I’ve heard that tailoring your resume is important for in-house jobs. My question is two-fold. First, as a corporate lawyer mostly doing m&a/venture work, it’s been hard to think of ways to adjust my resume because my experience is my experience so any tips on that would be much appreciated. Second, it seems almost every role out there is mostly looking for technology transactions lawyers and I’m seeing very few corporate generalist/m&a roles (decent amount of securities roles but I don’t have

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

One thought on “tailoring”- use the words from the job posting if you have that experience. It helps get your resume in front of someone or a screener interview. Yes, picking and choosing what you’ve worked on to fit the posting is helpful, but it isn’t always an exact match. So try to use the posting keywords and you’ll see more success than if you just try to base it off your experience in your own words

likehelpful

I think it’s a little of both. The software won’t pick it up, but HR often has no idea what to hire for, or the nuances of your experience and how it fits because they aren’t attorneys. So I use the keywords to at least get a screener and prove I’m relevant to the job or personable at least

No specific advice, but I applied for four roles at my company before I got an interview. Don’t be afraid to apply multiple times!

like

Did you tailor differently for each role though?

I applied to 10 different roles before getting an interview with one company. The market is hot right now and getting your resume noticed is a task in and of itself. If your experience is relevant and you would like the job, apply. Don’t apply to things that are way outside of your wheelhouse but it’s ok to apply to multiple positions.

like

Apply even if you don’t tick all the boxes of what they want, or have a little more or a little less experience than they say they want. If you get a screener with the recruiter then you can suss this out further but sometimes there is more flexibility than the descriptions make it seem. You will probably need to find a role where the GC or other supervising attorney has the “athlete” perspective that if you’re smart, can draft, and are adaptable you can pick things up.

like

This seems to be rare. My CV screams adaptability ie practised different areas and in different jurisdictions without loosing seniority but can’t seem to get a look in for anything outside me straight up current wheelhouse.

I’d highlight any transactions involving companies in the same or similar field as the company to which you are applying. Everyone wants tech transactions experience because you will absolutely be touching tech contracts, no matter the industry. If you don’t have direct experience, did you manage any due diligence involving tech agreements? Could you take a CLE or something to show you’re at least conversant?

likehelpful

Any public companies/SEC reporting compliance experience. It feels like every role I can apply for there’s no chance I’d get an interview and I fear applying to a company and then a better role comes along and they think, does this person just apply to everything and hope something sticks? I’m admittedly feeling a bit lost in the process. Any tips on how to find a suitable role to apply to, tailor the resume appropriately and approaching the application process would be tremendously appreciated.

like

My work is hiring an assistant general counsel with M&A/corporate filling experience, if you're looking in Boston. Feel free to send me a pm.

like

That sounds awesome! Unfortunately I am based in the west coast and am not in a position to relocate but thank you!!

like

Read lawyer whisperer blog and goinhiuse.com. Ask your career center for mid career resumes and deal sheets.

like

Thank you all for your insights! These have been incredibly helpful!

like

One thing you should try to do separately from the job search proper is to try and get more involved in tech trans work. Ideally your venture clients will already be working with your tech trans folks on those docs; if so, you can just wiggle your way onto email chains and calls and try to learn as much as you can.

As others have noted, commercial contracts are a fact of life for west coast in-house gigs, so you need to get as much ancillary experience as you can and fake it til you make it.

They’re really not that hard, which is why you see so many junior positions available.

like

Resume tailoring isn’t about finding directly applicable experience for each role: it’s about highlighting how your skills are transferable. All those tech trans positions? They’re looking for someone who can negotiate a licensing agreement for their product with a big customer. Do you have drafting and negotiation experience? Try to think of it that way.

like

I definitely appreciate this advice. I have tried to do this as much as I can however unfortunately at my firm this work is very siloed off. I do have some experience with commercial contracts (at least baseline familiarity/have done a number of them) because it was less siloed at my old firm and those of us on the corporate team often took on first cuts/overflow work since our tech trans folks were often slammed. At the rate it’s going, I’ll very much have to be in the boat of, have some familiarity/experience albeit not a ton, but have good contract drafting ability/experience via my corporate transactions, many of which have been complicated and am a quick learner, adapt quickly and am the type to consult other resources (ie a hornbook on drafting licenses/software agreements) to get to where I need to be as quickly as I can

And I appreciate the hell out of that insight. That context makes me feel more comfortable with the idea that if I can convince one of there companies to give me a shot, I can do the work and figure things out (definitively agree on the more complicated, life-sci ones, I got roped in some years back to basically fumble my way through one with limited supervision and it was not fun)

Thank you! That’s a super helpful way to think about it

I once applied for a tech job I had zero experience in and got it. My experience didn’t match the specifics they wanted but I have noticed that for in-house roles, culture, fit, business acumen and willingness to learn are (most) important to them, at least when you aren’t the GC. The experience I had at least could show them I had transferable skills. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t shocked to get an interview, I was. But it shows, anything is possible.

Related Posts

Could someone please suggest how to handle this situation?
My manager (Technology Director) sees me as an emerging thread to his position and stopped sharing details / trying to avoid including me in visible projects etc.,
FYI - His manager is the division head and Managing Director.
Why I think my manager tries to move me out?
- I am 18 YOE with a technically strong background
- Upper mgmt is starting to identify me as the backup for all systems. My manager tries to move me out since then

like

I have completed the background check and laptop survey form for joining, my joining at ey gds ( tech Consulting) is tomorrow but I have not received any other info, can someone kindly guide me on what to expect on the onboarding process at ey?
What will the first few days look like?
When can I expect to start full fleged work?

like

Looking to transition to product role from consulting. Any leads for apm roles in consumer internet space?

like

Hello All,

Hope you are doing great.. I am looking for new opportunities in Product based or consulting industry.. Please do let me know if any openings in your organisation.. it would be a Great support to my career.. I have 7yrs of exp in Supply Chain - P2P process..

like

Hi, I am at 14 LPA. This is my first switch of my career. How much should I negotiate for an L4 level HR Partner role at Amazon? Is getting 20 LPA possible as per their hiring grid for L4 level?

like

I am looking for a new opportunity, ideally a remote HRBP role as we are military. Anyone know of any available opportunities?

like

Hey yall! I’m not sure if this is the right place, but here goes... I’m currently a product marketing specialist (only been in the role for about 7 months) and previously worked in higher ed as a project analyst. I’m interviewing for a Business Analyst role on a product marketing team of a higher ed tech company. I’m worried about not having enough skills to be a BA, like data and Tableau experience. What can I do to build my expertise in these areas?

like

Cognizant

Is there anyone from Human Resources here?

1) How do you feel when people are demanding and getting 20+ lakhs for just 4-5 years experience? Have you considered switching jobs?

2) What is the highest pay and bonus you've got any candidate?

3) Any interesting and out of the ordinary story when hiring?

:)

like

EY Deloitte Genpact Newco Need Job Referral, Thanks in Advance

Post Photo
like

Anyone who went through the interview at ZS? Need some pointers to prep.

like

Mid-level M&A associate over here. Thinking I’d like to make the move out of big law but struggling with what my options are. Have no interest in going in-house and staying in a legal capacity - would want to transition into more of a business role. Wondering if anyone can share their experience making that kind of move.

like

Hello Fishes

What's the future of SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) I have been offered this role.

I am getting 16 lpa CTC in my current organization with experience of 10.6 yrs. how much maximum CTC I can ask/expect from Credit Suisse if they offer me AVP position ?

Greetings, fishes.
I am looking forward to move ahead with my project management career and desire to switch to a better paying job. I am desperate to move in to a better higher role. Please suggest options/referrals.
Please look out for your fellow fish. Cheers

like

Hi All!
Currently interviewing for a Cloud Program Manager role in the PSO. Had my first interview first week of May and the recruiter emailed me two weeks later letting me know that I was going to move to the second round, and asked for dates I was available. Its been 2 weeks (have emailed her a couple times) since I've heard from her. Wondering how I should approach this? I've heard the interview process can take awhile, and just want to make sure I'm managing expectations for hearing back

like

I got a call from the Google recruiter about my L7 em interview Google She said I did overwhelmingly good on all interviews except one had mixed feedback on a system design. No surprise because it was not a good interview. The recruiter said i had a choice to go to hiring committee, give referrals they could call about my system design or take another system design interview. I’m not confident about the system design because of the bad experience I had with the previous interviewer. What should I do?

like

Currently interviewing for an Associate Partner role with New York Life. I have 15 years experience in financial services. What should I be asking for when it comes to salary. The range they give is $60k-$160k base, not including bonuses.

like

Hi All,

Has anyone done the pwc 2.5 hour case study and could give me some advice?

like

Hi Fishes,

I am looking for job. I have total experience of 14+years. Due to challenges during lockdown life has turned negative and been only bread earner has many obligations to fullfill
I have 12 years experience in Mortgage industry. If you have any job openings please advise.
Regards,

like

Hello PM , to Be PM,

There are lots of opening in market for PM role. If anyone struggling to get Job calls or stuck with PM related interview questions.

I am happy to extend my hand, always love to exchange knowledge and experience.

Do DM me in case of need.

likehelpful

More Posts

Know of any agencies hiring?

like

Soooo can we cancel work tomorrow???

like

Would you rather have a higher or lower hourly billable rate?

like

Want to support local NYC restaurants and order some delicious takeout/delivery. Live in Murray Hill/Kips Bay.

Any tips?

like

What is something a new senior mgmt employee can do in their first few weeks/months to set themselves apart as an exceptional new recruit?

like

Not me though

Post Photo
likefunnysmart

Who’s working from home now for the foreseeable future?

like
like
like

How do you identify an LGBT person from an Ally at your company?

like

Looking for a position for IAM information Security within Healthcare. Provision, set up access, templates.
SaaS , Sailpoint, Azure . Any ideas ?
Thank you

like

Anyone out there who is a RN who works in marketing? I have been a surgical nurse/nurse navigator for 10 years and for the last 2 years have taken an interest in marketing. I have my own social media management company I do on the side for locals, but I want to transition to working for a company full time. Tips?

like

People who don't have new year plans or planning to make one. Feel free to connect over @HeyDoesntMatter on telegram.

Lets connect if free for conversation.

like

How much money are you saving per month since being on lockdown?

likehelpful

Hi,
My team at Fractal is hiring for various roles in analytics, from consultant to Engagement Manager.
If you are 2+ years of exp in analytics, and are looking for a switch, now are good times to be in Fractal.
DM

like

I just accepted a job offer from Meta! It’s a 1-2 year contract position, with potential to go full time. 100% salary raise. Going from $60k to $120k 🙏🏼🙏🏼

likeupliftingfunny

Hi,

Anyone looking for Azure Data Engineer Role at Tiger Analytics, please DM me

like

I’m interviewing for a Project Manager role and they want me to present a project I’ve worked on showing my thought process and how I tackle problems like managing cross-functional teams, creating/adapting processes, managing tasks and priorities, etc. It can be in any format and will be to a panel. I’ve never done an interview like this before. Any tips?

likesmart

What are the recommended tax saving options apart from 80C, HRA & NPS? Any insights would be much appreciated.

like

Additional Posts in In-House Counsel

When negotiating salary, what is a reasonable ask in terms of increase? I am really hoping to be about 14% higher.

like

Made it to Amazon last round, and rejected. All I got was an email from the recruiter saying they didn't move forward. The team seemed great, and the turnover didn't seem terrible as everyone I interviewed with was there for 3 years or longer. It seemed like a great group doing good work. I'm crushed.

like

I answer to two people, the General Counsel and CEO, however, they do not get along. I am often caught in the middle, one will want me on one project, the other on a different one. It’s becoming a bit of a hostile work environment at times…

Any advice on how to deal?

like

Any tips for a 3rd year associate starting a new in-house job at a Big Tech company?

like

I am starting a new role as an in-house attorney at a large university. Any tips on how to be successful?

like

Hello, Would you rather work with a fortune 50 company where you doing some very niche work or work as a lawyer in fintech which is 1/1000 as compared to the revenue of the f50 but the work is very varied. No two days are same. Wanted to understand perspective. Thanks!

like

How many of you use AFA and what types have you found useful?

like

Any impressions on legal roles at Apple? Particularly in privacy or product counsel.

like