Paralegal Resume Examples
Land your desired job with help from our Paralegal resume examples! We’ve got high-quality samples, plus tips for organizing and writing each resume section.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paralegal resume
summary examples
The first impression an employer will have of you is when they read your resume summary. You’ve got to make this section count because a recruiter will spend an average of seven seconds scanning your resume.
This section is a brief statement of your most impressive and relevant career highlights. You’ll pick professional achievements that resonate with the employer’s requirements for this job.
The most common approach for this section is the professional summary because it focuses on sharing job-relevant achievements.
On the other hand, the objective statement is the ideal approach for inexperienced candidates because it showcases your goals and the skills you have to make them possible.
Determine which approach is right for you with examples of a professional summary and an objective statement.
Good example:
“I am a highly motivated and detail-oriented paralegal with over 10 years of experience in the legal field. I have successfully handled numerous cases from initial intake to resolution, resulting in a 95% success rate. My expertise includes researching legal documents, drafting pleadings, and managing complex legal projects with a strong focus on accuracy and efficiency.”
Why this example passes:
- Feature candidate’s success statistic to grab attention. Numbers add detail about how big the results you deliver are, e.g., test scores, passing rate and more.
- Shows career length, 11 years.
- Mentions employer-desired skills: student motivation and interactive lessons.
Bad example:
“ Highly motivated Paralegal with a passion for the law. Experienced in legal research and document review. Seeking to utilize my skills in a professional setting.”
Why this example fails:
- Doesn’t include any numbers that quantify paralegal’s performance
- Uses vague descriptions and skills.
- Doesn’t include years of teaching experience.
The fastest way to write your
professional summary
Impress employers by featuring must-have skills for a Paralegal and achievements that make you an irresistible employee. Find the best content suggestions for your professional summary in our Resume Builder that will wow recruiters.
- 1
Enter the details about the job title you held. The builder comes preloaded with auto-suggested phrasing written by resume experts.
- 2
Then, just pick from these suggested phrases that best frame your experience and customize them to your liking!
- 3
All you have to do is choose the summary phrases that best frame your experience. It’s like having a professional do it for you!
Our Resume Builder will help you write a custom Paralegal resume in 15 minutes! However, if you want to give your resume more dedicated attention, you can also employ our professional writing services to kickstart your search for an Paralegal role confidently.
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Paralegal resume work
experience examples
A big part of your resume’s content will live in your work experience, so you’ve got to put in the extra effort to make it stand out. This section should feature achievements that show recruiters you have what they’re looking for if you want to write a good resume.
Good example:
Rolling Meadows Middle School I Rolling Meadows, IL I 8/2018-current
- Drafted and reviewed contracts, memoranda, and other legal documents for accuracy and completeness
- Researched and analyzed case law and legal documents to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations
- Developed and maintained filing systems for legal documents and case files
- Assisted attorneys in preparing for court proceedings and hearings.
Why this example passes:
- Numbers and statistics add detail and quantify the results this paralegal delivers: 4% improvement and a class size of 20-25.
- Good use of strong words and active language.
- References specialized value cahier provides with “individualized lesson plans.”
Bad example:
Emily Dickinson Elementary I Redmond, WA I 4/2022-present
- Answered legal questions for clients
- Assisted attorneys with research
- Prepared legal documents
- Attended court hearings
Why this example fails:
- Lacks numbers or statistics.
- Describes general tasks, not teaching achievements or career highlights.
- Uses active verbs, but doesn’t focus on results.
Paralegal resume skills examples
Here are 18 sample skills for paralegal:
- Records Management
- Project Management
- Administrative Support
- Office Administration
- Case Management
- Legal Compliance
- Conflict Mediation
- Risk Management
- Document Preparation
- Database Research
- Litigation Support
- Civil Law
- Tax Law
- Criminal Law
- Attorney Support
- Account Administration
- Case Summaries
- Civil Litigation
You should sprinkle skills and abilities throughout your resume. Include them in your professional summary, work experience blurbs and a dedicated skills section.
Examples of additional resume sections
Your Paralegal resume must include five main sections: contact information, professional summary, work experience, skills and education. However, you can continue customizing your resume with additional sections for any other qualifications you possess.
Here are some examples of optional paralegal resume sections that you could add to provide greater detail:
- References
- Additional skills
- Languages
- Certifications
- Photo
- Overview
- Professional skills
- Soft skills
Only include additional sections that feature valuable information for your desired Paralegal job. If the information you want to add is irrelevant to the job, save that space for more relevant information.
Examples of resume formats
A resume format refers to how a resume’s parts are organized. There are three resume formats: chronological, functional or combination.
The main difference among them is whether or not they give more visual weight to your work history or to your skills section. The format you should select for your resume is based on your years of work experience as a paralegal.
How to choose a resume format
0-3
Years of experience
Functional formats
- Focus on skills.
- Best for first-time paralegal who lack work experience.
- Good for people re-entering workforce.
- May omit dates in the work history section.
Organization:
- Skills listed above work experience.
3-10
Years of experience
Combination formats
- Balance skills and work history.
- Ideal for mid-career paralegal.
- Suitable for career changers and people seeking promotion.
Organization:
- Skills next to or above work experience.
10+
Years of experience
Chronological formats
- Put the most focus on work history.
- Best for paralegal with a long, steady career.
- Most popular format.
- Preferred by recruiters.
Organization:
- Work experience listed above skills.
Once you know the best format for you, it’s easy to pick a paralegal resume template. Templates are preformatted layouts created by design professionals to ensure your resume looks amazing!
Don’t forget your paralegal cover letter
A cover letter works hand-in-hand with your resume to make a stronger case for why you deserve the job.
Good communication skills are necessary for anyone applying to an Paralegal role. That’s why you’ve got to ensure your cover letter is strong!
Your cover letter should explain how you heard about the role and why it appeals to you. It should do more than repeat the details of your resume; it should bring them to life with a story.
If you want help in that challenge, check out our Cover Letter Builder! It’s a fully automated tool that will walk you through the writing process step-by-step and even suggest text you can use!
Otherwise, use our cover letter examples if you’re still brainstorming what to write. They can inspire you!
For design help, check out our cover letter templates library. We’ve got 15+ preformatted cover letter designs you can use for your document!
To create a great document from scratch, we also feature a complete guide on How to Write a Cover Letter.
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