Career dilemmas
When applying for a job, it’s common to wonder what exactly to put on your CV. Which experiences? Which skills? All your education or just the most recent?
Some say that depending on the position, certain things are better left unsaid, while others are irrelevant – or simply don’t matter. And, in most cases, that’s true.
A Graphic designer who wanted to be a secretary
Once, we were looking for someone to join our law firm’s administrative team. In the job posting, we clearly described the role, outlined our expectations, and detailed the responsibilities. We received many applications – some closely matched the posting, others less so. But one application left us completely puzzled.
It was from a graphic designer, and everything on their CV related to their design work. Not once did it mention any experience relevant to secretarial work. Instead, there was a long list of design achievements, software skills, and projects. We tried to connect the dots, but in the end, we concluded that the candidate had probably just applied for the wrong job.
Read before you apply
This example makes an important point: to respond effectively to a job posting, you first must read it. And, obviously, if you’ve spent your career as a doctor, don’t apply for a position as an attorney at law.
What actually matters
CVs for those starting their careers can – and should – be broader. If you’re a law student or a first – year legal trainee, you probably don’t have extensive experience as a lawyer. That’s fine. Internships, legal clinics, or volunteer work during your studies are invaluable – they show that you wanted more than just lectures, that you were eager to gain practical experience.
At this stage, almost everything you’ve done so far is relevant.
When we consider bringing someone onto our team, we pay attention not just to your CV, but also to what we can read between the lines: were you active, do you work well in a team, have you co-organized events, do you follow through on ideas, have you stayed committed to an organization for more than a month?
Growth is our core value
Include summer jobs, like camp counselor or restaurant waiter. To us, they signal independence, initiative, and a willingness to take responsibility. Most importantly, they show you’ve gained customer service experience!
And if that summer job was abroad, we’ll assume you’re not afraid of challenges – and that you’re motivated to grow.
When writing a CV, think broadly. There’s no job where the only thing that matters is being a top student with perfect grades. You never know which experience could become your strongest asset – especially at the start of your professional journey.
And the time for technical expertise will come. At our law firm, the most important value is growth: the growth of our clients, our firm, and our lawyers.
