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Paralegal Resumes That Stand Out

Paralegal Resume Examples Skills And Keywords

[Paralegal Tips!] Building Your Resume with Published Articles!

Whether youre taking the first step toward building your career as a paralegal, moving on to a new firm or corporate legal department, or applying for an internal position in your current company, you need a resume that stands out. Highlighting your experience through keywords and skills helps separate your resume from the others, increasing your chances of landing an interview.

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What Is A Paralegal Resume & Why Do You Need It

A resume can be considered as the first meeting between you and the recruiters.

It is the source through which you can communicate your potential as a suitable candidate for the recruiters for the targeted job.

Most of the recruiters rely on the ATS to pick the most suitable resume as they do not have the time to go through every resume that they receive.

The ATS can filter through bulk resumes and pick those resumes which contain the highest/sufficient number of keywords used by the recruiters to describe the job that you are applying for.

Now, it is a must for you to rank high on the ATS so that your resume gets through the ATS so that the recruiters can go through your paralegal resumes that stand out.

Paralegal Resume Examples That Work In 2022

Paralegals keep the legal office ticking and running smoothly.

With a flexible and adaptable attitude, you know how to conduct high-quality research surrounding legal expertise. You work well with your team and clients and carry the heavy emotional toll accompanying legal issues.

You have everything it takes to be a successful paralegal. But, conveying your capacity to your future employer is another matter altogether.

And that’s why we’re here. With our help, we’re sure you won’t have any trouble crafting a winning resume for your next paralegal role.

Our five paralegal resume samples arm you with research-based tips and tricks for snagging your next paralegal position in the 2022 job market.

Resume Examples

Why this resume works

  • Your paralegal resume summary must clearly state what you’re looking for in a job and include any specializations you bring to the table. Display proficiencies gained in your many years of experience in the industry.
  • We recommend that you customize your summary for each job you apply to and that you mention the company name and job title.
  • Include an array of responsibilities and achievements that build on one another, demonstrating clear ownership of your projects and duties.
  • It’s important to show the hiring manager that you understand what’s required and that you’ve done, and will do, exceptional work.
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    Make Your Paralegal Resume Stand Out And Help You Get Your First Job

    Posted on November 28, 2018

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegal jobs are growing steadilybut that does not mean there is no competition.

    Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to MTI graduates and, by providing the above information, MTI makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.

    The MTI College Paralegal Studies program prepares you with the education you need to gain an entry-level paralegal job. That, plus your perseverance, dedication and a top-notch resume help you plead your case for that important first job.

    So, what do you put on your resume if you have just completed your MTI College Paralegal Degree and have little work experience?

    The Dos And Donts Of A Perfect Paralegal Resume

    Paralegal Resume Samples : Paralegal ResumeExamples and 25+ Writing ...

    Not all resumes are created equal, but there are some general guidelines you can follow to make sure yours is on the right track.

    A resume should serve as a written, more comprehensive version of your elevator pitch, Volkert says. He adds that the ideal paralegal resume includes your relevant experience, qualifications, legal knowledge and the strengths and skills you bring to the workplace.

    Now that you know the basics, learn what you can do to take your resume above and beyond expectations. Follow these dos and donts to craft the ideal paralegal resume.

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    Paralegal Duties For Resume

    The legal assistant duties are diverse. For instance:

    • Drawing up informed conclusions
    • Documentary and technical support for the work of the department
    • Representation of interests of the agency in court
    • Execution of instructions in all areas of activity .

    Despite the great variety, the types of everyday legal tasks at different agencies are similar. Specificity the advantage of one candidate over others. Therefore, you should describe the paralegal duties resume more precisely to indicate the features of your job and critical skills. Check the example at our paralegal resume templates.

    *You can specify your legal obligations in the job description or make it a separate section called Duties.

    Paralegal Job Description For Resume

    Work experience is an excellent advantage for any job seeker. However, even if your work practice is too long and varied, you cannot just write a list of agency names. To get noticed, you should properly present the information to the HR, which means to draw up a detailed paralegal job description resume.

    Indicate your area of responsibility, describe your daily tasks. This information will allow the employer to understand what set of functions you have done and could do in the future. Always try to give comprehensive and accurate information about your work activity.

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    Match Your Cover Letter With Your Resume

    Yep, more writing!

    But its for good reason: cover letters are still very important.

    You can write the best resume in the world, but if you dont include a cover letter, youre only helping your competition.

    Cover letters offer the opportunity to talk to the recruiter with more depth and personality.

    Even better, the recruiter will know that you want THIS position in THIS company, and youre not just randomly sending resumes to every law firm within a 10 mile radius.

    Just like with the resume, the cover letter needs to be structured correctly. Heres how to do that:

    And heres what goes in each section:

    How To Write Your Paralegal Resume

    PARALEGAL INTERVIEWING TIPS: How to stand out during an interview

    Following the three below-given stages can make your resume writing a hassle-free experience:

    • Stage 1: Master Paralegal Resume
    • Stage 2: First Draft of Paralegal Resume
    • Stage 3: Final Draft of Paralegal Resume

    Master Paralegal Resume

    Before framing the first draft of your paralegal resumes, create a master resume that can be used as a master folder to gather your details and pieces of information.

    This master draft holds all your details of professional experience and educational qualifications.

    You should also list the required pieces of personal information through which the recruiters may get in touch with you in case of any possible or likely shortlist for the job that you are applying for.

    Gather all the information of your certifications, awards & recognition and any additional information that may be required in your resume.

    This master folder can be used as the master folder of information in the present timeline as well as for any future update of your litigation paralegal resumes.

    Do not stress about any unclear details that you are not sure about because even if you do not need them in the present timeline, it may be required in the future updates of your resume.

    First Draft of Paralegal Resume

    Once your master folder is done, create the first draft of your litigation paralegal resumes.

    In this second stage, you need to compose the following sections:

    Pretrial Investigations & Depositions

    Intake Interviews & On-boarding

    Bucketing & Bolding: Analysis

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    How To Align Your Resume With The Job Description

    When reviewing a stack of resumes for a position, the hiring manager needs to quickly narrow it down to a handful of final candidates. As the paralegal field is competitive, there are often dozens of applicants per job posting. Logistically speaking, a hiring manager simply doesnt have the time to interview and consider every candidate thoroughly. As a result, a few potential candidates need to be identified.

    Managers do this by screening for keywords, looking for a resume that matches their crafted job description. Make sure to identify keywords from the job posting and include them in your resume.

    Paralegal Resume Writing Tips

    1. Highlight Your Transferable Skills

    Hiring managers want a candidate who can quickly learn the job. If you have transferable skills, focus on them. Tailor your previous job descriptions to focus on skills that will contribute to your success as a paralegal. Read the job description and make a list of your transferable skills.

    2. Focus on Your Objective

    As a paralegal, youll need excellent written communication skills, and your resume is the perfect place to showcase them. Write an objective statement that includes resume keywords and clearly communicates why you are the best fit for the job.

    Research the law firm to which youre applying. Look through its website to see what types of cases it takes. Look through the social media and employee reviews to get a feel for what the organization values. This way, you can customize your objective to the specific company and the cases youre likely to be assigned.

    Your objective statement will be different for a firm that practices family law than for a firm specializing in environmental law. Craft your objective statement based on the firms specialty and how you can contribute successfully to its specific cases.

    3. Tout Your Accomplishments

    For example: Researched documents and previous cases to establish precedent and contributed to the successful outcome of a case.

    This demonstrates knowledge of legal procedure as well as your experience supporting the positive outcome of cases.

    4. Include Your Certifications

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    Your Legal Employment Experience Should Get Top Billing

    If you’ve been working as a paralegal for several years, consider using this section to lead your resume. List the title and firm for every relevant job you’ve had, along with the dates you held the job and your main responsibilities.

    Try to include information about your major accomplishments rather than simply listing the job duties. For example, instead of saying that you managed e-filing for legal documents, explain how you streamlined the filing system so it was easier to retrieve specific documents. If you’re looking for your first job as a paralegal, place the experience section after the education section and list any internships you had while in school.

    Basic Structure Tips And Points To Highlight

    Paralegal Resumes That Stand Out

    Ok, ok I guess we have to touch on the stuff everybody already knows too There are some things that are expected on a resume, no matter how stock they may be. Keep this in mind and dont try to use something that is inherently unimpressive and a standard part of the job to impress. Get all the generic stuff employers need to see in there, but keep it succinct and give more attention to anything that might reveal an important aspect of your character or any specialized skills you have.

    Resume Content Tips to Remember

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    Indicate Relevant Certifications And Memberships

    Are you a Certified Paralegal Assistant through NALA? Member of SVPA, NFPA?

    Regardless of what is included on your resume, always be positive, clear and concise, and use action verbs. Use conservative language and standard fonts . Proofread and read through for any errors -and ask a detail-minded friend to review for any errors.

    Education Section For A Paralegal Cv Sample

    While there are no requirements for paralegal CV education that are set in stone, there are many different educational paths to take. Many community colleges have paralegal certificate programs. Increasingly, employers seek paralegals for a four-year degree and some schools are offering masters degrees in paralegal studies.

    Regardless of the level of your education or your field of study, you should list all degrees and certifications here. Any honors or distinctions should be noted here as well.

    Use the CV example text below to format your education section.

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    How To Write A Summary For A Paralegal

  • Mention your previous experience. Do you have any background or knowledge in the legal system? Were you on your collegeâs mock trial team? Did you take college courses in criminal justice or legal studies?
  • Describe your greatest strength. Are you a strong writer? Do you love conducting research?
  • Explain what youâre eager to accomplish in the next stage of your career. Are you looking to work for a family lawyer? What about on the criminal side of court proceedings? Are you passionate about defending children, helping families, or giving those accused a strong defense?
  • Sections Of A Paralegal Resume

    Tips for Making a Resume That Stands Out

    The various paralegal resume sections describe your career progress in detail. Every section plays a significant role in depicting who you are and what you will bring to the position on offer. The smallest detail that may seem insignificant on its own, could be a determining factor within the combined information offered on a resume.

    The omission of certain information in any of the sections can create a negative impression and result in your resume being sent to the trash before youve been given a chance. This is why its essential to include the relevant information in an organized fashion.

    Some of the parts that should make up a good paralegal resume are as follows:

    • Contact details
    • Summary statement or qualifications summary
    • Professional experience
    • Honors and awards

    Certifications, honors, and awards are essential in your resume since they indicate that you are qualified for the position as a paralegal. These not only help you stand out of the crowd in the recruiting process but also demonstrate abilities that the candidate can offer.

    Other optional sections to include could be:

    • Portfolio of projects completed

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    Section #1 List Your Contact Information

    Paralegals are known for being the foundation of any law firm. They are the individuals who complete most of the correspondence, research, and complete legal filings. That said, attention to detail is a vital component for any prospective paralegal. The best way to articulate this is to ensure your personal information is 100 percent accurate.

    The contact section should be simple documenting your full legal name, mobile phone number, mailing address, and email. While some job postings require you to verify social media profiles like Facebook or Linkedin, it’s not recommended to provide this info on your resume .

    Bonus tip: Make sure your mobile device has email connectivity. This will permit you to reply to interview requests quickly, which can positively impact the prospective employer.

    Things To Consider When It Comes To The Content Of Your Resume

    When considering the content of your resume, remember that the legal environment is the epitome of persnickety, so nows not the time to misspell a word or omit a key piece of information. Youve got to be on your A-game and ready to impress.

    Your resume should be tightly written and engaging, and, of course, it should highlight your work accomplishments, education, and skills. But it should be more than a chronological list of your work history and education. Its your first writing assignment for your future employer, so make it a pleasure to read.

    Show off your keen sense of detail, your organizational prowess, and your sharp writing skills.

    Heres what to keep in mind when your write your paralegal resume:

    Lists are Out, Accomplishments are In

    A resume is not a laundry list be thoughtful about what you put on it. More information does not equal a better resume. Adding in the minutiae of your last job wont complement your resume, it will only detract from your real accomplishments.

    Outline your most substantive duties at your last job or internship in a way that tells your story. What did you learn there? How did it make you a better paralegal? If you are proud of you research work, take the time to explain why. And, by all means, highlight your career accomplishments and your educational accomplishments .

    Adjectives are Fine, Actions are Better

    Get Real About False Advertising

    Little Job Experience Doesnt Mean an Unimpressive Resume

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    Paralegal Resumes That Stand Out

    The most important information is described above. However, if you want to make your paper as perfect as possible, here are some useful tips.

    Use Less Specialized Terms

    90% of legal workers use professional terminology when reporting their careers. However, it is better to simplify your work experience for people without in-depth knowledge of jurisprudence. Why? Because there is a high probability that the recruiter will not understand all the legal terms.

    Describe Professional Accomplishments

    To formulate achievements, you can ask yourself: what have I changed in the agency, what processes have been optimized? For example, you can write that you helped win 99% of the agency lawsuits. Mention it in a separate Accomplishments section or add to the objective statement for the paralegal resume.

    Exclude Personal Information

    Do not include too personal information: home address, marital status, nationality, age, etc. As a rule, this is not essential data for the employer .

    Most recruiters claim: good resumes are similar, while unsuccessful ones are endlessly different from each other. That is why, if you want to create high-quality paper, you can use our paralegal resume examples as the main template.

    What To Include On A Perfect Paralegal Resume

    Best Paralegal Resume Example

    By Ashley Brooks on 03/22/2017

    You went through the hard work of earning your Paralegal Associates degree or certificate. Now you want to make sure you craft a paralegal resume that can help you get your new career off to a roaring start.

    There are several key features of a paralegal resume that can make you stand apart from other applications. Crafted effectively, a resume can provide a critical first impression to potential employers, demonstrating youre a strong candidate and paving the way to a face-to-face interview, says Charles Volkert, Senior District President of Robert Half Legal.

    Follow these expert tips to write a paralegal resume that could help you land the job youve been dreaming of.

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