4 things to nail on your CV – for a legal secretary role

1. Personal Statement:

Always start your CV off with a personal statement. It should give the reader a summary of your legal experience and expertise. For legal secretary roles you need to be very specific about your key skills. Here are some examples to get you thinking:

  • Ambitious individual looking for a position as a Legal Secretary
  • Used to working with confidential data
  • Very discreet
  • Excellent at maintaining a productive working environment
  • Extensive knowledge of legal terminology
  • Organised at all times
  • Solid knowledge of legal fee agreements
  • Extensive knowledge of legal documentation
  • The ability to manage an office
  • Technically savvy
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint
  • Able to manage calendars, schedule meetings and track deadlines
  • Great communicator with clients, courtroom staff, witnesses and attorneys by email, telephone and or video conference
  • Exceptional written communication skills with the preparation and dispensing of routine correspondence, filing memos, proofreading legal documents and handling transactional documents
  • Skilled at maintaining electronic and paper files
  • Good listening and typing skills with the ability to undertake dictation for conversion to electronic documents
  • Familiarity with legal documents and terminology
  • Able to understand the nuances of legal processes, including the ability to create and format pleadings and transactional documents
  • Great working as part of a team in unison with paralegals, attorneys and clerks

2. Qualifications:

List your legal qualifications with details of where and when they were attained; ensure you put the level of your qualification i.e. degree.

3. Your employment history:

Note your employment history with each company you have worked for and the position/s you held whilst you were there. Ensure that you have all the correct dates for commencing and leaving each job. Make sure that if you have any gaps in your employment history, for whatever reason, that you briefly explain it.

4. Duties and responsibilities:

Bullet point each of the duties and responsibilities you had with each role. Some examples of wording are:

  • Production of letters and legal documentation such as wills, contracts and court papers
  • Working from notes and digital dictation
  • Answering telephone calls in a professional manner
  • Dealing with enquiries from clients via email, fax and letter
  • Using a diary management system and making appointments
  • Preparing court forms and statements
  • Keeping records of costs and controlling petty cash
  • Dealing with fee processes
  • Attending court
  • Delivering and collecting documentation
  • Copying, scanning and faxing, including preparation of large files
  • Filing and other general administration work

Following these quick tips will set you up in the best possible position when applying for legal secretary jobs.