When you’re looking for a job in a legal field, having a well-crafted, professional resume is essential. Writing a successful legal intern resume can seem intimidating, but if you understand the basics and follow a few simple steps, it’s easy to do. Here we’ll provide you with 10 steps to help get you started crafting that perfect intern resume.
1. Identify Your Core Competencies
The first step in creating a resume for a legal internship is to identify your core competencies. This means analyzing your skills and experiences and deciding which ones are most applicable to the position. Take some time to reflect on your past accomplishments before you start writing. Once you’ve identified your core competencies, you can use them to build the sections of your resume.
Research:
Look into the intern requirements and related job descriptions to determine the skills, experience, and qualifications that employers are searching for. Don’t be afraid to research beyond the job listing and industry websites to learn more about the organization you’re applying to and the field in general. Use this knowledge to identify which core competencies you should emphasize in your resume.
Relate:
Once you’ve identified your core competencies, you need to relate them to the position you’re applying for. Think about how your experience is applicable to the intern role you’re applying for and put that information at the forefront of your resume. This section should include skills, knowledge, and accomplishments that earned you recognition or special honors.
2. List Your Experiences
The next step in crafting an effective legal intern resume is to list your experiences. Start by making a list of your academic and work experiences, internships, volunteer work, awards, or any other job or professional achievements. This list should be in chronological order, starting with the most recent experiences.
Start & End Dates:
When you list your experience, include the start and end dates. This gives potential employers an idea of how long you were in each position and what kind of projects you completed. It also helps them identify the relevance of your experience to the internship they are offering.
Positions & Responsibilities:
In addition to the dates, include the job titles, roles you held, and responsibilities you were assigned in each position. This gives employers a more detailed picture of what kind of work you have done in the past and what kind of work you can do for them.
3. Highlight Your Accomplishments
When you’ve listed your experiences and core competencies, it’s time to highlight your accomplishments. This is the part where you can showcase your skills and accomplishments, and show potential employers why you are a great candidate for the role.
Keep It Focused & Specific:
When highlighting your accomplishments, keep it focused and specific. Don’t be vague with your descriptions and make sure to list specific examples of your achievements. This can include things like awards you received, initiatives you created, projects you completed, or goals you achieved.
Quantify Your Accomplishments:
Whenever possible, try to quantify your achievements. This means giving potential employers exact numbers and details. For example, instead of saying “increased sales” give them a specific number such as “increased sales by 25 percent”.
People Also Ask:
What should I include in a legal intern resume?
Include core competencies, experiences, and accomplishments related to the internship role you’re applying for.
How do I make a legal intern resume?
Make a list of your experiences in chronological order, starting from the most recent. Be sure to highlight your core competencies and accomplishments.
What format should a resume for legal internships be in?
Your resume should be in a professional, easy to read format. Use a standard font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, with font size 11-12.
What do legal internships look for on a resume?
Legal internships look for relevant experience, core competencies such as research and writing, awards and recognition, and quantifiable accomplishments.
How long should a resume for a legal internship be?
Your resume should be no longer than one page. For an entry-level legal internship, you can limit it to half a page.
Final Words
Writing a successful resume for a legal internship can seem intimidating but by following a few simple steps and emphasizing your core competencies, experiences, and accomplishments, you can create a professional resume that will help you stand out from the rest. With a well-crafted resume, you will be well on your way to landing a desirable legal internship.