Last Updated February 29, 2024
What is a Resume Builder?
LawDepot's Resume Builder is an interactive resume template that helps you create a comprehensive and professional resume in minutes. Enter your information and we'll quickly generate a custom formatted resume for you.
Use your resume to apply for jobs and show employers that you're qualified for the position. You should highlight work-related qualifications, such as:
- Work experience
- Education history
- Awards and achievements
- Professional affiliations
- Volunteer work
- Work samples
How do I write a resume?
To write an effective resume, our template helps you generate a concise and comprehensive summary of your experience, education, and interests. It also places your career profile (sometimes called a career overview or personal statement) at the top, immediately showing employers the unique value you'd bring to the job.
Before writing your career profile, read through the list of requirements found in job ads for your ideal position. Consider what skills you have that could help a potential employer reach their business goals. Try to sum up your best and most relevant attributes in two or three sentences. You can check out our sample resume for an example of a career profile.
If you're writing a resume for your first job, consider focusing on your skills and education rather than your work history. Include samples of school assignments or freelance projects that demonstrate your capabilities despite your lack of experience. You can highlight volunteer history as well.
Remember to avoid getting carried away when listing your abilities and accomplishments. Employers are only interested in things that are relevant to the vacant position.
What's the difference between a resume and a CV?
In Australia, people often use the terms resume and CV interchangeably. However, in other countries, these documents may perform separate functions.
CV stands for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for "the course of life." People often use a CV to provide a detailed overview of their career history and educational background. This document usually suits academic jobs that involve research.
In contrast, the word resume originates from the French word résumé, which means "summary" or "outline." As the name implies, people often use a resume to provide a brief description of the skills and experience they possess related to a particular job.
A resume will likely include enough information to suit your needs. However, if a job posting specifically asks for a CV instead of a resume, be sure you send the right form.
What will give my resume a competitive edge?
Writing your resume with the employer's needs in mind (not your own) can give you a competitive edge compared to the dozens of resumes a recruiter may read through.
If a job ad lists the daily tasks of a position, include any related experience you have to those tasks. If possible, talk about how you could improve the efficiency and return on investment of those tasks as well. Attaching a Letter of Recommendation from someone who can verify and elaborate on specific examples in your resume is also beneficial.
If you're applying for a job that demands any kind of skill in technology, consider compiling a portfolio of your work on a personal website. LawDepot's Resume Builder includes a space for your website, if you have one. Employers may be impressed by your ability to create an online portfolio.
How long should a resume be?
A typical resume is only one page in length. Anything longer than one page and a recruiter might pass over your resume for lack of time.
That being said, your resume may be longer than a page if you're applying for a job that requires you to include more information about yourself. For example, an entry level position would likely require less information from an applicant than a management position.
While you should be conscious of the length of your resume, you should focus on any relevant information to the position.
What shouldn't you include on a resume?
An effective resume should focus on how you would fit into a role and help a company reach its goals. To keep your resume clear and concise, you should exclude the following information:
- The word "resume"
- A photo of yourself
- An unprofessional email address
- Personal information (e.g., age, marital status, etc.)
- Inappropriate work samples (e.g., with profanity or lewd content)
- The reason you left a previous job
- Salary expectations
LawDepot's Resume Builder helps you avoid superfluous information and prompts you to include only what's necessary. Recruiters don't need this information in a resume, and including some of these items may lead to potential discrimination.
Keep your resume concise. If your potential employer needs to know more, they'll ask you in an interview. This applies to your Reference List as well. Many employers will ask you for your references once you've passed their initial screening tests, so it’s fine to exclude them from your resume.
Should I send a cover letter with my resume?
In many cases, employers will specify in a job posting if they require a cover letter. However, even if it's not specified, it can be beneficial to send a Cover Letter with your resume to show employers that you are keen to earn the position.
A cover letter also allows you to speak to the qualities you highlighted in your resume by providing context and examples of your achievements.
