Resume tips : Resume for an Entry Level Paralegal Job

Hello I am trying to break into the Legal Administration field. I am willing to work as a Receptionist, File Clerk, Legal Secretary, and/or entry level Paralegal. As stated in my resume below I have a Bachelors degree in Paralegal, but not a lot of practical experience. Can anyone please give me constructive criticism on my resume?

Thanks in advance.......

OBJECTIVE:

To obtain an entry-level administrative or legal administrative position where my organizational, written and oral communication skills, as well as task oriented abilities will be effectively utilized.

EDUCATION:

Present METRO BROKERS ACADEMY Hiram, GA

Completing Salesperson Pre-License Training

8/2004-12/2004 SOUTHERN UNIV. LAW CENTER Baton Rouge, LA

Juris Doctorate

8/2000-12/2003 GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY Grambling, LA

B.S., Paralegal/Legal Studies
GPA: 3.3
Graduation: December 2003

SKILLS:

MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Corel, WordPerfect, Knowledge of the Internet, Excellent Typing Capabilities (50-55 wpm), Customer Relations, and Leadership Skills. Very strong written and oral communication skills. Interpersonal, Organizational and Problem-Solving skills.

RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:

Performed a wide variety of executive secretarial and administrative duties to CEO.
Organized my own work, coordinated projects, set priorities, met deadlines, and followed up on assignments with minimum direction.
Coordinated office activities and schedules; developed and recommended office procedures and systems; ensured smooth office operations.
Entered data, performed word processing, sorted mail, and operated copying and fax machines.
Prepared materials needed for meetings such as agendas, handouts, binders, etc.
Examined incoming material and coded it numerically, alphabetically, or by subject matter.
Modified and improved filing systems or implemented new filing systems.
Purchased office supplies, equipment, and furniture.

RELATED LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:

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You are four years away from your graduation date - remove it from the resume. Was the school ABA approved if so add it to the resume. Georgia paralegals do not need to be certified or have any formal training. Anyone can walk in off the street go to work for an atty and call themselves a paralegal.

I would suggest taking a course or two at Kennesaw College (I graduated from their program) . The classes are six weeks long and pretty cheap - they are taught by local attys. Also pick the class for the speciality that you would like to work in - ie Family Law. I know you have your BS and this might seem like going backwards - but if I were the employer looking at your resume I would by pass it for someone with experience.

Get on the mailing list from KSU - they post positions and internships from local firms. Contact Melissa Vickery. with out seeing the rest of your resume it's hard to say much more.

Don't limit your search to just law firms - many corporations have legal department. Another foot in the door is real estate closers - grunt work but it will get a foot in the door. Get the Atlanta Business Chronicles Book of Lists (library) it will list top Atlanta Law Firms and many other companies - with addresses HR names and a lot of other pertinent information.

Also does Grambling State have any career counseling services - use them!

Career Tips

Resume for an Entry Level Paralegal Job

EDUCATION: