Job Resources

In working with us, you will benefit from our many years of experience in successfully placing attorneys in high-profile positions in California. In addition to having connections with leading law firms and in-house legal departments, we are experts in resume writing, interviewing, and how to negotiate a great salary and benefits.

Here are some useful tips on resume writing and considerations to keep in mind for attorneys wishing to change practice areas.

Your Resume: Tips for Making a Good First Impression

We all know that a good first impression can be critical. Therefore, you should take the time to edit your resume before each job search. Here are a few tips.

Format

1. Chronological formats generally work best.
2. List education first unless you are a very senior-level attorney.

Education

1. List all honors and rankings (top third and above).

Experience

1. Employers will probably scrutinize your most recent experience, so be detailed in describing your current job.
2. Describe your general abilities in a couple of lines, then use bullet points to add specific information. Bullets can highlight various types of accomplishments:
   1. Practical experience, describing law and motion, discovery, and trial experience, or types of financing or M&A transactions handled.
   2. Participation in various cases or deals. Note whether you had primary responsibility.
   3. Types of agreements drafted.
   4. Number of hours billed.
   5. Representative clients.

Miscellaneous

1. Use concise, conventional English (Strunk and White style).
2. Use short paragraphs, no longer than five lines. Avoid a “wall of words.”
3. Hobbies are acceptable, unless they are overly generic. Who doesn't like movies or reading?
4. Omit sentences stating: "References available upon request." This is taken for granted.
5. Proofread, proofread, and proofread.

Switching Practice Areas: Considerations for Retooling your Law Career

Many attorneys ask us about switching practice areas. While we can help some attorneys seeking to retool their careers, there are several factors to bear in mind:

1. How many years have you been practicing in one area? It is much more difficult to switch practice areas if you're already a senior-level attorney.
2. What kind of move are you trying to make? If there is any connection between the two areas (e.g. patent prosecution or patent litigation to licensing, land use to real estate, tax to corporate), your chances are better.
3. Are you willing to step back in class year? This may be required.
4. How impressive are your academic credentials? It helps to have both a solid academic background and good training from a reputable firm.