Applying for a Legal Role in Australia? 9 mistakes to avoid when preparing your CV

I have relocated lawyers from all over the world into Australia and seen countless CV’s. Many things which are considered in the norm in some countries are simply not done in Australia and having an appropriate CV can make difference between getting an interview or not.

Below are some of the most common things to avoid

(1)??????????Personal pictures or photographs.

There are many countries where this is encouraged but not Australia. Remove any pictures from your CV before submitting.

(2)??????????Clip art or images of any kind.

Some people think it makes them stand out by looking “different,” but instead it can be viewed as unprofessional by an Australian audience, or as if you are trying to distract from a potential lack of experience.

(3)??????????Too colourful.

Lawyers in Australia expect a black and white CV. Keep it simple with an easy-to-read text. (Times New Roman, Arial, Garmond etc.)

(4)?????????Too much personal information.

Other than your email address, phone number, location and visa status don’t include anything else that is not relevant. (i.e., no ID numbers, marital status, children etc.)

(5)??????????Chronological order.

Don’t start from your first ever role and work forward. Start from your current position and work your way backwards. I have seen countless CV’s where they start with their paralegal or training contract experience. This is a big mistake as potential employers may think this is your current level of experience and not read the rest of your CV.

(6)??????????No prose.

Avoid long sentences and paragraphs. Instead use bullet points and sub headings. Write in the third person and keep it short, sharp and to the point.

(7)??????????Too long.

Avoid listing every job you ever had prior to becoming a lawyer. Maybe one or two to show work ethic – but firms in Australia do not need to know about any part time roles when you were in high school.?

(8)??????????Not including a deal /transaction list or matter list.

In Australia, firms want to see what matters and deals you have been on (dollar amount and outcome if known) so not including one is a BIG mistake. If you are concerned about confidentiality – describe the type of company rather than using their name. e.g. A motor vehicle company. A pharmaceutical company, a fund manager etc.

(9) Forgetting to edit your CV.

This might seem obvious, but I have seen too many CV's with spelling or grammatical errors to count. Partners will naturally wonder, if there are mistakes on your CV will there be mistakes on your work product too? Make sure you edit and then make sure you have a friend look over it as well for any errors you might have missed.

If you are a lawyer thinking of making a move to Australia, please feel free to reach out to discuss options and do not hesitate to get in touch for more useful advice. [email protected]