Preparing a Winning Resume

Ad Hoc – The Legal Placement Company receives and screens thousands upon thousands of resumes each year. Our success in placing candidates in the most rewarding positions is in large part derivative of thoroughly-prepared resumes.

During a first round review, resumes generally receive only 15 to 20 seconds of a reader's attention. The time you spend in crafting your resume is a most important career investment. With that in mind, we counsel our candidates to strongly consider these tips when writing or updating their resumes:

• Use simple, concise, conventional English. Simple words are better than multi-syllable words.

• Use active verbs and descriptive words.

• Use short paragraphs and, where possible, use bullet points to highlight accomplishments.

• Unless absolutely necessary, limit the resume to one page.

• Describe your professional and educational accomplishments by giving specific examples of projects and their results.

• Use exact dates when expressing the tenure of your past employment.

• Consider tailoring your resume to highlight traits being sought for particular positions.

• List your activities with professional, trade and civic associations only if they are appropriate.

• Do not include references to your height, weight, physical appearance, age and/or birthdate.

• Do not provide salary information on the resume. Reserve salary discussion for the interview.

• Do not list references on your resume or state "References Available Upon Request." It is assumed that you will provide references at the appropriate time.

• Do not list hobbies, sports and social activities.

• Never lie or stretch the truth.

• Before distributing your resume, ask a family member, friend or colleague to proofread it at least three times.

• Consider hiring a reputable resume-writing professional to review the resume. Fees are usually nominal and well worth the value.

• Always update the resume to reflect the most recent employment or temporary assignment.

• Distribute the resume in the quickest method possible, usually by facsimile or e-mail.

“Ad Hoc’s management team brings an unparalleled level of understanding and professionalism to every engagement. Their intimate knowledge of the national and international legal communities coupled with their insightful strategies has enabled Ad Hoc to secure and sustain a leading position within the legal placement industry.”
B. Daryl Bristow
Managing Litigation Partner
Baker Botts, L.L.P.
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Our Temps Average
Three Months per Assignment

The average length of an Ad Hoc temporary assignment is three months, although some temporary employees have worked in a single position for more than six years.