When crafting a CV for any legal or accounting firms, it is crucial that you demonstrate a level of precision, professionalism and personal expertise. These industries value attention to detail, accuracy and strong analytical skills, so to help your CV stand out in a competitive market, here’s what you can do.
1. Understand What Employers Value
When surveying CV’s, legal and accounting firms search for:
Technical competence: Qualifications, certifications and relevant experience
Attention to detail: An error- free CV with the correct formatting
Professionalism: A tone and structure that reflects the climate of their profession
Client-focused skills: An ability to manage relationships and deliver results
2. Structure Your CV Effectively
A clear and logically structured CV is essential, so make sure yours follows this format:
Header
Include:
- Full name
- Contact details (phone, email, LinkedIn)
- Professional title (e.g. “Qualified Solicitor” or “Chartered Accountant”)
Professional Summary
A short paragraph (three to four sentences) highlighting:
- Your experience level
- Key areas of expertise
- Career achievements
- What you bring to the firm
Example:
“Qualified solicitor with five years’ experience in corporate law, specialising in mergers and acquisitions. Proven track record of delivering complex transactions for multinational clients.”
Core Skills
List six to eight skills relevant to the role, such as:
- Legal research and drafting
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial analysis
- Client advisory
- Negotiation and dispute resolution
Professional Experience
For each role make sure you include:
- Job titles, employers, dates
- Three to five bullet points showing achievements and responsibilities
- Use action verbs and quantify results where possible (e.g. “Managed a portfolio of 50+ clients, reducing compliance errors by 20%”)
Education and Qualifications
Include:
- Degrees and institutions
- Professional certifications (e.g. ACA, ACCA, LPC)
- Relevant training courses
Additional Sections
- Languages
- Technical skills (e.g. legal research tools, accounting software)
- Professional memberships (e.g. Law Society, ICAEW)
3. Tailor Your CV
- Align your CV to the job description: Embed keywords from the posting into your resume
- Highlight sector experience: If you have worked in corporate law or audit, make it prominent
- Show commercial awareness: Demonstrate a clear understanding of their business and client needs
4. Presentation Tips
- Keep it two pages maximum
- Use a professional font (e.g. Arial, Calibri)
- Maintain consistent formatting and spacing
- Avoid jargon and write clearly and concisely
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Typos or grammatical errors
- Overly generic summaries
- Listing duties instead of achievements
- Including irrelevant hobbies or personal details
Final Thought
Your CV is your first impression, and for legal and accounting firms, precision and professionalism are non-negotiables. It is vital that you invest time and effort into tailoring your CV, to ensure that it reflects your expertise and commitment to the highest degree.
