How long should a legal resume be?

Asked by: Salma Ullrich  |  Last update: August 28, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (21 votes)

Legal employers prefer to see a concise resume. Most law student resumes are one page. If you have extensive professional experience or a technical background it may be appropriate to have a two-page resume.

How long should an attorneys resume be?

For most law students and junior lawyers, that means a one-page resume. For most lawyers, that means a two-page or three-page resume. For general counsel and C-suite lawyers, that might mean a six-page CV with addenda.

How do you format a legal resume?

The Basics
  1. Keep your resume to one page.
  2. Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Garamond.
  3. Select a font size of 11 point or 12 point.
  4. Create margins no smaller than . ...
  5. Use bold, underlining, and italics consistently to enhance readability.
  6. Make deliberate style choices, then stick to them throughout.

What is the margin for legal resume?

While margins can be smaller than the standard for a term paper, you should allow at least a half-inch all around.

Can resume be legal size?

If you want a professional and no-fail resume, stick to this classic size. Now if you're feeling a bit bolder, here's a quick tip that gives you a chance at standing apart from the others: go with paper that's a little big longer, like legal size paper (8.5" x 14").

How Long Should My Resume Be?

45 related questions found

Is my resume allowed to be 2 pages?

A resume can be more than one page. But make your resume as short as possible while still showing you're experienced enough. Since most managers skim, two-page resumes can be daunting. But very experienced applicants can't usually prove their worth without a two page resume.

Can my resume be longer than 2 pages?

But if it takes two pages or more, that's OK, too. “I've had new grads do well with two-page resumes and top executives do well with only one page,” Isaacs says. Just remember: Your resume should be a high-level look at your accomplishments that entices the hiring manager to want to learn more.

How many pages is a legal resume?

Legal employers prefer to see a concise resume. Most law student resumes are one page. If you have extensive professional experience or a technical background it may be appropriate to have a two-page resume.

How far back should a resume go?

Generally, experts recommend keeping about 10-15 years of work experience on your resume, but that guidance changes depending on your professional history. Your resume is one of the first things a potential employer sees about you.

What is the margin size for legal?

You'll want to start with a standard page size (8.5 x 11 inches) with 1-inch margins. Keep the font simple, such as Times New Roman, and avoid the use of color. Remember to break up text with headers and paragraphs for readability.

How should an attorney resume look?

Lawyer resume tips
  • Keep it brief. ...
  • Simplify your formatting. ...
  • Be specific. ...
  • 4 . ...
  • Use action verbs. ...
  • List relevant work experience and education. ...
  • Mention hobbies or personal interests related to law. ...
  • Include relevant professional skills.

Should I put JD after my name on resume?

I mentioned that some industries prefer not to include initials next to the name on a resume. One such industry is law. Most lawyers prefer not to include “Esq.” or “JD” next to their name, as it comes off as pretentious.

Do you put Esq on resume?

Use of “Esq.” Use of “Esq.” Do not add “, Esq.” after your name on your resume (or anywhere else)1. Once you have been admitted to practice, the honorific “Esquire” or its abbreviation, “Esq.”, can be applied after your name.

What is too long for a resume?

Going even further back in time (as far as Kiplinger's Changing Times 55' issue on job seeker advice) you'll read that keeping your resume to a single page is your best option. Two pages are also acceptable. But, anything longer makes it too difficult for employers to go through.

Should I put my GPA on my legal resume?

As a general rule, if your GPA is in the top half of the class, or starts with a "3," include it. Otherwise, you may want to consider leaving it off. Employers will assume your grades were lower than top half if they see no mention of grades or rank.

Should a resume have months or years?

Your resume needs months and years for every job in your work experience section. Also list the year you graduated college, joined professional associations, or got a certification. You should also include the year and months you started and stopped working on an internship.

What is the 8 second resume rule?

Imagine, eight seconds! If you do capture their interest, they will then spend an additional 1-2 minutes looking for other important aspects about your job history such as significant accomplishments and career progression. If you make it that far, you have passed the 8 second resume test!

How far back should a resume go 2023?

You're probably going to need more than just a resumé to get an interview. But that's a subject for another post. Consider that Career Builder suggests 10 years as a benchmark for how far back your resumé can go in 2023.

How much of a resume gap is too much?

A big gap of several months to a year on your resume is a massive red flag to employers, even if you have a valid reason for taking that time off.

Is 3 pages too much for a resume?

Is a 3-page resume acceptable? Having a three-page resume might be less common than having a one- or two-page resume. Candidates with resumes of three or more pages should consider applying for a position with a curriculum vitae (CV) rather than a resume.

Can a professional resume be 3 pages?

While three pages may seem like you're entering novella territory, this resume length can work for professionals who need the extra space. Before going to multiple pages, take inventory of why you need the longer format. Ask yourself if your resume is built on quality versus quantity.

How long should a resume be for 10 years experience?

Two-page resumes are a good choice for those with enough experience to fill both pages. As a result, two-page resumes are best suited to mid-career professionals with 10-15 years of relevant experience, who are applying to leadership positions within an organization.

How many pages is too many for a resume?

For most candidates, a resume should be only one page. Be brief and concise with anything you write on your resume. Customize your resume for the job you're applying for and include only relevant experience. If you've done everything right, you shouldn't get past one page.

Can you resume 1.5 pages?

A 1.5-page resume will leave half of the page empty, ruining even the best resume layout. If you notice that your resume starts filling the next page, cut out some information. A one-page resume is best for most applicants, especially those with less than 10 years of relevant experience.

Should resume be printed back to back or 2 pages?

When submitting your resume, it's best to avoid printing it in a double-sided format. If you have too much information to fit onto one side of a single page, consider using two pages.