When do you start putting experience above education in your resume? Forum

[Anonymous User]

2015 grad here looking to lateral. I have 2 yrs of lit exp so far. Nothing significant; just 1 yr in one boutique and 6 months or so at biglaw. I saw some classmates highlight their exp on top and education at the bottom. Is it too soon?

[jhett]

Not too soon, list experience first.

That was easy, next question.

[Bluem_11]

You put the thing you think the employer will find more important first.

If you have 1 year of experience at a government office and applying to firms, your T14 grades take priority.

If you've practiced for 5 years at a firm, and want to lateral, people will be more attentive to your experience than that Cum Laude sticker you worked so hard for.

[Anonymous User]

Considering I am a junior still, I thought my school and academic achievements would matter more?

[zot1]

Once I became a professional, my experience became more important than my education. In my opinion, this change is made upon getting first post-grad job.

[FascinatedWanderer]

Unless that job is a clerkship.

[1styearlateral]

I put my exp up top. But more importantly, lateralling only after 6 months?

[elendinel]

Considering I am a junior still, I thought my school and academic achievements would matter more?

If you are still a student, school goes first unless you have done work that would make you eligible for a pseudo-lateral (e.g. you've been a patent agent for 4 years and are looking for patent pros attorney jobs). Don't put a one year prosecution clinic above your school. Don't put that you were a paralegal for any group for 3 years above your school.

Once you graduate, I'd say pretty much any relevant and actual job goes first, including volunteer/pro Bono atty positions, unless your jobs are largely irrelevant and you think your school will be better at getting you an interview.