Writing Successfully: Crafting 1L Resumes And Cover .

Writing Successfully:Crafting 1L Resumes andCover Letters that WorkCareer & Professional Development CenterDuke University School of LawOctober 22 & 23, 2012

FOUR STEPS TO TAKE NOWAS YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER (“SHORT TERM”)1) Study to truly master your 1L classes.2) Meet with (at least) one professor. Attend at least onelunch program weekly and talk with speakers ofinterest, other students.3) Learn about the practice of law through discussions,reading the N.Y. Times, Wall St. J., FT, Law.com, PSJD.4) Engage in one activity (optional).5) Study some more.

FOUR KEYS TO YOUR SUCCESSFULCAREER DEVELOPMENT (“MEDIUM TERM”)Briefing: You vs. The Job Market1. Facts: Who gets to pick them?2. Issue: What job(s) do I want: how do I get it?3. Rules: What are they and where do they come from?4. Application: How do I get the holding I want?5. Holding and Disposition:

Key Dates Ahead0 This Week:0 Resumes & Cover Letters and Outlining0 Next Week:0 Building Relationships: Effective Networking Techniques0 October 28 – November 160 First required meeting with a Career Counselor0 November 15 (to be repeated in January)0 Essentials of Interviewing for Legal Positions0 December 10 Mail any completed applications, prepare for exams0 Winter Break0 Start/continue sending applications, writing letters0 January – February 20130 1L Mock Interviews (to achieve proficiency)

The Big Picture:What are legal employers seeking?Attorneys who:0 Show commitment0 Inspire confidence0 Solve problemscreatively0 Demonstrate leadershipand professionalism0 Stay focused on client0 Have business sense orservice0 Display good judgment0 Work efficiently0 Take ownership0 Establish relationshipsmission focus0 Manage complex projects0 Build networks0 Are personable

“Above all, a cover letter is a‘sales pitch’ and it is the singlemost important page anunpublished writer will evercraft. It’s the first impressionand will either open the door orclose it. It’s that important, sodon’t mess it up. Mine took 17drafts and two weeks to write.” Nicholas Sparks

The Resumes of Michael G. Scott

You have 45 seconds to “wow” me, andyour time starts NOW

So, what must you do torise above the crowd?1. Ensure the factual accuracy ofevery entry and be ready tosupport it;2. Identify the core qualitiesdisplayed and/or skillsenhanced in each priorexperience; and3. Craft powerful descriptions byfocusing on actions taken andthe tangible benefits realizedfrom those actions.

1. Include only accurate,well-supported information.0 Scrutinize everyphrase andrepresentation,eliminating even theappearance ofexaggeration.0 Embrace the “FiveMinute” Rule.0 Stay Current.

2. Step Back To “Capture the Core”of Prior Experiences.0 Experience: Retail Sales Associate at Banana Republic0 Default: Folded and sold clothes.0 That same Retail Sales Associate could describe his/her work,writing:0 Reorganized floor displays, directing foot traffic to slowmoving pieces.0 Utilized strong interpersonal and communication skills toexceed customer expectations and retain loyal customers 0 Designed new sales contests and team member incentives

3. Tie Your Specific ActionsTo Concrete, Desired Outcomes.0 Wherever possible, quantify your achievements.0 Reorganized floor displays, directing foot traffic toslow-moving pieces; received summer bonus forincrease in sales.0 Utilized strong interpersonal and communicationskills to exceed customer expectations and retainloyal clientele; received district’s “Associate of theMonth” award.0 Designed new sales contests and team memberincentives which have since been adopted byregional management.

Three-Point InspectionFor Quality Assurance0 For quick confirmation that you’ve crafted amore compelling description of prior workexperience, test each bullet point separately.0 Does each bullet point: Start with an action verb? Continue by conveying your achievements withspecificity? Conclude with external evidence of positive valueresulting from your work?

The Powerof Packaging Does this reallymatter? Absolutely! Branding affects aconsumer’sperceptions ofrelative qualityand value.

Finally, When Revising Your Resume,Remember 0 This version is just thebeginning.0 A resume is NOT a fixeddocument to be written onceand mailed to all.0 Expect to create multipleversions, refining yourdescriptions and, thereby,your “brand” to align with theposition sought and coreskills essential to success.

The Two Essential Elementsof Effective Cover Letters0 Complement yourresume, not simplyrepeat its contents inparagraph form; and0 Focus on how you, asthe applicant, will helpthe employer if giventhe opportunity.

Effective Cover Letters:Four Paragraphs, Five Points1. Introduction/reason for your contact.2. Your specific interest in, ties to thiscity/geographic area; AND your specificinterest in this particular employer.3. Your specific strengths/transferrable skillsthat will add value to this employer.4. Conclusion/resume reference/availability foran interview.

A Word About Writing Samples0 Employers will likely request a writing sample beforeextending an offer.0 Most 1Ls will use their LARW memo, but sendwhatever represents your best analysis of alegal/pertinent issue.0 You may improve upon your 1L memo beforesubmitting it as a sample, but the edited version muststill fairly represent your work.0 The Career Manual contains further details, but seeyour Counselor to discuss specific questions.

Questions?You can sign up for individual advising sessionsstarting this week, and our Effective Networkingworkshop will be held on October 30 and November 1.Watch your email for details!

Crafting 1L Resumes and Cover Letters that Work Career & Professional Development Center Duke University School of Law October 22 & 23, 2012 . FOUR STEPS TO TAKE NOW AS YOU BEGIN YOUR