Professional Profile:

The Profile is a snapshot of who you are and what you can do. This is like your “elevator pitch” and should capture a sense of you as a professional from the outset, as well as setting out some of your strengths [in practice] . The first line in bold is important and should deliver key information the reader needs to understand exactly where you are in your career, as well as anything that sets you apart. [In particular, your PQE or number of years industry experience is essential as hiring managers will need and want to know this at the outset (it is also a keyword often included in the job title and description, you may have noted when searching for roles e.g. NQ-2PQE Commercial Property Solicitor of NQ -1PQE Commercial Lawyer etc).]

Areas of Expertise:

This section is primarily designed to include keywords that applicant tracking systems are geared for but it also sets out clearly your technical legal knowledge and experience so hiring managers can immediately see that you have the expertise to meet their requirements. These keywords or areas of expertise can be tailored according to each job

description – provided you have that expertise or skill sought of course. Keywords should also appear throughout the CV, to better your chances of making it through the ATS.

Career Highlights:

This section is key to getting your CV noticed and standing out from the crowd. A lot of people tend to list their day-to-day roles and responsibilities in their CVs but fail to mention any tangible achievements, contributions, or

recognition for the work they did. The trick here is to carve out and place your “stand-out” career moments directly at the forefront of the CV (first page) so the reader can immediately see your value at a glance without it getting lost in content. For junior or aspiring lawyers / law graduates who are starting out, you can title this section “Awards and Achievements” or “Positions of Responsibility”.

Professional Experience:

Consider splitting your career history into Relevant Experience or Legal Experience and Additional Employment, primarily to carve out and highlight relevant roles at the forefront of the CV but also make it easier for readers to follow and understand your career journey. Within your roles, carve out any notable matters and key achievements / contributions so that these do not get lost in the content.

Education:

This is a given and self explanatory!

Recommendations:

At the end of your legal CV, instead of putting the usual “references available on request” line, instead use a section titled “recommendations” in which you copy and paste any recommendations you have obtained on LinkedIn from previous employers, teachers or colleagues. It adds so much more to the CV for the person reviewing it to see word for word what someone who has worked with you has said about you.

If you would like a professionally written interview winning Legal CV, please do get in touch with me.