(917) 447-1815Writing Your General Counsel Resume: The Ultimate Guide
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5 Essential Tips for Crafting a Powerful General Counsel Resume
As a team of former recruiters and current executive resume writers, we’ve seen countless attorney resumes cross our desks. Whether you're a seasoned lawyer or fresh out of law school, your resume is your first opportunity to make a strong impression. Here are the top 5 tips for creating a resume that will get you noticed in the competitive legal field.
Lead with a Compelling Professional Summary
Your professional summary is prime real estate on your resume. Use it wisely! In 3-4 concise sentences, highlight your areas of legal expertise, years of experience, and most impressive accomplishments. Showcase Your Legal Skills and Expertise. The legal field is vast, so it's crucial to highlight your specific areas of expertise. Create a dedicated "Areas of Practice" or "Core Competencies" section near the top of your resume. List 8-10 key skills relevant to the position you're targeting.
Quantify Your Achievements
Don't just list your job duties - demonstrate your impact! Use metrics and specific examples to illustrate your successes.
Tailor Your Experience to the Job Description
One size does not fit all when it comes to resumes. Carefully review the job description and tweak your resume accordingly. Emphasize experiences and skills that directly align with what the employer is seeking. For example, if you're applying for a position in environmental law, bring relevant cases or projects to the forefront.
Remember the Extras
While your legal experience is paramount, don't neglect other essential elements:
- Education: List your J.D., additional degrees, and honors or relevant coursework.
- Bar Admissions: Clearly state which state bars you're admitted to practice in.
- Publications and Speaking Engagements: If you've written articles or presented at legal conferences, include a section highlighting these accomplishments.
- Pro Bono Work: Demonstrating a commitment to community service can set you apart from other candidates.
Remember, your resume is your personal marketing document. It should be polished, professional, and tailored to your target role. Following these tips, you'll create a resume showcasing your legal expertise and position yourself as a top candidate.
Now, go out there and land that top legal job!
At Chameleon Resumes, we're the only Executive Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profile Development, and Job Search consultancy firm hired by LinkedIn for 8 years to help premium members win interviews faster and negotiate maximum compensation. Our team of former recruiters and hiring managers can turn your resume into a powerful job-landing tool using our proven 4-stage META Job Landing System™.
Don't leave your executive job search to chance. Let us craft a standout resume that will open doors to exciting new opportunities. Visit ChameleonResumes.com to schedule a consultation and explore how our team can support your career advancement.
Learn How Chameleon Resumes Can Help You Land Your Next Position
Powered by our team of top-tier resume writers and executive job landing experts, Chameleon Resumes will help you land your next CIO role by using our proven 4-stage META Job Landing SystemTM. This proven job landing system, which draws from our experience as corporate recruiters, executive search firm recruiters, and Fortune 500 HR consultants, organizes your executive job search into focused stages. Master the techniques behind presenting powerful documents, conducting impactful outreach, delivering unforgettable interviews, and confidently negotiating an incredible offer.
Sonya Olds Som (she/her/hers)
Global Managing Partner - Legal, Risk, Compliance & Government Affairs practice at Diversified Search
“One of my go-to resources to refer to legal industry… her document development process brings out the best, relevant accomplishments that impress desirable employers…”
Lisa and her team are one of my go-to resources to refer to legal industry and other executives who need to put together a suite of modern career documents and obtain comprehensive training on how to land a great, senior-level job. As a seasoned executive search consultant, I know her document development process and job search consulting, which brings out the best, relevant accomplishments that impress desirable employers, can help lead to getting hired.
Most importantly, I have experienced Chameleon’s work first hand as a senior-level client myself with regard to the development of my own resume. I highly recommend Lisa and her Chameleon team.
Maria Fernandez
Education Warrior | Legal Executive | Strategist | Chief Compliance Officer | Chief Member | Speaker & Podcast Host | Equity Champion
“Lisa knows the market and how to redefine your superpowers, so consider investing in yourself.”
After leaving Direct Energy, I did what I have done in the past. I rewrote my resume to address my role at Direct Energy. I got feedback from friends and ran Grammarly. However, when I sent it to a recruiter friend, she told me my resume was “functional,” which I heard as “meh” or, worse, boring. But she also recommended I hire a resume writer and recommended Lisa Rangel and her company, Chameleon Resumes.
They started by asking me to define myself through my achievements and not my job descriptions. They took my information and created a resume that reflected my superpowers and, more importantly, no longer “meh.” The process was thoughtful, and my assigned contact was always responsive in making changes and to my questions.
Since then, I have developed a relationship with Lisa, given our Cornell connection, and she has gone from my resume vendor to a trusted advisor and friend. Lisa knows the market and how to redefine your superpowers, so consider investing in yourself.
Adrienne Valencia Garcia
SVP, Deputy General Counsel, Commercial & Privacy @ Cengage Group | J.D.
“Their "glow up" (as my teenage daughter would say) is the reason I was ready when I received an email about the role I am in today.”
Lisa and her team are the best partners you can ask for when you are getting ready to take your resume, profile, and branding to the next level. I was a senior level attorney and still had a one page resume when I connected with Lisa! I had lots of fantastic experience that I was not capturing, let alone highlighting for recruiters, potential employers, or even as I expanded my network. That all changed once I started working with the team. I completed an extensive inventory of my work history, projects, accolades, etc. and they created a story that came to life. I was so energized with the process, the coaching and the final products. Their "glow up" (as my teenage daughter would say) is the reason I was ready when I received an email about the role I am in today. There was no scrambling to re-vamp my resume, or LinkedIn profile - it was all set and I was able to share my value right away. If you are on the fence about making the investment in yourself, reach out right now - you will not regret it!
Kimberly McClanahan
Executive Director at Valley Community Services Board
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The investment was worth the money. I am now happily working again in my chosen field at the CEO level as before. Great team of folks! Very caring and professional as well. Thanks to the team at Chameleon.
About Chameleon Resumes
The Chameleon Resumes team, led by CEO Lisa Rangel, stands out as the premier executive resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and job landing consultancy. As the only firm hired by LinkedIn and recognized by Forbes in this space, we bring unparalleled expertise to your career advancement journey. Our proprietary 4-Stage META Job Landing System™ is the culmination of decades of corporate and executive recruiting and executive resume writing experience. This proven methodology is designed to position you strategically for your next 6- or 7-figure role, ensuring you stand out in a competitive job market.
