Here is my worry of the day, jobseekers: how do you make yourself stand out in a crowd when you’re looking for work in an essentially conservative profession? I’ve been reading articles from various publications over the past few days. Each of the articles makes the point that a jobseeker must stand out from the get-go or be lost forever in the thousands of resumes that pour through the doors for every available job. I have an image of a tidal wave of resumes sweeping through a set of double doors, cascading through an outer office knocking over wastebaskets, chairs, desks; crushing itself with its own mighty weight until only one resume floats free, lighter than sea spray, to land squarely on the decision-maker’s desk.

If only there were such magic. Sometimes, it would be easier to understand.

So, really, how do you do it? Certainly, depending on where you are in the course of your practice, your grades, accomplishments, writing, or clients will help you. Maybe. A recruiting director once told me that her firm had a simple process for the first resume sort: it simply disregarded all resumes from certain schools and thus reduced the pile considerably. I’m sure all firms have some such criteria, so if you match this or don’t match that, you automatically move on or out.

How do you avoid the “out” pile, especially if you are a match? You can’t stick photos and graphics all over your resume as if it were a Facebook page. You can’t place Homeric and Shakespearian quotes along the margins, although the Unemployed Lawyer would certainly enjoy that.  While such embellishments are likely to make your resume stand out, you will be even less likely to advance in the hiring process. Everyone will think that: a) you don’t know any better; b) you are crazy; or c) you have no respect for them and their process. Any one of which is likely to inspire fear and resentment in a law firm as a body politic.

Which leaves us still with the question of how to stand out and move on, especially if you are the unfortunate possessor of one of the auto-disqualifiers. For what it’s worth, my own experience has been that you can’t do it with just a resume. You need a resume plus.

The best “plus” is a true networking contact. Submit your resume through a friend or a friend of a friend. If you possibly can, submit it through somebody who will take the trouble to ask that you not be automatically disqualified. Better still; submit it through someone who will assist you through the process.

The second best “plus” takes more work and delivers less certain rewards, but I am speaking from my own experience only. I never submit a resume to a recruiting department if I can help it. If you are an experienced attorney, comb the ranks of the firm for former adversaries or co-counsel. Failing that, look through your target department for any common link: a speech you attended, an article you read, a bar committee you belong to. Failing all else, write a letter to the department head, explaining why you would be a great fit.

If you’re a new grad, start combing the firm for fellow alumni. Write to them. Some will care and some will not. It only takes one to get you started.

In closing, I’ll remind you yet again that this is what I do. You can see how well it’s working! I make no guarantees of any sort. I am only your Unemployed Lawyer.
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[1] Newtown Productions, 1957, directed by Elia Kazan, starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal.