An attorney job is one of the most sought-after jobs in the country. If you have a love for books and a talent for writing, this may be the job for you. However, to even think about applying for this job, you’ll need to know exactly what kind of writing sample you need to submit. Keep reading for more information.
The Basic Requirements
The most basic requirement for this job is a law degree. While most lawyers have a degree from a top-tier law school, not all employers will value that degree over these years of extensive experience. To even think about applying for this job, you’ll need to have a law degree from a top-tier law school. In addition to that, you’ll need to have at least five years of experience in the field. While a J.D. may not be required, it certainly helps.
In most cases, you’ll also need to have passed the bar exam. Without it, you won’t be able to practice law. If you haven’t yet passed the bar exam, you can take it with confidence that you’ll be able to pass the next one. Most law schools offer bar prep courses that you can take to prepare you for the exam. Alternatively, you can take the test as soon as possible after you graduate.
The Preferred Requirements
Now that you have a legal background and some experience, you can start to think about which type of writing sample you’ll need to submit. To do this, you’ll need to take into consideration both your CV and your cover letter. The following are some of the preferred requirements for an attorney job:
- Professionalism: Be professional and demonstrate the capability to be a mature professional. You’ll be representing your employers in court, so you might not want to act in a manner that would lower their opinion of your maturity.
- Knowledge: Be well-informed about the topic and have enough knowledge to provide appropriate and excellent legal counsel. If you’re not sure that you have enough knowledge to provide appropriate counsel, then you might want to consider seeking more training. Your employers will expect you to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in your field, and they’ll be judging you on your ability to provide this service.
- Analytical Skills: Demonstrate the ability to think through problems logically and identify the key facts and figures that are relevant to the matter. Make sure that you’ve taken the time to understand the question being asked and that you’ve provided a relevant answer. Think of a question that you’ve often been asked by clients and consider that answer. You might be able to come up with a brilliant response that would appear just right on paper.
- Writing Skills: Be able to write a clear and concise letter in English. In addition to that, you’ll also need to be able to present your thoughts in a form that is both logical and convincing. To get a good grasp of the English language, you can take a look at our English for law students course. With that in mind, you’ll be able to write letters that are both sound and forceful.
- Editing Skills: Be able to edit both your writing and your speech. Whenever you’re asked to present your work to a group of people, be able to work with your fellow team members to make your project shine. You’ll also need to be able to take a poorly written project and polish it into a good one. Editing is just as important in writing as it is in speaking. Consider the editing process as an opportunity to polish your work and get it right.
- Research Skills: Be able to research the necessary facts and figures for a case. In addition to that, you’ll need to be able to research the legal issues that might arise in the context of a given case. To get the best possible outcome for your clients, you’ll need to be able to research the most appropriate legal strategies for their situation. Doing research for a case is just one of the many tasks that you’ll be asked to do. Make sure that you’ve prepared for each and every task, as there’ll be a lot of legal work piled up on your desk.
- Media Savvy: Be able to work with lawyers from other firms and communicate with members of the media, including journalists. Whenever you’re asked to pitch an idea to the media, make sure that you’re able to present it in the best possible way. Think of a case that you’ve worked on and consider how you’d pitch it to the public. You might be able to come up with a compelling story or argument that would make a great pitch.
- Speaking Skills: Be able to present yourself in a respectful and professional manner, both in written and spoken form. Make sure that you’ve done your homework and studied the necessary material. This is also a great way to polish your speaking skills and get them ready for use in the real world.
- Virtual Lawyer: Being a virtual lawyer is the closest you can get to having your own private lawyer office. This role involves reviewing cases, speaking with clients, and drafting legal documents and pleadings. Since this is a role that you can perform from home, be sure to include your cell phone number on your resume. Clients might find it easy to reach you wherever you are, and that could save them a lot of stress and money. In addition to that, make sure that you’ve got a good internet connection and that you’re located in a place with good wifi. Being a virtual lawyer is a great option for those who want to work remotely and don’t want to give up the opportunity to work with clients. It also allows you to schedule meetings and case conferences whenever you want and from wherever you want.
- Preferred: As you’d expect from a job titled ‘preferred’, you’ll need to be able to sell yourself in the most effective way possible. To do this, you’ll need to consider some of the skills that you’ve acquired through your legal studies and your work experience. Think of a case that you’ve successfully argued in court and consider how you’d sell that to a potential employer. This might be a good opportunity to practice your pitch skills.
To get a better idea of what kind of writing sample you need to submit, consider the attached example resume and letter. As you can see, this particular sample resume and letter is perfectly acceptable for an attorney job. It highlights the applicant’s professionalism, ability to research, and attention to detail. Moreover, it shows that the applicant is experienced and has the capability to provide excellent legal counsel. This particular sample would therefore appear to be more than suitable for an employment opportunity as an attorney.
The resume shows that the applicant has a good command of English and has the ability to write convincing and authoritative letters. In addition to that, the sample letter shows that the applicant has the ability to present himself professionally and confidently. Finally, the sample contains various keywords and phrases that an employer might use in a search for an attorney. Make sure that you’ve got similar key phrases and words in your own writing.
What If You Don’t Have Experience?
If you don’t have experience in the field, then it’s going to be a little more difficult to find that job. Not only does it require a legal background, but it also requires at least five years of experience in the field. If you don’t meet these requirements, then it’s likely that you won’t be able to find that job you’re looking for. There’s also the possibility that the employer will not even bother to review your application. The only way to find out is to apply and see what happens. Don’t give up hope, though, as there are many other jobs that you may be able to find that suit your experience.
Additional Considerations
Once you’ve found a job that you like, it’s time to move onto the next step. This is where you need to think about your actual education and where you need to focus your attention. While it is certainly beneficial to have a legal education, it’s not always necessary. Just because you don’t have a legal background doesn’t mean that you can’t become an attorney. You’ll need to focus on your actual education and make sure that you’re applying for the right job. For example, instead of applying for a job at a law firm, you might want to consider applying for a job at a judge’s court. Since you’ll be working there, you’ll have the opportunity to actually practice law. Make sure that you’re getting the best possible option and that you’re considering all of your options before making a decision.