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Although paralegals aren’t qualified lawyers, they are invaluable members of legal practice. Assisting with everything from administrative duties to drafting official documents, paralegals can be trusted with a huge variety of tasks. But such a varied scope can make it difficult to write a targeted CV.
If you need a professional paralegal CV, you’re in the right place. At myPerfectCV, you’ll find everything you need – recruiter tips, a top-rated UK paralegal CV example, and our proven CV builder tool. We’ll make it quick and easy to polish your paralegal CV today.
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Discover our top recruiter tips for writing your paralegal CV
Writing your CV shouldn’t feel like a trial. By following our top tips for UK applicants, you can craft a paralegal CV that ticks every box.
Highlight your specialist training
Although paralegals don’t require a law degree, it’s still important to have the necessary training for the role. That could be a legal secretary diploma, a certificate from the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), or even a paralegal postgraduate qualification.
Demonstrate your organisational skills
Paralegals are responsible for carrying out a range of administrative tasks, so careful organisation skills are a must. By using a well-structured UK paralegal CV template, you can show off your organisation before a recruiter even reads your application.
Use keywords from the paralegal job description
As a paralegal, you could work in a variety of different legal fields. Your day-to-day tasks could range from trial preparation to investigating clients, so it’s important to make sure your CV stays relevant to the specific role you’re applying for. Including keywords and phrases from the job description is a great way to do this.
Show attention to detail
Whether you’re checking documents or filing case notes, it’s crucial to have an impressive eye for detail as a paralegal. If your CV contains a typo, it could suggest you’re not careful enough for the role – so always proofread your application before you hit ‘send’.
Share your personality
Paralegals will work closely alongside a range of people, from qualified lawyers to valued clients. That makes it important to have the right interpersonal skills for the job. To show your recruiter you can work well with others, include positive language to describe your work ethic and approach as part of your personal statement.
What skills should you include in your paralegal CV?
Whether you’re applying for a role in media law or want to join your local solicitor, make sure your CV contains the right skills.
Key skills for your paralegal CV
- Organisation
- Communication (both written and verbal)
- Attention to detail
- Research
- Confidentiality
- Computer systems
Nice-to-haves that will set you apart
- Teamwork
- Reporting
- Legal knowledge
- Investigation
- Conflict resolution
Hold court with an impressive personal statement for your paralegal CV
Your personal statement, or personal summary, is one of the most important sections of your paralegal CV. This short paragraph sits at the top of your application, immediately underneath your contact details. It’s designed to give an overview of your professional situation and skills, helping your recruiter decide whether they want to find out more.
To grab your recruiter’s attention, make sure to include your current position, short-term career goals, and key professional qualities. Use original, positive language that will help your CV stand out from the crowd and create a positive impression of your attributes.
Top-rated questions about your paralegal CV
What is a paralegal?
A paralegal is a legal professional that works for a law firm, but isn’t qualified to advise clients or sign legal documents. They may carry out a wide range of administrative duties, from investigation to arranging mediation between legal parties. The nature of different paralegal roles will depend on the firm and can vary enormously in scope.
How to become a paralegal?
You don’t need a law degree (or any degree) to become a paralegal, but you will need a good legal knowledge. Unless you’re applying for a trainee paralegal role, you might find it helpful to have a relevant qualification such as a legal diploma or paralegal certificate. It can give you a solid grounding in the paralegal duties and responsibilities and help you stand out from other applicants.
What skills should a paralegal have?
A paralegal will need a strong combination of practical, administrative skills and legal knowledge. Some of the most important skills include communication, the ability to handle sensitive information, and organisation. You will also need to have excellent research skills to investigate clients and write background reports.
How do you write a paralegal CV?
When writing your paralegal CV, make sure to follow to the same structure as our UK paralegal CV sample, ensuring you cover the following sections:
- A personal statement that outlines your career situation, goals, and key qualities.
- A work experience section that includes your previous positions, with 4-6 bullet points to explain your role in each job.
- A skills section that lists your most important professional skills.
- An education section that outlines your relevant qualifications, including any additional certificates as well as your academic achievements.
How much can you earn as a paralegal in the UK?
According to information from Indeed, the average base salary for a professional paralegal in the UK is £22,920 a year. Depending on your experience level, location, and particular field of law, it can increase to around £30,000 a year.
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