5 Paralegal Resume Examples That Work In 2022

Why this resume works

• Your paralegal resume objective must clearly state what you're looking for in a job and include the specific skills that you bring to the table. Be specific with your strengths and values and what you have to offer.
  • We always recommend that you customize your resume objective for each job you apply to and that you mention the company name and job title, too.
• 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 have an understanding of what's required and that you have done, and will do, exceptional work.
    • Be confident in your value, skills, and competencies. Hiring managers are much more likely to interview and employ applicants who they deem confident.
• Incorporate specific software knowledge into your resume. These hard skills can be taught, but hiring managers appreciate a paralegal who can jump in and get started researching and drafting casework right away.

Why this resume works

• More than anything, when you're creating a litigation paralegal resume, you need to demonstrate you can handle all aspects of the requirements mentioned in the job description.
  • Highlight different areas such as file management, working with the attorney, problem-solving, legal knowledge, software expertise, ways in which you boosted efficiency, etc.
• If you are specifically applying for a litigation paralegal position, you are more likely to get an interview if you have previous experience in litigation paralegal work.
  • However, you can use any paralegal experience to hone in on relevant skills. 
    • Highlight the skills and experience you have that correlate with the job for which you're applying. This way the hiring manager will be assured of your ability to meet the nuanced needs of the job.

Why this resume works

• Getting into a new career field will always be difficult, but it is by no means impossible. Don't hesitate to include previous work experience that is outside of your desired field. Having previous jobs at all can serve to prove that you are diligent and committed.
  • Highlight any experience that may be relevant to the job you are applying for, even if it comes from an unexpected place. You can include relevant school projects, volunteer experiences, and internships.
• Your skills section is especially important for an entry-level resume. While you may not have worked in the paralegal field before, your list of skills can show a hiring manager that you have the correct temperament and abilities to accomplish the job.
  • Try to include 5 to 10 relevant skills that you possess. 
  • Your entry-level paralegal resume will be on the right track when you incorporate skills into your work experiences. Demonstrate time management, communication, and organization, etc. throughout your job description bullet points.  

Why this resume works

• Going into a highly specific niche like immigration law? Go out of your way to delineate your expertise in a specific area. For example, perhaps you're bilingual, so you'll want to include that in your list of skills on your immigration paralegal resume. Showing this specificity can really put you above other candidates and land you an interview.
  • Mentioning an understanding of immigration petition forms, and demonstrating a high regard for client satisfaction will also make your application more competitive. 
• If you have extensive experience in your field, display how your responsibilities have evolved throughout your career. Show the hiring manager that you are prepared to take on new responsibilities in your next role.
  • We recommend listing your work experiences in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent work experience at the top of the page, to emphasize job growth and development. 

Why this resume works

• Have quite a bit of experience in a specific area? Especially in niche jobs, emphasizing this experience will show the hiring manager that you require less training and acclimation for the environment. This can save them time and money, so make sure you narrow down your resume to fit the specific job position you're seeking. 
  • This means including software specific to the type of law if applicable, unique types of forms and documents, the number of clients you worked with (this will vary drastically based on client case sizes, case difficulty, firm type, etc.), and specific tasks that are especially important in your field. 
• Make sure your work experiences start with strong action words, avoid filler words, and use the present tense.
  • If you need some more help with your resume or just want to see how your resume stacks up, take advantage of every possible resource. Our resume checker will show you where you can further optimize your resume to get your dream job in 2022.