Paralegal CV: Example, Template, & Tips

Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.

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4 tips for writing a paralegal CV

Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a CV in a way that best emphasises your strengths.

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 a strong paralegal 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 that align with the paralegal role you’re targeting
• Your relevant skills and accomplishments, including metrics that you’re proud of (for example, ‘Reduced client spending on a defamation case by 15%’)
• Your career goals

Your personal statement should be concise, 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 are ready to take on new challenges.

2. Use professional CV formatting

Knowing how to format your paralegal CV is essential because it allows you to present information clearly without distractions.

Illegible fonts, inconsistent font sizes, and unusual margins make 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 (Lato and Cambria are good options)
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 are 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 are lists of hard and soft skills to highlight on your CV that let employers know you’ll be an asset to the firm:

Paralegal hard skills

Paralegal soft skills

The best way to draw attention to your skills and experience is through examples. Where possible include a project or case example to highlight your duties or the experience you gained.

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 paralegal qualifications

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 through a law degree, a paralegal apprenticeship, or a diploma in paralegal studies.

When you add your educational background to your CV, highlight any completed courses or relevant qualifications that’ll help you as a paralegal. Here’s a good example:

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

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Cover Letters:

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• Paralegal Cover Letter