Resume Tips

If you are looking to update your resume, with the intention of applying for a new job with another firm, applying for a promotion within your existing firm or applying for further studies or a scholarship, then the following resume tips will help you spruce up your resume.

In with the new

Make a list of your achievements for the year to date and briefly summarize each one, highlighting the outcome achieved and how you contributed to this outcome. Explain why your contribution was significant and how your efforts added value to the overall objective or activity.

What are the benefits of being a paralegal?

Firstly, the experience may help you figure out what to do with your life if you are not totally committed to a career yet. It might help you decide whether you want to be a career paralegal, whether you want to go to law school or whether you want to do something different. Secondly, being a paralegal might help you get into law school. Admissions officers often look upon existing paralegals favorably. Thirdly, being a paralegal may help you obtain another job within your firm - the opportunities for promotion in major corporations are extensive.

What will I earn and how many hours do I need to work?

The starting salary for a Paralegal (inexperienced and untrained) is $21,000 - $22,000. This is a base salary for working from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break, Monday through Friday. However, sometimes you will have top work extra hours (for no extra pay) if there is work to be done on an important deal or trial.

What should I study?

Today, there is an estimate of 600 paralegal education programs in the United States. Various institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, business colleges and proprietary institutions. These various institutions make it possible for persons with diverse backgrounds to enter the profession. The most common types of programs are an Associate Degree Program, a Bachelor Degree Program, a Certificate Program and Master's Degree Programs.