A strong CV is one of the most important parts of securing a vacation scheme, training contract or legal opportunity. It is often the first thing a recruiter sees and needs to demonstrate your skills, experience and motivation clearly within seconds.
Your CV should not simply list what you have done. It should show the impact of your experiences and how they have prepared you for a career in law.
- What to Include in a Law CV
A legal CV should be clear, structured and easy to read. The standard sections include
• Personal details including your name, email and phone number
• Education with your university, degree, grades and relevant modules
• Legal experience such as vacation schemes, insight days or virtual schemes
• Work experience including non legal roles that show transferable skills
• Positions of responsibility such as leadership roles or volunteering
• Skills and interests that are specific and memorable
Each section should add value and demonstrate why you are suited to the role
- How to Write Strong Bullet Points
Bullet points are where you show impact rather than just listing tasks
A strong bullet point should include
• What you did
• How you did it
• The result or skill developed
For example
Conducted legal research on contract disputes, strengthening analytical skills and developing an understanding of commercial risk
Avoid vague descriptions and focus on clear, specific contributions
- Legal Experience
Legal experience is helpful but not essential. What matters most is how you explain what you learned
Examples of legal experience include
• Vacation schemes
• Work experience placements
• Insight days
• Virtual programmes
Focus on
• Exposure to legal work
• Understanding of how law firms operate
• Skills such as research, drafting and client awareness
- Non Legal Work Experience
Non legal roles are just as important and often demonstrate key skills that law firms look for
These include
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Problem solving
For example
Delivered customer service in a fast paced environment, strengthening communication skills and the ability to work under pressure
- Positions of Responsibility
This section highlights leadership, initiative and commitment
Examples include
• Society roles
• Mentoring
• Volunteering
• Ambassador positions
Focus on what you achieved rather than just your title
- Skills and Interests
This is often overlooked but can help you stand out
Skills should be relevant and supported by your experiences
Interests should be specific and genuine as they are often discussed in interviews
For example
Reading commercial news with a focus on developments in the technology sector
Long distance running including completing organised races
- Tailoring Your CV
A strong CV is tailored to each firm rather than generic
You should
• Reflect the firm’s practice areas and values
• Highlight relevant experience
• Adjust wording to align with the role
Even small changes can significantly improve your application
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Spelling and grammar errors
• Poor formatting or inconsistent structure
• Listing responsibilities without impact
• Being too generic
• Including irrelevant information
Attention to detail is essential in law and your CV will be judged on it
- Formatting Tips
• Keep your CV to one page or two pages maximum
• Use a clear and professional font
• Keep spacing and layout consistent
• Use bullet points rather than long paragraphs
Your CV should be easy to read within 10 to 15 seconds
- Final Checklist
Before submitting your CV, check
• Is it clear and easy to read
• Have you shown impact rather than just tasks
• Are there any spelling or grammar mistakes
• Does it demonstrate your motivation for law
A strong CV is not about having the most experience but about presenting your experiences effectively
