What to do if you don’t have the perfect resume?

Some ways to show you can do the job even if you don’t have the ideal resume (addressed in my Dec. 1 blog):

It’s always helpful to show academic excellence, e.g., you graduated in the top of your class/with honors, you were the top-ranked student for a particular class, or you served on law review (not just any journal).
If you didn’t work at an AmLaw firm, you can still make clear you received excellent training. For example, indicate if your boutique firm was a spin-off from an AmLaw firm, if you represented top clients, or if you received more hands on experience than if you went to a big firm. If you went straight in-house, indicate if you were part of a rigorous training program, were mentored by a leading lawyer, have advanced work experience and more responsibilities beyond others at your level, or manage business partners effectively.
Having a tech degree or a prior career in a related space can help establish subject matter expertise. Emphasize these relevant skills (e.g., programming expertise or knowledge of the desired industry) and how they directly relate to the job you are interested in.