If you spent the summer or part of the summer participating in a study abroad program it should be represented in the “Education” section of your resume within your law school information.

Study Abroad:

The University of Oxford and the George Washington University

Joint Programme in International Human Rights Law, Oxford, England Summer 20__

Internships and Part-Time Positions for the Fall

Many students choose to supplement their legal experience with internships or part-time employment during the school year. The students may secure positions prior to the beginning of the semester, but typically will not have an opportunity to begin work prior to the Fall Interviewing Program (FIP). Nonetheless, this experience may be legitimately represented on the resume used for FIP. Listed below are samples of

descriptions. Functions may be appropriately described in either the present or future tense and they need not be very specific. Much of the information will pertain to the nature of the organization’s practice and

anticipated functions. By the time most interviews take place students will have already started their jobs and will be better able to discuss the job duties. Resumes should be updated after beginning Fall jobs and

brought to each interview during FIP.

Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, P.L.L.C. Washington, DC

Law Clerk Fall 20__

Employment in the antitrust, securities and labor departments will begin in September 20__. Job duties will include conducting legal research and drafting pleadings, motions, briefs and memoranda.

U.S. Department of Justice Washington, DC

Legal Intern Fall 20__

Accepted into the Antitrust Division for the Fall 20__ Internship Program. Will prepare litigation materials to be used in formal civil investigations and grand jury proceedings.

D.C. Law Students in Court Washington, DC

Student Trial Attorney Fall 200__

Will represent indigent persons in D.C. Superior Court primarily in landlord-tenant actions, as well as in small claims, negligence, and other civil matters. Will handle all aspects of litigation under supervision of clinical instructor. Job duties will include interviewing witnesses, preparing pleadings, engaging in settlement negotiations, and conducting investigations, motions, hearings and trials.

Legal Aid Small Business Clinic Washington, DC

The George Washington University Law School Fall Semester 20__ Legal Fellow

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Sample Resume Job Descriptions

EXPERIENCE

Pettis, Tester, Kruse & Krinsky Irvine, CA

Summer Associate Summer 2010

Researched and drafted memoranda in areas of law such as bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. Drafted memoranda of points and authorities for a summary judgment motion and a motion to compel further responses to discovery. Prepared discovery including requests for production of documents and special interrogatories. Researched and drafted an ex parte application for an order shortening time in which to notice a deposition. Assisted in preparation of fee application in large Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Irell & Manella LLP Newport Beach, CA

Summer Associate Summer 2011

Researched and wrote memoranda addressing topics in environmental law, general litigation and labor law. Prepared a speech on environmental crimes. Drafted client correspondence. Attended three settlement conferences and an arbitration.

U.S. District Court, Central District of California Los Angeles, CA

Judicial Extern to the Honorable John S. Rhoades Summer 2011

Researched various topics, including apportionment of liability among co-sureties, bifurcation of business tort and antitrust issues, use of foreign conduct in sentencing, and habeas corpus procedure. Drafted bench memoranda evaluating sufficiency of parties' arguments. Prepared preliminary orders. Observed case management conferences, hearings, and trials.

Sullivan Smith & Johnson, LLP, Tempe, AZ May 2010 – Present

Law Clerk

Draft memoranda regarding practical implications of Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 on health care providers, including potential revisions to system-wide education, policies, and employee codes of conduct. Review and recommend revisions to compliance policies and procedures, including conflicts of interest, gifts and gratuities and compliance hotline. Revise compliance and HIPAA/privacy education for all students/registry employees and draft annual education materials for all staff. Define material deficiency relating to reporting overpayments to the Office of Inspector General.

Mathias Law Firm, Scottsdale, AZ January 2011 – May 2011

Law Clerk

Researched state securities regulations and drafted memorandum on licensure requirements for dealer-brokers. Prepared successful defense to multi-count summary judgment motion in wrongful termination action. Analyzed and created chronology of events from trial transcripts and discovery in securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duty action to prepare for expert testimony on behalf of attorney charged with legal malpractice.

Sharp HealthCare, San Diego, CA August 2009 – December 2009

Legal Affairs and Compliance Intern

Educated over 13,000 employees on all legal issues as member of five person legal team. Drafted and reviewed lease, sublease, licensing and trademark agreements. Researched and advised

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Thompson & Thompson, LLP, Mesa, AZ

Clinical Internship January 2010 – April 2011

Researched and investigated issues in labor and employment law, relating to unfair labor practices, sexual harassment and wrongful termination, as well as personal injury, civil rights, medical malpractice and contracts law. Drafted motion for summary judgment relating to constructive discharge. Researched and drafted motion to change venue, motion for removal, interrogatories and requests for production of documents. Wrote correspondence to clients and opposing counsel. Prepared settlement brochures.

United States Attorney’s Office, Civil Division, Phoenix, AZ

Law Clerk Summer 2009

Drafted memoranda on family medical leave, disability discrimination and wage and hour violations. Drafted answers, motions to dismiss, motions for more definite statement and motions in limine for federal employment law defense. Attended depositions, motion hearings and settlement conferences. Summarized depositions, prepared trial notebooks and proposed cross examination questions.

Employee Rights Center, San Diego, CA

Law Clerk January 2009 – April 2009

Interviewed new clients with wage claims and unemployment disputes. Drafted motion for summary judgment, motion to compel discovery and research memoranda on issue of overtime wages. Represented clients at Labor Commissioner settlement conferences and unemployment insurance appeal hearings.

California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, San Diego, CA

Law Clerk Summer 2012

Investigated claims of employment discrimination. Analyzed and summarized employment contracts, time records, performance reviews, witness statements and deposition testimony. Interviewed employer and employee claimants. Researched and drafted memoranda of law including findings of fact and

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BASIC RESUME OUTLINE

JANE SMITH

Current Address Permanent Address

4430 East Michigan Avenue 210 McDonald Road

Tempe, AZ 85286 Denver, CO 80618

(480) 423-7711 (303) 458-3721

Jane.Smith@asu.edu Jane.Smith@asu.edu

(Only use if seeking out of state employment) BAR MEMBERSHIP: State of Bar; Pass date; License number (for graduates only)

EDUCATION: Law School, Location

J.D. Candidate - date received or expected to receive

G.P.A/Class standing (Recommended inclusion for top one third of class) Honors: List

Activities: List

Undergraduate School, Location Degree received, major, graduation date

G.P.A. (Recommended inclusion only if law school grades are listed.) Honors: List

Activities: List EXPERIENCE:

Employer name and location (City, State)

Position title, description, and employment dates

This is section includes paid and non-paid experience listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first): Entries can include jobs (part-time/full-time), volunteer work, internships, externships, clinical experiences, summer jobs, etc. Describe your responsibilities using action verbs to begin sentences. OPTIONAL HEADINGS Interests Special Skills Languages Publications Community Activities Professional Affiliations Licenses Additional Information

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SAMPLE RESUMES

First Year Resumes: Example 1

NAME 4507 Pine Street Scottsdale, AZ 480-973-8881 escott@asu.edu EDUCATION

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Candidate for J.D., May 20__

Legal Research and Writing Grade – A- (Recommended for inclusion if A- or above)

Honors: Pedrick Scholar

Dean’s Recruitment Committee College of Law Scholarship University of Houston, Houston, TX

B.A. Political Science, Cum Laude, May 20__ GPA: 3.5

Honors and Activities: President’s Scholar - Full Tuition Waiver for Academic Excellence President’s Honor Roll - Six Semesters

Intercollegiate Varsity Soccer - 1997-2000 EXPERIENCE

Transco Energy Company, Houston, TX Summer 20__

Records Supervisor

Managed production of over 30,000 documents in connection with pipeline acquisition. Oversaw a three-person team responsible for accurately categorizing, cataloging, and copying documents. Worked closely with in-house and outside counsel and handled their information requests. Completed project in advance of deadline and under budget.

Cougar Student Volunteer Program, Houston, TX 1997- 20__

Student Coordinator

Directed student organization that matched volunteers with non-profit corporations. Facilitated matches between 500 students and 50 local groups.

Harold Jones & Associates, Houston, TX 20__- 20__

Property Manager

Resident manager of 5-unit apartment complex. Handled light maintenance, collected lease payments, and prepared and leased vacant apartments. Independently resolved tenant complaints.

Language Skills and Interests

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Example 2

NAME Street Address State and Zip Code

Telephone Email EDUCATION

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Candidate for J.D. May, 20__

GPA: __ Rank: Top 33%

Honors: Arizona State Law Journal Pedrick Scholar

Graduate Academic Scholarship Activities: Student Bar Association, Treasurer

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Volunteer (VITA) Homeless Legal Assistance Project, Director

University of California, Los Angeles, CA B.A. English May, 200-

G.P.A. 3.82 cum laude

Honors: Dean’s Award

Hemingway Award - Best Short Story Activities: Poet’s Corner Group, Chairman

Varsity Swim Team, Captain EXPERIENCE

Judge Taylor Green, Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix, AZ Fall 20__ Legal Extern Observed proceedings in civil and criminal trials. Researched and wrote memoranda for use in the judge’s rulings on motions, jury instructions and evidentiary questions. Drafted summary judgments, orders and municipal court appeals.

Harris & Harris, Phoenix, AZ Summer, 20__

Law Clerk Researched and wrote memoranda, briefs and pleadings involving commercial and bankruptcy cases. Participated in client conferences and assisted with trial preparation.

State Farm Insurance, Los Angeles, CA 1999-20__

Supervisor - Customer Service Started as a customer service representative and after one year was promoted to supervisor. Supervised a staff of six. Conducted training classes on communication skills and customer relations. Developed and wrote the department policy and procedure manual.

INTERESTS

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Example 3

NAME

Street Address  City, State and Zip Code  Telephone  Email EDUCATION

GPA: __ Rank: Top 15%

Honors: Winner, Jenckes Cup Closing Argument

Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science, and Technology Willard H. Pedrick Scholar

Graduate Tuition Scholarship Activities: Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity

Women’s Law Student Association President (20__

Domestic Violence Volunteer Northwestern University, Chicago, IL B.S. Communication Studies, May 20__ G.P.A. 3.5

Honors: George M. Sergeant Award, Recipient chosen by faculty for excellence in Communication Studies

EXPERIENCE

Smith & Jones, Phoenix, AZ September 20__-Present

Law Clerk

Research and write memoranda in areas of personal injury, medical malpractice and family law. Attend client and interoffice conferences and depositions. Assist attorneys at trial.

State Farm Insurance, Phoenix, AZ Summer 20__

Law Intern

Negotiated and settled bodily injury and property damage claims, interviewed clients and witnesses, and evaluated coverage issues.

The Gap, Chicago, IL 1995-1999

Assistant Manager

Managed the daily operations of the store. Supervised a staff of ten. Directed training sessions on customer relations and sales techniques. Scheduled, interviewed and hired staff. Created marketing and motivational programs designed to increase company business.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Fluently speak, read and write Spanish; learned language while living in South America. INTERESTS

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Example 4

NAME Address

City, State and Zip Code Telephone

Email

EDUCATION Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Joint Degree: J.D./M.B.A. May 20__

GPA: __ Rank: 79/233

Honors: National Moot Court Competition: Finalist

Regional Moot Court Competition: Best Appellate Brief Activities: Chicano/Latino Law Students’ Association (CLLSA)

Chairperson, Student Grievance Committee University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, 20__

EXPERIENCE Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix, AZ

Civil Division

Legal Extern, Civil Division Spring 20__ Researched and wrote memoranda for the Honorable Michael C. Franks.

Participated in court proceedings, briefed cases scheduled for oral argument, and drafted jury instructions.

Evans and Pert, Phoenix, AZ

Law Clerk Summer 20__

Researched and wrote memoranda, appellate briefs, motions and pleadings involving contract, corporate, and real estate issues. Attended client meetings and negotiation sessions. Offered associate position with the firm.

Saul Realty & Investment, Inc. , Mesa, AZ

Real Estate Broker Fall 20__

Organized the corporation; served as Vice-President and as a member of the Board of Directors. Recruited and trained new sales associates. As a real estate agent, actively marketed and sold real property. Named Salesperson of the Year. Century 21 Realty and Investment, Inc., Mesa, AZ

Sales Manager Summer 20__

Created and implemented office policies and procedures. Trained and directed the sales force. Acted as liaison between the sales associates and management.

Member of the Century 21 Million Dollar Club. Conducted creative financing seminars for other Century 21 offices.

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Example 5

JANE DOE

Street Address City, State and Zip Code

Telephone Number E-mail BAR ADMISSIONS

Arizona, 2010, Bar No. 999999

California, July 2012 Bar Examination, Awaiting Results EDUCATION

Honors: National Moot Court Competition Regional Competition, Champion

Best Oral Advocate, Moot Court Competition

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI B.A. in Political Science, May 20__ Honors: Waddell Scholarship EXPERIENCE

The Legal Aid Society, Civil Division Summer 20__ San Francisco, CA

Law Clerk Conducted legal research and assisted attorneys in the areas of landlord-tenant and government benefits law. Drafted pleadings, administrative appeals and trial motions. Counseled tenants bringing affirmative suits in housing court.

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University Clinic,

Tempe, AZ Spring 20__

Student Attorney Certified to practice law under Rule 38. Represented clients under faculty supervision. Conducted discovery including taking depositions and interviewing witnesses. Wrote and argued motions in Superior Court. Mediated and negotiated settlements.

Arizona Attorney General, Civil Division Fall 20__ Phoenix, AZ

Legal Extern Prepared complaints, summaries, motions, discovery requests and memoranda. Researched legal issues including, civil rights, employment law, tort litigation, and environmental law. Assisted attorneys in their preparation for trials. INTERESTS

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JOHN DOE

55555 N. 5th St. Tempe, AZ 85555 (555) 555-5555 john.doe@asu.edu

EDUCATION

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ J.D. Candidate, May 2012

Activities: Homeless Legal Assistance Project Muslim Law Students Association Phoenix School of Law, Phoenix, AZ

Attended 2010-11, transferred after first year Rank: 7/250

Honors: CALI Award, Top Student in Torts Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

B.S. Political Science, Minor Biology, May 2009

Honors: National Model United Nations Delegate Activities: Student Ambassador

Hiking Club EXPERIENCE

Law Offices of Jane Doe, Phoenix, AZ Summer 2011

Intern (Commercial Litigation and Family Law)

 Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda regarding whether court may award attorneys’

fees pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-341.01 on breach of contract claim.

 Drafted Rule 26 Initial Disclosure Statement regarding breach of contract claim.  Attended expert witness deposition and drafted deposition summary.

Fake Attorney General, Consumer Law Division, Phoenix, AZ Spring 2011 Legal Intern

 Conducted legal research regarding identity theft laws and protections for senior citizens.  Gave presentation regarding identify theft prevention at senior centers.

Yummy Restaurant, Manhattan, KS 2006-2008

Assistant Manager / Server

 Trained new servers in product knowledge, wine and food pairing, and steps of service.  Created and oversaw schedules of 50 employees.

Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 2005-2007

Resident Assistant

 Oversaw all aspects of dorm life including discipline, socializing, and safety. INTERESTS

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SAMPLE REFERENCE SHEET

REFERENCES: Of JOHN Q. STEVENS 1000 Orme Road Mayer, AZ 86333 632-555-1234 John.Q.Stevens@asu.edu

Professor Jared Green Mike Kowallis, President Sandra Day O’Connor College of

Law, Arizona State University

Auto Express Inc. 1048 S. Lebaron P.O. Box 877906 Mesa AZ 85210 Tempe AZ 85287-7906 (480) 965-5550 Jared.Green@asu.edu (480) 844-3897 Mkowallis@auto.com Former Employer Torts Professor

Paul Beecroft, Law Clerk Amber Williams, Attorney at Law Maricopa County Superior Court Maricopa County Attorney

101/201 W. Jefferson (ECB-CCB) Juvenile Division Phoenix AZ 85003-2205 10797 N. Scottsdale Rd (602) 506-1112 Scottsdale AZ 85254 PBeecroft@mc.sc.az Supervising Attorney (480) 941-0308 Williams@atty.law.com Supervising Attorney

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A GUIDE TO WRITING COVER LETTERS

During your job search, much of your communication with legal employers will be by mail or email. Cover letters are often your first contact with an employer and offer an excellent chance to make a good first impression. Don’t waste this golden opportunity! A well-prepared cover letter will:

 Spark the employer’s interest in you  Introduce you and your qualifications

 Show why you are sending your resume to this particular employer  Persuade the reader to pay attention to your resume

 Show how your credentials match the employer’s needs

 Indicate your interest in a geographic area, if not apparent from your resume

 Above all, show an employer what’s in it for them - why they should take the time to read your resume and consider hiring you.

The Four Types of Cover Letters

There are four general categories of cover letters you are likely to send. Each will have a slightly different tone.

Response to a Posted Job Opening: A cover letter will accompany every resume or application you send in response to a job advertisement, unless the employer specifically directs otherwise. The letter will state your interest in the opening, highlight your qualifications for the position, and establish a logical connection between you and the employer.

A Personal Letter to Someone You’ve Met or Been Referred to: This is a very powerful type of letter. Starting a letter with “[Mutual acquaintance] recommended that I contact you” almost

guarantees you will get a response. After this beginning, the letter will go on to explain why the reader should meet with you and what you want to happen next (generally, an interview).

Targeted Mailers: If you don’t have the name of a mutual acquaintance with which to open your letter, the next best thing is a targeted mailer. This is a letter that is carefully targeted to a small group of employers that you have identified through research. The letter will show the employer, based on what you know about them, that you have skills they will be able to put to use.

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there will always be some people who find a position by using this technique, they are the rare exception. Your time will be more fruitfully spent in researching employers and conducting a targeted mailing.

A Word About Networking Letters: An entirely different letter will be used to “network” and expand your contacts and to gain information but not ask for a job. This is a very valuable strategy to use in your legal job search. For example, you might send a letter to an ASU alum in Boise seeking information about the legal market there. Although the letter will be similar in many ways, it will not be identical. A sample networking cover letter is included in this handbook.

Drafting a Cover Letter

A cover letter should accompany your resume whenever you mail it to a prospective employer and when you are submitting a resume through the on-campus Career Services programs. Keep the letter short and sweet – no more than one page, however, remember this letter represents you and is a sample of your ability to write and to convey ideas. This “writing sample” will be evaluated by the reader. These guidelines may assist you in formatting your cover letter.

Individualize: Type each letter individually - do not Xerox.

Paper: Cover letter paper and envelope should match your resume.

Proofread: Check your letter for grammatical, typographical or spelling errors. Signature: Sign your name to each letter. Many students forget to do this.

Heading: Always direct your letter to a person, not a title (i.e. “Dear Hiring Partner.”). If you are responding to an advertisement, this person will generally be identified in the ad, otherwise, you will have to do some research to find the right person. This may be the hiring partner, an ASU alum, or someone you have something in common with, such as your undergraduate school or home town. Check in Martindale-Hubbell, on Westlaw or Lexis, or other materials in the Career Services office. You may also call the employer to ask who handles employment inquiries. The Career Service’s Maricopa County Employer Directory also lists the names of firm hiring contacts.

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COVER LETTER DOs AND DON’Ts

DO:

 Use the name of a mutual acquaintance if you were referred to an employer.

 Make it clear why you are sending a resume to a particular firm. Explain your interest in the firm and the geographic area.

 Find out to whom you should write. Consider directing your letter to an ASU alum or someone with whom you have a common bond at the firm.

 Think of the letter as a sample of your writing and organizational ability. Keep it short and sweet.



Be certain the letter contains no typographical errors, spelling mistakes, or grammatical errors.

 Make the letter as targeted as possible – avoid mass merge mailings.  Use good quality paper that matches your resume.

 Be sure to sign your letters. DON’T:

 Say “Dear Sir” – this is the kiss of death if the hiring partner is a woman.  Repeat the name of the firm over and over in the letter.

 Be too cocky or attempt to be humorous.

 Overdo references to the firm’s “excellent reputation.”  Repeat everything on your resume.

 Begin the letter with “Allow me to introduce myself.”

 Use the word “passion” to show your interest in the firm or area of law. Explain your interest with concrete examples.

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COVER LETTER FORM & SAMPLES

Date

Contact Name Firm Name Address City, State Zip

Dear (always use Ms. or Mr. Smith – not Brenda Smith):

First Paragraph: The first paragraph introduces you to the reader and explains why you are writing. It should catch the reader’s attention and make them want to read the rest of the letter. If you are responding to an advertisement, say so. If you have been referred to an employer by someone, say “___________ recommended that I contact you.” If you are writing an alumni, point out your common bond up front and state why you are contacting him or her. If you are writing to an employer you became interested in through research, you could open with a reference to what you found. Then describe yourself (“I am a third-year student at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University with a strong interest in the cutting edge patent law that is your firm’s specialty.”)

Second Paragraph: The second paragraph establishes your value to the employer. Show the

employer how your past experiences have prepared you to do great work for them. To be effective, you must have done research so that you are familiar with the employer’s areas of practice, client base, and other relevant factors. Your letter should demonstrate to the employer that you are

familiar with their needs and illustrate how your school and work background make you a good fit. If you have a strong connection to the employer’s geographic location, show this. For example, if you are applying to a criminal law firm, this would be the place to highlight specific criminal law courses you’ve taken or the fact that you worked as an investigator for a public defender prior to law school. Be careful not to simply repeat your resume. Focus on those items on your resume that establish how your transferable skills will be of use to this employer.

Third Paragraph: The third paragraph states what you want to happen next. Let the employer know you are available for an interview at their convenience. If you are writing to an out-of-town

employer, indicate when you will next be in the area. Sincerely,

Signature

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Sample 1

December 12, 20__

Ms. Jeanne E. Cole-Amos

Assistant Director of Personnel & Planning Office of the Attorney General

900 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23219 Dear Ms. Cole-Amos:

My interest in practicing law in the DC area following graduation has prompted me to apply for a position in the Attorney General’s Office for the Summer 20__. I have enclosed my application materials for your review.

My background and interests are well-suited to the work conducted by your office generally, and the Civil Law Division in particular. As an undergraduate, I learned about the trial process through my work as a counselor and student judge for the University Judiciary Committee. I enjoyed interviewing and preparing witnesses for hearings, analyzing the facts of cases, and drafting opinions. I have continued to develop my research and writing skills through my pro bono project with the Arizona Community Legal Services.

I will be in Virginia from December 23 to January 2, and would welcome the opportunity to speak to you about a position as a summer intern in the Office of the Attorney General. I will call your office later this month to see if an interview might be arranged during that time. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Q. Student

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Sample 2

August 23, 20__

Ms. Denise Jones

Center for Law in the Public Interest One East Camelback, Suite 1300 Phoenix, AZ 85004

Dear Ms. Jones:

Your advertisement for a summer legal intern in the December issue of the Arizona Bar Journal is of great interest to me because… (Expound on the reason why YOU are interested in this particular law firm). I am a second-year student at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and intend to pursue a public interest practice.

As my enclosed resume illustrates, I have a strong background in the areas of employment discrimination and civil rights and this year I am representing the plaintiff in a gender-based employment discrimination claim in the College of Law Sexual Discrimination Clinic. Last summer, my work with the Los Angeles public interest firm of Dobrovir & Knoll gave me experience in civil liberties, equal employment, and government corruption cases. These experiences strengthened my research, writing, and client counseling skills and have given me valuable experience. I believe that my record reflects my commitment to public interest work and has prepared me to make a substantial contribution to the Center.

I am available for an interview at any time and can be contacted at the above address, phone number, and email address. I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

(Written signature) Ryan Baker

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Sample 3 – Applying Out of Area

August 23, 20__

Mr. Jonathan Wilson Olson & Wilson 1045 Pomerado Road San Diego, CA 92131 Dear Mr. Wilson:

John Watson recommended I contact you regarding employment opportunities with your firm. I am a third year student at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, however, I plan to return home to California upon graduation. Olson & Wilson’s extensive tax practice is particularly interesting to me.

My financial and accounting background should allow me to make an immediate contribution to your tax department. Prior to entering law school, I worked as a certified public accountant with Coopers & Lybrand. In this position, I gained familiarity with financial statement analysis, accounting standards, and tax laws. I have expanded this base of knowledge in law school by completing four tax courses. In addition, my work with Kotter & Smith, a Phoenix law firm specializing in tax law, has provided me with the opportunity to interview clients, research and draft memoranda regarding tax issues, and attend meetings with IRS staff. I believe that this combination of skills and experience would make me an asset to your firm.

I have enclosed my resume for your consideration. I will be in San Diego from March 10 through March 15, and would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you. I will contact you next week to see if a meeting can be arranged at your convenience.

Sincerely,

(Written signature) Erin Scott

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August 23, 20__ Katherine Jones, Esq. Jones & Smith, LLC 9999 California Road Phoenix, AZ 85006 Dear Ms. Jones:

In response to the summer associate position posted with Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, I am submitting my resume for review. I am a second year law student with a strong background in customer service, business, and sales. I have enjoyed living in Phoenix the last few years and I intend to stay in the area and build a practice here after graduation.

A position with Jones & Smith, LLC is well suited to my diverse interests in law, and will give me an opportunity to experience firsthand what a career as an attorney with a distinguished firm entails, as well as the mentorship and guidance of its talented professional attorneys. My legal skills and interests will allow me to successfully contribute to the summer associate program. I enjoyed my legal writing classes, where I learned the importance of thorough research and attention to detail in writing. I applied those same research and writing skills this summer as an extern for the Maricopa County Office of the Public Advocate. For example, as an extern, I conducted legal research and drafted a lengthy memorandum regarding possible appellate arguments in a parental rights severance matter. This project provided me with the opportunity to conduct extensive Westlaw research on Arizona case law and analyze the fact pattern against published decisions. I was tasked with drafting a memorandum that clearly explained complex constitutional and family law and that provided recommendations as to the parents’ likelihood of success on appeal. In addition to legal research, I also drafted a Response in Objection to

Motion to Suspend Visitation, an Initial Disclosure Statement, a Motion to Dismiss, demand letters, and multiple communications to the clients. Each assignment focused on effective writing that provided thorough explanation of the law and thoughtful analysis.

I have many years experience working in a professional atmosphere and have a strong,

committed work ethic. I am not afraid to undertake new challenges, and I look forward to the opportunity to learn new things, which I do quickly and eagerly. Thank you for taking the time to review my applications materials, and I look forward to hearing from you.

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August 23, 20__ Harry Potter, Esq. Potter & Granger, PLLC 9999 Hogwarts Road Phoenix, AZ 85006 Dear Mr. Potter:

I am very interested in the summer associate position at Potter & Granger, PLLC. I am

second-year law student at Arizona State University with a strong background in analytics and problem solving. I intend to develop a commercial litigation practice in Phoenix upon

graduation, but I would like the opportunity to experience a wide variety of legal issues before narrowing my practice.

This summer I worked as an associate for the Voldemort Law Firm where I had the opportunity to refine my legal researching and writing skills. I worked on projects ranging from bankruptcy to trademark infringement, drafting a variety of documents including memorandums and complaints. I have found the work to be exciting, challenging, and extremely enjoyable. I look forward to continuing to improve over the next year and I would be an extremely productive summer associate at Potter & Granger, PLLC.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I would welcome the opportunity to interview or answer any questions you might have.

Sincerely,

Ron Weasley

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August 23, 20__ John Jones, Esq. The Jones Law Firm 9999 Jones Road Phoenix, AZ 85006 Dear Mr. Jones:

The Jones Law Firm’s extensive family law practice is of great interest to me because I intend to practice family law in Phoenix upon graduating from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. I am currently a first year law student, and I have a strong

background in customer service, conflict resolution, and human resources. Please consider my application materials, enclosed, in response to the advertisement for immigration project work this summer.

My background as the assistant manager of Yummy Restaurant has provided me with the skills to successfully manage any legal project. As the assistant manager, I trained new employees on restaurant policies and practices, oversaw scheduling of all employees, and ran the daily

operations of the restaurant. This taught me how to effectively manage people’s expectations and to respond calmly and appropriately to stressful situations. I gained the confidence to effectively solve any problem and manage any assigned task. In addition to these job skills, I also regularly interacted with customers and learned the value of excellent customer service and people skills. I would utilize these skills, in addition to the legal skills that I learned during my first year of law school, to undertake any project that The Jones Law Firm would give me. Thank you for considering my application materials and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely,

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Networking What is Networking?

“Networking” is sometimes, referred to as “Informational Interviewing” or “Research Interviewing”, but whatever it is called, the process of networking is a new way of looking at relationships. By networking, you learn how

relationships are woven into the fabric of your life and how they support you as well as how you support and are connected to others.

Networking is not a one-time meeting to take advantage of another person. It’s important to see it as a long-term association with others where you will be able to assist them as much as they can provide assistance to you. Networking is not a panacea that will solve all your problems. Through networking you will be giving and receiving information, referrals and support. Networking can only complement the skills and training you already have.

There are two goals of networking: 1) to be remembered and 2) to be referred.

The best way to achieve these goals is to arrange face-to-face meetings. Don’t conduct these appointments over the telephone if you can help it. It is so much easier for a person to remember you and get a more positive impression of you if you are sitting right there in front of them. And they will be much more willing to refer you to other people if they have a better sense of who you are. Remember: ask for only 15 to 20 minutes of their time and keep to both your time schedule and your agenda.

There is no one concrete technique for networking.

The bottom line is that whatever works, use it. The most successful networkers are those who are committed and treat the job search itself as a job. If you are unemployed and looking for work, set aside a specific period of time every week to develop networking contacts. Networking can help you keep your momentum up when you feel stymied.

Some final thoughts about networking.

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Give networking the time and energy it deserves when organizing your job search strategies. It will pay off for you in the long run.

With whom should I network?

Join professional organizations such as the Young Lawyer’s Division of the Maricopa County Bar, the Arizona Women Lawyers, and particular bars. You know lots of people — relatives, neighbors, friends, fellow students, and the people you bump into every day who would qualify as contacts. These people are your “primary network”, they are the eyes and ears you need to learn of job openings. Although lawyers are a natural contact, don’t overlook all of the other people you know. Talk to them — one of them may know of a job opening or know of someone who knows of an opening.

Who are your contacts?

There are two types of contacts: 1) people you know directly and 2) people you have never met personally. Obviously it is much easier to start this process with those people that you do know. Then you ask those individuals for other names to whom they can refer you. If you review your own address book you will find that you can easily make a list of 100 people whom you can initially contact for information.

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Practical Networking Tips

Effective networking – using a contact’s name as an introduction for

informational interviewing and in targeted mailings, gives you an edge on the competition. Fall, winter, and spring breaks are the ideal time to set up informational interviews.

With pre-planning, persistence, and practice, networking can become a comfortable process. Once your mind starts thinking “networking,” opportunities will develop without even trying.

If calling on acquaintances for suggestions and introductions isn’t an easy technique for you to use, try building a network of people with whom you are comfortable. Make a list of 25 to 30 friends, family or business associates with whom you enjoy talking. They do not have to work within the legal

community. You simply want to ask them if they know someone who might be in a position to help you.

Organize your contacts by dividing their names into primary and secondary categories. Start with the list of primary names and contact each to set up a short personal meeting. Remember the primary rule of networking, NEVER ASK FOR A JOB, ALWAYS ASK FOR SUGGESTIONS. DON’T ASK FOR FAVORS, ALWAYS ASK FOR ADVICE.

You can call or write a letter for a networking appointment, keep the

introductory statement short. If you are calling, avoid giving too much detail over the phone. Your goal is to obtain a face-to-face meeting in an office where you can take notes and where your contacts will have an address book. During the actual meeting, keep your interview brief and to the point. Be prepared to manage the interview. Strive for a conversational monologue. Don’t offer your resume unless it’s requested, but be sure to have several copies with you. A recommended format for networking interview is to:

 Extend your appreciation for the interview

 Give a brief summary of your background and skills.  Explain the purpose of your meeting.

 Describe the type of position you are looking for, ask the contact if he or she knows anyone in those firms.

 Get your contacts input, ask if you are missing any markets for your skills and background.

 Ask for two to five new names for future networking contacts.

Be specific about what you want from each contact. Don’t beat around the bush or be vague and waste the allotted time with your contact. As soon as an

RESUME WRITING & Employment Letters

RESUME WRITING

&

Employment Letters

RESUME WRITING AND EMPLOYMENT LETTERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE LEGAL RESUME

LIST OF USEFUL RESUME ACTION VERBS

UPDATING YOUR RESUME: SUMMER UPDATE

BASIC RESUME OUTLINE

JANE SMITH

SAMPLE RESUMES

JANE DOE

JOHN DOE

SAMPLE REFERENCE SHEET

A GUIDE TO WRITING COVER LETTERS

COVER LETTER DOs AND DON’Ts



COVER LETTER FORM & SAMPLES

John Q. Student

Ron Weasley