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Are you looking for a paralegal job?

You can find one over the internet but you can not apply for it without a professional paralegal resume.

We have seen that the United States has a massive workforce of 3,45,600 paralegals and legal assistants working at an average annual salary of $56,230.

Hence, if you want get a paralegal job in the United States, you must stand out from the crowd.

For this, we are here with some practical guidelines along with paralegal resume examples that will help you build a job-winning paralegal resume.

Here you will get answers to the following paralegal resume building questions:

• Why do you need a paralegal resume?
• What are the essential sections in a paralegal resume?
• How to build a paralegal resume in 2022?
• How to show work experience in a paralegal resume?
• How to show education & certifications in a paralegal resume?
• What are the key sections of a paralegal resume?

What is a Paralegal Resume & why do you need it?

A resume can be considered as the first meeting between you and the recruiters.

It is the source through which you can communicate your potential as a suitable candidate for the recruiters for the targeted job.

Most of the recruiters rely on the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to pick the most suitable resume as they do not have the time to go through every resume that they receive.

The ATS can filter through bulk resumes and pick those resumes which contain the highest/sufficient number of keywords used by the recruiters to describe the job that you are applying for.

Now, it is a must for you to rank high on the ATS so that your resume gets through the ATS so that the recruiters can go through your paralegal resumes that stand out.

Paralegal Resume Sections

A resume is divided into different sections wherein each section allows you to communicate the details required by the recruiters to provide you the possible shortlist for the targeted job.

There are two types of resume sections and the below given are the traditional standard sections that need to be explicitly framed:

• Header
• Personal Information
• Profile Title
• Summary/Objective
• Key Skills
• Professional Experience
• Education

The following sections are the optional sections that can be framed whenever required to enhance the standard sections:

• Certifications (if any)
• Additional Information (if any)
• Awards & Recognitions (if any)

Make sure that every section you frame is thoughtfully composed.

How to write your Paralegal Resume

Following the three below-given stages can make your resume writing a hassle-free experience:

• Stage 1: Master Paralegal Resume
• Stage 2: First Draft of Paralegal Resume
• Stage 3: Final Draft of Paralegal Resume

Master Paralegal Resume

Before framing the first draft of your paralegal resumes, create a master resume that can be used as a master folder to gather your details and pieces of information.

This master draft holds all your details of professional experience and educational qualifications.

You should also list the required pieces of personal information through which the recruiters may get in touch with you in case of any possible or likely shortlist for the job that you are applying for.

Gather all the information of your certifications, awards & recognition and any additional information that may be required in your resume.

This master folder can be used as the master folder of information in the present timeline as well as for any future update of your litigation paralegal resumes.

Do not stress about any unclear details that you are not sure about because even if you do not need them in the present timeline, it may be required in the future updates of your resume.

First Draft of Paralegal Resume

Once your master folder is done, create the first draft of your litigation paralegal resumes.

In this second stage, you need to compose the following sections:

• Header
• Personal Information
• Profile Title
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Certifications (if any)
• Awards & Recognition (if any)
• Additional Information (if any)

Always remember that every standard section needs to be framed at all times while creating a resume.

Whereas the optional sections can be framed only if you feel it is necessary or whenever it is required for any targeted job profile.

Final Draft of Paralegal Resume

Complete stage 1 and stage 2 of resume writing then only go ahead with your stage 3 of resume writing.

Now, for the final stage you should frame the following two important sections:

• Key Skills: To frame a paralegal resume skills section, all you have to do is identify your most significant skills from the professional experience section of your resume and objectively place them in the “key skills” section of your resume. Frame this section as the last second step.

• Summary/Objective: Compose a summary of your resume if you have 3 years and above of professional experience. But in case you have less than 3 years of work experience, frame an objective. Compose this section as the last step of your resume writing.

The three stages have been thoroughly explained to you so make sure that you follow every stage religiously and make your resume writing experience more effective and easier.

Paralegal Resume Sample

Here is a sample paralegal resume for you to know what the ideal paralegal resumes that stand out should look like:

Paralegal Resume: Header

Try to avoid writing "CV or Resume" on your paralegal resumes because it is evident that you are creating one and there is no need to mention the obvious.

The resume header should always be framed with your real and full name.

Doing so can give your resume its unique identity and help the recruiters keep an easy track of it.

Remember and follow the following points while framing the header of your litigation paralegal resumes:

• This should be written in the topmost part of your resume.
• The header of your paralegal resume should be written in the largest font size.
• This should be in the range of 16-20 font size.
• Give a single space between your first name and last name.
• If you have a middle name, write your first name, followed by the first initial of your middle name in capital letters, followed by your last name.
• Example: For instance, if your name is Bethany Gordon Rivers, it should be written as "Bethany G. Rivers".

Given below is a snapshot of our sample paralegal resume that we have created with Hiration’s Online Resume Builder:

Paralegal Resume: Personal Information

The recruiters would require some details through which they can get in touch with you in case of any possible shortlist.

Here is a list of what the personal information section should ideally contain:

• Contact Number
• Email Address
• Current Location

Contact Number

Sometimes the recruiters may want to conduct an interview over the phone or get a verbal confirmation for any possible shortlist.

Hence you must provide a functional contact number that you actively use for the recruiters to get in touch with you.

The correct format for writing your contact number is given below:

• Use your country’s ISD code as a prefix before your phone number
• Put a plus sign (+) before the ISD code
• Eg: +1 83645 93446

Email Address

Another means of contact through which the recruiters can get in touch with you is through emails.

Make sure that you provide only the email ID that has your real name and makes sure that you provide only the email ID that you use for official and professional purposes.

Example: bethanyrivers@xyz.com or bethany@xyz.com

Avoid giving out the email ID that has fancy or childish names as it may make the recruiters assume you as an immature applicant who is not serious about one's career.

Example: queenbethany@xyz.com or bethanythequeen@xyz.com

Always maintain a professional approach while framing your resume to make the recruiter recognize you as a reliable applicant who is serious with one's career.

Current Location

Many people tend to neglect this section in a resume but the fact is that your current location can affect your likely shortlist.

Remember the below-given points while framing your location in your immigration paralegal resume:

• Provide the current location of your residence.
• Avoid giving your house number, street number, or your locality name as they are unnecessary.
• If you are looking for a job in your own country, simply mention the city and state of your residence. On the contrary, if you are looking for a job in another country, a quick reference to your city and country of residence is more than enough.

You can also refer to the below-given sample paralegal resume to know what an ideal personal information section should ideally look like:

Paralegal Resume: Profile Title

Profile titles are statements of the level of your professional identity and status in your paralegal resumes that stand out.

Framing a proper and accurate profile title can make the recruiters recognize whether you are an entry-level or a senior-level applicant.

The recruiters can recognize the following facts about you though the profile title:

• Your current designation.
• Your functional industry.
• Your level of seniority in your line of work.

Write your profile title in the range of 14-16 font size as the second-largest text after the header of your resume.

Exaggerating your profile title will pass off as intentionally cheating the recruiter so make sure that you write only the exact profile title.

You can refer to our sample paralegal resume given below to visually understand how an ideal profile title is framed:

Also Read: How to build a legal assistant resume in 2022?

Paralegal Resume: Professional Experience

The professional experience section takes up a major part of paralegal resumes that stand out.

This section helps you communicate your paralegal resume skills and potentials to the recruiters who can provide you with the shortlist for any targeted job.

There are there important factors that can help you write an effective professional experience section. Check them below to have a better understanding:

• STAR Format
• Frame Points
• Bucketing & Bolding

STAR Format

Use the STAR format to write statements that create a cause-effect relationship between your skills and how you execute them to achieve positive goals.

STAR can be used to describe the following areas of your professional experience statements:

• It describes the situation, backdrop, and context of your contributions to an organization.
• It describes the actual task that was assigned to you as part of your job.
• It describes the action you strategized to perform or execute an assigned task.
• It describes the result or the outcome of your action in the form of achievement.

Try to specify your achievements and contributions by giving figures of numbers for the recruiters to have a clear idea of your caliber.

Framing Points

Framing your points can have a huge impact on your statements of professional experience and enhance your resume.

Let us look at the below-given paralegal resume examples to discuss the importance of framing points and how it can be effectively implemented in your statements.

Framing Points: Analysis

Both the paralegal resume examples are stating the same points but the recruiters would prefer to go through the points that have been framed (example 2).

From the two paralegal resume examples, we can see that framed points (example 2) are more readable as compared to the lengthy paragraph (example 1).

Writing lengthy paragraphs (example 1) tends to make your statements look bulky and it may fail to intrigue the recruiters to go through your entire professional experience section.

Wherein framing points (example 2) with bullet points makes your statements clear and specific with the professional experience that you are trying to communicate to the recruiters.

In conclusion, we can say that it is always better to write one-liners by framing them with bullet points to make it easier for the recruiters to read and comprehend your statements.

Bucketing & Bolding

Another important factor that helps in enhancing your professional experience section is the bucketing and bolding.

Let us compare the two paralegal resume examples given below to discuss the impact of bucketing and bolding and how it can be implemented in your one-liner points.

Bucketing & Bolding: Analysis

Both the paralegal resume examples are stating the same things but we can see that bucketing and bolding (example 2) makes the one-liners more organized as compared to only framing points (example 1).

Creating unique headings (bucketing) to list similar points can make your one-liners more organized and easier for the recruiters to read and comprehend.

Make your most significant achievements and potential stand out by bolding them in the framed one-liners.

Framing points (example 1) alone is not enough to hold on to the recruiters' interest to go through your entire resume.

The recruiters may not have the luxury of time to go through your resume, trying to take in all that is written in it.

Hence use bucketing and bolding to write your professional experience statements and make it easier for the recruiters to recognize your potential.

Look at the sample paralegal resume showcasing what an ideal professional experience section looks like:

Paralegal Resume: Education

Your educational qualification can make the recruiter recognize the level of scholastic knowledge that you possess.

The course of study that you possess can add value to your resume and make the recruiters consider you as an eligible applicant and raise your chances of being shortlisted for the targeted job.

The education section of your immigration paralegal resume should ideally consist of the details of the following:

• Name of the school/university you have attended.
• Name of the courses you have pursued.
• The location of your school/university.
• Enrollment and graduation dates in the month & year format.

Given below is our sample paralegal resume showcasing the ideal education section in a litigation paralegal resume:

Paralegal Resume: Certifications

Create a separate "Certifications" section to list your certified courses or training.

It can add value to your educational qualifications and professional experience.

Your certifications can make the recruiters recognize you as an applicant who is serious about one's career to go ahead and get certified to practice one's field of work.

The certification section of your litigation paralegal resumes can communicate the following details about you:

• Certification course name.
• Name of the institute of affiliation.
• Location of the institute of affiliation.
• Enrollment and completion date of the course in the month & year format.

You can arrange these points in the format given below:

{Name of certification} | {Affiliating Institution} | {Location} | {Date} (month & year format)

Here is a paralegal resume sample demonstrating the ideal certifications section for your paralegal resumes:

Paralegal Resume: Awards & Recognition

This section can be created to list any awards or recognition that you have achieved over the years as a professional, an intern, or a student.

For instance, if you have been recognized for a job well done or awarded a coveted title of "the best employee of the month" or "outstanding performer of the year", it can positively influence your job application.

These types of achievements cab be a huge advantage to your professional career.

Our advice is that you list them under the "Awards & Recognition" section of your resume.

Or you can simply put them under the "key achievements" bucket within each profile of your professional experience section.

Paralegal Resume: Additional Information

In case you speak more than one language or keep a productive hobby that can help with the targeted job profile, you can list them in the additional information section.

It can enhance your educational qualification and professional experience by giving an insight into the additional potential that you possess.

The recruiters may consider these points and raise your chances to be shortlisted for the targeted job.

Given below is our paralegal resume sample that shows what a perfectly composed additional information section of your resume should look like:

Paralegal Resume Key Sections

Recruiters pay close attention to the below given sections. Hence, you should frame these sections after completing every other section of your paralegal resume:

Paralegal Resume: Key Skills

Frame the perfect paralegal skills for resume that stand out amongst every other average paralegal resumes.

Scan through your professional experience section and pick the most significant key skill that you possess and make sure that you justify them in your paralegal resume skills section.

A well-curated paralegal resume skills section can make the recruiters recognize you as a suitable applicant.

It can also make your resume rank high on the ATS which can raise your chances of getting the required shortlist for the targeted job profile.

Given below is a paralegal resume sample showcasing the perfect paralegal resume skills section:

Paralegal Resume Summary

Compose a summary for your resume after you are done framing every other section in your resume to make sure that you do not miss out on any important details.

A thoughtfully composed summary can make the recruiters get an insight into your potential as a suitable candidate for the targeted job.

Given below is a list of what you should do while composing a summary of your immigration paralegal resume:

• Write your summary at the end as it is easier to decide what to put in your resume summary.
• Pick the highlights of your career from your work experience section.
• Try to include the keywords that the recruiter has used in the job listing.
• Avoid writing a resume summary that exceeds 4 lines.
• Write a resume summary only if you have worked for over 3 years.

Attached below is a resume sample showcasing the ideal resume summary for your paralegal resumes that stand out.

Paralegal Resume Objective

A paralegal resume objective should be written in place of a resume summary only if:

• you have no work experience.
• you have very limited work experience of fewer than 3 years.
• you are a fresh graduate writing an entry-level resume.

The main aim of writing a paralegal resume objective is to communicate what you are capable of contributing to an organization. So try and avoid listing out all the things that you expect from the targeted organization.

A well-composed paralegal resume objective can help you sell your skills as a professional and convince the recruiter that you are the perfect applicant that they are looking for.

Also Read: How to build an attorney resume in 2022?

Key Takeaways

You can refer to any paralegal resume example available online to build your resume for paralegal jobs in 2022. However, you might get puzzled without practical guidelines.

These points will help you write an attractive paralegal resume in easy steps:

• Use the month and year format for your education, professional experience, and any other detail that needs to be time framed in your resume.
• Frame points and apply bucketing & bolding to enhance the readability of your resumes.
• Always use the STAR format to create a cause-effect relationship in your resume.
• Start every point with a power verb in the past tense for past profiles and projects and the present continuous tense for present profiles and projects.
• Write a summary for your 3 years and above of work experience in your resume. List paralegal resume objective only if you have less than 3 years of work experience.

In case, you want to minimize your resume building time, you can check Hiration's Online Resume Builder. It is an AI-powered tool to help you ease your resume building process.

Additionally, reach out to us at support@hiration.com and you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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