LL.M. RESUME SELF-CRITIQUE
GENERAL
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The resume is tailored to the qualifications required for the position.
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The resume does not have any errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation. (Always proofread
your resume. You should run a Spell Check, but do not rely on it, as it will not catch errors
such as “form” instead of “from.”)
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If you choose to print your resume, you have used 8.5” x 11” white or off-white, heavy bond
paper.
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If the resume is two pages in length, your name and the phrase “Page 2” are included at the
top of the second page.
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The format is conservative. (The resume does not use an overly-elaborate format, too many
lines, arrows, or fancy fonts.)
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The resume was created without using templates available for Microsoft Word or any other
word processing software.
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The word “Resume” does not appear on the resume itself.
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A job objective, profile, or summary of qualifications is not included (unless specifically
requested by the employer).
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A picture is not included.
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The font size is at least 10.5, as any smaller type is difficult to read.
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The margins are between 0.5” and 1” on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
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Personal background or biographical information does not appear on the resume.
(E.g., race, age, religion, gender, social security number, nationality, marital status, TOEFL
score, date of birth, or a photograph.)
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American (U.S.) English spellings are used throughout (as opposed to British English
spellings).
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The phrase “References Available Upon Request,” or a list of references, does not appear on
the resume.
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If degrees and job titles appear in bold, all appear in the same format.
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You have listed all dates without abbreviations, and they appear in the same format
throughout the document.
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Salary information is not provided (unless specifically requested by the employer).
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The resume pages are neither stapled nor folded together (paper clip multiple pages).
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Abbreviations or acronyms are used only after being defined.
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The resume contains no lies or exaggerations.
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The resume is in PDF format and clearly labeled (e.g., Jung Resume 2012) for e-mail
applications. If the resume is in Microsoft Office form, make sure formatting display (and/or
track changes) is turned off.
HEADER
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“Resume” does not appear at the top of the page.
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Name is displayed prominently, possibly with a font size bigger than rest of the text.
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A phone number(s) is listed, which leads to an appropriate voice message on your personal
answering machine or mobile phone.
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At least one e-mail address, preferably your Berkeley Law address, is listed (without a
hyperlink).
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The zip code is included.
EDUCATION
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The section is listed in reverse chronological order, starting with Berkeley Law.
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The correct name of the law school is used: University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.
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The names of previous academic institutions are spelled out.
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High school education does not appear.
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Acronyms are defined or spelled out in full before being used.
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The cities and states listed under this section are not bolded.
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Spelling for states is consistent, and the same format applies throughout the document.
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The name of the institution and location (city, state or city, country) are in the same line.
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LL.M. has a period at the end of the M.
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Consistency in formatting is maintained. (E.g., if you choose to spell out LL.M. as Master of
Laws, other degrees are also spelled out in full, such as Bachelor of Laws.)
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You have listed the date (month and year) that you received the degree, rather than the period
of time that you spent enrolled in the degree program.
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A comma appears between the name of the degree and the date(s).
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Latin phrases such as summa cum laude or cum laude are not capitalized; instead, italicize such
terms.
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The courses (if listed) appear one after the other separated by commas or semicolons (if the
title of a course has a comma in the name).
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If grades are listed for one institution, this information is given for others.
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When reflecting a grade point average and ranking in proper form, it is listed exactly as
provided by the appropriate academic institution (not translated into a U.S. ranking system); it
demonstrates academic achievement where possible.
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Class ranking is included (only if in the top 25th percentile).
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When listing honors and/or awards, a comma, followed by the date, are included. (E.g.,
University Scholar’s Award, 2010-2012.)
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Honors, awards and scholarship appear under the institution that awarded them.
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Scholarships that bear the name of someone relevant to a particular institution have in
parentheses the reason for the award. (E.g., John Doe Scholarship (for Academic
Achievement), 2012-2013.)
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Articles that are published in your law school journ are listed under the appropriate academic
institution.
EXPERIENCE
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The section is listed in reverse chronological order-starting with current or more recent job.
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The name of the employer, location of the position, job title, and dates of employment are
included.
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Institutions are listed first. (For example, if you worked for a professor or for a judge, make
sure that you list the court and/or the law school first.)
For Example: Supreme Court of Canada, The Honorable Judge…
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Professor…
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Dates are listed on the right-hand side of the page and are spelled out. (E.g., “08/12” should
read “August 2012”)
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Consistency is kept in terms of how institutions, dates, positions, and degrees are listed
throughout the entire resume.
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Job descriptions start with an action verb, instead of using the word “I” or the phrase
“responsibilities included.”
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Verbs tenses are consistent with the dates.
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Acronyms, such as UN, are defined the first time used.
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If the resume is two pages in length, the document includes your name and the phrase “Page
2” on the top of the second page.
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Periods appear between the U and the S when listing the phrase “U.S.”
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When describing your positions, personal pronouns and articles (“I,” “me” or “the”) are not
used.
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Descriptions appear in the active voice).
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Position descriptions focus on accomplishments, results, awards, promotions, special
recognitions, and achievements; whenever possible, they are quantified with numbers, dollar
amounts, or percentages.
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Consistency is observed in the use of punctuations, i.e., periods at the end of all bullets or
none.
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