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A resume serves as an introduction to prospective employers and is a brief yet important representation of your non-legal writing abilities. You should assume that a reader will spend no more than 30 seconds on an initial scan of your resume. An organized and informative resume is crucial to offer an employer a good snapshot of your accomplishments and experience. Therefore, it needs to clearly and concisely highlight the most important aspects of your background and what you have to offer a prospective employer. Conversely, your resume must be able to withstand strict scrutiny from employers, who are likely to scour it for information while simultaneously gauging your attention to detail. As such, your resume must be absolutely free of errors and impeccably formatted.  \nThere is no such thing as the “perfect” resume; creating your resume is indeed an art just as it is a science. If you follow the general rules included in this guide, you will be able to prepare a resume that is professional and properly exhibits your skills, prior experiences, and accolades. The following rules are generally recommended by a variety of writers and readers of resumes, but keep in mind that there is still room for individual preferences in writing resumes. Individual choices are up to you, but never attempt to substitute form for content. Most importantly, take great care when drafting your resume. A poorly written and disorganized resume will not serve you well. Even the best of credentials are minimized when presented in a poorly composed resume containing misspelled words and typographical errors. Also, by using one of the two Notre Dame Law School resume templates available on the Career Development Office’s website, you know your formatting is laid out in a manner employers prefer and may be updated easily with embedded tabs.  \nRESUME BASICS  \nWhat are employers looking for in a resume? When asked about their preferences, a national panel of attorneys was unanimous in asking that resumes be:  \n1. Readable. It should be organized and follow a logical sequence of information with no time gaps. Account for all periods of time.  \n2. Believable. It must be an honest portrayal of your previous experiences.  \n3. Informative. It should enable a reader to find out as much about you as she/he can in as brief a time as possible.  \n4. Balanced. It should be both a persuasive and informative document. Rather than state that you area “self-starter” or a “diligent worker,” use specific examples from work and other experiences to demonstrate these attributes.  \nAn effective resume provides a one-page summary of your educational and professional background that highlights the experience (legal and non-legal) and attributes you possess that are most relevant to the position for which you are applying.  \nCONTENT  \nSome basic information needs to be included in any resume you write. These basic categories are listed below. Before writing your resume, take a personal inventory. Write down the experiences and skills you acquired through work or school. Consult your law school applications, which likely included all the honors, accomplishments, and activities you achieved while an undergraduate student. Categorize your inventory under logical headings, as effective resume drafting requires careful organization.  \nPlease use one of our resume templates to guide you while you prepare your resume. If you have specific questions regarding if/how certain information should be listed on your resume, include the information in the manner you","cbCaivoPsfpHgFrw","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaivoPsfpHgFrw","pdf",256003,"English","# Introduction\n# Resume Basics\n# Content\n# Resume Sections","[{\"question\":\"How much time do employers usually spend scanning a resume initially?\",\"answer\":\"Employers typically spend no more than 30 seconds on an initial scan.\"},{\"question\":\"What qualities do employers look for in a resume?\",\"answer\":\"Employers generally want a resume that is readable, believable, informative, and balanced—both persuasive and informative with specific examples.\"},{\"question\":\"What should be included in the basic sections of a resume?\",\"answer\":\"A resume should include foundational information such as name and contact information, educational background, and work experience.\"}]","Resume Guide - Drafting Essentials | PDF",1789304703]