Career development
How to write better job applications
How to write better job applications as a lawyer: tailoring your pitch, evidencing your claims, and standing out.
The short version
From a hiring manager's view, there's no single 'perfect applicant' — firms match candidates to different teams and clients. So give more data points than grades and law experience, guide the reader to your genuine strengths instead of ticking every requirement, quantify your achievements, write your application like a storyteller (best three selling points up top), and address any shortcomings head-on. A rejection can still become a future offer.
Prepared with James Keane, Graduate Recruitment Manager at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. One of the most frustrating things about being a junior lawyer was the job application process — even with good grades, relevant experience and genuine interest, it can feel like you need to get lucky to land an interview. I don't come from a hiring background, so James (who has worked as a hiring manager for 12+ years) generously shared his tips on what hiring managers look for, how to improve your application, and how a rejection can still turn into a future offer.
From the hiring manager's point of view
1. There isn't a single "perfect applicant"
There's a misconception that applicants should fit one perfect profile. Grades, work experience and relevant extracurriculars are baseline considerations — but a hiring manager isn't recruiting for a single profile; they're finding the right fit for different teams and clients, who value different things. The "perfect" student with top grades might suit a team where technical excellence is key, while a student with lower grades and a strong customer-service background could be a better fit elsewhere.
2. We want multiple data points to compare against
Applications are competitive, and there are always more candidates than openings. If your application only speaks to grades and law-related experience, that's all there is to compare you on. Give more context about your non-law experiences, achievements and interests, and you're more likely to stand out.
3. We like being guided to your strengths
Just as a good essay tells you what it will cover and leads with its best arguments, a good application guides the reader to your strengths. Template CVs highlight the standard things (grades, employers, education) — great if those are your strengths, but if you're stronger at communication or teamwork, make that come through:
Strong writing skills and an interest in construction law, as demonstrated by my publications in the [university research journal] and my [mooting competition] experience — see www.[uploadlink].com.
Actionable tips to improve your applications
1. Think beyond the hiring manager — to the team and their clients
Great candidates show they'd be a good fit for the organisation's clients, not just the organisation. Google what General Counsel and clients want from law firms, talk about the organisation's clients and projects, and be specific about the practice groups you're interested in (even for generalist roles like clerkships).
2. Tailor to your strengths instead of ticking every box
Trying to address every requirement can water down what you're actually good at. Compare a candidate who is "attention-oriented, reliable, a team player, good at communication and a proactive problem-solver" with:
While I believe I meet the requirements in your job description, I have an excellent track record in three areas in particular: attention to detail as demonstrated by X, communication skills through Y, and teamwork developed in my role at Z.
3. Highlight responsibilities and achievements, not just roles
- Quantify achievements (e.g. "managed a team of 3 paralegals over a 10-week discovery process that produced an accurate 250+ exhibit court book").
- Give context (e.g. "worked as a paralegal 3 days a week while studying full-time and coaching high-school basketball on Saturdays").
- Include hyperlinks to your work, awards and publications.
4. Approach the application like a storywriter
- Max out the prime real estate — put your 3 best selling points at the top of your CV.
- Don't get locked into a template order (education, contact details first) that doesn't differentiate you.
- Show, don't tell — use experiences and achievements to demonstrate "strong communication skills" rather than just stating them.
- Ask a friend — the people who know you can often name your strengths.
5. Address your shortcomings head-on
If something might concern a hiring manager (a weak semester, short tenure, an employment gap), it can help to address it: what happened, why, and what you'd do differently. In interviews, it can help to ask at the end:
I appreciate we've only had an hour to see if I'd be a good fit for your team, so maybe there's something we've missed. Is there anything else I can try to address now?
Overcoming unsuccessful applications
Applications are competitive, and both applicants and organisations miss out — candidates are assessed on a particular slice of their career, so many who'd make excellent lawyers don't make the interview stage. But that first "no" is never the end of the road. Organisations re-hire to top up cohorts, fill new needs, or for different roles — often taking on candidates who were rejected before but have since shown growth, fixed the areas of concern, or reapplied for a role they were better suited to.
About James Keane
Big thanks to James Keane for sharing his insights. You can connect with him on LinkedIn , and follow the HSF Graduates page on Instagram @hsfgraduatesau.
Frequently asked questions
What do hiring managers look for in a job application?
Not one perfect profile — they're finding the right fit for different teams and clients. Grades and experience are baseline; giving context about your wider achievements and interests gives them more to compare you on and helps you stand out.
How do you make a legal job application stand out?
Guide the reader to a few strengths you can genuinely evidence rather than addressing every requirement, quantify your achievements ('managed a team of 3 paralegals over a 10-week discovery'), put your three best selling points at the top of your CV, and show rather than tell.
Can you get hired after a rejection?
Often, yes. Organisations re-hire to top up cohorts, fill new needs or for different roles — frequently taking candidates who were rejected before but have since shown growth, fixed the concern, or reapplied for a better-suited role.
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