When it comes to applications to law firms, having a CV is fine, but there is a slim chance that you actually will end up using it. This is because most law firms have a “work experience” section where you list your achievements, employment experiences, volunteering and so on, the same as on a CV. However, you need to be a bit more explicit that you would be on a CV. The average word count is around 150 words and there are three questions that you need to ask yourself when you are detailing your experiences:
1. What kind of work did I execute?
2. What skills did I gain?
3. How are these skills going to be applied while working for the firm?
Of course, you will need to research the firm thoroughly to get a better understanding of what the firm is looking for in their candidates and try to think which experiences of yours nurtured them, There are two formats which are commonly used:
1. Bullet points: This is my preferred one. My basic structure is Skill → Work executed → How I will apply it at the firm. For instance, looking at my experience at Inferential Futures, one sentence in my work experience could sound like this:
- Research skills & Commercial awareness: Explored and kept up to date with the latest developments in the legal industry. This will be vital during my Training Contract to provide clients with updates whenever something which may affect their matters takes place.
2. Narratives: This is another great format which may be more engaging for the reader. Some law firms may even prefer this one as it is like telling a story. But please keep in mind the three points discussed above - make sure the skills are as clear as possible as that is the most important part!
