Summary: A law firm looks at your resume to determine if you can do the job, commit to the job, and want to do the job before even moving to the interview stage.
Read the full article by Harrison Barnes, “The Only Three Questions Law Firms Evaluate Applicants By” to learn more about these questions.
Potential employers will evaluate your resume based on the criteria of if you are qualified to do the job you are applying for, if your resume and cover letter demonstrate that you want to even do the job, and if you can commit to the job. Hopefully your resume can answer “Yes” to two of the three questions and then you can answer “Yes” to the third question in an interview.
Question 1. Can you do the job? Many applicants may have the qualifications and experience to do the job, but an employer is looking for someone that can be the job. You must be able to fit in, follow the rules set by the employer, have the necessary knowledge and expertise to get work done, and do everything the job requires. Be personable, easy going, and positive. Be willing to be controlled, willing to follow, and do what is required by your employer. Be able to prove that the firm comes first before everything else.
Question 2. Do you want to do the job? Law firms will see a red flag and take notice when they see extended time off, going in-house, going to work for the government, or frequent moves on your resume. Be involved in things that demonstrate your commitment to the subject matter such as generating business, writing and speaking, and keeping a good reputation among other attorneys.
Question 3. Will you do the job long term? Certain law schools have reputations of producing graduates that are not interested in practicing law forever. No industry wants to be constantly hiring new employees. A law firm wants an attorney that will stay with them for the duration of their career. Having a mortgage and other factors that show that relocation is not in the plan will help show employers that you are serious.