On Monday, I provided descriptions of two (2) positions I had as a law clerk. All law-related positions are not the same, and no one description is perfect for all jobs. However, when it comes to resume writing, in general, there are some things that are very important to you, as the author, and to the reader, who may be a potential employer.
I. Some Additional Tips.
a. Clarity
Read your sentences several times to make sure that each sentence reads smoothly. If a person has to read the sentence more than one time, then the sentence should be re-written.
b. Sentence length
A sentence does not have to be 17-25 words long. It can be longer, or shorter than listed above. Again, read the sentence, first. Check it for clarity. Even if the sentence is clear, ask yourself if the sentence is too long. A sentence may be too long based on the number of words in the sentence (too many words). Or, a sentence may be too long if the writer is trying to convey too many concepts in a single sentence. A good sentence length has as much to do with the number of words used in the sentence as it does with the number of ideas that the writer wants to share with the reader.
c. Word choice:
A friend of mine, Agnes Powell, Esq., once told me that lawyers are "word sensitive" people. That is a true statement. We listen to what other people say, very carefully. We read what others write, just as carefully. Or, at least we should. Ms. Powell also meant that lawyers "watch" where a word is placed in a sentence to determine how the writer meant to use that particular word. Word sensitivity is or should be a tool used by all lawyers. If this is the case (and, it is), then all potential employers who are lawyers are carefully reading your resume and cover letter.
d. Knowledge of words used.
Choose words that accurately reflect what you want to say. Choose words that describe your actions and your work product. Make certain that you know the meaning of the words you use in your resume, and you can actually pronounce the words, without stumbling over the second syllable. Purchase a thesaurus, or look on-line for proper definitions of words that adequately explain who you were (or, are) in a position.
It is not necessary for you to become hooked on the use of five-syllable words. Simple is good. Simple will get the message across without fanfare or confusion. There is no need to use a $10.00 word when a $2.00 word will do just fine. And, remember, someone once said, "there is no such thing as good writing, only good editing." All of us need to keep that in mind.
II. Job Descriptions:
Here are a few more short job descriptions that may be helpful if you seek to describe a position in a single sentence.
a. Intern:
Prepared written responses to 13 civil and criminal motion briefs.
Note:
I keep a notebook of my work-related activities for each position where I am employed. That is why I used a number to indicate how many responses (and, orders) were written. This is a condensed version because I have added more experience in other areas on my resume.
I realized long ago that almost everything you do at one place of employment is a transferable skill at another place of employment. I do not believe any skill I have is unimportant; it just may not be a skill that I include on my resume. It may be something to discuss as a minor incentive at the end of an interview, or an ice-breaker at the beginning of an interview. Who knows.
b. Law Clerk
United States Attorney's Office, Appellate Division. Prepared three reply briefs for criminal matters brought on appeal.
Note:
This is another example of a shortened version of the work done at a particular worksite. I did not go into detail about the work, however the reader knows that I prepared three briefs and that I am familiar with the process that goes into writing an appellate brief on behalf of the government.
c. Law Clerk
The Public Defender Service: legal resarch conducted on assault with intent to rob, double jeopardy, homocide, illegal search & seizure, joinder & severance of defendants, and show-up identifications.
Note: this law clerk position was different than the other two, particularly because of the job descriptions. In the other two positions, I conducted research and wrote the final document. As an employee with PDS, I conducted the research portion of the work, only. I included the type of research conducted to show the depth of my knowledge of particular crimes.
The last post on resume writing will be a post solely of words you may use to help describe you and the work you have done up to this point in your career.
Thank you,
Prof. Smith
I. Some Additional Tips.
a. Clarity
Read your sentences several times to make sure that each sentence reads smoothly. If a person has to read the sentence more than one time, then the sentence should be re-written.
b. Sentence length
A sentence does not have to be 17-25 words long. It can be longer, or shorter than listed above. Again, read the sentence, first. Check it for clarity. Even if the sentence is clear, ask yourself if the sentence is too long. A sentence may be too long based on the number of words in the sentence (too many words). Or, a sentence may be too long if the writer is trying to convey too many concepts in a single sentence. A good sentence length has as much to do with the number of words used in the sentence as it does with the number of ideas that the writer wants to share with the reader.
c. Word choice:
A friend of mine, Agnes Powell, Esq., once told me that lawyers are "word sensitive" people. That is a true statement. We listen to what other people say, very carefully. We read what others write, just as carefully. Or, at least we should. Ms. Powell also meant that lawyers "watch" where a word is placed in a sentence to determine how the writer meant to use that particular word. Word sensitivity is or should be a tool used by all lawyers. If this is the case (and, it is), then all potential employers who are lawyers are carefully reading your resume and cover letter.
d. Knowledge of words used.
Choose words that accurately reflect what you want to say. Choose words that describe your actions and your work product. Make certain that you know the meaning of the words you use in your resume, and you can actually pronounce the words, without stumbling over the second syllable. Purchase a thesaurus, or look on-line for proper definitions of words that adequately explain who you were (or, are) in a position.
It is not necessary for you to become hooked on the use of five-syllable words. Simple is good. Simple will get the message across without fanfare or confusion. There is no need to use a $10.00 word when a $2.00 word will do just fine. And, remember, someone once said, "there is no such thing as good writing, only good editing." All of us need to keep that in mind.
II. Job Descriptions:
Here are a few more short job descriptions that may be helpful if you seek to describe a position in a single sentence.
a. Intern:
Prepared written responses to 13 civil and criminal motion briefs.
Note:
I keep a notebook of my work-related activities for each position where I am employed. That is why I used a number to indicate how many responses (and, orders) were written. This is a condensed version because I have added more experience in other areas on my resume.
I realized long ago that almost everything you do at one place of employment is a transferable skill at another place of employment. I do not believe any skill I have is unimportant; it just may not be a skill that I include on my resume. It may be something to discuss as a minor incentive at the end of an interview, or an ice-breaker at the beginning of an interview. Who knows.
b. Law Clerk
United States Attorney's Office, Appellate Division. Prepared three reply briefs for criminal matters brought on appeal.
Note:
This is another example of a shortened version of the work done at a particular worksite. I did not go into detail about the work, however the reader knows that I prepared three briefs and that I am familiar with the process that goes into writing an appellate brief on behalf of the government.
c. Law Clerk
The Public Defender Service: legal resarch conducted on assault with intent to rob, double jeopardy, homocide, illegal search & seizure, joinder & severance of defendants, and show-up identifications.
Note: this law clerk position was different than the other two, particularly because of the job descriptions. In the other two positions, I conducted research and wrote the final document. As an employee with PDS, I conducted the research portion of the work, only. I included the type of research conducted to show the depth of my knowledge of particular crimes.
The last post on resume writing will be a post solely of words you may use to help describe you and the work you have done up to this point in your career.
Thank you,
Prof. Smith
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