Resumes Your Personal Advertisement

1. Resumes Your Personal Advertisement Office of Career & Professional Development Indiana University Maurer School of Law

2. Why Important? • 1st Impression – Reflects You & Your Work Product • Think Strategically - Who? - What? • Market/Sell Yourself

3. Sections • Heading • Education • Experience • Activities

4. The Heading – letterhead or masthead • Name • Current Address • Permanent Address • Single Phone Number - Home or Cell • E-Mail Address – Not Hyperlinked • URL – Professional Web Site

5. Michael Keller mikeller@indiana.edu 211 South Indiana Avenue 1234 Washington Lane Bloomington, Indiana 47403 Chicago, Illinois 60606 812-855-0258 312-555-0001

6. Michael Keller 211 South Indiana Avenue * Bloomington, Indiana * 47403 * 812-855-0258 mikeller@indiana.edu

7. Michael Keller 211 South Indiana Ave. Bloomington, IN 47405 (812) 345-3030 mikeller@indiana.edu

8. Watch your Email! • Use IU email • Be consistent • Be Professional

9. Education • Institution • Location • Degree(s) • Date Awarded (or Expected) • GPA & Class Ranking • Activities – Moot Court, Journal, Orgs • Honors/Distinctions • Coursework w/ Highest Grade

10. Your Degree • JD, Expected May 2012 • JD Candidate, May 2012 • Doctor of Jurisprudence, May 2012 • Juris Doctor, May 2012 • NOT Juris Doctorate, May 2012 • NOT JD, August 2009 – Present

11. Your School Indiana University Maurer School of Law

12. EDUCATION Indiana University Maurer School of Law J.D., expected May 2012 • Chancellor’s Fellow • Inmate Legal Assistance Project • Fundraising Chair, Women’s Law Caucus • Environmental Law Society College of Williamsburg, VA B.A., cum laude, Major: Philosophy, May 2008 • Editorial Board Member, Time Goes By Literary Magazine, 2007 • Founder, Environmental Philosophy Reading Group • President, Philosophy Roundtable • Co-Chair, Host Committee, NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt University of London Semester Abroad Program, Summer 2006

13. EDUCATION Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, IN Juris Doctor Candidate, May 2012 • Chancellor’s Fellow • Inmate Legal Assistance Project • Fundraising Chair, Women’s Law Caucus • Environmental Law Society College of Williamsburg Williamsburg, VA Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Major: Philosophy, May 2009 Independent Study Thesis: "Environmental Impact Statements: A Theory” • Philosophy Department Honors • Editorial Board Member, Time Goes By Literary Magazine, 2006-2008 • President, Williamsburg Chapter, Phi Sigma Tau Honor Society • Founder, Environmentalist Philosophy Reading Group • President, Philosophy Roundtable • Silverstein Grant for Independent Study • Co-Chair, Williamsburg Committee, NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt • University of London, Summer Abroad Program, 2006

14. Experience • Organization • Location • Title of Position Held • Dates of Association • List action statements of your duties which show responsibility and skills development

15. Experience – Alternative Headings • Legal Experience • Research and/or Writing Experience • Teaching Experience • Leadership Experience • Management Experience • Relevant Experience • Internship Experience • Volunteer Experience DOES NOT HAVE TO BE “PAID WORK” EXPERIENCE

16. Activities • Organization & Location • Title – Office Held – Distinction Given • Dates of affiliation • Brief Description

17. Other Possible Headings • Technical Skills • Publications • Presentations • Licensure or Certification • Foreign Language Skills • Professional Affiliations/Memberships • Professional Service • Community Service • Special Skills • Travel Experience

18. Things To Leave Off • Objective • References • Availability • Personal Information • LSAT Score

19. Formatting Guidelines • Length – 1 page • Paper Quality and Color • Margins & White Space • Using Software & Templates • Font Size – 12 pt. (11 can work) • Font Choices

20. Font Choices – Yes or No?

21. Common Blunders • Appearance • Not Spell Checking • Gaps or omissions • Filling in a Template • One Size Fits All Resume • Using Acronyms • Inconsistent Entries

22. Summary 1. Heading - no hyperlinks or unnecessary labels 2. No Objective 3. Indiana University Maurer School of Law 4. J.D., Juris Doctor, or Doctor of Jurisprudence - Undergrad should follow same format 5. Consistent format for section headings 6. Organization, Location, Title, Dates, Description 7. Not a chronological diary – strategic marketing

23. These are taken from real resumes! • “My intensity and focus are at inordinately high levels, and my ability to complete projects on time is unspeakable.” • “Proven ability to track down and correct erors.” • “I am very detail-oreinted.” • “An obsession for detail; I like to make sure I cross my i’s and dot my t’s.” • “Handled customers and cashiered.” (To dismiss from the armed forces because of misconduct.) From Resumania™ (Robert Half International Inc.)

24. Questions on Writing Your Resume?

25. Part II: Cover Letters • Serves as an introduction • Highlights desired skills • Shows your enthusiasm & interest in the org and geographic location • Demonstrates your writing skills

26. Paragraph 1 – Intro • Why are you writing? • Where did you find this announcement or who guided you to this job? • Overview of qualifications • Entice them to read your resume and invite you to interview

27. Example As a first year law student at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, I write to submit my materials for a 2010 summer clerkship with Jackson & Heller. I enjoyed the opportunity to job shadow Ms. Marjorie Johnson, an Indiana Law alumna who is an Associate in your firm this fall. My past work experience has empowered me with a high level of professionalism and I believe I can make a contribution to your firm as a summer clerk utilizing my skills in research and writing.

28. Paragraph 2 – About You • In what ways do you meet their qualification requirements? • What skills do you bring to the table? • What is your link to that geographic area?

29. Example As a permanent resident of Kentucky, I plan to return to my home state to pursue my legal career after graduation. A summer clerkship with your firm would allow me to work in the Louisville legal community and synthesize what I am learning in the classroom in a practical setting.

30. Paragraph 3 – About Them • Why do you want to work for this organization/firm? • Articles • Web Site • Practice Areas or Clients • Referrals • Specific Cases – But be careful

31. Example After college I worked for two years as a Business Analyst at Humana in Louisville earning significant promotions each year based on positive evaluations by my superiors. I believe my accounting and finance background has provided me with transferable skills and practical experience that will be an asset to your firm. Although I don’t know definitively what practice area I want to pursue at this early stage in my academic program, I am interested in Mergers & Acquisitions, which I know is a specialty area for your firm.

32. Paragraph 4 - Closing • Indicate your desire for an interview and willingness to meet them. • Give them your phone number and e-mail address in case they want to contact you. • Thank them in advance

33. Example I plan to be in Louisville from March 16-21 during my spring break and I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss the summer clerkship in more detail. I can be reached at lawstudent@indiana.edu or (812) 855-2345. Thank you for your time and consideration in reviewing my materials.

34. Formatting • One page • Same paper and font style as your resume • Sign in black ink • Unless you use a letterhead format, don’t include your name in your address block

35. Formatting - Spacing • Your return address block • 1 Space • Date • 1 Space • Employer address block • 1 Space • Dear Mr./Ms. Smith: • 1 Space

36. Spacing Continued • Body of letter with 1 space between paragraphs • 1 space • “Sincerely,” • 4 Spaces • Your Name

37. Helpful Hints • Send to a specific person – if possible • Use NALP Directory to identify Hiring Partner or Recruiting Coordinator • Avoid restating your resume • Give them a time frame that you will be in their area and available

38. Common Errors • Generic Cover Letters: “. . . and I want to work for a firm with the prestige and reputation of (enter firm name here).” • Telling them about your skills instead of demonstrating them • My name is… • The Informal E-mail • Failing to proofread • Too familiar – I would loveto work in your firm!

39. Final Thoughts • Read Your letters out loud. • Don’t copy Templates. • Questions?