Help! Anyone work in IT for the legal profession?

[Toby109]

Need some advice re: fudging my resume.

Thanks in advance!

[DS1]

1. Don't fudge resumes while looking for work in the legal biz?

:shrug:

[junker]

2. don't lie....can't grow good fruit from bad seed.

[Toby109]

3. And a

kick for luck.

[Shrek]

4. I don't actually work in the legal profession

But I've been an expert witness in a number of software cases. Is that good enough?

[Deja Q]

5. Eeew, I worked with lawyers once... don't do it!

If they're all the same (and you can bet your sweet bippy that they ARE), they're not computer literate and when they do something dumb or fail to do what THEY are responsible for (like putting in backup tapes at night, I'm not THAT much of a babysitter), they'll try to make you the scapegoat, guilty party, et cetera.

Lawyers and bankers. Let them bully someone else.

[Toby109]

6. Yeah, I worked with attorneys before.

Unfortunately, the money is too good to pass up. Now if only I can convince them that I have at least a rudimentary knowledge of conflict resolution, software support. Anybody? Need some buzzwords.

[DS1]

7. On one hand,

you'll sink low enough to ask for advice on lying on your resume on a public messageboard.

On the other hand, you'll fit right in.

You can reference me on that one.

[Toby109]

8. Thanks

Both of your responses have been extremely beneficial. Allow me to offer some advice of my own: Try being a little less judgemental.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Toby109]

12. First off

Wasn't talking to you. I think that's the main thing. Secondly, you have no idea of the job type I am seeking. It is not so much an IT job but has some elements of it.

As far as being out of work and not getting interviews, I don't even want to hear about it. But I do have a very small violin you might want to purchase.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lady President]

10. No, but I'm in the legal profession

What are you looking to do? Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with tweaking your resume to stress whatever skills a certain job needs.

If it is something in the legal field always remember to stress any work you've done in document management and security.

Also, as a lawyer, I adore IT teams. Most of us understand that we have strong writing and verbal skills, but are horrible with computers. Yes, you'll have to fix a lot of stupid mistakes, but we're easily impressed by anyone with IT knowledge. Good luck!

[KTM]

11. Oh come on..

" Now if only I can convince them that I have at least a rudimentary knowledge of conflict resolution, software support... need some buzzwords."

If you don't even have a rudimentary knowledge, you are not qualified, period.

If you can't even figure out how to SOUND like you know what, you are talking about you are not qualified.

If you can't use the tools you'll be called on to support to find some "buzzwords", you are not qualified.

This person is massively unqualified, and wants to LIE - not "tweak" their resume to "stress skills" - they want to LIE ABOUT SKILLS THEY SIMPLY DONT HAVE.

You'd hire that kind of person - in a law firm ?!?!

[Lady President]

15. Tricky

The problem with working for a firm or legal department is that we don't always know what we need. Usually, there is a discussion about needing a new "computer person" without many details. I'm guessing this is why people on this tread indicated it can be awful to work at a law firm. The job descriptions don't always match expectations.

I've worked with some wonderful people who had no legal knowledge at all. Adaptability is key. For example, one IT person let me take a piece of paper and draw what I wanted in databases (i.e. drop boxes, typed in entries, punctuation rules). He had no idea what everything meant, but he deserved a medal.

I think the HR department and the interview process will weed out any liars. Or, they might find someone with skills they didn't even know they needed.

[Toby109]

13. It's really more of a Facilities

Management position which I have 8 years experience in. But they also want someone with a little IT knowledge. At least someone who can hire a sub-contractor and speak the language.