Jersey City Paralegal Jobs Overview
Attorneys—especially those at bigger firms—can’t do it all on their own. Essential members of their teams often include paralegals. However, these roles should not be confused with legal secretaries, who only handle day-to-day admin duties and customer-service tasks.
As defined by the American Bar Association (ABA), a paralegal is a professional “who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.” Hence, paralegal jobs encompass a variety of work that’s more directly involved with supervising attorneys or lawyers, such as preparing affidavits and legal correspondence, filing pleadings, responding to discovery requests, researching case-related information, and recapping depositions and trial transcripts.
And now’s a great time to pursue this career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is forecasting a 12% growth outlook over the next decade for paralegal jobs, which is faster than the average for all occupations, as law firms and other companies keep hiring more paralegals to increase productivity and cost-effectiveness.
You can expand your search for legal jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Jersey City, New Jersey
People are looking up in Jersey City. And when you do, you can’t help but notice the massive Colgate Clock with its neon red hands. It was built in 1924 to top the Colgate Soap and Perfumery Works. The factory was one of many located in the city’s six-block warehouse district, providing Jersey City jobs in the early 20th century. The Statue of Liberty also towers over the city. Although New York City has legal jurisdiction over the landmark, it’s actually located in Jersey City. If you prefer indoor sights, you can stargaze at North America’s largest planetarium in the Liberty Science Center’s IMAX theater.
Jersey City is often called New York City’s sixth borough because of its close proximity to The City, easily seen across the Hudson River. One of the best places to take in the Manhattan skyline is the waterfront walkway that runs along the river. Jersey City has seven of its own “boroughs,” or neighborhoods, with seven distinct personalities. If you’re thinking about a Jersey job that’s further away from the city, you can take a look at opportunities in Union City, Newark, and Elizabeth.
Update Your Jersey City Paralegal Resume
Your paralegal resume should open with a compact, hard-hitting objective. When writing this, think of it as arguing your case—a compelling opening statement, so to speak. You can also opt for a career summary instead, if you’d prefer. After that, it’s important that you give specific examples of your accomplishments and quantify your achievements (e.g., how big were your previous caseloads and how fast were you able to finish respective tasks?). Take a look at our paralegal resume sample for more pointers.
Additionally, try sending a persuasive cover letter with your application, as it will help your candidacy if you do it right. Need some guidance? Then review our example of a well-written cover letter for paralegals.
How Much Do Paralegal Jobs Pay in Jersey City, New Jersey?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in paralegal jobs in Jersey City, New Jersey, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median paralegal pay in Jersey City is $47,227 per year, which is 4% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Jersey City Paralegal Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in paralegal? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those paralegal jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Jersey City, how to nail your job interview, and more.