5 Paralegal Resume Examples That Work in 2022

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 (10+ for a summary) 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.
    • Be confident in your value, skills, and competencies. Employers are much more likely to interview and employ applicants they deem confident.
• Incorporate specific software knowledge into your paralegal 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, and how you boosted efficiency.
• If you're specifically applying for a litigation paralegal position, you're 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 employer 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. Having previous jobs at all can serve to prove that you're diligent and committed. Don't hesitate to include previous work experience outside of your desired field.
  • Highlight any expertise relevant to the job you are applying for, even if it comes from an unexpected place. You can include relevant school projects, volunteer experience, and internships.
• If you're light on work histpry, consider adding a resume objective.
  • A worthwhile objective should be customized to the specific job to which you're applying (mention the company by name) and be a power-packed snapshot of your most relevant experience or skills.
• Your resume 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 six to ten relevant skills you possess. 
  • Your entry-level paralegal resume will be on the right track when you incorporate skills into your work experience. Use bullet points to demonstrate abilities like time management, communication, and organization within the context of your work history.

Why this resume works

• Are you entering a highly-specific niche like immigration law? Go out of your way to delineate your expertise in a particular area. For example, perhaps you're bilingual; if so, you'll want to include that in your list of skills on your immigration paralegal resume. Showing specializations can 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're prepared to take on new responsibilities in your next role.
  • To emphasize job growth and development, we recommend listing your work experience in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent at the top of the page. 

Why this resume works

• Have quite a bit of experience in a specific area? Especially in niche jobs, emphasizing this experience will show the employer that you require less training and acclimation to the environment. This can save them time and money, so be sure to narrow down your personal injury paralegal resume to fit the specific job position you're seeking. 
  • This means including software specific to the type of law, if applicable, unique kinds of forms and documents, the number of clients you worked with (this will vary drastically based on client case sizes, case difficulty, and firm type), and specific tasks especially important in your field. 
• Make sure your work experience starts with strong action words, avoids filler word fluff, and uses the past tense consistently.
• If you need more resume-writing tips or want to see how your existing resume stacks up, our free resume checker will help optimize your resume to land your dream job in 2022.