ResumeCreate your job-winning resume using our free resume builder.
PortfolioShowcase your skills and projects with a professional portfolio.ResumeCreate your job-winning resume using our free resume builder.Resume BuilderMake a resume for free.Resume TemplatesAccess our extensive library of professional & ready-to-use templates.Resume ExamplesGet inspired by real resume examples to create your own.Occupation GuideAccess resume writing guides tailored for different professions.Resume HelpGet expert advice on all things resume from our team of recruitment specialists.AI Resume CheckerNewAnalyzes your resume using AI for detailed feedback.- Success StoriesBusiness ExcellenceAbout CakeFeatured Reads
Paralegal Resume Examples [Key Sections & Writing Advice]
You'll learn:
Under the supervision of an attorney, a paralegal analyzes legal matters, investigates and evaluates the facts of a particular case; moreover, paralegals prepare defense briefs, contracts, forms, and other documents. They can also interview clients, assist in handling the case, and perform other duties to assist the attorney in providing legal services to clients.
Paralegals are different from legal assistants, as legal assistants are mostly in charge of the secretarial and administrative aspects of a law organization, though both job titles are interchangeably used.
A paralegal resume is your brief to that position, just like the usual legal document presented at court, but this time, you are the party who has to prevail when sending that paralegal resume. This guide will help make that prevailing paralegal resume.
Things to know before writing a paralegal resume
Before getting started in writing a paralegal resume, it is important to go through some basic aspects when making a resume for a job search.
✍🏻 Understand the differences between a paralegal CV and a paralegal resume.
Both Curriculum Vitae (CV) and resume are documents that illustrate your professional life, but they have key differences between them.
The main differences between a paralegal CV and a paralegal resume lie in the following three elements:
- Design: Format types and structures vary and are different between these two documents. A paralegal CV is usually more plain and formal.
- Size: A paralegal CV can be made of multiple pages describing your entire career. On the other hand, a resume for a paralegal position only highlights the qualifications and legal abilities related to the job role in one to two pages.
- Purpose: A paralegal CV is sufficient to reveal all your information and expertise if the job is in the academic field. A paralegal resume is a go-to document for a position at a law firm or office.
💡 Note: There are regional differences and some parts of the world use both terms interchangeably, so remember to double-check which document they are asking for.
✍🏻 Pick the correct format for your paralegal resume.
It depends on your specific background in the legal field to select the best format for your paralegal resume. There are 4 types of professional resume formats you can use for your paralegal resume, which are:
- Chronological format
- Functional format
- Hybrid/combination format
- Targeted format
For a paralegal resume, a combination format is ideal depending on your focus (immigration, personal injury, etc.).
A combination format lists your skill sets and relevant qualifications from your work history. Paralegals who already have an extensive amount of experience can also go for the chronological paralegal resume format.
✍🏻 Look up paralegal resume templates and examples online as references.
Take a look at online paralegal resume examples and adopt useful elements in order to optimize your resume.
✍🏻 Customize your resume for the job vacancy.
The best paralegal resume contains relevant qualifications that speak specifically to the position.
✍🏻 Write a paralegal cover letter.
Write a letter to recruiters to persuade them you have the necessary qualifications for the job. A paralegal cover letter demonstrates why you are a good candidate and why you are interested in the role.
✍🏻 Proofread your paralegal resume & cover letter.
Check and make sure your paralegal resume is error-free and leave out unnecessary details.
Key aspects to include in a resume for paralegals
It's crucial to know what is included in a paralegal resume. Your paralegal resume is your “career affidavit”, evidencing highlighted skills and experience that make the difference.
Other parts of a well-written paralegal resume, though, cannot be disregarded. This paragraph focuses on each element for making an excellent paralegal resume.
1. Resume profile
This section contains your full name, job title, email address, and phone number. Your address and a link to your personal website or LinkedIn page are optional. A paralegal resume should not include other personal details, such as current salary, marital status, age, religion, etc.
2. Resume Headline
A paralegal resume headline is a well-written and brief sentence showing your value as an applicant. It is important to craft it carefully as a resume headline displays a top highlight of your career and it is one of the first things employers will read in your paralegal resume.
Paralegal Resume Headline Examples
- Paralegal With Over 12 Years of Experience
- A Paralegal Who Has Worked on Over 500 Cases
3. Resume Objective
A paralegal resume objective or career objective is a short section that describes your career purpose and goals as a paralegal. Moreover, it states why you want that position or how you can contribute to the law firm.
Paralegal Resume Objective Examples
- Personal Injury Paralegal Resume Objective Example
Paralegal with 2 years of experience in filing affidavits, briefs, legal communications, and other legal papers. Organized, hardworking professional trying to put advanced preparation into practice under the supervision of an attorney. Seeking to further career by working with a small law firm specializing in criminal prosecution or personal injuries. - Entry-level Paralegal Resume Objective Example
Recent law school graduate with experience conducting interviews and legal research. Interested in bringing my internship experience and college qualifications to a mid-sized law firm as an entry-level paralegal.
4. Resume Summary
The more experience you have, the more likely you’ll write a paralegal resume summary. Different from a resume objective, a paralegal resume summary is a paragraph based on your most relevant qualifications obtained from prior experiences. If you think you are a great match for the entity based on your past work experience, adopt a resume summary statement for your paralegal resume.
Senior Paralegal Resume Summary Examples
- Senior Paralegal Resume Summary
Dedicated paralegal with 8 years of experience with writing proficiency for drafting briefs, correspondence, and motions. Conducted all legal business in a professional way with little guidance from attorneys and supervisors. Skilled in working with a wide variety of legal staff, including associates, partners, and legal secretaries. - Immigration Paralegal Resume Summary
Paralegal with 7 years of experience in attorney support. Proven experience in drafting motions, pleadings, and briefs using excellent written writing skills. Extensive knowledge of all immigration policies and a strong advocate for immigrants’ rights.
5. Skills
Apart from listing personal (soft) and technical (hard) skills, try to match your paralegal resume with the abilities required by the job description. Your paralegal resume's skills selection demonstrates your potential as a paralegal.
Here are some skills for a paralegal resume:
Hard skills
- Trial Support
- Case Management
- Document Control
- Legal Research and Writing
- LexisNexis
Soft skills
- Active Listening
- Multi-tasking
- Problem Solving
- Organized
- Client Relationship
6. Work Experience
For each law entity you worked at, your work section in a paralegal resume should include:
- Organization’s name
- Job title
- Dates of employment
- Responsibilities and duties
Example of Work Experience Section for an Experienced Paralegal Resume
Paralegal | Lee Law Office
Dec. 2018 - Nov. 2020
- Prepared communications and legal documents, such as notarized power of attorneys, mortgages, agreements, among others.
- Obtained affidavits and other documents to be incorporated as evidence in a legal process.
- Provided assistance to the attorneys during the trial, managed the evidence, took notes, and reviewed the trial transcripts.
7. Education
List your relevant education and degrees at the end of a paralegal resume. This section shall mention the name of the university, degree obtained, and years of study.
Example of Education for a Paralegal Resume
Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies
2010-2014
New State University
✅ Pro tip: Apart from listing information about the school you attended, a paralegal resume can also include academic awards or a list of relevant courses under the education section.
Cake provides the right templates & formats for paralegals to showcase their skills and experiences. Sign up to create the best paralegal resume and download it for free, Now!
Advice for building a great paralegal resume
Now that you have read up on how it looks, here are some simple points that are easy to understand, but important to take into account when building a paralegal resume.
1. Customize the paralegal resume for the job.
Adjust your paralegal resume based on the job descriptions and requirements recruiters specified in the job post.
2. Implement keywords in your paralegal resume.
To best customize your paralegal resume, include keywords from the job posting to be able to pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This is a software tool employers use to scan job applications.
3. Choose an ATS-friendly resume format/layout.
A paralegal resume that is not ATS-friendly will be disregarded. An ATS-friendly resume layout follows an easy-to-read style. Moreover, aim to follow keywords used in the job posting and avoid using tables and graphs in your paralegal resume.
4. Adopt resume action words (verbs).
Adopting action verbs such as assisted, coordinated, and gathered in a paralegal resume shows your proactiveness and accountability. Take a look at online verb lists that will help you with your paralegal resume.
5. Quantify results on resumes.
Results and achievements based on numbers or quantifiable data increase your value as the right candidate, so try to contain these in your paralegal resume.
6. Include relevant training.
Paralegals may obtain additional certificates to bolster their paralegal skills. If you have any, list it in your paralegal resume.
Paralegal cover letter
Writing a paralegal cover letter increases your chances to land an interview for that paralegal position.
A paralegal cover letter should have the following elements:
- Contact information
This section includes your full name, phone number, and email address, just like your paralegal resume profile. - Introduction and Interest
Start with a greeting, briefly introducing yourself and what position you are applying for. Then, explain why you are interested in this company and the paralegal role by incorporating your personality traits and career passion. - Qualifications
After showing your interest in the position, further describe your qualifications based on skills, experience, and past achievements that are closely related to the position. If you are writing an entry-level paralegal cover letter, you can give details about your academic background, class projects, or any relevant student experience. - Closing
At the end of your paralegal cover letter, state that you look forward to hearing back from them and that you welcome any feedback.
Paralegal Resume Sample
Nora Kukiko
Paralegal who helped solve more than 100 cases
Mobile: (+32) 000-8120
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/norakuriko
Professional Summary
Immigration paralegal able to work directly with a team of attorneys. Well-versed in legal procedures, terminology, and substantive law. Excellent communication skills, written and verbally. Proven track record in investigating, researching, proofreading, and drafting various types of legal documents.
Work Experience
Paralegal
Hawk-Smith Law Firm
Oct. 2019 - Mar. 2021
- Obtained affidavits and other documents to be incorporated as evidence in a legal process.
- Provided assistance to the attorneys during the trial, managed the evidence, took notes, and reviewed the trial transcripts.
- Managed more than 150 cases in immigration matters.
Paralegal
Low Law Firm
Aug. 2016 - Aug. 2018
- Delivered documents, elements of evidence, and other supports in court or to the opposite party.
- Contacted clients, witnesses, and attorneys to schedule interviews, meetings, and depositions.
- Compiled evidence, prepared the interventions and the information to present in court.
Education
2012-2016
Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies
Newsfolk University
Skills
Hard skills:
- Microsoft Office
- LexisNexis
- CaseSync
- Report preparation
- Client counseling
Soft skills:
- Communication
- Multi-tasking
- Attention to detail
- Self-driven
- Organizational skills
Languages
- English
- Japanese
--- Originally written by José J. Rosales ---
Más recursos de carrera y contratación
3 Benefits of Subscribing to Cake's Newsletter
- Bi-weekly newsletter updates
- Industry trends and skills recommendation
- Latest job openings and job search information
Explore a range of job search tools and resources to achieve your dream career goals. Join the fastest-growing talent platform in the APAC region and expand your professional network.
