Make a job description work for you!

Most job postings for law firm positions are bare-bones:   "entry level associate needed for busy family law practice"

When you apply for corporate, non-profit or academic positions, you usually get more to work with because there is a human resource professional who works with the department to craft a meaningful job description. 

Every word is in the description for a reason.  Make it work for you by mirroring every bit of its language in your resume and cover letter.  When discussing something that you have yet to do, use the specific language to link the requested or required experience to something that you have done.

Susan Gainen
University of Minnesota Law School