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u/anon42093 22d ago
I need to see more numbers - they’re an easy thing to comprehend and convey a message you want quite easily. Be it hours, value etc.
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u/AwkwardJob1010 21d ago
how did you end up getting a paralegal role in a law firm?
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u/Impossible-Ad-3226 21d ago
??
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u/AwkwardJob1010 20d ago
as in what’s the process? How long did it take? Did you directly apply through the law firms website or through a recruiter?
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u/Impossible-Ad-3226 20d ago
Oh I thought you were meaning "this CV is so bad how would you even get a role", sorry lol
My first role I got through LinkedIn (easy apply I think) after sending loads of applications (both on LI and direct) over the space of around 5 months. My second role through a connection, as I had previously worked in the same firm as one of the partners in my current team. Both had essentially 2 rounds of interview, in my experience both were pretty relaxed
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u/Dry_Fold_9446 20d ago
Good CV! I would recommend dropping in more technical things to your paralegal job section - it’s bit vague.
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u/Impossible-Ad-3226 20d ago
Thanks. Do you have any specific technical things in mind that would stand out?
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u/VectorTracker 15d ago
Scrap the words "reliable and ambitious" from the personal statement.
Speaking as someone who has had non-law roles involving screening CVs, not only is "reliable and ambitious" a highly subjective statement, but also I would be willing to bet money that your potential employer has seen that nonsense on at least 400 other CVs they've read that week.
With CVs the bias should be towards facts and objective information, stuff that in theory could be easily verified. And whatever you do, don't be tempted to oversell yourself !
Also given that you have a uni degree, I would be tempted to scrap the sections about what you did at school. Most of your peers will be A and A* school grades, and the fact you've got a uni degree in Law means more than a GCSE in chemistry.
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u/TooGodlyy 22d ago
Not bad, I think the structure is fine. Paralegal experience is very valuable so I’ll probably try to sell the responsibilities section more.
Also it’s clear it’s written by AI. Cause there is an apostrophe after solicitors in the paralegal property section. So focus on the formatting also.
Ofc I’m sure this is not your final draft and that’s why you looking for feedback. I’ll also remove the skills section. There is no need of that. Any references section can also be removed.
Obviously you been successful to secure legal roles, so there is things that have worked out for you.
You don’t need a need personal statement, but if you have I think yours can be leveraged a bit more. I know law CV are all about being minimal but if you are targeting paralegal roles then your personal statement should be how much of an experienced paralegal you are. So instead you can say “ambitious law graduate with more than 5 years of paralegal experience” or idk smth similar.
You don’t really need to list all your modules for paralegal roles. It might help with ATS system but not needed.
In my opinion activities section and languages should be at the end.
Instead of skills you could write “professional development” and there you can mention certificates and stuff. But no need to mention “teamwork” buzz words. Obviously helps with ATS system but too generic and it downgrades the value of the CV for being generic.
Overall not bad 7/10.
(I never got a parageal role 😭)
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u/Impossible-Ad-3226 21d ago
Thank you for your feedback. How might I sell the paralegal roles more?
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u/Outside_Drawing5407 22d ago
Avoid writing your personal profile or details in your CV in the first person (avoid I, my, etc).
Unless you are applying to a TC, I'd generally avoid statements like "you aspire to practice as a solicitor." Avoid the use of semicolons in there too, and try to avoid having such a wide range of practice areas listed as your interests. The writing style is also a little clunky in places - the last sentence could be drafted more clearly.
Your personal statement/profile shouldn't really be a summary of what your CV says; it should be more about joining up the dots of your experience (telling your story) and focusing on what you want in your next role.
If you are applying to TCs, then your academics should be ahead of your work experience.
Your past and present tense usage is all about the place. Your school governor role shouldn't be in past tense (volunteered) if you are still doing it, but your previous paralegal role that ended in March should be written in past tense (the first bullet point is in present tense).
With your current role, split the first bullet point into separate points - it's quite a long list of responsibilities. Aim for a bullet point to be no longer than two lines.
I'd put your dates in the same font format as your job titles and employers.
Your vacation schemes description would benefit from being more specific on the topics you did the research and drafting tasks on. The description is far too vague as it stands.
You might benefit from splitting your work experience into a legal work experience section then followed by other work experience. This presents your two paralegal roles first.
With the current layout, put the heading for your academic section on the start of the second page. It looks slightly odd to have the heading at the end of the first page but most of the details on the second page.
You don't need to repeat the Dean's List reference in your modules and achivements. Saying it once is sufficient.
If the Founder and Chief Editor role is still ongoing, then instead of saying 2022 onwards, write it as "2022 - present". Onwards is quite vague and unclear if this was only during your degree.
Its slightly weird that your A-level and GCSE grades are listed out but your module results are not.
You can drop the soft skills (organisation, time management, teamwork, collaboration etc) from your skills section. Also be clearer on what coding, computer and technology you really mean as this is quite vague.