Tips for Applying for a Legal Position

Are you considering working in the legal field?  If so, we have a few vital tips to help you put your best foot forward.

What Are You Looking for in a Job?

To begin, working in the legal field requires superb written and verbal communication skills.  Speaking directly with clients and drafting correspondence and/or legal arguments are essential to any legal profession.

Consider your strengths and interests:

• Do you prefer talking over email or in person/over the phone?
• Do you enjoy writing?
• Is researching engaging or tedious to you?
• Do you like working as part of a team?
• Do you work well with multiple deadlines?
• How do you handle a situation when you are overwhelmed but still need to get a job done?

Preparedness Is Key

Before applying for an open position, it is important to review the job posting to make sure you meet the requirements of the role.  Some easy questions to ask yourself for an in-office position can be:

• How long will my commute be every day?
• Where will I park in the city?
• Do I meet the in-office requirements?

Additionally, for remote positions:

• Do you have a quiet office space with connection to secure, private, and reliable internet?
• Will you be able to work from home and interact with colleagues only over video conferences and chats?
• Does your home typically have a lot of distractions during the day?

How to Make Your Application Stand Out

To make your application stand out, be sure to include all requested application materials properly labeled (e.g., Doe, John – Resume Paralegal):

Resume – Ensure your resume is in chronological order and is neat and easy to read.

Cover letter – Make sure you showcase your relevant experience and explain why you would be successful in the role.  Another key function of the cover letter is to explain any gaps in employment. Hint: Be sure the company name, position you are applying for, and recipient name are all spelled correctly.

Writing sample – Writing samples are a great way to showcase your research and writing skills!  Be sure to follow the instructions provided in the job positing. If there are no instructions, simply share your best writing sample (e.g., a thesis, an essay you are proud of, a research paper).  The samples that stand out usually relate to the legal field or include citations; however, this is not a requirement unless specified in the job posting.

Apply to an Open Position at CCK!

There are a diverse variety of positions within the legal field that may be the right fit for you.  Apply to join our dynamic, collaborative, and team-oriented company – voted one of Rhode Island’s Best Places to Work since 2014!

To see open positions at CCK, please visit our careers page.  We also have a CCK Careers Instagram so you can learn more about working at CCK!

Are you preparing for an upcoming interview for a legal position?  Check out our blog post “Preparing for an Interview.”