One question that many law students have is how to prepare a CV that catches a recruiter’s attention. With so many things that can be included, such as internships, moot court competitions, research papers, publications, positions of responsibility, certifications, and extracurricular activities, it is often difficult to know what is actually important.
Many students are also unsure about how to present their experiences, what to include, what to leave out, and how to make their CV stand out among hundreds of applications.
From a recruiter’s point of view, what makes a good CV? What should law students include, what common mistakes should they avoid, and what advice would you give to someone preparing their CV for internship applications?
Hi,
While I can share some general observations, I believe this question would be better answered by someone with an HR or legal recruitment background, as they review hundreds of law student CVs and understand what hiring teams prioritize.
In general, a strong law student CV should be clear, concise, and tailored to the specific internship or role. Recruiters typically value relevant internships, research experience, moot court participation, publications, leadership roles, and measurable achievements over lengthy lists of activities. It’s equally important to avoid common mistakes such as generic CVs, poor formatting, grammatical errors, and including irrelevant information.
For practical, recruiter-focused guidance on what makes a CV stand out, I’d recommend seeking insights from an HR professional or a legal recruiter who can share current hiring expectations and best practices.
(*The professional designation and organisation mentioned are provided solely for identification purposes. The views and opinions expressed are strictly personal and do not represent those of the organisation or employer.*)
