Paralegal Resume and Cover Letter Tips

Updated October 29, 2025

A professional resume and cover letter help paralegal candidates stand out in a competitive legal job market.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or transitioning from another career, clear writing and relevant keywords can make a strong first impression.

Paralegal Salary Snapshot

U.S.
U.S. Median Pay $61,010 $29.33 per hour
Job Outlook 0.2% +600 jobs (2024–2034)
39,300 openings/yr
Data Year: 2024 Source: BLS OEWS

How to Structure Your Paralegal Resume

Your resume should highlight both legal training and transferable skills such as organization, writing, and client communication.
Use a clean, one-page format that emphasizes achievements over job descriptions.

Recommended Sections:

  1. Contact Information – Name, phone, email, LinkedIn
  2. Professional Summary – Two to three sentences summarizing experience and goals
  3. Education & Certification – Include paralegal programs, ABA-approved credentials, or degrees
  4. Skills & Software – Highlight legal research tools and office technologies
  5. Experience – List positions in reverse chronological order, using measurable results
  6. Professional Associations – NALA, NFPA, or local paralegal groups

Example Resume Headline:

Detail-oriented Paralegal with experience supporting litigation and corporate counsel. Skilled in research, document management, and case preparation.

Writing a Compelling Cover Letter

A strong cover letter personalizes your application and connects your background to the employer’s needs.

Best Practices:

  • Address the hiring manager by name whenever possible
  • Open with enthusiasm about the firm or organization
  • Mention one or two key qualifications or achievements
  • Explain how your skills align with their specific legal practice
  • Close with a professional call to action (“I’d welcome the chance to discuss how I can support your team...”)

Keep the letter concise, ideally three short paragraphs.

Sample Closing:

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to bringing my organizational and research skills to your firm’s litigation team.

Skills & Keywords to Include

Recruiters use keyword filters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes.
Include both technical and soft skills relevant to paralegal work.

Top Keywords:

  • Legal research
  • Case management
  • Drafting and filing
  • eDiscovery
  • Client communication
  • Legal writing
  • Westlaw / LexisNexis
  • Microsoft Office / Adobe Acrobat
  • Confidentiality and ethics
  • Time management

Tailor your keywords to match the job posting’s language while staying accurate to your experience.

Examples & Templates

For inspiration, use modern, ATS-friendly templates in Word or Google Docs.
Avoid over-designed layouts or excessive graphics, clarity and readability matter most.

Suggested Layout Options:

  • Classic Professional: Simple black text, left-aligned headings, clean spacing
  • Hybrid: Combines chronological experience with a skills sidebar
  • Modern Minimalist: Two-column design with bold section titles

Customize each resume and cover letter for the specific firm or legal department you’re applying to.

Next Steps

Your application materials are your first impression in the legal profession.
Focus on precision, relevance, and professionalism, qualities valued in every law office.

Explore these related guides to strengthen your preparation:

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