Paralegal CV examples

A paralegal CV is about demonstrating your ability to manage case files, perform legal research, and support solicitors in delivering excellent client service.

This guide will show you how to write a CV that highlights your legal knowledge, attention to detail, and ability to handle the fast-paced demands of a legal environment.

Your CV needs to be as logical and thorough as the case briefs you’ll handle. Recruiters and hiring managers will appreciate a clear structure that allows them to quickly identify your skills and qualifications.

Here’s how to structure your Paralegal CV:

• Name and contact details – Personal details go at the top, making it easy for potential employers to contact you. Adding a photo is entirely optional.
• Profile – Start with a concise summary of your legal experience, specialisations, and career goals.
• Core skills – Briefly showcase your abilities, from legal research to document drafting, with a few bullet points.
• Work experience – Present your professional history in reverse chronological order, focusing on your legal contributions and achievements.
• Education – Highlight your legal qualifications, such as law degrees or paralegal certifications.
• Additional info – This optional section can include hobbies and interests that reflect skills like analysis or attention to detail.

A messy CV is like a brief with typos – no matter how strong the content is, it’s not going to win over the judge (or recruiter). Keep it clean and professional to make your case airtight: avoid preventable mistakes.

A clean, readable layout ensures recruiters focus on your skills and experience, not the formatting.

Here’s how to format your Paralegal CV effectively:

• Bullet points – Recruiters will appreciate it if you break down your responsibilities and achievements into clear, impactful lines.
• Divide sections – Use consistent headings and spacing to organise your information logically.
• Use a clean font – Choose a simple, professional font that enhances readability and exudes professionalism.
• Keep it the right length – 2 pages is plenty to cover your expertise while keeping the recruiter engaged.

Your profile is where you make your first argument – why you’re the ideal paralegal for the role. The aim is to convince a recruiter that hiring you would genuinely benefit their company.

Different law firms look for slightly different qualities in their employees, so make sure you tailor your profile to reassure the recruiter that you’re the right fit.

Here are some tips on what to put in your Paralegal CV profile:

• Where you’ve worked – Note the types of law firms, organisations, or legal teams you’ve supported.
• Your top qualifications – Show off your degrees, diplomas, or certifications that bolster your legal knowledge.
• Key legal skills – Include expertise in areas like document preparation, legal research, or contract review.
• Areas of law you specialise in – Reference your experience in fields like family law, intellectual property, or litigation.
• Stakeholders you’ve collaborated with – Highlight your interactions with solicitors, clients, and court officials.

Your core skills section is like your legal toolkit – it should immediately show recruiters that you have the expertise to succeed. Focus on technical skills that prove you’re ready to handle complex legal tasks.

Your work experience section is where you prove you’ve put your legal knowledge into action. Whether you’ve worked for a small law firm or a corporate legal department, focus on the value you brought to the team.

Even if your legal experience is more ‘intro to law’ than ‘landmark case,’ you can still highlight internships or pro bono work (or even that time you helped a friend navigate a sticky tenancy dispute).

• Outline – Briefly describe the law firm or organisation, your role, and the type of cases or projects you worked on.
• Responsibilities – Highlight key tasks, such as managing case files, conducting research, or drafting contracts.
• Achievements – Include measurable outcomes, like reducing case preparation times or increasing the accuracy of filings.

The education section is crucial for showcasing the legal knowledge and qualifications required for a paralegal role.

Include academic achievements like law degrees, paralegal diplomas, or certifications. For those newer to the field, highlight coursework, internships, or research projects that demonstrate your potential.

List qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.