Bullet points

[Hazal]

Hi all!

Pretty quick and mundane question I have to ask. Are bullet points a safe option when filling in the "brief summary" parts of an application form?

I'm thinking the work experience section but also sections such as Jones Day's Extracurricular Activities, which ask "Please give a brief summary of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements gained at School, University, Law School or in employment" and "Please give a brief summary of any activities you've been involved in outside academic study or work over the last four years." Both have word limits of 100.

Does everyone else generally use bullet points for work experience (unless the firm has explicitly stated not to) and would anyone advise I use bullet points for these two questions or go with narrative form?

 

[Salma]

Hi all!

Pretty quick and mundane question I have to ask. Are bullet points a safe option when filling in the "brief summary" parts of an application form?

I'm thinking the work experience section but also sections such as Jones Day's Extracurricular Activities, which ask "Please give a brief summary of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements gained at School, University, Law School or in employment" and "Please give a brief summary of any activities you've been involved in outside academic study or work over the last four years." Both have word limits of 100.

Does everyone else generally use bullet points for work experience (unless the firm has explicitly stated not to) and would anyone advise I use bullet points for these two questions or go with narrative form?

I would say narrative form but just make it very concise.
Personally, I use narrative forms for work experience sections and the extra curricular activities, I feel like the paragraphs flow better and it is easier to follow and read (ironically).

 

[kaveesha]

I second prose form but am facing the same problem with the NRF application where word limits are 150 words.

I wonder - does anyone have any advice if for these Qs on extra curricular activities with short word counts, if you should talk about more but give less detail on each, or expand on particular activities but only write a couple.

 

[Hazal]

I second prose form but am facing the same problem with the NRF application where word limits are 150 words.

I wonder - does anyone have any advice if for these Qs on extra curricular activities with short word counts, if you should talk about more but give less detail on each, or expand on particular activities but only write a couple.

Would also love to hear advice on this too!

 

[Jaysen]

I second prose form but am facing the same problem with the NRF application where word limits are 150 words.

I wonder - does anyone have any advice if for these Qs on extra curricular activities with short word counts, if you should talk about more but give less detail on each, or expand on particular activities but only write a couple.

Both work. I generally prefer a balance -- more detail for your best extra-curriculars (a couple of sentences is fine) but still try to highlight a variety of experiences.

 

[Hazal]

If anyone's interested to hear the view of a law firm, Shearman suggest in their "application tips" that bullet points are a no-go so I'm going to be sticking to that from now on (see point no. 31)

https://ukgraduates.shearman.com/2017/05/03/100-ways-improve-training-contract-application/

This page also has a good video on work experience, what constitutes work experience and how to draw out your transferable skills. Pretty helpful!