Here are the keywords and skills that appear most frequently on recent Legal Assistant job postings. In other words, these are the most sought after skills by recruiters and hiring managers. Go to Sample Templates ↓ below to see how to include them on your resume.
Remember that every job is different. Instead of including all keywords on your resume, identify those that are most relevant to the job you're applying to. Use the free Targeted Resume tool to help with this.
Does your resume contain all the right skills? Paste in your resume in the AI Resume Scan ↓ section below and get an instant score.
Paste your resume below and our AI will identify which keywords are missing from your resume from the list above (and what you need to include). Including the right keywords will help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems (i.e. resume screeners) which may scan your resume for keywords to see if you're a match for the job.
Go through the Legal Assistant posting you're applying to, and identify hard skills the company is looking for. For example, skills like Microsoft Access, Litigation and Civil Litigation are possible skills. These are skills you should try to include on your resume.
The following word cloud highlights the most popular keywords that appear on Legal Assistant job descriptions. The bigger the word, the more frequently it shows up on employer's job postings. If you have experience with these keywords, include them on your resume.
Here are common soft skills that appear on Legal Assistant job postings. Unlike hard skills, which refer to tools, software or techniques, soft skills focus on character traits and interpersonal skills. Instead of listing these phrases on your resume, try to show them through your bullet points like in the examples below.
Tip: Do not list these words or phrases on your resume, and instead focus on the hard skills we described above.
Here are examples of proven resumes in related jobs and industries, approved by experienced hiring managers. Use them as inspiration when you're writing your own resume. You can even download and edit the resume template in Google Docs.
Sometimes a CEO may require more personal assistance and will want to hire an executive assistant to directly support their needs. This position is the CEO’s primary resource, and must demonstrate deep administrative and organizational expertise to support the demands of the highest position in the company. When writing your CEO executive assistant resume, make sure to showcase your mastery of relevant skills, such as calendar management, hiring logistics, and event operations.
Different CEOs have different needs - for this position in particular, it’s important to read the job description carefully and even do some research of your own into the company’s CEO, given that their information is included. Make sure to include skills that tailor to the job posting. For example, if the executive travels often, emphasize your experience in making travel arrangements or serving as a travel assistant.
Use strong action verbs, accompanied with relevant metrics, to demonstrate skills that are relevant to supporting a CEO. Executive assistants to CEOs must wear a variety of hats and be quick on their feet. Use such verbs as “liaised”, “collaborated”, and “oversaw” to demonstrate such abilities.
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.
A merchandising assistant keeps track of products and updates inventory records. They are responsible for developing and placing layouts, banners, or any visual items to attract clients. They can also answer customers’ questions and guide them through the store and help them find any product. Merchandising assistants are in charge of processing returned merchandise and restocking shelves when new products arrive. Since they’re directly connecting with clients, they can also conduct surveys and collect customers’ feedback.
This role requires a high level of responsibility as you will be monitoring the store’s merchandise, inventory, and appearance. Having experience in the retail industry is crucial to demonstrate you understand how to manage a store. In your resume, you should demonstrate your time management skills, your ability to follow directions, and your reliability.
You will be frequently using inventory management systems and monitoring products will be your daily task. That’s why it is crucial to mention your inventory management skills. Recruiters want to know you have strong attention to detail and reduce risks from errors in the inventory.
An experienced legal assistant supports attorneys in a variety of ways. Tasks you can expect include doing research, preparing legal documents, scheduling meetings, organizing documents, etc. To qualify for this job you need to have a degree in law or paralegal studies or a paralegal certificate. This position is for an experienced legal assistant so you will be expected to have years of experience as a legal assistant. It would also benefit you to have experience as an administrator, especially in a law firm. Take a look at this recruiter-approved resume sample.
This position will have you doing a variety of roles as you support attorneys, so show a variety of skills in the skill section. Some basic skills you can include are legal research, scheduling, docketing, etc. Take a look at our list of recommended skills in this guide for more options.
Action verbs are powerful tools that you can use to shape your experience section. For this position, you can use them to indicate that you have experience performing a variety of tasks expected for this position. Useful action verbs can include ‘filed’, ‘assisted’, and ‘organized’. Take a look at the action-verb section of this guide for more action-verb options.
A chemistry lab assistant is someone who supports a senior-level scientist in running and monitoring experiments in a laboratory. They may work at a university, private company, or public company. Chemistry lab assistants conduct and oversee experiments that relate to chemical interactions, such as food grade testing. As a chemistry lab assistant, you will monitor safety standards within the lab, conduct research, record findings, and more. To become a chemistry lab assistant, you will need a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Many master’s programs in chemistry and related fields might require lab assistant experience as a part of the educational program. You will need knowledge of lab safety, such as an OSHA certificate and/or a CCT (certified chemical technician) credential. Hiring managers will look for someone with scientific research experience. They will also look for someone with great attention to detail and developed organizational abilities.
It’s extremely important that a prospective chemistry lab assistant has a profound understanding of how to safely execute experiments in a lab setting. Therefore, you should highlight any certifications and experiences you have with following safety procedures.
Chemistry lab assistants must understand the scientific method and proper methodologies of research. It’s important to highlight any knowledge and experience you have researching, collecting data, writing reports and performing analysis on your resume.
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.
Here are some of the most popular skills we see on Legal Assistant resumes:
Popular skills we often see on resumes for Litigation Legal Assistant positions include:
In comparison, skills we see on Paralegal Assistant resumes include:
While the keywords above are a good indication of what skills you need on your resume, you should try to find additional keywords that are specific to the job. To do this, use the free Targeted Resume tool. It analyzes the job you are applying to and finds the most important keywords you need on your resume.
It is personalized to your resume, and is the best way to ensure your resume will pass the automated resume filters.
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.
