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When you’re better known by a nickname than a real name, you’ve got to decide whether or not to use that nickname when making a resume or other documents during a job hunt. There aren’t hard-and-fast guidelines to help you pick a name to use, but there are certainly tips that can help you make a decision. If you’ve got questions about whether and how to use a nickname, here are a few tips

You Don’t Have to List Your Legal Name

Most people think that they have to list their legal name when creating their resume and cover letter, or sending in a job application. This is not true. You can use whatever name you’d like to be known by. For instance, if you have an uncommon first or last name that is difficult to pronounce, you may either be used to shortening it or adding phonetic assistance that makes pronunciation simpler.

For example, if your name is Theophilus, there’s nothing wrong with using the nickname Theo for your first name. And if you have a unique last name that may be challenging for some to pronounce, like Nguyen, you might add the phonetic spelling (nuhWEN) so that the person contacting you won’t be more concerned with how to pronounce your name than offering you an interview.

Be Consistent with Your Name Choice

Whatever name you decide to go with, it’s important that you use it consistently throughout your career (unless you get married or choose the legally change your entire name). As you begin to elevate throughout your profession and begin building a brand, you want your name to follow you and eventually precede you (along with your stellar professional reputation).

This means if you choose to go with a nickname that sounds nothing like your legal name (i.e. if you go by your middle name), it’s good to stick with it so people will always know they’re talking about the same person. The same rules apply for email address, voicemail messages, file names and social media profiles.

Feel Comfortable with Your Decision

The name that you choose to use during your job search and beyond should be one that you feel comfortable with. You certainly don’t want to pick a name that you don’t use, as it might lead to an embarrassing situation when someone calls you by it. If your name is Elizabeth but since birth you’ve been called Lizzy, by all means you can use it. When including both names, use Elizabeth (Lizzy) Brown. The only thing that experts suggest is that you don’t completely change your name for your job search. You need to be traceable for background checks, so if you’ve suddenly changed your entire name (legally), it’s good to note your previous name as you make the transition.

It’s good to know that you can use more than your legal name while in pursuit of job, as well as in your career. As long as you keep your name consistent (and the name is professional-friendly) you should have no problems using the name you most identify with.

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For any law student wanting to go on a secure a training contract, getting some legal work experience is absolutely crucial. By getting some legal work experience they can see the difference between practising a particular area of law and studying it.

It may be that students have more than one favourite subject when they are studying, for example they may like criminal law and commercial law. But when they start looking into which firms to apply to they will find that firms will tend to practise one of these areas or the other.

They may therefore choose to apply to both types of firm. However, unless they have had some practical experience of the types of law they are applying for they are taking a risk.

The risk is that when they start a training contract with a law firm that only then do they discover that they do not like the practical application of that type of law in the same way they liked it as a study option.

It is therefore very important for any law student to ensure they participate in some practical work experience with various sorts of law firms.

The individual in the previous example would have been much better undertaking short law placements with a large commercial firm and a smaller high street firm specialising in criminal law. By doing so they would have been able to make a much more informed decision about where to apply to for their training contract and therefore reduce the risk of making a mistake.

Work experience can be found in all shapes and sizes from large formal vacation schemes to voluntary work with charities.

It is important to look into the various work experience possibilities not only in the area you live to study but also where you might be living during the university or law school holidays if different.

Once you have done the research you should then put together a plan of who you are going to apply to, and when. By doing so you will ensure you get valuable practical experience in the various areas of law you may choose to work in and therefore reduce the chance of making the wrong choices.

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