CV Tips
Trust the Experts
Douglas Scott are Legal Recruitment experts. We qualify and
process 1000's of CV's and applications a year. We have 100's of
conversations with decision makers every week. Even if you are
targeting a single role, speaking to one of our consultants should
improve your chances of securing that job.
Our clients tell us what they want to see in an individual
recruit, they flag up what has worked for them in the past; what
has not worked; expand on detail provided in a job advert and maybe
identify characteristics that would not be a match for the culture
of the department or firm. Without that inside information our
applicants could be missing out vital detail from their CV or
failing to emphasise strengths that will keep their CV at the top
of the pile in the face of intense competition.
Follow the guidance below and use our template to put together a cracking CV.
The Basics
Aim for 2 pages and no more than 3. Remember, the legal
profession demands clarity so make your CV easy to read. Arial 11
is a recognised, standard font and it works. No tables and do
not over format generally. No pictures. If your email address
is unprofessional, suggestive or juvenile get a new one. Avoid
postal applications because like it or not they can be associated
with a lack of computer literacy. Leave off your date of birth.
1st Page
On that 1st page we want to see your name, job title,
specialism(s), current location and where you are looking
to work, current salary plus any bonus, basic salary expectation.
List your Academics, Qualifications and Professional Accreditations
chronologically with most recent first. Name your places of
education but leave off dates. Do provide dates of any professional
qualifications and accreditations. Finally include a Personal
Profile, your elevator pitch and an opportunity to put some
personality on the page.
2nd Page
Your career history. Starting with the most recent job first, on
the 1st line state the firm's name and location. On the
2nd line pop your job title and the dates you were
employed in the role(s).
Now produce at least 10 bullet points for each job. Tell us
about your working environment: do you work as part of a
team; are you autonomous; do you supervise; who do you report
to? Include your key responsibilities and duties in a
logical, flowing style. Fee Earners should provide details of size
of caseload, make up of caseload, client base, any targets worked
to and achieved. Tell us about any promotion or extra duties
you were entrusted with, demonstrate any specific
positive impact that you had whilst you were in the role. Provide
details of any large fees you generated or particularly
complex and challenging projects you delivered on. Finally note any
instances where you generated new work or referral
through marketing activity or business
development
List any case management software packages that you are familiar
with and also any software packages you use that would be relevant
to the job.
Let the reader know about interests that
emphasise your commitment to the achievement of goals and
objectives, demonstrate team working and / or leadership
skills. We like Duke of Edinburgh, sporting achievements at
regional or national level and charity work.
At the foot of the final page include all the ways you are happy
to be contacted.