THE U.S. LEGAL RESUME

A resume is a formal timeline of your past educational, professional experiences and employment skill sets as they relate to the job you are seeking. It should give the employer a concise, honest and positive impression. It also should be aesthetically pleasing and brief because employers generally do not spend more than several minutes initially reviewing it. Note that the “American”-style resume is often different from the resumes or curriculum vitae (CV) you are accustomed to using in your home country. For example, you do not include personal information such as birth date, gender, race, and marital status. You should not include photos or references in your U.S. resume. Reference should be provided on a separate page and only when asked by the employer. However, American employers can ask whether you are legally able to work in the U.S. To address the issue more proactively, you may include your U.S. citizenship information, if applicable. For example, you may include an “Additional Information ” section at the end of your resume to include a phrase such as “dual citizenship – U.S. citizenship and (country of origin) ” or “U.S. permanent resident.” Note: Before making an appointment with your International LL.M. Career Counselor for a resume review, carefully review that it was adjusted to the America format. You will revise your resume several times throughout your law school career