Articling Student
Resume Sample
A real resume example showing how we transform law school experience into proof hiring partners trust
Being qualified isn't enough — you need to be the obvious choice.
We fix your resume with one conversation
What Makes a Strong Articling Student Resume?
An Articling Student resume must prove foundational legal skills, relevant coursework, and practical project experience. Hiring partners scan for legal research capability, drafting samples, and professional demeanor. This sample showcases JD coursework spanning corporate, environmental, and criminal law, plus hands-on projects including partnership agreements, appellate briefs, and witness questioning during trial advocacy exercises.
Why Do Articling Student Resumes
Get Rejected?
Most articling student resumes get rejected not because of ATS software, but because they don't prove you're better than the other 84 applicants. Generic bullets like "managed construction projects" don't differentiate you — quantified achievements do.
See how we transform generic statements into interview-winning proof:
We showed specific subject matter (Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Law) demonstrating interest in business and environmental law intersection. "Authored" signals independent research capability that firms value in articling students.
We showed specific document types (partnership and incorporation agreements) demonstrating transactional drafting capability. Corporate/commercial firms especially value students who have exposure to business formation documents.
We showed both courtroom skills (witness questioning) and appellate advocacy (evidence appeal). "Weekly hearing exercises" demonstrates consistent practice. The cellular technology appeal shows ability to handle emerging legal issues.
How Do Legal Resume Writers Transform a Articling Student Resume?
Professional resume writers transform articling student resumes by analyzing job postings for required keywords, extracting specific achievements through targeted questions, quantifying impact with dollar values and percentages, and positioning you as the solution to employer problems.
We Analyze Articling Student Job Postings
We identify exactly what hiring managers search for:
- Budget management and cost control requirements
- Schedule recovery and timeline management skills
- Site safety compliance and OSHA standards
- Subcontractor coordination and vendor management
We Extract Your Achievements
Our 1-on-1 interview uncovers:
- Project values and budgets you've managed
- Team sizes and subcontractors you've coordinated
- Problems you've solved that others couldn't
- Metrics you didn't think to track or quantify
We Quantify Your Impact
We find the numbers that prove ROI:
- Dollar values of projects completed on time
- Percentage of schedule improvements achieved
- Cost savings from value engineering decisions
- Safety record improvements and incident reductions
We Position You as the Solution
Your resume proves you solve employer problems:
- Delivering projects on time despite site challenges
- Managing subcontractors and maintaining quality
- Controlling costs while meeting specifications
- Leading teams through complex project phases
Listen to a Real Resume Interview
Hear how our writers extract legal project experience from law students seeking articling positions.
What Does a Articling Student Resume Interview Look Like?
A articling student resume interview is a conversation where our writer asks targeted questions about your projects, probes for specific details, and extracts achievements you'd never think to include.
Authored a research paper on Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Law.
Every bullet on this resume was created through this same process.
Schedule Your InterviewHave questions? 1-877-777-6805
Watch How We Transformed This Law Student Resume
See how our interview process uncovered legal research and drafting achievements.
Get Your Resume Transformed
What a Articling Student Resume Example That Gets Interviews Looks Like
A complete articling student resume is typically 1-2 pages and includes a professional summary, core competencies, detailed work experience with quantified achievements, education, and certifications. Here's an actual resume created through our interview process.
Which Articling Student Resume Example
Do You Need?
The articling student resume you need depends on your career stage:
Articling Position
Your resume needs to prove foundational legal skills, research capability, and professional judgment through coursework and projects.
Questions We Ask in Your Interview:
- What legal research and writing projects have you completed?
- What practical legal experience do you have from clinic or moot court?
What We Highlight on Your Resume:
- Legal research papers and drafting samples
- Trial advocacy and practical skills training
Associate Transition
Your resume needs to differentiate you through client interaction, substantive legal work, and demonstrated practice area interest.
Questions We Ask in Your Interview:
- What client matters have you worked on during articles?
- What practice area expertise have you developed?
What We Highlight on Your Resume:
- Substantive legal work product and client interaction
- Practice area focus and professional development
How Do You Write a Articling Student Resume That Gets Interviews?
To write a articling student resume that gets interviews, focus on four key sections:
- Professional Summary — highlighting your experience level and specialty areas
- Skills Section — matching keywords from your target job postings
- Work Experience — quantified achievements using the Problem-Solution-Result format
- Credentials — relevant certifications and education
Most articling student resumes list coursework without demonstrating practical capability. Our interview process extracts the research projects, drafting samples, and advocacy experience that prove you can contribute to a legal practice from day one.
What Should an Articling Student Put in Their Profile Summary?
Your summary must signal professionalism and capability. This student describes "Versatile, skilled, and detail-oriented law student" who "demonstrates effective communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills" and is "Known for displaying high ethical standards, integrity, and confidentiality."
Lead with your JD status and key attributes: detail-oriented, reliable, high ethical standards. Highlight ability to execute legal and administrative functions, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.
For law students seeking articling positions...
Expert Questions We Ask:
- "What legal skills have you developed through coursework?"
- "What practical experience do you have?"
For articling students seeking associate positions...
Expert Questions We Ask:
- "What substantive legal work have you done?"
- "What practice area expertise have you developed?"
What Skills Should an Articling Student Highlight?
Skills must show both legal capability and professional maturity. This resume includes "Client Services & Relations" and "Stakeholder Liaison" — demonstrating awareness that law practice requires client interaction beyond research.
Balance legal and professional skills: Legal Research, Articling & Databases, Drafting & Summarizing, Trial Preparation alongside Client Services & Relations, Stakeholder Liaison, Multitasking & Prioritization, Administration Duties.
Legal skills establish foundation...
Expert Questions We Ask:
- "What legal databases can you use?"
- "What drafting experience do you have?"
Client-facing skills differentiate...
Expert Questions We Ask:
- "What client interaction have you had?"
- "What file management experience do you have?"
How Should an Articling Student Describe Their Experience?
Every project must show specific legal capability. This resume shows "Authored a research paper," "Created an appeal," "Drafted partnership and incorporation agreements," "Performed witness questioning" — each demonstrating different legal skills.
Structure Education prominently with Relevant Coursework and Key Projects. Coursework should span practice areas. Key Projects should demonstrate specific legal skills: research papers, drafted documents, advocacy exercises.
Academic projects demonstrate capability...
Expert Questions We Ask:
- "What research papers have you written?"
- "What documents have you drafted?"
Professional projects differentiate...
Expert Questions We Ask:
- "What client matters have you worked on?"
- "What files have you managed independently?"
How Should Articling Students Present Their Education?
Education is central for articling resumes. This resume shows extensive coursework: "Principles of Legal Research | Contracts | Criminal Law & Procedure | Property | Torts | Business Organizations | Securities Law & Regulation | Constitutional Law | Environmental Law | Trial Advocacy" demonstrating broad preparation.
Lead with JD including Relevant Coursework organized comprehensively. Include undergraduate degree. List coursework spanning contracts, torts, property, criminal, corporate, securities, constitutional, and specialty areas.
JD coursework establishes readiness...
Expert Questions We Ask:
- "What core courses have you completed?"
- "What specialty courses align with your interests?"
Bar admission and continuing education matter...
Expert Questions We Ask:
- "Have you been called to the bar?"
- "What professional development have you completed?"
Skip the guesswork — let our expert resume writers ask these questions for you.
Schedule Your Resume InterviewHow Does a Resume Interview Extract
Your Articling Student Achievements?
A professional resume interview extracts articling student achievements by probing into specific projects, uncovering the goals you were trying to achieve, documenting the systems and processes you implemented, and surfacing challenges you overcame.
What Projects Should You Include
on a Articling Student Resume?
Include projects that demonstrate scope, stakes, and significance. We probe to understand the project value, team size, and your specific role.
How Do You Show Business Impact
on a Resume?
Connect your work to business outcomes by documenting the company's objectives and how your contributions achieved them.
What Systems and Processes
Should You Highlight?
Document the specific systems, processes, and strategies you implemented. This is where your expertise becomes visible.
How Do You Present
Challenges Overcome?
Describe challenges you faced and how you solved them. Problem-solving examples prove you can handle obstacles.
The Power of a 1-on-1 Resume Interview
No cookie-cutter calls. Your interview length matches your career complexity. We ask the questions you can't ask yourself.
Telephone Interview
Telephone Interview
Telephone Interview
Telephone Interview
Telephone Interview
How Competitive Is the
Articling Student Job Market?
Articling Student jobs are highly competitive, averaging 85 applicants per position. With most job seekers applying to 20+ roles, you're competing against approximately 1,700 candidates for the same jobs.
Articling Student Job
Jobs Posted (30 Days)
Per 20 Applications
Hardest to Land
Most competitive legal rolesEasier to Land
Less competitive legal rolesData based on LinkedIn job postings, updated January 2026. View full job market data →
Here's the math most job seekers don't do:
Your resume needs to stand out against 1,700 other legal professionals.
Most of them list the same projects. The same certifications. The same responsibilities.
What makes you different is the story behind the projects.
Legal Professionals We've Helped Are Now Working At
From general contractors to specialty trades, our clients land roles at top legal firms across North America.
Reach Legal's Hidden Job Market
80% of legal positions are never advertised. Get your resume directly into the hands of recruiters filling confidential searches.
Legal Recruiter Network
When you purchase our Resume Distribution service, your resume goes to 180+ recruiters specializing in legal — included in Advanced & Ultimate packages.
ZSA Legal Recruitment
Toronto, ON
The Counsel Network
Vancouver, BC
Sample Legal Recruiters
180+ Total| Agency | Location |
|---|---|
ZS ZSA Legal Recruitment |
Toronto, ON |
CN The Counsel Network |
Vancouver, BC |
FA Feldman & Associates |
Calgary, AB |
Frequently Asked Questions About
Articling Student Resumes
Your resume must demonstrate legal research capability, drafting experience, and professional judgment. Include JD coursework organized by practice area interest, key projects (research papers, drafted documents), and any practical experience from clinics, moot court, or trial advocacy.
The articling market shows 85 applicants per position. Competition is very high, making it essential to differentiate through specific legal projects, practice area focus, and professional experiences beyond coursework.
Balance legal and professional skills: Legal Research, Drafting & Summarizing, Trial Preparation alongside Client Services & Relations, Stakeholder Liaison, Multitasking & Prioritization. Include specific databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis) and MS Office proficiency.
Describe specific research projects with subject matter. This resume shows "Authored a research paper on Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Law." Specific topics demonstrate practice area interest and research depth.
Yes — coursework shows practice area breadth. This resume lists "Contracts | Criminal Law & Procedure | Property | Torts | Business Organizations | Securities Law & Regulation | Constitutional Law | Environmental Law" and more. Comprehensive coursework demonstrates readiness for diverse legal work.
Show specific exercises and practical application. This resume describes "Performed witness questioning and discoveries during weekly hearing exercises" and "Created an appeal to allow cellular technology as evidence." Specific skills and emerging legal issues show practical readiness.
Ready to Transform Your Resume?
Schedule your 30-minute interview and get a resume that proves you're the obvious choice.
Choose Your Interview LengthHave Questions?
Talk to an advisor who can recommend the right package for your situation.
Talk to an Advisor 1-877-777-6805