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What Makes RSP Unique - 09-05-2024 - Michael Ilsemann - 0 comments
The Do’s and Don’ts of CV Writing

I am sure that by now, most of you would have realised that we at RSP are a positive bunch. We hate talking about negatives, and where some see problems, we find solutions. Weaknesses are called "development needs" and if there is a potential shortcoming in experience, we encourage our candidates to deal with it head-on rather than react to the employer's questions during the interview stage.

Think about it, what do you think is better; being proactive or reactive?

That's why this blog has, somewhat surprisingly, been rather difficult to write. Unfortunately, it is difficult not to use examples when you're warning readers not to do something specific, and it is doubly unfortunate when you consider that our examples have all happened recently.

My apologies if I sound negative, I am just trying to provide warnings as to what you should and should not be doing.

Carrying on from last week, I want to share with you the best advice you will get to make your CV a winner.

The Do's

Do spend time planning. Don't rush straight into writing without first thinking about what you should be saying. Remember last week's blog? Ask yourself the questions we asked you and think of examples to support your application. Read the job description so you can tailor your CV accordingly.

Do include contact information. Unbelievably, we have seen some CVs which lack a telephone number or an email address. This happened to me last week; a candidate sent me his CV without any contact details. I will let you guess what his answer was to my question "How are you expecting the employer to contact you with an interview date?"

Do format format format: clear, concise, positive writing is key. Do not use block paragraphs and remember to use bullet points:

  • To really emphasise an achievement
  • To make it easier to a reader to identify your suitability for a role

Embrace white space; do not overfill your CV. Some "experts" will tell you that your CV should not be more than 2 pages long. That's fine for a graduate, but for a lawyer with 20 years PQE?

Your CV will run into about 4 pages, so format format format.

You're a lawyer, your CV will be read by lawyers. So give them what they're used to. Write in font style Arial, font size 11. Don't write in Calibri, it will look like an email.

Do remember this is your 1 opportunity to demonstrate your drafting skills: every lawyer writes that they are experts at drafting. Prove it with your CV. The chances are that your CV will be the only opportunity to prove this during the interview.

You have 1 chance to show off your drafting skills. Make it work.

We saw a CV the other day from a corporate lawyer. It was 10 pages in font size minus 50, consisting of nothing but transactions dating back 25 years. For a so-called drafting expert, she had created a CV where the reader would be lucky not to lose the will to live after the first page. Think about what her contracts must be like...

Do use a professional summary: this draws the information which demonstrates why you are the candidate to solve the recruiter's problem. Read last week's blog to see what this section should contain.

Do use power words: as we explained last week, a lot of first round screening is done by AI, and even the firms who don't use AI will look for them. Fill your CVs with words like "achieved," "lead," "secured," "formulated" and "succeeded."

Do remember to say something interesting about yourself: if you're not interested in yourself, then why should anyone else be?

Do read the job description and tailor your CV for the role: do you really need me to explain this to you?

Do include your SRA number: some of our candidates will always argue against doing this for privacy reasons, but it is in the public domain anyway and if you haven't got any disciplinary issues on your record, then what's the harm? Remember, it also establishes a degree of professionalism.

Do remember that your CV is going to be read by someone else: it is a professional document, so you don't want a laugh a minute, but try to make it readable. Remember, you are trying to persuade a stranger to want to meet you.

Do proof read: we hve al sen the CVs ,in whch the canddate say they is a exprt prof redder but thn forgots how too reed threw there finised documnt.

And before any of you say it, I know, my post on LinkedIn, twitter and Facebook had a massive typo in it. Unfortunately, typos can happen to all of us, especially when we're in a rush. Take your time, print your CV out and go through it with a red pen.

Do be careful who you send it to: which leads us to...

The Don'ts

Don't send your CV off to any third party without first considering the implications: okay, I'm going to be negative here. Be very careful about sending your CV to an agency. There are some good ones but be cautious. Many agencies will send a CV off to a client without first seeking the candidate's permission.

Heard about the candidate who applied for a role in their own firm? Of the one who applied for the position 3 times through 3 different agents? Or the one who was offered an interview for a role they hadn't realised they had applied to, 6 months after securing a new position via the same agency?

Don't include sensitive information: the main example here is your address, although we have sometimes seen NI numbers. Think about the consequences of your CV being in circulation with personal information, the circulation of which you have no control over.

Don't go into too much detail: I appreciate that this is similar to other points I have made, but the employer does not want a verbatim report of your career to date. Instead, highlight 3 or 4 transactions or litigation in each position and set the agenda. Describe:

  • Your goals and objectives
  • What you achieved
  • How you achieved
  • The result for the client and the firm
  • Your role in the success
  • How did your contribution positively impact upon the result?

Use evidence to support this!

Don't repeat yourself: don't start your CV with a professional summary, explaining your strengths and achievements, and then repeating the same information in every position you have held. Instead, come up with examples of your achievements. Let your CV speak for itself.

Don't hide career gaps: Are you returning to work after a career gaps? That's fine. Employers now consider it acceptable to take time out for maternity leave, or a sabbatical for ill health or to go travelling. Instead use it as a positive: what did you learn? What knowledge did the experiences leave you with? Why are you now passionate about returning?

Do not use ambiguous or negative phraseology: be confident and be positive. The employer has a problem, you are the solution. Take confidence from that.

Don't repeat yourself...

 

We all know that CV's can be daunting and that very few of us are good are publicising ourselves. Especially lawyers. Hopefully, the last few weeks will provide you with the confidence to build a more robust CV.

Let us know your progress and feel free to drop us a line if you need any clarification.

Even better, let us know if you think there are any do's and don'ts that we have left off.

 

 

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