St. Paul, Minn. | www.wmitchell.edu

Practical Wisdom

RESUMES: Your Best Marketing Tool

Career and Professional Development OfficeNovember 2012

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Symplicity

Watch for an email next week with your login information

Search for job postings RSVP for events

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Upcoming Events

MSBA Law Student Networking MixerMonday, November 12 5:00 – 7:30Details: http://www.mnbar.org/news/LawSchoolMixer_2012.pdf

Clerkship PanelThursday, November 15 4:30 – 6:30

Details: see Symplicity Events

The Why & How of Accelerated Worldwide Patent FilingsFriday, November 16 12:00 – 1:30 Details: Link on the Docket – Alumni CLE Series (free for students)

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Upcoming Deadlines

Minnesota Department of Human Services: Executive Pathways Applications due: December 9, 2012www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/id_010465

Minnesota State Bar Association Minority Clerkships Mitchell internal deadline: Mid-January, 2013www.mnlegaldiversity.org

Minnesota Justice Summer ClerkshipsApplications due: Late JanuaryMitchell’s information session: Early Januarywww.mnjustice.org

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Resume Review Process

Every student will have a resume approved in Symplicity

Each student will receive an email soon with instructions

Deadlines for resume submission will be after the first of the year

Primary differences between a non-legal and legal resume

No objective statement

No personal statement, summary, or profile

Generally ONE page

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Formatting Guidelines

The legal audience prefers the three Cs: conservative, conformist and cautious Moderate and consistent use of bullets,

underlining, italics, and bold Even margins, enough white space, and clean

breaks between sections Simple font, no smaller than 11 point Avoid starting with a template

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Items to omit from a legal resume

LSAT score High school information Personal information: marital status,

religion, birth date, health status, etc. “References Available Upon Request” Computer skills Social network sites

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Overarching Organization

Start with your contact information Organize with headings Present education first: law school, then

post-grad, then undergrad Present experience next: reverse

chronological order End with optional additional section

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BARRY BUSINESS369 Bottom Line Way, Blaine, MN 55448 (763) 793-1359 barry.business@wmitchell.edu♦ ♦

EDUCATIONWilliam Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN Juris Doctor expected May 2015Honors: William Mitchell Merit Scholarship (35% of tuition)Activities: Business Law Student Association (Treasurer, 2011-present)

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO Bachelor of Arts, May 2009Major: Political Science; Minor: Business AdministrationHonors: Member of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society), Dean’s List (Spring 2009)Study Abroad: Yonsei University, Seoul Korea (Fall 2008)

EXPERIENCEMetro Mobility, Minneapolis, MN Summers 2006 and 2007 Transportation Assistant Provided safe transportation services to persons in wheelchairs to their appointments. Learned and applied patient care regulations and procedures. Communicated effectively with customers to ensure they were comfortable and their needs were met.

Java Max, St. Paul, MN September 2006–June 2007 Barista Prepared beverages with care to ensure quality of product and customer service. Established rapport with customers and created a welcoming environment.

LANGUAGE SKILLSFluent in Spanish

Contact Information & Education

BARRY BUSINESS369 Bottom Line Way, Blaine, MN 55448 (763) 793-1359 barry.business@wmitchell.edu♦ ♦

EDUCATION

William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN Juris Doctor expected May 2015Honors: William Mitchell Merit Scholarship (35% of tuition)Activities: Business Law Student Association (Treasurer, 2011–present)

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO Bachelor of Arts, May 2009Major: Political Science; Minor: Business AdministrationHonors: Member of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society); Dean’s List (Spring 2009)Study Abroad: Yonsei University, Seoul Korea (Fall 2008)

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Experience Headings

LEGAL EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE OTHER EXPERIENCE WORK EXPERIENCE TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

Legal ExperienceLEGAL EXPERIENCE

HOME Line, Minneapolis, MN September 2011–presentTenant Hotline Volunteer Research Minnesota landlord/tenant law, interview clients, and advise

as many as ten clients a day about their legal rights.

Colorado State Senate, Denver, CO June 2009–May 2010Legislative Aide Analyzed House and Senate bills and drafted memoranda addressing their potential

impact. Conferred with state and local elected officials, legislative staff, and governmental

relations personnel to write and pass legislation and to modify existing legislation.

Directed media relations. 

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EXPERIENCE

Metro Mobility, Minneapolis, MN Summers 2006 and 2007 Transportation Assistant Provided timely and safe transportation services to people with disabilities. Learned and applied patient care regulations and procedures. Communicated effectively with customers to ensure they were comfortable

and their needs were met. Awarded the “Valued Team Member” honor in 2007 based on driving

record and customer ratings.

Experience

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Java Max, St. Paul, MN September 2006–June 2007 Barista Prepared beverages with care to ensure quality of product and customer

service. Established rapport with customers and created a welcoming

environment. Assisted in implementing marketing strategies to promote store brand

to compete with national chains.

Experience

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wells Fargo Financial, Des Moines, IA May 2006–June 2008 Credit Manager Provided customers a variety of financial services products including

unsecured personal loans, credit cards and real estate loans. Analyzed credit applications to determine customers’ qualifications for

loan products. Advised customers on various loan products that best fit their needs. Redesigned the loan application process to significantly reduce the

length of time required to respond to applicants.

Professional Experience

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wells Fargo Financial, Des Moines, IA Regional Loan Supervisor June 2007–June 2008 Managed thirty sales personnel providing financial services products

including unsecured personal loans, credit cards and real estate loans. Audited employee actions to prevent fraud and ensure regulatory

compliance.Credit Manager May 2006–June 2007 Analyzed credit applications and advised customers to identify and sell

appropriate loan products. Redesigned the loan application process to significantly reduce the

length of time required to respond to applicants.

Professional Experience

Expect a reader to review your resume for thirty seconds. Provide concise descriptions starting with

meaningful active verbs. Focus on skills acquired, not tasks completed. Avoid industry-specific jargon. Be selective, not comprehensive.

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Experience Descriptions

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BARRY BUSINESS369 Bottom Line Way, Blaine, MN 55448 (763) 793-1359 barry.business@wmitchell.edu♦ ♦

EDUCATIONWilliam Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN Juris Doctor expected May 2015Honors: William Mitchell Merit Scholarship (35% of tuition)Activities: Business Law Student Association (Treasurer, 2011-present)

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO Bachelor of Arts, May 2009Major: Political Science; Minor: Business AdministrationHonors: Member of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society), Dean’s List (Spring 2009)Study Abroad: Yonsei University, Seoul Korea (Fall 2008)

EXPERIENCEMetro Mobility, Minneapolis, MN Summers 2006 and 2007 Transportation Assistant Provided safe transportation services to persons in wheelchairs to their appointments. Learned and applied patient care regulations and procedures. Communicated effectively with customers to ensure they were comfortable and their needs were met.

Java Max, St. Paul, MN September 2006–June 2007 Barista Prepared beverages with care to ensure quality of product and customer service. Established rapport with customers and created a welcoming environment.

Other possible headings after experience sections

LANGUAGE SKILLS PUBLICATIONS PROFESSIONAL LICENSES CERTIFICATIONS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PERSONAL INTERESTS

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LANGUAGE SKILLSFluent in SpanishConversational in Korean

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PUBLICATIONSBarry Business, Trends in local legislation regulating tobacco use in public establishments, Colorado Statesman, Vol. 10 No. 32 (April 10, 2010).

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CERTIFICATIONS Licensed Real Estate Agent, Minnesota Certified Public Accountant Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the

Minnesota General Rules of Practice

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTBoys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado, Mentor and Community Volunteer, Denver, CO (June 2009–May 2010).International Institute of Minnesota,English as a Second Language Tutor, St. Paul, MN (September 2006–June 2007).

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PERSONAL INTERESTSRunning marathons, practicing Judo, competing in chess tournaments

Do not underestimate or undervalue your experiences and accomplishments, but always be accurate and always be honest.

Be prepared to talk about ANYTHING on your resume.

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Honesty

The appearance of your resume is important! Proofread or perish. If submitting electronically, use PDF versions of

your resume and cover letter. Laser print on neutral resume paper.

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Editing

Feel free to contact the Career and Professional Development Office

with any questions.

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Thank you for your participation!