Tailoring Your Legal CV to the Job You Want — Not the One You Have
A strong legal CV doesn’t just tell your story — it positions you for the role you want next.
Whether you’re targeting an in-house legal role in Queensland, a step up to General Counsel, or your first move into a specialist practice area, the most effective CVs are
succinct, persuasive, and tailored to the specific role you’re applying for.
In our work at Alex Correa Executive, we’ve helped countless lawyers secure aspirational roles by reshaping their CVs to focus on what matters most to employers — relevance, clarity, and impact.
Why Tailoring Matters in the Legal Market
Your CV is often the first impression you make with a hiring manager or recruiter. In today’s competitive legal job market, sending the same generic CV for every role can mean being overlooked — even if you have the right skills.
Instead, your CV should:
- Highlight your most relevant skills and achievements for that role.
- Position your experience in the context of the employer’s needs.
- Make it easy for the reader (or Applicant Tracking System) to identify your fit.
Choosing the Right CV Format for Your Goal
1. Employment History CV
This is the most common format — listing your previous roles from most recent to earliest, with responsibilities and achievements under each.
It’s clear and logical but can
bury relevant experience if it sits several roles back.
Example: If you’re applying for a construction law role but your construction experience is from three jobs ago, it may not get noticed.
2. Skills-Based CV
This format leads with a brief employment history, then immediately showcases
key areas of expertise on the first page.
For each skill area — such as Construction Law, Commercial Litigation, or Leadership — list examples and achievements that prove your capability.
This approach works especially well if you’re:
- Changing practice areas.
- Moving into in-house legal roles.
- Highlighting skills not obvious from your current title.
The “Tailor-Made” Approach
Think of your CV like a
custom suit or dress — tailored perfectly for the occasion.
A well-fitted garment isn’t created from scratch every time; it’s adjusted from a base pattern. Your CV should work the same way.
Our recommendation:
- Create a Master CV with all your roles, skills, and achievements.
- For each application, reorder headings and remove irrelevant details to match the role.
- Save each tailored version so future updates are easy.
How Long Should a Legal CV Be?
There’s no one-size-fits-all rule — but here’s our guide:
- Early career lawyers: 3–4 pages.
- Mid-senior level lawyers: 4–6 pages.
- General Counsel and executives: up to 6–8 pages if relevant.
The key is to keep it as concise as possible without losing critical detail.
Quick Checklist Before You Hit Send
- ✅ Does your CV put the most relevant skills front and centre?
- ✅ Have you removed outdated or irrelevant details?
- ✅ Is the format ATS-friendly (Word or PDF without graphics)?
- ✅ Have you quantified achievements where possible?
Ready to Position Yourself for Your Next Role?
Whether you’re seeking your first in-house legal job, a move to a leadership position, or a change in practice area, tailoring your CV is the first step to getting noticed. It's your professional fingerprint!
At Alex Correa Executive, we specialise in in-house and government legal recruitment in Queensland. We know what hiring managers look for — and how to position your experience for maximum impact.
For more advice about updating your CV or chasing your aspirational role, you can reach us at info@alexcorreaexecutive.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions – Tailoring Your Legal CV
1. Why should I tailor my legal CV for each job?
Tailoring ensures the most relevant skills and achievements are front and centre, increasing your chances of passing ATS screening and impressing hiring managers.
2. What’s the difference between a skills-based CV and a chronological CV?
A skills-based CV highlights expertise areas first, making it ideal if you’re changing practice areas or applying for roles where your current title doesn’t reflect your full capability.
3. How long should a CV be for senior legal roles?
For General Counsel or senior in-house lawyers, 6–8 pages is acceptable if the content is relevant and concise.
4. Can I use the same CV for in-house and private practice roles?
You can keep a master CV, but tailoring each version ensures you emphasise the skills most valued in each environment.
5. How can Alex Correa Executive help improve my CV?
We review and refine legal CVs daily, offering tailored feedback and legal-specific templates to help Queensland lawyers secure their next role.
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