If there’s one document that consistently underperforms in the legal job market, it’s the CV. Not because candidates lack experience but because that experience isn’t always presented in a way that lands.
As a recruiter, we can tell within 30 seconds whether a CV is going to stand out, get shortlisted, or quietly sit in a “maybe” pile that never quite gets revisited.
The frustrating part? Small changes can make a big difference.
So if you’re wondering how to write a legal CV that actually works, here’s what matters…
What recruiters actually look for
Before getting into formatting and tips, it’s worth understanding how your CV is being read. Most recruiters (and hiring managers) are scanning for 3 things:
The first thing is clarity, can a recruiter immediately see your level (NQ, 3 PQE, Senior Associate), your practice area, and the type of firms you’ve worked in? If they have to work hard to figure that out, you’re already at a disadvantage.
The second is relevance: not everything you’ve done carries equal weight, and a strong CV highlights the right matters, experience, and skills rather than trying to include everything.
The third is progression, even in a relatively short career, firms want to see increased responsibility, more complex work, and client exposure. It doesn’t need to be dramatic, but it does need to be visible.
Practical tips to strengthen your legal CV
Start with a short profile, but only if it adds something. A generic opening paragraph that could apply to anyone does more harm than good. Think about who you are professionally, what you specialise in, and what you’re actually looking for next.
Be specific about your experience; this is where most CVs fall down. Avoid the kind of generic descriptions that tell a recruiter nothing, “worked on a range of corporate matters” or “assisted with litigation cases” could apply to anyone. Instead, be specific about the types of transactions or disputes, your actual level of involvement, and any notable clients or outcomes where appropriate.
Highlight your role, not just the matter; it’s not enough to say what the team did, you need to show what you did. Did you lead on drafting? Were you client-facing? Did you manage juniors? These details matter more as you become more senior. This is particularly important as you become more senior.
Keep it structured and easy to read, a well-structured CV is easier to engage with: clear headings, consistent formatting, and a logical flow with most recent experience first. Dense blocks of text are where good experience gets lost.
Include key skills (but subtly!); you don’t need a long list of buzzwords, but things like commercial awareness, client interaction, and technical strengths should come through in how you describe your experience, rather than being listed separately.
Common mistakes (that are easily avoided)
The most common mistakes are fairly consistent. Being too vague is the biggest one, if your CV could apply to ten other candidates, it’s not doing its job. But trying to include everything is another: more isn’t always better, and a concise, well-targeted CV will always outperform a long, unfocused one.
Overusing jargon can make your CV harder to read than it needs to be; you’re not dumbing it down, you’re making it accessible. Ignoring formatting matters more than people think: inconsistent fonts, spacing issues, or poor layout can distract from otherwise strong content.
And a one-size-fits-all CV rarely performs well, even small tweaks to highlight different experience depending on the role can make a noticeable difference.
What makes a CV actually stand out?
It’s not about being flashy. In fact, the best legal CVs are usually quite simple.
What sets them apart is clear positioning, relevant detail, evidence of progression, and easy readability.
When all of those come together, your CV does what it’s supposed to do: it makes someone want to speak to you.
A recruiter’s thoughts
From where we sit, the strongest CVs feel intentional.
They don’t just list experience; they present it in a way that makes sense for where the candidate wants to go next. And that’s the key point.
Your CV isn’t just a record of what you’ve done. It’s a tool to position you for what you want to do. The candidates who understand that tend to get better results.
The bottom line
Writing a strong legal CV isn’t about reinventing the wheel.
It’s about being clear, relevant and deliberate in how you present your experience
Get those right, and you’re already ahead of most of the market. Because ultimately, a CV doesn’t need to do everything. It just needs to get you to the next stage.
If you’d like a second opinion on your CV -or want honest, practical feedback on how it’s landing in the current market; we’re always happy to help.
Get in touch for an honest, no-pressure conversation about where yours is landing.