How Can You Tailor a CV for In-House Legal Roles?

As a lawyer or other legal professional, your CV is your introduction and chance to make a strong positive impression on potential employers. It creates a first impression and is often the key to securing an interview and progressing with the application process. When you apply for non-traditional or in-house legal jobs, it is wise to take a tailored approach (especially if you are a private practice lawyer looking to change paths). Legal counsel and in-house roles prioritise commercial awareness, adaptability, and ability to work collaboratively within a business context. As such, spending time on some vital CV tweaks can make a lot of difference to your chances. We will explore some pointers to help you tailor a CV that stands out for non-traditional and in-house legal roles, to help you put your best foot forward.

What Do Non-Traditional or In-House Legal Roles Typically Require?

Non-traditional and in-house legal positions will often focus on providing practical and commercially minded legal advice. Employers in these roles value candidates who can truly understand the broader business environment and can anticipate legal risks before they arise. You are not just a legal adviser focussed on black-letter law in this role – rather, you will be viewed as a team player helping to make decisions to support the organisation’s goals alongside managing risk.

When you prepare your CV, it can help to highlight your ability to integrate legal expertise with business strategy. Employers in these roles expect you to demonstrate your understanding of their commercial priorities and your ability to add value beyond just legal work.

Why Should You Speak to In-House Lawyers?

Doing some research up front can help you significantly. One of the best ways to understand the expectations and skills required for in-house legal roles is to speak with lawyers who are already working in these positions. Reaching out to in-house counsel you know can give you a clear sense of the day-to-day challenges they face, the skills they use most often, and what they wish they had known when transitioning from private practice or other legal roles.

During these conversations, you can use the chance to ask about their core skills and think about how your own experience aligns. Once you have a clearer picture through real world insights, you will better understand what an in-house lawyer job looks like in practice and can use this knowledge to understand how best to update your CV for such positions. This research can also help you better tailor your application to the realities of in-house work, making your CV stand out as well informed and appropriate.

Why Should You Emphasise Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills are important in non-traditional and in-house roles because these positions often require more than legal knowledge. You must demonstrate how you can collaborate across departments, manage competing priorities, and deliver advice that is practical, and business focused. This requires a strong commercial mind.

To make your CV compelling, you should focus on examples that illustrate these abilities in action. Instead of listing generic skills, show how you applied them to achieve specific outcomes. This approach helps employers see the direct value you bring to the role. For instance, have you worked in business before your legal career, or do you have a side hustle alongside your legal practice? Such examples can help show your determination for the role and showcase your skills with evidence.

Employers want to see the impact you have made, not just a list of your responsibilities. You should present your achievements clearly and use specific examples to highlight your contributions. For instance, if you improved a process, contributed to business growth, or helped reduce risks, make sure you include these points. Quantify your achievements wherever possible to make them stand out.

Can You Tailor Your CV for Each Application?

Each role is different, and your CV can be tailored to reflect this. For instance, if you are going for a job in the food industry then you may wish to bring your work with food industry clients right to the top of your CV and showcase key projects. For example, did you work with a food industry client on crucial data protection compliance documentation or help them get contracts over the line for a high-value project? Showing your work with clients in the specific industry the company operates can help you stand out – especially if you are coming from a private practice background.

You need to customise your CV to match the role’s requirements and priorities e.g. you can use the job description as a guide to ensure you focus on the skills and experience the employer values most. If you are working with a recruiter, they can also guide you on how best to tailor your application having discussed the role with the employer.

How Can The Legists Help Candidates?

As a candidate, The Legists can help you discover the best opportunity for you. The Legists’ advanced AI-powered search system matches you with roles tailored to your expertise and career aspirations. The Legists is a multi-award-winning job platform dedicated to the legal profession described as ‘Best Search Platform to Legal Jobs’ in 2022 by Business Elite Awards. It is a leading resource for legal positions across the UK, offering a vast selection of opportunities in various industries.  

To find your next role in the legal industry, you can register with The Legists. You can Create an account to apply for roles on The Legists.  You will never miss a law job opportunity in this field by setting up a Job alert. To be headhunted Upload your CV to our CV database.