When you apply for a legal role, simply listing a bunch of buzzwords like teamwork and time management won’t get you very far.
You need to demonstrate your skills to employers. When you showcase your capabilities in action, you help them to see how your skills will translate and benefit their organisation.
Here’s how you can promote your skillset with punch and authority.
Embed your skills throughout your resume
Don’t create a separate section to list all your skills. Anyone can insert a skill dump of single words that sound impressive on paper.
Rather, incorporate your skills throughout your resume.
Weave them into other sections. Mention them under your law-related work experience, general employment history or volunteer experiences.
But what’s the best way to present and talk about them?
Back up your claims with examples
Reinforce your skills with a brief explanation. Demonstrate that you have the skills the employer is looking for by describing an example of how you applied yourself.
Don’t just talk the talk.
Let employers know that you’ve already walked the walk.
For example, rather than simply listing ‘problem-solving’ under your hospitality work experience, support your claim with evidence. You might describe how: When menu items were unavailable, I offered customers a similar alternative at the same price.
Quantify your results and share a story of your skills in action
And don’t stop at giving examples. Where possible, include specific evidence – like metrics, results and feedback – to show your impact.
So share a time when you used that skill, describing a positive outcome you achieved. When you do, your skills will be more believable and more memorable to employers.
Think of each example as a mini case study. You’re sharing a story – with a situation, action and result – that showcases your skills.
For example, here’s how you might frame your client management skills: At the Community Legal Centre I was the first point of contact for new clients and conducted preparatory interviews. Senior lawyers often praised my friendly communications.
Use strong verbs to show your impact
Strong verbs place you at the centre of the action and show how you used your skills to achieve a desirable outcome.
You can strengthen your appeal to employers by weaving some of the following words into your examples and scenarios:
- Developed
- Facilitated
- Organised
- Examined
- Initiated
For example, here’s how you could describe your advanced research skills in practice: I contextualised and critically examined information from several primary and secondary sources during my honours dissertation. My supervisor commended the high calibre of my research.
Let your achievements shine
When it comes to your resume, it’s okay to humble brag. (In fact, it’s more than okay – it’s encouraged.)
So this is where you should let your achievements shine. Your achievements are what you accomplished over and above your base requirements and responsibilities.
Perhaps you exceeded your targets or you demonstrated initiative to improve an inefficient process.
For example, under your retail position at Coles, here’s how you could highlight your teamwork skills: I worked collaboratively by mentoring junior team members. I made time to rapidly bring them up to speed with our internal processes and procedures.