Attorney Panel Take Away: Be Relevant

by Marcie Areias & Eric Gelwicks

Getting in the minds of potential employers is invaluable and doesn't happen very often. GGU hosted a panel of successful real estate and land use attorneys last week and they shared exactly what they look for in candidates, including the following tips:

1. Impress with your resume by demonstrating a real interest in the law we practice. As land use attorneys, we are always impressed with candidates that watch board of supervisor and/or planning commission meetings to learn about relevant and current topics. When we see this on a resume, we're excited to discuss these issues with the candidate and get their opinion.
2. Why are you here? Why are you in law school? Be able to answer this question and tie it into why you are applying for a job with our firm. Being thoughtful shows commitment.
3. Market what you have. Take your skills and what makes you unique and really market it toward a particular job.

So how can you meet these expectations? Thoroughly review each job description and then prioritize experience, credentials, and educational highlights that best match a position's requirements. This is not to say that you would intentionally omit experience that is not specifically on point with a particular position. Instead, customize each resume to address which elements of your background you would like a particular employer to focus on given their practice area and needs.