Deputy Attorney General Resume Examples & Templates

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools that scan resumes for keywords and structure. They rank candidates by match to job descriptions. They can reject resumes that use odd formatting or miss key terms.

For a Deputy Attorney General role, ATS looks for legal terms, leadership, and policy skills. Include words like criminal law, civil litigation, appellate briefs, legal research, trial advocacy, prosecution, sentencing, constitutional law, statutes, regulations, compliance, case management, discovery, supervision, policy drafting, and DOJ liaison.

Follow these best practices:

• Use standard section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", "Bar Admissions".
• Write clear job titles and dates. Put city and state on one line.
• List specific keywords naturally from the job posting.
• Avoid tables, columns, headers, footers, images, and text boxes.
• Use readable fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
• Save as PDF or .docx. Avoid heavily designed files.

Avoid fancy headings and creative synonyms for legal terms. Use exact phrases from the posting. Don't bury key skills in long paragraphs.

Common mistakes include using tables for layout, placing contact info in headers, and skipping certifications or bar admissions. Those items can get ignored by ATS. Also avoid long, dense paragraphs that hide keywords.

Pick a clean, professional template with a reverse-chronological layout. That layout highlights recent casework and leadership roles, and it parses well for applicant tracking systems.

Keep length tight. One page fits most Deputy Attorney General applicants. Use two pages only if you have long trial, appellate, or policy records that directly matter to the role.

Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep line spacing at 1.0–1.15 and add space between sections for clear white space.

Structure your file with standard headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Key Cases or Matters, Leadership & Policy, Education, Bar Admissions, and Skills. Put dates and locations on the right to keep job titles and responsibilities readable.

Avoid complex columns, text boxes, images, or headers that could break parsing. Use simple bullet lists that show impact, not long paragraphs. Quantify outcomes like win rates, successful motions, or policy changes when possible.

Watch these common mistakes: odd fonts, tiny margins that cram text, inconsistent date formats, and long blocks of text. Also avoid overusing color or graphics that distract from content or confuse ATS.

Why a tailored cover letter matters

Applying for Deputy Attorney General requires more than a strong resume. Your letter shows who you are, why you care, and how you will solve the office's issues. It builds a personal link between your career and the role.

Key sections and what to include

• Header: Put your contact details, the date, and the office name or hiring manager if you have it.
• Opening paragraph: Name the Deputy Attorney General role, show real enthusiasm for the office, and state a top qualification or where you saw the posting.
• Body paragraphs: Connect your work to the job needs. Highlight major prosecutions, policy work, litigation strategy, or leadership roles. Mention specific legal skills like appellate briefing, trial management, regulatory drafting, or negotiation. Show soft skills such as clear judgment, team leadership, and crisis response. Use numbers when you can, for example case wins, saved budget, or supervised teams.
• Closing paragraph: Reiterate your strong interest and how you will add value. Ask for an interview or meeting and thank them for their time.

Tone and tailoring

Keep your tone professional, confident, and direct. Write like you are talking to one person. Use concrete examples and the employer's language from the posting. Cut anything that sounds generic or vague.

Writing style tips

Start with a clear claim about what you bring. Keep sentences short. Use active verbs. Remove filler words and match keywords from the job post. Edit until every sentence earns its place.

Writing a resume for Deputy Attorney General requires clear legal focus and precise wording. You need to show leadership in litigation, policy, and administration. Small wording mistakes can cost interviews.

Pay attention to concrete results, proper legal terms, and error-free language. Below are common pitfalls you should avoid and simple fixes you can use right away.

These FAQs and tips help you shape a Deputy Attorney General resume that highlights legal leadership, policy impact, and courtroom experience. Use the guidance to prioritize your most relevant cases, policy work, and supervisory achievements.