How to Craft a Standout CV for a Legal Services Trainee

Writing a curriculum vitae for a legal services trainee role is like preparing a case brief—you need to be clear, concise and convincing. In Australia’s legal sector, where competition is stiff and hiring managers have limited time, building a strong CV is your first opportunity to present yourself as a serious candidate. Whether you are targeting law firms, corporate legal departments, government legal teams, or community legal centres, your CV needs to speak their language.

This guide from Future1st breaks down resume writing tips for legal trainees in a way that is practical, approachable and, occasionally, a little cheeky—because job hunting is hard enough already.

Why a Well-Written CV Matters

Let us start with the basics. Why does your CV matter so much?

Think of your CV as your handshake before the handshake. Before you even get to say hello in an interview, your CV is already speaking for you. A rushed or vague CV can close a door before you even step into the room. On the other hand, a clearly written, well-structured CV that highlights legal skills with purpose can open up opportunities where others fall short.

1. Know Your Audience

Before you write a single word, think about who will read your CV. Law firms are looking for different qualities than government legal departments. Corporate legal teams may prefer evidence of commercial awareness. Community legal centres will value your commitment to access and fairness.

The trick? Match your CV to the role like you would match your suit to the courtroom.

Helpful tip: Study the job description. Every word in that listing is a clue. If the role mentions client communication, make sure your CV shows where you have done that. If it mentions legal research, include an example.

For a live sample of what employers might be seeking, check out Legal Services Trainee roles on Future1st.

2. Start with Contact Details and a Personal Statement

Keep it simple. Start with your full name, address (you can leave out the street number if privacy matters), phone number and email address. Then, follow it up with a short personal statement—just three to four sentences.

This part should quickly answer: Who are you? What have you studied? What role are you aiming for? Why are you a match?

Example:

“Law graduate with a strong interest in administrative law and access to justice. Completed legal internship with a government legal department. Skilled in legal research, drafting, and file management. Currently seeking a Legal Services Trainee role in a community legal centre or public sector setting.”

Keep it real. No need for dramatic flair or big adjectives. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

3. Show Your Education Clearly

List your legal studies front and centre—this is the part most employers want to see first. Start with your most recent qualification and work backward.

Structure:

• Degree or Diploma name
  
• Institution
  
• Year completed or expected
  
• Any achievements (honours, distinctions, legal clinics, mooting)
  
  

Example:
Bachelor of Laws
University of New South Wales – 2024

• Distinction average
  
• Participated in Environmental Law Moot
  
• Completed clinical placement at Legal Aid NSW
  

Keep it short and sharp. Bullet points work best here. Avoid long paragraphs. Recruiters are not here to read a novel.

4. Highlight Legal Experience (Paid or Volunteer)

Whether you have done a clerkship, internship, or even helped out at a community legal centre, now is the time to put it on show. This is where highlighting legal skills matters most.

Include the following:

• Job title or role
  
• Organisation
  
• Dates
  
• Duties or responsibilities
  
• Key skills used
  
  

Example:
Legal Intern
NSW Department of Justice – January to April 2024

• Drafted legal correspondence under supervision
  
• Attended court proceedings and took client notes
  
• Researched legal frameworks related to child protection
  
• Managed document filing using internal system
  

No legal experience yet? No stress. Add any other work experience and focus on transferable skills like communication, time management and teamwork. Show you can learn, adapt and show up on time.

5. Add Key Skills (But Be Honest)

You do not need to list every skill under the sun. Choose about six to ten and make sure they are backed up by experience somewhere else in your CV.

Legal Skills to Consider:

• Legal research and analysis
  
• Case file management
  
• Drafting court documents
  
• Knowledge of Australian legal system
  
• Client interviews
  
• Legislative interpretation
  
• Attention to detail
  
• Legal database use (LexisNexis, AustLII)
  

If you say you are great at something, be ready to give a simple example in your interview. No one likes an empty claim.

6. Mention Achievements and Awards

Even small wins matter. If you have:

• Won a mooting competition
  
• Been elected to a student law society
  
• Published in a legal journal
  
• Received an academic award
  
• Completed a leadership program
  

Add them here under a clear heading like Achievements or Awards. Keep it simple and honest.

7. Include Referees or State They Are Available

You can either:

• Include the names and contact details of two referees, or
  
• Write “Referees available on request”
  

Make sure your referees know they might be contacted. They should be people who have worked with you professionally or academically.

8. Keep the Format Clean and Professional

Your content might be solid gold, but if the format is messy, no one will read it.

Formatting Tips:

• Use a standard font (Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri)
  
• Size 11 or 12 for body text
  
• Clear headings and bullet points
  
• Consistent spacing
  
• Avoid coloured text or fancy graphics
  
• Save and send as a PDF
  

No one wants to wrestle with a Word document that has moved your name halfway down the page.

9. Tailor Every Time

It might feel like a pain, but tailoring your CV for each role makes a real difference. Even small edits—changing the order of skills, tweaking your personal statement, adjusting work experience focus—can show an employer you have paid attention.

Do not copy and paste the same document everywhere. Hiring managers can smell a copy job from a mile away.

10. Proofread Like Your Job Depends on It (Because It Does)

Spelling errors, inconsistent formatting, wrong dates—these small things can send your CV to the bottom of the pile.

Checklist Before You Hit Send:

• Spellcheck
  
• Grammar check
  
• Read aloud
  
• Ask someone else to read it
  
• Double-check your contact details
  
• Confirm the role title and organisation name
  

You would not want to send in a “Legal Service Trainnee” application. Yes, that spelling error has happened.

Need a Starting Point?

If you are currently applying for roles, start by visiting Future1st’s Legal Services Trainee listings. See what employers are asking for and compare it with your current CV. That simple review can help you fine-tune your document before you send out your next application.

Final Thoughts

Writing your CV is not about puffing yourself up. It is about presenting the truth in a clear and convincing way. Employers in Australia’s legal sector want to see you are thoughtful, capable and ready to learn.

So take a deep breath, give yourself a moment, and get writing. You have what it takes—you just need to show it on the page.

Ready to Start Your Legal Career?

Browse active listings for Legal Services Trainee roles in Australia on Future1st and put your new CV to good use. Make your move with confidence.