Writing Effective Resumes and Cover Letters UC Davis School of

Writing Effective Resumes and Cover Letters UC Davis School of Law Office of Career Services Alec Nocco [email protected]

What is a U.S.-Style Legal Resume? One-page document (few exceptions) Containing: Header Education Work History Other Skills and Interest (as Space Permits) Focus on those that relate to the law, teamwork or leadership or include specific accomplishment Languages Computer Skills Personal Accolades Positive Clubs and Service Organization

What Should be Excluded? Pictures Marital Status Age Race Ethnicity Other Personal Information

Creating a U.S.-Style Resume: The Process 1. Consider your target employer and the skills you want to emphasize. 2. Prepare your draft. 3. Submit for review by LL.M. Career Advisor. 4. Consider and incorporate edits received. 5. Print for final review. 6. Make final edits. 7. Save as PDF and clearly label. 1. SURNAME-RESUME.pdf

Creating a U.S.-Style Resume: Headers Use professional email address Ensure telephone has professional voicemail Address—current vs. permanent Examples: Anne Attorney 1 First Street Davis, CA 95618 · Phone: (530) 231-3348 · Email · [email protected] Anne Attorney Current Address 1 First Street Davis, CA 95618 USA Phone: (530) 231-3348 · Email [email protected] Permanent Address 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA United Kingdom

Creating a U.S.-Style Resume: Education List all higher institutions (Undergraduate, Law School, LL.M.) Include city, state and country (if not U.S.) for each institution List proper name of degree and date received for each institution Grades/rank? (all or nothing) Activities and honors Research papers, relevant coursework Examples: University of California, Davis School of Law, Davis, CA LL.M., expected May 2018 Activities: Treasurer, International Law Society Relevant Coursework: Securities Regulation; Business Associations; Copyrights Dalian Maritime University, School of Law, Dalian, China LL.B., 2016 Honors: Annual Best Student of the University (2010-2011) Activities: Ninth Annual International Commercial Moot Arbitration Team (7 th among 108

Creating a U.S.-Style Resume: Experience Include Paid work Internships Volunteer activities (space permitted) List organization name, city, state and country (if not U.S.) Include title and dates worked (months, years) There is no “I” in resume – Start with Action words Use past tense unless still working there

Creating a U.S.-Style Resume: Experience Junhe Law Firm, Beijing, China March-May 2015 Legal Intern Drafted and negotiated international intellectual property rights contracts, including franchise and distribution agreements and trademark license agreements. Conducted research and prepared client memoranda concerning the legal framework for intellectual property investment for corporate technology clients. Sample Action verbs: Advised, analyzed, conducted, coordinated, counseled, developed, drafted, edited, investigated, managed,

Creating a U.S.-Style Resume: Other Sections Professional Memberships Bar memberships (must be current) Professional associations Relevant professional certifications (CPA) Include dates Examples: Admitted to practice law in China (2016) American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (2012) Language Skills Name of language and skill level (native, fluent, or basic) General rule: anything other than basic, be prepared to conduct interview in that language. Example: Spanish (native); English (fluent); French (basic reading comprehension)

Creating a U.S.-Style Resume: Other Sections Publications and/or Presentations May be standalone section or included under “Experience” or “Education” Use Bluebook citation format Only include if relevant for target employer Include dates Example: An Introduction to International Taxation for Young Professionals, 25 Tax Notes Int’l 81 (2009) Interests Consider how target audience will react Only include if relevant or gives you the chance to showcase teamwork, leadership or special skill/talent Example: Wrestling (placed third in National

Resume During COVID-19 Stress and highlight skills you possess that are especially relevant during this time. Technical Skills Working Remotely Independent Work Ethic Self-Starter Lexis and Westlaw Access

Cover Letter Basics What is the purpose of a cover letter? Explain why you want to work at the organization Explain how you meet the job requirements Why do I need a cover letter? Employers use cover letters to Get more information than provided on résumé Read about your skills See if you can write/communicate Decide which applicant will be interviewed

Cover Letter Header Tip: Put your resume header at the top of your cover letter. Then: Date Address Greeting to specific person if possible If specific person isn’t available use “Dear Hiring Manager:”

Introductory Paragraph Main goal: Introduce yourself and explain what you are seeking. Do not start with “My name is ” Opening sentence - Who you are (first-year law student at University of California, Davis School of Law) and what you are seeking/why you are writing. Mention contact you know at employer/name of referral (get contact’s consent).

Introductory Paragraph Explain why them and any particular practice area interest you have. Be sure that the office practices in the areas you list! Can express sincere admiration/awareness of the work they do. List any ties to the geographic area if its not evident from your resume: Family or friends Lived there previously/undergrad there Spent significant time there

Second Paragraph: Your Experience Why should they select YOU. What YOU bring to the table-how your skills, experiences and education fit the position and benefit the employer. Talk about any previous legal experience, if any. Discuss previous experience where you developed/refined transferable skills.

Experience: Transferable Skills Analytical thinking Problem identification/definition Writing/drafting Research Problem Solving Communication Decision Making

Experience: Transferable Skills Time Management Logical/independent thinking Organization Negotiation Synthesizing information/data Leadership/ability to take initiative

Experience Paragraph (cont’d) For most people, one paragraph is sufficient. Do not restate your resume. TIP: Use no more than two examples from your résumé to support your points Use this paragraph to highlight certain skills/experience in more detail. Employers want to see what you can offer them, not just what you want to gain from them!

Letter Language Avoid weak language: I worked as a ramp agent at Comair. Strong language: As a ramp agent, I assisted in loading baggage, oversaw fueling the aircraft, and stocked commissary items on the aircraft. Do not use jargon, simplify language

The Close: Final Paragraph Thank reader for time and consideration of your application. Can reiterate interest in position/employer. Give contact email and phone number (or state that contact information is in header) Give date range/availability to meet.

Cover Letter During COVID-19 Same as Resume Language but even more important Can work remotely Flexible Independent Self-sufficient WestLaw and Lexis Access at home

Final Thoughts Proofread it and have at least one other person review it. Develop a base cover letter that you can rework for different employers. Save each cover letter for future reference. Follow-Up-Approx. 2 week follow up with e-mail. (Have Alec review)

Final Thoughts Examples and Additional Instructions for both resumes and cover letters are available on the intranet at: https://intranet.law.ucdavis.edu/com munity/career/ Always send new resumes and cover letters to Career Services for Review! [email protected] U