Every legal recruiter has heard this from a legal professional:

“I know it’s long, but everything in my CV is important. I can’t take anything out.”

Five pages. Tiny font. Footnotes. Every file, committee, and conference since law school… can you imagine my eyes rolling when I hear this?

I understand the logic: you’ve worked hard, every achievement feels earned, and cutting anything feels like erasing value.

But the truth is that a long CV doesn’t make someone look accomplished; it makes a candidate look unfocused.

I always tell my candidates that a CV is a bit like an online dating profile: you don’t need to say everything. Leave a bit of mystery and a reason for them to want to learn more. If you tell it all, what will there be left to share on the first date? You want an employer to swipe right, not get eye fatigue!

A strong career story isn’t about showing everything you’ve done; it’s about showing that you know what matters, and that starts with editing! Here’s how to do it in 7 simple ways to turn your CV from exhaustive to effective.

A cv isn’t there to prove you’ve done everything. It’s there to quickly show why you’re relevant today.

1. Your CV Isn’t a Biography

A CV isn’t there to prove you’ve done a lot. It’s there to make it easy for someone to see why you’re relevant right now.
A hiring partner or general counsel spends about 30 seconds on the first scan. If they can’t quickly see what kind of lawyer you are, what you specialize in, and where you’ve added value, they move on.

2. Employers Want a Pattern, Not an Inventory

You don’t need to list every deal, case, or policy review. Employers are looking for themes and the story behind your work.
Try grouping your experience into 3 to 5 key areas:

• M&A and transactional work;
• Governance and compliance;
• Major deals and cases;
• Employment advisory;
• Management roles and responsibilities;

Then include 2 or 3 crisp, results-oriented points under each role. That’s it.

3. If Everything Is Important, Nothing Stands Out

Part of seniority is the ability to prioritize. If your CV says you couldn’t decide what to cut, it implies you might not edit yourself elsewhere with clients, colleagues, or your own time. Your CV is your first demonstration of judgment.

4. The Past Can Stay in the Past

Experience from 15 years ago doesn’t need a full page of detail. Earlier roles can be summarized in one line. Focus on the last decade; that’s what defines your current value.

5. Trim the Filler

You can safely cut:

• Generic skills (“hardworking”,“team player”);
• Outdated memberships;
• Law school awards (if you’ve been out for more than 5 years);
• Every article you’ve ever written… yup, this isn’t where they go!

If it doesn’t help someone decide to meet you, it’s clutter.

6. Tailor, Don’t Accumulate

That 5 page “master CV” you’ve been adding to for years? Keep it for yourself. But when you’re applying for roles, edit it for relevance. Ask yourself: “If I were hiring for this job, what three things would convince me I’m the right fit?” Then keep only that!

7. Clarity Wins Over Volume

A concise, well-structured 2 page CV shows maturity, focus, and credibility. It says, “I know what matters.” And in hiring, just like in law, clarity always wins.

Final Thought

Your CV isn’t your autobiography. It’s a snapshot of who you are now and the value you bring next. Edit ruthlessly. Keep it clean. Leave them wanting the full story in conversation, not buried in 5 pages of text. Make them Swipe Right on your profile!!

Make them Swipe Right on your profile!!