Crafting a Winning CV for Human Rights Law Positions

Mar 05, 2024

Written By Megan Hornsby

Human rights is a competitive sector to gain experience in and often you need experience to gain experience. Your CV serves as the first impression for potential employers, highlighting your qualifications, experiences, and skills. Crafting a winning CV tailored to human rights law positions is essential for standing out in the application process.

Understanding human rights law internships

At the heart of human rights advocacy lies the legal framework, a cornerstone upon which principles of justice, equality, and dignity are upheld. These principles have been a consistent theme throughout history, underpinning democracies across the globe. Human rights are multifaceted, taking into account social norms, civil liberties and progressive social movements. Human rights as a field is also broad, spanning from civil liberties to international humanitarian law and to gender equality.

Internships in this field are diverse, taking place in NGOs, government bodies and private sector companies. Human rights law internships offer invaluable opportunities to gain practical experience, apply legal knowledge, and contribute to meaningful causes. These internships provide exposure to various facets of human rights law, including research, advocacy, policy analysis, and community outreach.

Crafting a winning CV

Clarity is a winning structure as recruiters may only spend seconds glancing over your CV. If you can set out clearly your education, relevant experiences, skills, and achievements this is a great start.

Adding a profile

At the top of your CV, it is advised to add a small paragraph outlining who you are, what you are seeking, and why you are a good fit for the role. See the following example:

“An international law graduate with an analytical, organised and personable nature. My academic background is characterised by a global human rights focus, which includes in-depth studies of international dispute settlement regimes, international law, and international foundations of human rights. These academic pursuits, coupled with a diverse range of professional experiences and roles of responsibility, have honed my skills in research, problem-solving, and teamwork. I am looking to expand my academic foundations in human rights through internships within the field.”

Highlighting relevant education

Emphasise your academic background, including degrees, coursework, and any relevant certifications or specialised training in related fields. Highlight academic achievements, research projects, modules, or dissertations that demonstrate your commitment and expertise in human rights issues. See the following example:

“LLB with International Law - 1st Class Obtained

Key grades within 3rd year optional modules: International Human Rights Law 81%, Global Legal Systems 76%, Gender Studies 65%.”

Showcasing relevant experiences

Detail any internships, volunteer work, or professional experiences related to human rights law. Describe your projects, responsibilities, and contributions in a concise and impactful manner. Don’t forget to add quantifiable achievements when describing your different experiences. Forage is a great tool for finding virtual work experience within the human rights field and adding the different projects you completed would only bolster your CV.

Emphasising soft skills

Human rights law requires strong interpersonal skills, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Highlight your communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities through examples from your academic, professional, or extracurricular experiences. Every experience is a good experience whether it be working in a shop, waitressing or babysitting.

If there is space at the bottom of your CV, I would recommend including a list of key skills. You can include transferable skills (i.e attention to detail), technical skills (i.e LexisNexis, Westlaw) or any other skills you think may be relevant (i.e languages)

Tailoring your CV

Customise your CV for each internship application by carefully reviewing the job description and the organisation's mission, and values. Highlight experiences and skills that align with the specific requirements of the internship. For example, if the job advert is seeking written communication skills make sure you highlight these skills in your CV. Tailoring your CV demonstrates your genuine interest and commitment to the organisation and its cause.

Finalising your human rights law CV

Ensure your CV is well organised, visually appealing, and easy to read. Use clear headings, bullet points, and concise language to convey information effectively. Choose a professional font and layout that reflects your attention to detail and professionalism. Proofread your CV thoroughly to avoid typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies. Remember, a recruiter will likely just skim read your CV, so make sure it’s clear that you have the skills, motivation, and experience within human rights.

Utilising spelling and grammar checking tools are a great way to make sure there are no grammatical mistakes. However, don’t forget that some tools use American English spelling. Often universities offer CV checking services which can provide great feedback on how to improve your CV.

Conclusion

Crafting a winning CV for human rights law positions requires careful attention to detail, thoughtful presentation, and a clear demonstration of your passion and capabilities. Remember, your CV is not just a document but a reflection of your commitment to advancing justice, equality, and human rights. By structuring your CV effectively, highlighting relevant experiences and skills, and tailoring it to each internship opportunity, you can enhance your chances of securing valuable internships in the dynamic field of human rights law.

Selection & Assessment