Office of Career Planning

and Professional Development

LL.M. Orientation

The Resume A profile of your educational and experiential

qualifications The basis on which employers grant an interview Use of US resume style is important - conveys to

employers that you are comfortable in the US employment market

Accuracy is paramount Single page highly preferred Visual aesthetics are important - reader needs to

be able to "scan" or "skim" the resume and glean highlights

CONTACT INFORMATION Name centered at top of page, set off with bold or large type Employers will use your resume heading to determine how

to address you in conversation:• if you use your middle rather than your first name,

consider using only your first initial: A. Maria Gonzalez, rather than Anna Maria

Gonzalez• if you go by an American name or a diminutive of your

name, include that name: Weeravej (William) Sirichatchai Yetunde (Titi) Talabi

• if your name may be gender neutral to a US reader, add the title Mr. or Ms.

Include your current mailing address, email address and telephone number (cell phone is ok). You may also include an address in your home country.

BAR ADMISSION

All headings flush leftPlaced first because your ability to provide

legal advice and service is of paramount importance to a prospective employer

Include certifications/memberships in home country and elsewhere

Indicate your intentions regarding bar admission or other certification/licensure in the US

EDUCATION List educational institutions in reverse chronological order,

with Washington and Lee first Include the city/state/country (if outside the US) Include the degree expected or received and the year in

which it was awarded Include your grade point average, if it is an asset (3.0 or

greater is our guideline) Subsections listing honors and activities:

• include academic honors, scholarships, your thesis or dissertation topic, etc.

• include positions of leadership in university or community organizations

• include team sports

EXPERIENCE List positions of employment in reverse chronological order No large time gaps left unaccounted for Need not include non-legal employment while a student Format:

• name of employer, location, time period employed, position title

• job description, using active verbs (list available on OCS website) and present tense

• what were your responsibilities?• what tasks or projects did you undertake?• what specific examples of your work would assist the

reader in understanding your experience?• what lawyering skills did you develop?

SKILLS AND INTERESTS

Optional. May provide insight into your personality

May provide opportunity to develop rapport with interviewer by revealing common interests

Appropriate entries:• charitable, civic or political involvement• travel• business skills, public speaking• Athletics

Avoid general statements like "Reading and Sports"

LANGUAGES

Identify your native languageTruthfully indicate your level of skill

• Native German, Fluent English, Conversational Spanish• Native Spanish, Fluent written English

WHAT TO EXCLUDE FROM YOUR RESUME

Job Objective (not appropriate for legal market) Personal statements about health, age, weight,

marital or parental status Scores on LSAT, TOEFL or other examinations Basic Computer skills Indication that references or a writing sample are

available upon request Names of references

• should be on a separate sheet entitled “References”

• include your name on an upper corner of your References sheet

• 3 references are sufficient

THE DETAILS

• 8.5 x 11 paper• white or off-white (cream, ecru) bond• use same paper for resume, reference

sheet and cover letter• your resume and related documents MUST

be error free:•proofread yourself, and have another

person proofread as well•do not rely on computer “spell-check”

ALBERTO GRANDE5555 Academy Street

Lexington, Virginia 24450Home: (540) 463-0000 Cell: (540) 461-0000

BAR STATUSAdmitted to practice in Peru since 1996Will take the New York State bar examination in July 2004

EDUCATIONWashington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, VirginiaCandidate for LL.M. in United States Law, May 2004

Coursework: Introduction to United States Law; Contracts; Constitutional Law; Legal WritingActivites: International Law Society

Universidad Del Peru, Lima, PeruLaw Degree, May 1995

GPA:3.75/4.00, ranked 34/235Coursework: Advanced study in corporate and international lawHonors: Recipient, Outstanding Corporate Law Student awardActivities: President, Law Student Association

EXPERIENCEJavier, Diaz & Pena Law Firm, Lima, PeruAttorney, 1996-2003: Represented clients on cases involving international law, business and corporate mattersincluding purchase of corporations. Advised corporate clients concerning trade law, corporation law, stock exchangeregulations and contractual matters. Represented clients in trial and appellate courts. Prepared briefs, contracts,settlement agreements and corporation charters.

Contreras & Ortega Law Firm, Lima, PeruLegal Intern, 1994-95: Assisted partners on general corporate matters, international commercial contracts, intellectualproperty matters, trademarks agreements and real estate negotiations.

LANGUAGE SKILLSFluent in written and spoken English and Spanish (native)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONSColegio de Abogados de Lima, Lima, Peru

INTERESTSScuba diving; Tae Kwon Do