Discovering Your Legal Hobbies and Interests: How to Showcase Them on Your Law CV
As a legal professional, you are constantly competing with others to secure jobs, internships, and opportunities that can advance your career prospects, and this makes having a well-crafted CV all the more important. While most legal professionals focus on highlighting their education, work experience, and technical skills, emphasizing your legal hobbies and interests can set you apart from other candidates. This article will delve into why legal hobbies and interests matter and how to showcase them on your law CV.
What Are Legal Hobbies and Interests?
Legal hobbies and interests are pastimes or extracurricular activities that relate to the legal industry. This includes participating in moot court competitions, volunteering at legal clinics, joining bar associations or law societies, and attending legal workshops/events. By participating in such activities, you acquire relevant soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication that are highly valued by employers.
Why Do They Matter?
Your knowledge of legal hobbies and interests can prove helpful during job interviews or networking events since it provides opportunities for conversation and networking with like-minded individuals. The more diverse your hobbies and interests, the better equipped you are to connect with potential hiring managers, clients, or colleagues and display your versatility.
Additionally, legal hobbies and interests provide insights into who you are as a person and what makes you unique. Employers often appreciate candidates’ distinctive qualities outside of their work experience or academic achievements as they provide a more holistic understanding of their personality, character, and abilities.
How to Showcase Them on Your Law CV?
While it’s essential to include traditional sections such as education and work experience, dedicating a section of your CV to legal hobbies and interests can be a game-changer. Make sure to describe your participation in these activities and their relevance to the legal profession. For example, mention any leadership role you have held in a legal club or professional association, or how volunteering at a legal clinic has honed your client relations skills.
List your interests in a format that’s easy to read, such as bulleted lists or paragraphs. Use action verbs to describe your involvement in these activities, such as “organized,” “led,” “coordinated,” or “participated.” Be specific about how these experiences have contributed to your growth and development as a legal professional.
Ultimately, showcasing your legal hobbies and interests effectively can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your passion for the legal profession. In a highly competitive field such as law, it’s crucial to highlight your unique abilities and qualities to boost your employability.
Conclusion
By including legal hobbies and interests on your law CV, you are providing potential employers with a more comprehensive view of your background and interests. Participating in legal extracurriculars implies a strong interest in the field, dedication to self-improvement, and proficiency in valuable soft skills required for a successful career in law. Properly showcasing such activities on your law CV can be the difference between standing out from other applicants or blending in. Therefore, it’s vital to take full advantage of these opportunities and demonstrate your passion for law through legal hobbies and interests.
