Employment Lawyer Resume Examples

Writing an employment lawyer resume can be tough, even for the most skilled legal mind. Crafting a resume that will stand out in a competitive job market is essential. You've spent years honing your skills in employment law, but translating that expertise onto paper is a unique challenge. Whether it's highlighting your critical cases or showcasing your negotiation prowess, knowing what to emphasize can make all the difference. While your arguments in court are compelling, your resume needs to be equally persuasive to get you noticed by top firms. Think of this guide as your brief to success, designed to help you present your professional achievements in the most compelling way possible. You won't need to object to your own resume ever again!

Choosing the right resume template is crucial for presenting your qualifications effectively. The right template ensures your skills and achievements are highlighted, making it easier for potential employers to see your value. Don't let a poorly structured resume undermine your years of hard work and expertise.

Explore over 700 resume examples that can guide you in writing the best resume tailored for employment law!

What to focus on when writing your employment lawyer resume

An employment lawyer's resume should tell your story clearly and effectively. Recruiters want to see your skill set in labor laws, dispute resolution, and contract negotiations. Highlight your achievements in reducing legal risks and guiding companies through HR issues. To boost the impact, list notable court cases, certifications, publications, and leadership roles in professional associations.

Must have information on your employment lawyer resume

Creating a standout resume for an employment lawyer requires a focus on legal expertise and career achievements. Key sections to include are:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Legal Experience
• Education
• Licenses and Certifications
• Skills

Additional sections like Professional Affiliations and Honors and Awards can further highlight your qualifications and achievements. These sections help you to distinguish your career and showcase your dedication to the legal profession.

Which resume format to choose

For an employment lawyer resume, the best format is a reverse-chronological format. This format highlights your most recent experience first, which is crucial in showcasing your up-to-date skills and expertise. Regarding fonts, Rubik and Montserrat are modern and clean alternatives to the traditional Arial and Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure the layout remains intact and looks professional. Set your resume margins to one inch on all sides for a clean, readable look. Use clear section headings such as "Experience" and "Education" to help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) easily parse your resume's content.

An employment lawyer resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications (if any)
• Professional Associations

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this for you, making it easy to create a polished and effective resume.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing a resume experience section for an employment lawyer can be a simple process if you stick to specific guidelines and avoid certain pitfalls. Your goal should be to present your job history clearly, focusing on achievements and data that prove your skills.

Start with the most recent job at the top and work backward. Generally, you should go back around 10-15 years, which usually covers three or four roles. Include job titles that show your legal experience and growth in the field. Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for by using words from the job posting and focusing on relevant experience.

Use action words to describe your roles. Action words like "represented," "advised," and "negotiated" can make your experience stand out. Focus on your achievements rather than just listing your responsibilities. For instance, instead of saying "responsible for drafting contracts," say "drafted over 1,000 contracts resulting in a 15% increase in client retention."

Now let's look at two examples for a better understanding.

Bad Example:

This example is weak because it is too vague and lacks specific details. "Handled employment law cases" doesn't say if you won those cases. "Advised clients on legal issues" could mean anything. There are no numbers or achievements that show your impact.

Good Example:

This example is strong because it uses action words and quantifies your accomplishments. Representing clients in "over 50 employment litigation cases with a 90% success rate" clearly shows your effectiveness. Managing legal compliance and reducing risks by 25% demonstrates your impact. Drafting and reviewing "1,200+ legal documents" gives scope to your workload and efficiency.

When you tailor your resume, you align it with the job you want. Make sure every role highlights your effectiveness in a concise and impactful way. Use specific action words and back up your achievements with numbers. This approach ensures your experience section stands out to employers.

Employment lawyer resume experience examples

Stepping up your resume game, especially in a specialized field like employment law, means being specific and showcasing your strengths. Here are some pun-derful examples to help you "build your case."

Achievement-focused

This section highlights your major accomplishments as an employment lawyer. Make the points specific to your contributions and the positive outcomes that resulted.

Skills-focused

Use this section to underscore the hard and soft skills you bring to the table as an employment lawyer. Each bullet should reveal a vital skill.

Responsibility-focused

This section showcases the key responsibilities you've held. It's ideal for demonstrating the depth and breadth of your experience.

Project-focused

Highlight significant projects you have worked on in this section. Choose ones that best illustrate your abilities and impact.

Result-focused

Emphasize the results of your work, such as settlements won or cases resolved. Quantify them whenever possible.

Industry-Specific Focus

Use this section to highlight your experience in a particular industry. Tailor it to show your specialized knowledge.

Problem-Solving focused

This section is all about your ability to handle and resolve issues. Show your knack for overcoming challenges.

Innovation-focused

Show how you've introduced fresh ideas or methods in your work. Cover initiatives and creative problem-solving.

Leadership-focused

Outline your leadership roles and the impacts of your guidance and supervision. Focus on mentoring and team success.

Customer-focused

This section demonstrates your ability to meet client needs and ensure their satisfaction. Highlight client relationships and service.

Growth-focused

Emphasize your contributions to the growth and development of the organization. Include personal and team growth.

Efficiency-focused

Show your efficiency in managing tasks and resources here. Highlight improvements in processes and productivity.

Technology-focused

Emphasize your tech-savvy approach in the legal profession. Highlight your use of modern tools and technologies.

Collaboration-focused

Showcase your ability to work well with others. Include examples of team projects and collective achievements.

Training and Development focused

Outline your experience in training and developing colleagues or clients. Include mentoring, workshops, and educational programs.

Write your employment lawyer resume summary section

Writing a resume summary for an employment lawyer resume can be pivotal in making a strong first impression. This section is a brief statement that captures your professional identity, key skills, and achievements. You want it to be concise yet descriptive enough to grab the employer's attention.

When describing yourself in the resume summary, use powerful adjectives and be specific about your skills and experience. Mention key accomplishments and clearly define what makes you stand out as an employment lawyer. Keep it engaging but to the point.

A summary is different from an objective, profile, or summary of qualifications. A summary provides a snapshot of your career and skills. An objective states what you're looking to achieve in your next role. A resume profile is a brief version of your summary, but focused more on your recent work and notable achievements. A summary of qualifications bullet points key skills and accomplishments.

The first example is poorly written. It is very vague and lacks specifics. Words like "challenging role," "expert in employment law," and "strong communication" do not tell you much about the candidate's actual experience. There is no mention of any quantifiable achievements or unique skills that set the candidate apart.

The second example is well-written. It is specific and highlights over 10 years of experience. It also mentions a high success rate, showing proven track record. Skills in litigation, mediation, and contract negotiations are clearly defined, making it easy to see what the candidate excels at. This summary immediately gives a clear and detailed picture of the applicant's competencies and achievements.

Listing your employment lawyer skills on your resume

When writing the skills section of your employment lawyer resume, you can include skills in a standalone section to emphasize your key abilities or incorporate them into other areas like your experience and summary. Including a separate skills section highlights your strengths and soft skills, which are personal attributes like communication and teamwork. Hard skills, on the other hand, are specific, teachable abilities such as legal research and contract drafting.

Skills and strengths on your resume act as keywords that recruiters and applicant tracking systems look for. This makes your resume more likely to stand out. Carefully selecting these keywords can show that you are qualified for the job.

This standalone skills section is effective because it quickly communicates your top abilities pertinent to the employment lawyer role. It includes specific skills that are essential in the field and uses keywords that resume scanners look for. This approach ensures that anyone reading your resume, whether a human recruiter or a machine, understands your competencies and relevance to the job.

Best hard skills to feature on your employment lawyer resume

As an employment lawyer, focusing on hard skills that showcase your technical and job-specific abilities is crucial. These skills should communicate your proficiency in areas essential to employment law, indicating that you can handle complex legal issues and provide expert advice.

Best soft skills to feature on your employment lawyer resume

In addition to hard skills, employment lawyers need soft skills to effectively communicate, negotiate, and work with clients and colleagues. These skills should demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and professionalism.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is an important part of your employment lawyer resume. This section should be tailored to the job you are applying for, which means any irrelevant education should not be included. This helps keep your resume focused and pertinent to the prospective employer. When including your GPA, only do so if it is impressive—generally 3.5 or higher. Honors, like cum laude, can showcase your academic excellence and should also be included. Clearly list your degree, the institution, and the dates you attended.

The first education example is bad because it includes a high school diploma, which is irrelevant for an employment lawyer position. The GPA for the undergraduate degree is not impressive and isn't showcased correctly, appearing unimpressive.

The second education example is good because it only includes relevant education for an employment lawyer position. It highlights the impressive GPAs and the honor cum laude in the Juris Doctor degree. The degrees, institutions, and dates attended are clearly listed, making it easy for employers to review.

How to include employment lawyer certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your employment lawyer resume is crucial. Certificates showcase your specialized skills and professional growth. List the name of the certificate. Include the date you obtained it. Add the issuing organization. You can also place certificates in the header for quick visibility. For example:

This example is effective because it directly relates to the job. "Certified Employment Law Specialist" shows a clear focus on employment law. The "Mediation Certification" adds value by highlighting conflict resolution skills. Both certificates come from respected organizations, enhancing credibility. This setup uses simple language and provides essential details concisely. It paints a complete picture of your qualifications quickly.

Extra sections to include in your employment lawyer resume

Navigating a career as an employment lawyer requires a detailed, well-organized resume that not only showcases your expertise in employment law but also paints a fuller picture of your abilities and personality. A great resume goes beyond just listing your career history and education; it highlights other areas that make you a well-rounded candidate.

• Language section—list the languages you speak fluently. Highlighting language skills can demonstrate your ability to work with a diverse client base.

• Hobbies and interests section—include activities that show your well-rounded character. Sharing relevant hobbies can make you more relatable and memorable to employers.

• Volunteer work section—mention any volunteer activities, especially those related to law or community service. Including volunteer work showcases your commitment to giving back and can set you apart as a compassionate professional.

• Books section—list any influential books you've read, especially those related to law or personal development. Highlighting key books can show your dedication to lifelong learning and staying updated in your field.

Pair your employment lawyer resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It introduces you to the employer and highlights your qualifications and experiences that are most relevant to the job you're seeking. A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out by showing your understanding of the company and the role.

For an employment lawyer, a cover letter should emphasize their legal expertise, negotiation skills, and experience handling employment-related cases. It’s important to highlight any specific successes, such as significant case wins or settlements, and to demonstrate an understanding of employment law trends. Mentioning any continuing legal education or certifications can add further credibility.

Create your cover letter easily with Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It ensures your content is well-formatted and protected when exported as a PDF. Don't let formatting issues compromise your first impression; get started now!