How to make your CV stand out as a legal in-house professional

Putting together a CV for an in-house legal position involves more than just listing titles and qualifications. It is a matter of highlighting your experience and impact. ‘Your job title alone does not say anything about the concrete value you can add to an organisation,’ says Margaux De Vleeschauwer, legal recruitment consultant at global talent solutions specialist Robert Walters.

Permanent position? Let your experience count

For a permanent position, the focus is on relevant legal experience and sustainable impact within an organisation. Non-legal experience can help starters in particular to distinguish themselves, for example project work, voluntary activities or internal working groups. Margaux emphasises: ‘Recruiters want to see how you contribute to the organisation and how you function in a corporate context. A good CV shows results and collaboration across departments.’

Remember to mention specific results, like ‘led a contract negotiation project that saved £500k,’ and highlight key skills like compliance, corporate governance, or data protection.

Succeed as an interim legal manager

Interim legal assignments mainly require flexibility, speed and short-term impact. Experience outside the traditional legal field is often an advantage, such as change management, project coordination or sector experience. Margaux explains: ‘Companies seek interim managers who can deliver immediate results and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment. Therefore, focus on concrete deliverables and projects you have managed in a short period of time, demonstrate your ability to think strategically and lead teams, and emphasise your experience with complex structures or fast-growing organisations.’

Let your CV speak for itself 

Whether you are applying for a permanent in-house position or an interim management assignment, it is best to focus on impact, relevance and concrete results. Tailor your CV to the position and sector, keep your bullet points short and powerful, and show that you are not only legally strong, but also able to collaborate effectively and think strategically. ‘A good CV not only tells what you have done, but above all what you were able to achieve and how you achieved results,’ concludes Margaux.

More information

Discover our career advice blog. Looking to move roles? Check out our most recent interim management jobs or contact one of our offices.