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Targeting Your Paralegal Resume to Both Humans and Computers

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published January 10, 2013

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

It used to be that writing your resume was pretty routine: use “action” words, white or buff paper, keep it to one or two pages, chronological or functional, easy-to-read font. Well, folks, say good-bye to the good ole days.

Litigation support, meet human resources. Or, inhuman resources, we should say. Today, in many of the major corporations, your resume is most likely to encounter a computer long before it is scanned by good old-fashioned eyeballs. That is because, at many of the large corporations, computers are taking the first crack at accepting or rejecting the ongoing flood of resumes. What the legal community was first introduced to as litigation support through scanning of documents has now entered the human resources department. In the new era of rejection, resumes are scanned and entered into the computer long before a warm, friendly, hiring authority has placed human hands on them.

Many job candidates never know that their resumes have been scanned by a computer or by human eyes, particularly if they have applied to a major corporation. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, hundreds of large companies Sony Corporation, Coca-Cola Company, International Business Machines Corporation, Paine Webber, NationsBank Corporation, Avis Rent A Car, Microsoft Corporation, Pfizer Inc., Shell Oil, Staples, to name just a few use types of text searching or artificial- intelligence software to track resumes. Mid-sized companies are also starting to use the software as vendors start marketing cheaper Web-based versions.

And for those of you who are snickering as you recall that the legal field was the very last to get on the technology express, woe be unto you who firmly believe that scanning resumes will never catch on in the legal field. A simple set up of Option and Concordance should do the trick. But enough sooth saying.

These resume-scanning systems make a lot of sense from an employer’s perspective. Employers are being bombarded by resumes from all directions mail, fax, E-mail. And in this candidate-tight market, employers need all the help they can get to quickly identify and court the right candidate. According to the Wall Street Journal, Allied Signal filled more than 30 percent of approximately 2,500 job openings from a computerized resume pool, in the first half of one year. The company estimates it can prune the time it takes to fill an opening by at least a month.

From a candidate’s point of view, resume scanning is another chink in the armor of job search success. This new phenomenon might seem innocuous if it weren’t for the fact that the consequences were so potentially damaging to a person’s chances of having a resume end up on the desk of a living, breathing hiring partner. Typically, an administrator, paralegal coordinator, human resources director, or general counsel sets up a search request and asks the computer for specific qualifications. Then many of the resume-scanning systems rank the candidates they pluck out of the system.

Staffing organizations also use scanning systems. The more popular ones, like Resumix, specialize in recruiting systems that place a number or percentage next to a candidate’s name indicating how much of a hiring manager’s wish list is reflected in the resume. So if you have 87 percent and ten others have 95 percent, you may be out of luck if the manager has no desire to plow through all available resumes before coffee. The systems scan on key words, which makes everybody the same. A computer cannot tell whether the resume reflects a “warm and friendly” person as opposed to a “highly professional” individual. It also protects against discrimination. It doesn’t care whether the candidate is an Asian-American or an American with disabilities. It may, however, want to know if the candidate went to an acceptable undergrad university and has a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved school. If a candidate went to Princeton, has one year of experience with a major firm, but went to a paralegal school that is too new to receive ABA approval, she may get the Big R (for rejection) letter.

Without knowledge as to how a description is typed into the computer, many candidates are at the software program’s mercy. Some candidates try to list every conceivable skill in an effort to determine which words the computer is looking for. Others use buzzwords and industry-speak as they try to describe their experience.

According to Yana Parker, author of Damn Good Resume Guide (Ten Speed Press 1996), a tracking system can identify behavioral traits dependability, responsibility, a high energy level as easily as it can technical skills. “Be enthusiastic,” she says. “Let your passion show. Don’t use tired language.” Hmmm. We wonder if she knows another way to say “drafted pleadings.”

But resumes do eventually get read by real human beings on a computer screen. Although we used to write volumes and volumes of articles that said you have about three seconds to catch an interviewer’s eye, we now say you have about twenty lines to grab their attention. If they’re interested, they will keep scrolling. So don’t waste precious real estate. Lead with your technical skills and personal qualities. Identify yourself as a solution to someone’s problem.

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Scanning systems comb through resumes for words that signal job titles, technical skills, and levels of education or experience. And most of those words are nouns. Where we used to say use lots and lots of action words, we now say use lots of nouns. Employers are now looking for software programs you can use, what practice specialties you know, what assignments you can perform. Preparing a scannable resume is much like preparing the traditional-style resume in terms of focusing on format and content. The more skills and facts you provide, the more opportunities you’ll have for your skills to match available positions.

Some resume-scanning companies and outplacement counselors advise a block of key words at the top of the resume, but this technique doesn’t help differentiate you among other candidates. The keyword block can be helpful when comparing apples to apples a business litigation paralegal searching for a business litigation position. On the other hand, it may backfire if the same business litigation description were written in such a way that a resume reflecting an insurance defense background would get rejected even though the skills were right on point.

A recently published article in a fascinating new magazine, Fast Company, states the more buzzwords, the better. Career counselors used to advise clients to avoid buzzwords in their resumes. Today, buzzwords are all the buzz. Because applicant-tracking systems rank resumes by the number of key words, your chances of scoring higher are better when the resume is buzzword loaded. “Turn your experience into keywords,” urges Margaret Riley Dikel, coauthor of The Guide to Internet lob Searching (VGM Career Horizons 1996), “and maximize the number of them in your resume.”

But beware of what buzzwords you use! If your experience is a little old, you might want to watch outdated lingo that wouldn’t have registered with computers looking for up-to-date key words. Terminology and technology have changed. You’ll need to present yourself with up-to-date skills, or you may not get the hit. Additionally, you don’t want to date yourself.

And for those of you who are still not clear on the concept called summarizing, you’re in luck! You get to break the one-page rule in this new era of resume writing. One page of paper doesn’t mean much in the on-line world because readers scroll. But don’t overdo it. Electronic resumes running three pages or more are apt to get bounced. Simply put, you must be able to hold the readers’ attention most of whom only understand 15- second sound bytes.

In the New Do’s and Don’ts categories, you get some brand new choices. Scanners work well with these typefaces: Helvetica, Futura, Optima, Palatino, New Century Schoolbook, and Times New Roman. Although some counselors advocate Courier, we feel it looks old-fashioned.

If you send your resume as an attachment, rather than paste it into the body of an E-mail message be aware many employers ignore attachments because they worry about viruses. They don’t want to waste time with files that their computers can’t translate.

Some career counselors suggest that candidates have two resumes: one for people, and the other for computers. Others think a separate, scannable resume is unnecessary. But advising candidates to write more than one resume is nothing new, particularly if you are emphasizing a different skill set for a variety of jobs. It’s hard if not impossible to know what will work, particularly since the whole concept of scanning resumes in the legal field is so new. You will, no matter what, still need a hard copy, printed on high-quality paper, to bring with you on the interview and for those companies that use snail mail in lieu of E-mail. Thank God for some traditions. We’d hate to put Kinko’s right out of business.

See 6 Things Attorneys and Law Students Need to Remove from Their Resumes ASAP If They Want to Get Jobs with the Most Prestigious Law Firms for more information.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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