How to Include Awards and Honors on Your Resume

Awards and honours are recognitions that you receive for your achievements. They can be academic, professional or community-based. 

On a legal resume, awards and honours can be a valuable addition, as they can demonstrate your skills, abilities and commitment to your profession.

Why are Awards and Honours Important on a Legal Resume?

Awards and honours can be important on a legal resume for a number of reasons. First, they can show that you are a high achiever. When you receive an award or honour, it means that you have been recognized for your excellence in a particular area. This can be a powerful way to demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential employers.

Second, awards and honours can show that you are committed to your profession. When you receive an award or honour from a legal organization, it shows that you are engaged in the legal community and that you are passionate about your work. This can be a valuable asset for potential employers, as it shows that you are likely to be a dedicated and motivated employee.

Third, awards and honours can show that you have leadership skills. When you are selected to receive an award or honour, it means that you have been recognized for your ability to lead and inspire others. This can be a valuable asset for potential employers, as it shows that you are likely to be a valuable asset to their team.

How to Choose Which Awards and Honours to Include on Your Resume?

When choosing which awards and honours to include on your resume, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Relevance: The awards and honours you include should be relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job as a corporate lawyer, you would want to highlight any awards or honours you have received in the areas of corporate law or business law.
• Specificity: When listing your awards and honours, be as specific as possible. Instead of simply saying that you received the “Dean’s List” award, say that you were named to the Dean’s List with Honours. This will show the employer that you are a high achiever.
• Impact: When describing your awards and honours, explain the impact they had on you or on others. For example, you could say that the award you received for your community service helped you to develop your leadership skills or that it inspired you to continue working in your community.

The Different Types of Awards and Honours You Can Include on Your Legal Resume

• Academic awards and honours: These include awards for academic achievement, such as Dean’s List, President’s List or Magna Cum Laude. They can also include awards for research, such as the CALI Excellence for the Future Award or the American Jurisprudence Award.
• Professional awards and honours: These include awards from legal organizations, such as the American Bar Association or the State Bar of California. They can also include awards for legal writing, such as the Thurgood Marshall Writing Competition or the Jessup Moot Court Competition.
• Community service awards and honours: These include awards for volunteer work, such as the President’s Volunteer Service Award or the Points of Light Award. They can also include awards for leadership in community organizations, such as the United Way of America’s Young Leaders Award or the Girl Scouts of the USA’s Gold Award.
• Other awards and honours: These include awards for personal achievements, such as the Rhodes Scholarship or the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. They can also include awards for military service, such as the Purple Heart or the Bronze Star Medal.

How to List Awards and Honours on Your Legal Resume

Here are some tips on how to list awards and honours on your legal resume:

Use Clear and Concise Language

When listing your awards and honours, be sure to use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that the reader may not understand.

Quantify Your Accomplishments Whenever Possible

When you can, quantify your accomplishments to show the employer the impact of your work. For example, instead of saying that you “received the Dean’s List award,” say that you were “named to the Dean’s List with Honours, with a GPA of 3.9.”

Use Action Verbs to Describe Your Achievements

When describing your awards and honours, use action verbs to show what you did to earn them. For example, instead of saying that you “were awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award,” say that you “volunteered 200 hours of legal services to low-income families.”

Explain The Impact of Your Awards And Honours

When possible, explain the impact that your awards and honours have had on you or on others. For example, you could say that the award you received for your community service helped you to develop your leadership skills or that it inspired you to continue working in your community.

Use A Separate Section For Awards And Honours or List Them Under A Relevant Heading

You can either create a separate section for your awards and honours on your resume or you can list them under a relevant heading, such as “Education” or “Experience.” If you choose to create a separate section, be sure to title it “Awards and Honours” so that the employer knows what to expect.

Tips for Formatting your Awards and Honours Section

Here are some tips on how to format your awards and honours section on your resume:

• Use a consistent font and font size: When formatting your awards and honours section, it is important to use a consistent font and font size. This will help to make your resume look professional and polished.
• Use bullet points to list your awards and honours: Using bullet points is a great way to make your awards and honours section easy to read and scan. It also helps to make your resume more visually appealing.
• Use a single line space between each bullet point: This will help to create a clear and concise format for your awards and honours section.
• Proofread your awards and honours section carefully before submitting your resume: This is an important step to take, as it will help to ensure that there are no errors in your resume. It is also a good idea to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may be able to catch errors that you have missed.

Conclusion

Awards and honours can be a valuable addition to your legal resume, but it is important to choose the right ones and to list them in a clear and concise way. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure that your awards and honours section is effective and helps you land the job you want.

Here are some additional tips for including awards and honours on your legal resume:

• Keep it brief: Your awards and honours section should be no more than two or three lines long.
• Be specific: Don’t just list the name of the award or honour. Be specific about what you did to earn it.
• Use keywords: When listing your awards and honours, be sure to use keywords that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Proofread: Before you submit your resume, be sure to proofread your awards and honours section carefully.