Jump to a template:
Get advice on each section of your resume:
Jump to a resource:
As an entry-level legal assistant, you'll be responsible for supporting attorneys and paralegals with tasks such as organizing documents, conducting research, and drafting legal documents. The legal field is constantly evolving, and employers are looking for candidates who can quickly adapt to new technologies and stay updated on current regulations. A strong resume is crucial to showcase your skills and demonstrate your commitment to this fast-paced industry.
In the legal field, attention to detail and strong communication skills are highly valued. Companies will be looking for candidates who can efficiently manage their workload, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of professionalism. Crafting a tailored resume for this specific industry is essential to demonstrate your understanding of these expectations.
Even if you don't have direct work experience as a legal assistant, you can still emphasize relevant coursework or internships that have prepared you for this role. Detail specific courses or projects that demonstrate your knowledge of legal concepts, research, and document preparation.
As a legal assistant, you'll often be tasked with managing large volumes of documents and data. Showcase your proficiency in digital tools such as document management software and Microsoft Office suite, as well as your ability to maintain organized files and records.
You can apply for entry level legal assistant positions even without any legal qualifications or office administration experience, or transition to the field from other administrative roles. Employers will be looking for evidence of transferable skills as well as technical skills like data entry software and Microsoft Access. If you have experience as an intern or volunteer in a legal or related field, that can also strengthen your candidacy.
Tailoring your resume to a specific position is easier than you think, even if you’re applying for an entry level position. Including the title of the job you’re applying for at the top of your resume is the quickest way to do this and is a great way of getting past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Avoid falling into the trap of listing job duties instead of accomplishments by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. This keeps the focus on what you actually did and makes it easier for hiring managers to understand your skills and experience. Emphasize your transferable skills by talking about times you’ve organized records, analyzed data, or conducted research.
We interviewed hiring managers at top law firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Skadden to understand what they look for in entry-level legal assistant resumes. They shared insider tips on how to make your resume stand out and increase your chances of getting hired. Here are some key takeaways:
Hiring managers want to see that you have experience with legal research, even if it's from coursework or internships. Provide specific examples of legal research tasks you've completed:
Quantify your research experience when possible, such as the number of cases or statutes researched, to give a sense of the scope of your work.
The summary section of your resume is optional, but it can be a valuable addition if you're looking to provide context or highlight details that aren't immediately apparent from your work experience. As an entry-level legal assistant, your summary should focus on your relevant skills, education, and any internships or volunteer work that demonstrates your fit for the role.
While some job seekers use an objective statement to express their career goals, it's generally best to avoid this approach. Instead, use your summary to showcase your qualifications and make a strong case for why you're the right candidate for the job.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers that you have the right experience to excel in the legal assistant role.
In this section, we'll break down everything you need to know to craft a compelling work experience section step-by-step, from emphasizing your most relevant experiences to highlighting your achievements with hard numbers.
When describing your work experience, start each bullet point with a strong action verb that showcases your legal skills. This helps hiring managers picture you performing key legal assistant duties.
Strong legal action verbs include:
Drafted legal memoranda and correspondence
Avoid starting bullet points with weak, vague verbs like "helped with" or "assisted in" - they don't give hiring managers a clear picture of your capabilities.
Your education section is a key part of your entry level legal assistant resume. It should be concise yet impactful, highlighting your relevant academic background and any coursework or certifications that relate to the legal field. Here are some tips to craft a strong education section:
The skills section is a key part of your entry level legal assistant resume. It's where you highlight your top abilities that relate to the job. A strong skills section convinces the hiring manager you have the right mix of abilities to succeed in the role.
Here are some tips to write an effective skills section on your entry level legal assistant resume:
Here are examples of popular skills from Entry Level Legal Assistant job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Entry Level Legal Assistant job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
Use our free resume checker to get expert feedback on your resume. You will:
• Get a resume score compared to other Entry Level Legal Assistant resumes in your industry.
• Fix all your resume's mistakes.
• Find the Entry Level Legal Assistant skills your resume is missing.
It's instant, free and trusted by 1+ million job seekers globally. Get a better resume, guaranteed.
Upload your resume
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
