Paralegal Resume: Example and Writing Guide 2024

Last Updated on 04/26/2024

Overall, the role of paralegals lies in assisting attorneys and law firms in preparations for court cases, dealing with witness interviewing, drafting trial notes, consulting and guiding clients, and so on. Whether you are in the category of entry-level, mid-level, or senior candidates and wonder how to create one of those excellent paralegal resume samples individually, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, let’s get to know more about the structure of paralegal resume and analyze how strong and poorly composed resumes differ from one another. Show an in-depth comprehension of legal terms, documents, and processes. Hiring managers have to clearly see your goals and talents through your resume. Stay tuned to see how to make your competency shine!

Or choose the best Attorney Resume Writing Service.

Paralegal Resume Sample

• Attorney Resume Template
• Military Resume Examples for Civilian
• Federal Cover Letter Sample

Ho to Write a Resume for a Paralegal in a Nutshell

If you wonder what sections a paralegal resume with experience has to include, here is the quick answer:

• contact details;
• summary;
• education;
• work experience;
• skills;
• other paralegal resume sections.

These are must-have sections to ensure you end up with paralegal resumes that stand out and provide you with a competitive edge in the eyes of recruiters. Keep on reading this guide to see what elements each of these resume chapters implement. Onwards!

#1 Learning About What Paralegal Resume Format to Focus on

When it comes to formatting your work experience, academic accomplishments, etc., give your preference to templates with a sleek design. You don’t have to stick to the most basic one-page format — headings and additional emojis like an email sign can be represented in a quite creative manner.

Your task is to ensure the chosen format comes with an easy-to-track structure and a logical text hierarchy. It is common to visually subdivide the page into two columns — one to present brief details like your language proficiency and another to demonstrate your employment history, skills, and education sections:

• Chronological — it mainly focuses on your work experience, so it is a perfect solution for individuals with a strong and consistent career trajectory with the same paralegal job title but in different companies or markets.
• Functional — instead of emphasizing your former jobs, this format is a skills-based one. It is an excellent choice for people without experience or seasoned experts in other fields.
• Combination — it is the hybrid of the formats above. It will better suit the needs of mid-level and executive-level professionals rather than beginners in the market or those with employment history gaps.

Interested parties seeking employment opportunities in the federal market will also benefit from typical USAJOBS resume builder services. Such drafts include several fields where you write paragraph after paragraph, describing your background information and career achievements while connecting those to your soft and hard skills. It is the right thing to provide additional documents — references from your former employers, supporting files for veterans, and so on. In this case, instead of a one-page format, your paralegal resume will be from four to six pages on average. Instead of short sentences without pronouns, you will include detailed descriptions from your point of view.

#2 Adding Your Contact Information in Professional Paralegal Resume

Although a lot depends on the target format and design for your professional storytelling, a professional summary for paralegal resume is commonly on the top of the page and is followed by your contact details. However, it can also be styled in the opposite order — your personal information and a resume objective below.

No matter how simple this section seems at first, that’s where one tiny mistake will ruin the overall impression of your expertise. It won’t be complete without the following:

• State your full name;
• Highlight the desired position you apply for. In this case, it should rather be a short and precise keyword — paralegal. You can also exclude this bullet point if that’s what your resume template presents;
• Fill in your phone number. Don’t mess it up with one small misspelled number — ensure to double-check it;
• Type your valid email address. If you use your personal email with a funny title you created ages ago, it will be much better to create a separate mail box for the purpose and title it professionally — [email protected];
• Add a link to your LinkedIn profile and a professional portfolio that demonstrates your competencies in the area — from work samples to letters and pleadings;
• If you seek international recruitment opportunities in the market, it is a good idea to specify your location.

#3 Writing a Paralegal Resume Objective

Despite its concise nature, it is a crucial part of any resume of this kind. Its format boils down to a statement one or two sentences long, which highlights your qualifications and goals as a professional in the field. It is usually located at the top of the chosen template and lets prospective employers get a brief acquaintance with your vision before reading the entire document.

It plays a great role in boosting the power of your paralegal resume. A clear definition of your talents and ambitions might capture the attention of hiring managers right away. This short statement can easily increase the likelihood of being invited for an interview and passing it with prominent results. One of the common yet effective strategies is to highlight your communication skills and in-depth understanding of laws and the legal arena in general.

To leave a positive and lasting impression instantly, your paralegal resume objective has to project your confidence in the skills the target position requires. To emphasize your talents for duties like assisting lawyers with preparing court documents or interviewing witnesses for court cases, consider the step-by-step guide below:

1. Get to know the description of the desired position in detail. Check how your qualifications, certifications, etc. match your profile. It will simplify your keyword research.
2. Market analysis is crucial. Consider what clients and cases distinguish the target company from others. This research will help you tune your tone of voice and the overall style of the text.
3. Before narrowing down the list of talents, create a more wholesome portfolio of your talents — it will certainly help you structure the corresponding section later on. It is advantageous to briefly demonstrate your professional strengths in the realm of soft and hard skills.
4. Think about the career path you would like to take and its goal. Don’t hesitate to be more specific about your goals in the job market. You might mention that you are looking forward to using your expertise in trial preparation and legal research for a position on a team dealing with criminal law cases.
5. Write the statement. Start by introducing yourself as an expert in the field of your specialization as a paralegal. Combine it with your application’s purpose, matching skills, and career goals.

That’s the concise and efficient objective recipe for entry level paralegal resumes or alternative versions. Compose a few statements and pick up the best one for a stronger effect.

Paralegal Resume Objective Example

#4 Including the Education Section in Your Paralegal Resume

It is the most straightforward section in terms of difficulty level for applicants. However, there are still nuances to consider for an A+ outcome and landing a job as a paralegal:

1. Its design is a huge variable, but it is essential to ensure your resume includes such details about your educational path as years studied, educational establishment’s name, degree type, and major. You can add relevant achievements like extracurricular courses taken, honors, or GPA.
2. Candidates often believe that they have to provide as many details about their education as possible. In practice, it is more effective to focus on your related academic accomplishments and educational path. There is no need to state your high school education unless that’s the highest education you have as of now.

Sample of a Professional Paralegal Resume Education Section

#5 Describing Work Experience in Paralegal Resumes

Let’s assume the target job description seeks the ideal candidate with marvelous research skills to check and respond to discovery requests. This professional has to be a team player and a detail-oriented enthusiast with at least a two-year work experience in family law and a minimum associate degree.

Look through job descriptions with a determination to see what keywords define a perfect senior, entry-level, or mid-level candidate for the role. Once done, it is high time to introduce what skills and knowledge tailored to the company’s vision.

Paralegal Resume Template: Work Experience

As you can see from the sample above, a standard layout for showcasing your professional expertise is as follows:

• position name;
• company name;
• when you worked at the company;
• a bullet list of achievements and responsibilities at an occupied position.

Describing your work experience, focusing on target words will simplify the experience for both parties — hiring managers and candidates. This way, it is possible to quickly and qualitatively demonstrate your talents through your cover letter and resume. In turn, employers can see what fundamental skills you offer as a contribution to their workforce.

Wrapping It Up

Now that you’ve gotten acquainted with all the tips and considerations hidden in professional paralegal resume samples, you are up in arms to compose your own masterpiece. Landing for a dream position will be simpler when you highlight your skills and talents that match the job’s qualifications and potential employers’ expectations.

Your task is to keep the reader’s attention till the last page with the best layout practices in mind — conciseness and clarity matter a lot. When it comes to planning paralegal resumes, focus on revealing your professional accomplishments rather than sticking to your future responsibilities. Last but not least, you are good to go and submit your resume with a matching cover letter. Good luck in your search for the best position as a paralegal.

Richard Harter

Richard is a federal career expert and USAJOBS consultant providing professionals of all career levels – from C-suite to new graduates with targeted resumes, cover letters, and engaging LinkedIn Profiles.