How to Write a Paralegal Resume
Resumes allow employers to evaluate a job seeker's education, training, qualifications and past employment experience. The job seeker crafts a resume that is tailored to showcase his or her best qualifications. If you want to obtain a position as a paralegal in a law firm, you need a well-worded resume to convince potential employers that you have the skills and education to do the job.
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Instructions
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Type your resume on a computer using word processing software such as Microsoft Office Word. This will make it look professional, neat and legible. Use a font that is at least 10 point in size but no larger than 12 point. Choose a font style that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman or Arial. Script fonts will appear indecipherable in small font sizes.
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Type your name in the top left corner of the document, using a larger font than the rest of the resume body. This will grab the attention of the reader when he or she is thumbing through a pile of resumes looking for a viable candidate. List your updated contact information below your name. Include the dates during which your addresses will be valid if you are currently in a temporary living situation.
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Open your resume with a strong objective which clearly states your desired position. If you are aiming your resume at a specific firm that has listed a vacancy, list the vacancy position number if there is one. If you are interested in working in a specific area of law, such as medical malpractice suits, criminal law or tax law, state that here. State the work environment or location where you desire to work, such as a corporate law firm, government office, bank or private law firm.
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List your education, starting with the most recent degree first. Do not list your high school degree, unless this is the highest level of education you have earned. List the school name, dates attended and degrees earned. Include paralegal certificate programs and associate degrees, and state whether the American Bar Association certifies the university that awarded these degrees.
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List any certifications you have received which will prove to the employer that you have attained a certain level of experience and respect among your colleagues in your field. The National Association of Legal Assistants, American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc., the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the National Association of Legal Secretaries offer certification programs.
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Outline job experience by listing companies where you have previously worked, listing the most recent first and working backwards chronologically. Include company name, position title and dates employed. Using bullet format, outline your responsibilities at each job, using specific language to convey competency in your field. Highlight any legal experience at these jobs.
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Include any computer programs with which you are proficient as part of an additional skills section. Computer software packages have become part of the daily lives of paralegals, given that their job description includes record keeping, fact checking, article reading and research. Proving that you have the ability to stay current with updating technology is key to impressing an employer.
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References
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