Paralegal CV Example

Paralegals are an integral part of any law firm. They provide the support lawyers need to do their work effectively and handle everything from calling up witnesses to assisting with trial preparation.

To secure a job in this attractive field, you’ll need a convincing paralegal CV. Use the following tips to get ahead of the competition:

1. Write an impactful personal statement

Employers have a limited amount of time to spend on each CV, so it’s important to make a lasting impression right from the start.

Your personal statement sets the tone for the rest of your CV, and it needs to convey that you possess the qualifications and skills needed for the role.

A good personal statement includes the following information:

• How many years of professional experience you have
• Your relevant skills and accomplishments
• Your career goals

Your personal statement should be brief and to the point while focusing on the qualities that make you a great candidate.

Here’s an example of a statement that communicates the job applicant’s qualifications effectively:

This example works because the candidate shows how they’ve used their skills to succeed in past roles and that they’re ready to take on new challenges.

2. Format your paralegal CV correctly

Knowing how to format your paralegal CV is essential, because it allows you to present information in a clear manner without distractions.

Illegible fonts, inconsistent font sizes and unusual margins all contribute to making a CV look unpolished.

Here are some tips to follow to ensure your chances of being invited for an interview aren’t impacted by poor formatting:

1. Use standard margins (1.27-2.5 cm)
2. Pick the best font for your CV (Arial, Lato, Calibri, Georgia, Cambria, etc)
3. Choose a readable font size (10-12 points)
4. Use the correct line spacing (1-1.5)
5. Label each section clearly

3. Draw attention to your relevant skills

On a daily basis, paralegals will be in charge of a wide variety of duties, including doing research, interacting with clients, and drafting legal documents. These different tasks require a mix of soft skills and hard skills.

Below is a list of skills to highlight on your CV that let employers know you’ll be an asset to the firm:

Paralegal hard skills

• Case management
• Legal research
• Computer skills
• File and records management
• Legal document drafting
• Trial preparation
• Corporate law
• Criminal law
• Clio

Paralegal soft skills

• Logical reasoning
• Attention to detail
• Integrity
• Stress management
• Communication skills
• Multitasking
• Active listening
• Analysis
• Time management
• Organisation

Here’s a paralegal CV example that illustrates how to present your paralegal skills in the professional experience section of your CV:

And here’s how to list them in the skills section:

4. Highlight your education

To become a paralegal in the UK, it’s not necessary to have a law degree. However, employers typically look for candidates who have received some form of legal training, whether that be through a law degree, a paralegal apprenticeship, or a diploma in paralegal studies.

When you add your educational background to your CV, make sure to highlight any completed courses that will help you as a paralegal. Here’s a good example:

In this example, the candidate lists particularly relevant courses they’ve taken and mention that they earned a degree with upper second-class honours.