Paralegal Resume Templates and Examples for 2024

Paralegal Resume Templates and Examples (Downloadable)

• Entry level
• Midlevel
• Senior level

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PDF

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Google Docs

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

If you’re looking for work as a paralegal, showcase your skills, credentials, and experience in legal roles. The best way to do that is with a well-crafted resume that highlights your qualifications, such as legal research, case file management, and drafting legal documents. This guide provides a step-by-step process for creating your paralegal resume and making the case for yourself as a top-notch candidate.

Key takeaways:

• Emphasize specializations: Quickly highlight your paralegal specialties, such as document digitization, case file management, and drafting legal documents.
• Detail quantifiable achievements: Use specific numbers and outcomes to illustrate your impact in previous paralegal roles, such as conducting research for malpractice lawsuits and personal injury cases, or increasing the efficiency of the discovery process by 15%.
• Use keywords for ATS: Include relevant paralegal skills and keywords from the job posting in your resume to ensure it passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and reaches hiring managers.

How To Write a Paralegal Resume Example

Using a resume template can help you write an effective paralegal resume. Your document should include these sections:

• Contact information
• Profile
• Key skills
• Professional experience
• Education and certifications

1. Share your contact information

Provide your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can contact you for an interview.

2. Create a compelling profile summarizing your paralegal qualifications

After your contact information, capture the reader’s attention with a succinct but impactful profile. It should consist of about three sentences overviewing your job history, credentials, relevant skills, and accomplishments as a paralegal. Incorporate keywords from the job posting to demonstrate that your background aligns well with the opportunity you’re seeking.

3. Include a success-driven professional experience section

The professional experience section of your resume should provide a history of your employment as a paralegal and any other relevant work. More importantly, it should create a narrative of how you’ve grown as a professional. For each role, include three to five bullets that showcase special achievements, the impact you’ve made, as well as key responsibilities.

Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience

Use numbers and metrics to show the results you achieved in previous legal roles. Provide context to your work history and give recruiters a better understanding of your scope and impact. You can demonstrate your value and potential as a paralegal by detailing how you expedite time to trial and improve organizational systems to facilitate more efficient case management.

What if you don’t have experience?

Creating a paralegal resume if you haven’t yet worked in the field can be a challenge. However, everyone has to start somewhere, and employers can still determine if you have the skills and knowledge needed based on what you include on your resume. For paralegals, your education, certifications, and training are essential as they show you have the competencies needed for the role. Also, highlight relevant coursework or internships.

You can also include past jobs even outside of the legal field, focusing on your ability to adapt, work in teams, meet deadlines, and conduct research. These traits are all valuable assets to a legal team.

4. Include relevant education and certifications

Include your educational background and certifications from recognized paralegal associations like NALA to prove you have the required credentials to work as a paralegal. Include the titles of your degrees and certificates, along with each institution’s name and the completion date.

5. List pertinent key skills

Most organizations rely on some form of ATS to identify qualified candidates for job openings. To get your resume through the initial screening process and into the hiring manager’s hands, incorporate keywords from the job description directly into your profile, professional experience, and skills section. Below are key terms and skills you may encounter while applying for paralegal positions:

Resume writer’s tip: Use descriptive action verbs

Take a strategic approach with the words you use on your paralegal resume. In the professional experience section of your resume, incorporate action verbs to communicate your job duties and accomplishments. Instead of listing responsibilities, start each bullet with an engaging verb that shows how you executed critical paralegal tasks. Avoid using first-person language such as, “I was responsible for…” Following are some action verbs you can use to liven up your paralegal resume.

How To Pick the Best Paralegal Resume Template

When selecting your paralegal resume template, prioritize structure and readability over visual appeal. Avoid loud graphics and overbearing colors, and focus on a clean design that showcases your content in an organized way. Keep in mind hiring managers will always be more interested in your achievements and qualifications than the style of your template.

Paralegal Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Frequently Asked Questions: Paralegal Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a paralegal job description?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for paralegals are projected to grow by 4% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as other occupations. Because many large corporations are increasing their in-house legal departments to cut costs, there will be an increase in demand for paralegals and legal assistants in various settings.

Although these projections are optimistic, you must align your resume with the job description to secure interviews for the most lucrative opportunities. By tailoring your document to individual paralegal job postings, you will increase your chances of landing your next job opportunity.

For example, suppose a company is looking for a paralegal who specializes in family court and custody cases. In this case, highlight your knowledge of family law and research skills to assist with divorce cases.

What is the best paralegal resume format?

Reverse chronological format is ideal for most resumes, including those for paralegals. This approach ensures your most recent and relevant experience is featured at the top of your document. Even at the entry level, avoid functional resume formats. If you lack hands-on experience, your resume will still be more effective if you highlight academic projects rather than only listing technical skills.

What skills should I put on my paralegal resume?

Your paralegal resume should demonstrate your strong communication skills, organizational skills, decision-making and solution-finding capabilities, and research and analytics skills. Also, display an understanding of tools such as LexisNexis and document digitization systems, and any areas of expertise like benefits planning or strategic recruiting. Include hard and soft skills that show you are a well-rounded paralegal professional candidate.

How do I make my paralegal resume stand out?

Make your paralegal resume stand out by highlighting achievements, demonstrating the value you bring to companies by incorporating numbers and data, and using keywords that align with the job description. Begin with a compelling profile summary, detail your accomplishments in the professional experience section, list relevant skills, and include your education and certifications.

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Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.