Paralegal resume objective examples

As a paralegal, you know the importance of stating your case. Although resume objectives have become less and less common in recent years, often being replaced with career summaries, there are still times when a career objective will serve you better than a summary.

Whichever you include, the same general principles apply: Be specific and be concise. As you apply to paralegal jobs, remember that you only have a few seconds to catch an employer's attention. Use those seconds wisely by writing a paralegal resume objective that matches your qualifications to the position, rather than including a vague statement that could apply to any opening.

Examples

If you have recently graduated from a paralegal program and have little or no work experience, check out these resume objectives for guidance:

• To secure an entry-level position as a paralegal at A&B Law Firm.
• NALA-certified paralegal seeking position at the law offices of John Smith.
• Seeking a paralegal position at XYZ Law Firm, where I can use my strong research and writing skills to support a real estate attorney.

If you do have related experience, your objective should include things like:

• Paralegal with experience in family law seeking a position with ABC Law.
• Seeking a paralegal position at R&S Law Firm, where I can use my experience with title research and deed preparation to assist with real estate transactions.
• To apply 10 years of paralegal experience in tort law to support the pro-bono efforts of Q Clinic on behalf of low-income clients.

Writing guidelines

Don't just look at your resume as a way to list your qualifications; you can also use it to demonstrate your skills. For instance, you can demonstrate your research skills by doing your homework on the company and adjusting your resume objective accordingly. If you apply to a law firm that specializes in family law, look for ways to tie your education and experience to that area of law. If you already have experience in that area, be sure to emphasize it.

Working in the legal field requires you to see how general principles and specific situations relate to one another. A one-size-fits-all resume objective may leave a hiring manager wondering whether you can make those connections.

Along those same lines, since a good paralegal should be detail-oriented, it's especially important that you avoid any typos or errors. Use a professional tone, but adjust it as necessary to fit the personality of the firm. And always focus on what you bring to the table rather than what you hope to get.