What should I put on my resume for an attorney job?

To get started, you'll want to start with your contact information. This part is straightforward and includes your name, home address, phone number (with area code), and e-mail address.

The education section of a resume should include your college and law school institutions, degrees and awards received, and activities in which you held leadership positions.

At most, include 3 to 5 activities and awards; listing too many detracts from the most relevant entries. You can place the education section either before or after the experience section.

If placed after, you may want to include a Law License or Bar Admission section at the top of your resume with information on when and where you based the state bar exam.

In the experience section, list your past employment in reverse chronological order, going back no more than five jobs (or 10 to 15 years).

Include the organization's name for which you worked, your title or position, your dates of employment, your specific responsibilities, and any special accomplishments.

For each job, create three to six descriptor bullet points. Each description should begin with an action verb and highlight your abilities as a lawyer using real numbers when possible. For instance, stating that you "led a team of 50 people in a high-stress environment."

Top legal skills to include on your resume as a lawyer include:

• Oral Communication

• Written Communication

• Client Service

• Analytical and Logical Reasoning

• Legal Research

• Technology Skills

• Knowledge of Substantive Law and Legal Procedure

• Time Management.