Creating a strong resume is vital when looking for work as a judge. You may be facing stiff competition from other candidates with career achievements similar to your own, so it’s extremely important to show what makes you the best fit for the job. If you aren’t sure how to craft a resume that will help you stand out from the crowd, take a look at a resume sample for inspiration.
When you study the judge resume sample included in this guide, you can better understand the elements that make up a solid professional resume. You can compare your own document against the sample to make sure you include the right content and frame it in a readable and attractive format. If you would like additional guidance, use our resume builder to get started.
Regina Perez
123 Fake Street | City, State, Zip Code
Cell: 000-000-0000
email@email.com
Professional Summary
Respected, experienced and compassionate jurist with the credentials to mediate on questions of law between litigating parties. As a Judge, prepared to hear arguments and review evidence. Will be unbiased ear that either renders decisions or ensures juries abide by rules of the court and come to reasonable conclusions regarding legal matters.
Core Qualifications
- 20+ years in field of law
- Fair and honorable decisions
- Critical reasoning
- Active listening skills
- Project management
- Exceptional negotiator
- Performance assessment
- Social perceptiveness
Experience
District Judge – March 2007 to Present
Company Name, City, State
- Judge in arraignments, non-jury and jury probation violation hearings, and pretrial dispositions.
- Preside over criminal misdemeanors and criminal traffic violations.
- Issue opinions and case decisions in chambers based on relevant laws, regulations and research.
- Meet with attorneys to discuss matters, disputes, settlements and to review court procedures and rules.
- Impose sentencing after jury returns â”guiltyâ” or â”responsibleâ” verdict.
- Issue marriage licenses and perform marriage ceremonies.
Attorney – March 2002 to February 2007
Company Name, City, State
- Over 35 percent of caseload was pro bono, representing indigent clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies.
- Negotiated with DA to get best possible solution in client cases.
- Managed full felony caseload.
Education
2002 Juris Doctorate, Law
University of California, City, State
Why Is This a Good Judge Resume Sample?
To understand what makes this document an excellent example of an engaging judge resume, take a look at the professional summary first. This section includes a lot of information in a concise format that is easy to read. It discusses the jobseeker’s experience and credentials along with important soft skills, including compassion. The final sentence assures the reader that this jobseeker will judge cases in an unbiased and fair manner, and will also ensure that juries behave in compliance with the law and accepted moral standards of the justice system.
The judge resume sample dives right into the jobseeker’s qualifications next. Notice how the bullet points and short phrases make this section easy to read quickly. With just a glance, you get a full picture of the jobseeker’s industry experience (over 20 years), quality of work (fair and honorable decisions), and skills necessary to being a competent judge (active listening, reasoning, negotiating, and perceptiveness). This section doesn’t get bogged down in excessive detail or a laundry list of generic professional skills. Each bullet point is targeted directly to an essential aspect of judicial service.
The next section of the judge resume sample summarizes the candidate’s relevant career experience. Even though there are only two distinct entries, the format conveys all the essential information about each position and shows a clear career progression from attorney to judge. Including each employer’s name and location and the dates of employment makes it easy for the hiring manager to understand where to find professional references if necessary. Notice how each listing includes carefully-constructed points that discuss duties and achievements using confident language and clear metrics.
Finally, the education section succinctly illuminates the jobseeker’s relevant academic credentials. This section doesn’t need to have a lot of excess detail. All that’s needed is a simple statement of the degree, year of graduation, and educational institution.
Why You Need a Strong Judge Resume
While there is a continual need for judges, the competition for these jobs can be fierce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of new judicial jobs will remain static or drop slightly in the years to come. With plenty of students still graduating from law school and looking for employment, competition for desirable positions such as judgeships may continue to increase.
In many cases, judicial positions require election or appointment by a political official, so it’s essential to have a resume that can impress influential decision-makers. Because all judges have similar academic and professional backgrounds, you need to make sure your resume helps you stand apart from other jobseekers with equivalent qualifications. Using the judge resume sample and following professional writing tips can help ensure your final document makes a strong case for your employment.
Costly Judge Resume Mistakes To Avoid
When you’re crafting your resume, it’s essential to avoid common mistakes such as spelling errors or including an unprofessional email address. However, there are numerous other mistakes judge candidates should watch for when creating their resumes.
While it’s never acceptable to lie on a resume, being factual and honest is especially important for a jobseeker looking for a judgeship. This type of position inherently implies and requires a high level of morality and trust, so make sure every element of your resume is completely true without even a hint of exaggeration.
Additionally, you must show the reader why you are the right candidate for the position. Make sure your skills and work history sections speak to a variety of qualifications and desirable traits essential for a judicial official. As you can see in the judge resume sample, the jobseeker included an important personality trait, compassion, and backed up this claim with evidence of her large amount of pro bono work.
Conclusion
Writing a resume that is concise and engaging can be challenging. As shown in the judge resume sample, you must curate your content to draw attention to the most relevant points of your career and showcase the unique aspects that separate you from the other candidates. Point out your best qualifications in the summary and follow with evidence of your outstanding achievements in the work history section.