Anyone who has attended law school has heard that “IT DEPENDS” is the typical answer attorneys should give to any question. Does it allow you to avoid accountability? To stall? To open the question up to additional analysis? Yes, yes and yes. It does all of those things.
After I drafted this post I attended the Brooklyn Law School annual alumni lunch (yes I drafted it quite a while ago, one can never be too prepared). One of the honorees, a well respected, world renowned international treaty expert recalled a story from his time at Brooklyn Law. Leon Charney reminisced about a professor, who told him that at a cocktail party when he is asked a legal question he should say “it depends.” It is the fact that he chose this story to tell, about this typical answer, that speaks volumes.
Not only is it safe, it is true. It does sometimes depend on many factors. Everyone, even thrill seekers, wants safe and true sometimes.
While it is important to differentiate yourself on your resume, it is still a professional document that should remain, on its face and at all times, true.
Can you be creative and still safe on your resume? It depends! Can you be creative and make up a job you didn’t have? No, it is not true.
Talk to a professional, before proceeding, to determine which questions will be met with “it depends” and which will garner a simple “yes” or “no.” There is personal style but there are also do’s and don’ts. Don’t be a resume don’t.
