Paralegal Cover Letter Sample [+Entry-Level Candidates]

Paralegal Cover Letter Sample [+Entry-Level Candidates] Youre about to draft a stunning paralegal cover letter.From paraphrasing legal jargon to drafting documents to preparing subpoenas, you change lives in the background.First, thoughYou need to submit evidence proving youre the best law candidate by delivering an awesome cover letter for paralegal jobs.Dont worry.This paralegal cover letter guide will show you:Paralegal cover letter examples better than 9 out of 10 others.How to write a perfect cover letter law firms and legal departments love.Tips on how to grab their attention with a professional legal cover letter.How to sell yourself on a cover letter to get the paralegal jobs you want.Want to write your cover letter fast?Use our cover letter builder. Choose from20+ professional cover letter templatesthat match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.Paralegal Cover Letter for a ResumeSee more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowConsidering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:Legal Cover LetterLegal Assistant Cover LetterConsulting Cover LetterAttorney Cover LetterWant to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career:Best Cover Letter Examples for All ProfessionsFirst, heres our take on the perfect cover letter for paralegal jobs:Sample Paralegal Cover Letter No ExperienceLi Xiu Ying1234 35th St, #6Astoria, NY 11106March 15, 2019Whitney Park-SimonsHR ManagerGretchen Gretchen, LLP233 Broadway, 11th FloorNew York, NY 10279Dear Whitney,Coming out of a successful paralegal internship and having earned a Bachelors in Legal Studies, I am excited to have the opportunity to apply for your paralegal position. My research and investigative skills have been sharpened significantly during my law internship, and I am confident I have the focus and mettle to be a great addition to your paralegal team.During my Fordham University coursework and subsequent legal internship at Smith Sosnowski, I acquired and developed many skills which would serve me well as a paralegal at Gretchen Gretchen. My experience spans probate cases, legal writing, bankruptcies, research, and investigations, and it positions me suitably for this new role.During my time at SS, Ive had several wins Im quite proud of:Completed research and documentation for over 50 legal casesImproved litigation research time by 15% by adopting new investigative toolsReduced administrative expenses by 22% through new client communication method.As my accomplishments detail, Im particularly fond of performing the research and data aspect of the industry, whether its liaising with courts and opposing counsel or preparing motions and discovery. If granted the opportunity to work alongside the great legal minds at Gretchen Gretchen, that s ame grit and determination comes with me.I would welcome the chance to discuss Gretchen Gretchens upcoming cases and plans, as well as to share with you how my legal and administrative achievements provide me with an excellent foundation for inclusion on your legal team.Sincerely,Li Xiu YingP.S. Perhaps we could meet over lunch and I can explain my ideas to translate the 12% administrative expense reduction to your legal team?Hows that?Writing a paralegal resume cover letter thats awesome beyond any reasonable doubt is simpler than you think. Read on to learn more!1Pick the Best Format for a Paralegal Cover LetterBefore a legal team has its day in court, theres a lot of work to be done to prepare its case (much of which will fall on your shoulders).Same herePrior to writing it, you need to make sure your paralegal cover letter format wont get dismissed with prejudice.Heres a sample paralegal cover letter outline to follow like a court docket:Cover Letter Paralegal SampleFormat Temp lateYour personal details and the date of writingThe legal firms details in a business letter formatAn opening greeting (e.g., Dear Ms. Park-Simons,)An intriguing opening statementWhy youre the best paralegal for hireWhy this particular law firm is perfect for youA valediction with a powerful call to actionA complimentary close (e.g., Sincerely) and your nameOptionally, a postscript (P.S.) after your signature blockKeep your entry-level paralegal cover letter to around 200-300 words. If you have some paralegal or legal assistant experience, slightly more is fine.To read more about choosing the best paralegal cover letter components, see this article: What to Include in a Cover Letter?2Start With a Paralegal Cover Letter Intro Theyll LoveParalegal and legal assistant jobs are projected to grow by 15% between 2016 and 2026 in the US alone, adding more than 41,000 jobs.That meansYouve got to grab their attention like a John Grisham novel.So start off strong right out of the gate.Begin with their name.People love hearing their own names, based on brain studiesfirst name, especially:Paralegal Cover Letter ExamplesSalutationwrongDear sir or madam,rightDear Whitney,Easy as winning an ex parte decision!Search the law firms website and scan through LinkedIn to find the hiring managers or partners name to whom you should address it.Need to be more formal for more venerable institutions? Using their last name beats no name at all: Dear Ms. Park-Simons.Cant locate a name?No worries.Choose a neutral greeting, like Dear Hiring Managerits still way better than To whom it may concern!Pro Tip: Larger law firms may have their own HR department, or they hire an external recruiter to fill positions. In these cases, youll address HR. At small legal firms, however, you could address a law partner directly, so be formal and include their title.Dont care for Dear? Not able to find a name? Weve got other options for various scenarios: How to Start a Cover Letter For a Job: Sample Gui de [20+ Examples]Now, the opening statement.For any trier of fact, the opening statement is often the first opportunity to hear from each side.Its similar hereOn any legal cover letter, the opening statement is your first chance to make a great impression.Heres how to start a cover letter for paralegal jobs:Cover Letter for Paralegal Job ExamplesIntroductionswrongI am very interested in submitting my application for the position you posted on Indeed. With my numerous skills, achievements, schooling, and experience, I know that you will find me to be an excellent candidate.rightComing out of a successful paralegal internship and having earned a Bachelors in Legal Studies, I am excited to have the opportunity to apply for your paralegal position. My research and investigative skills have been sharpened significantly during my internship, and I am confident I have the focus and mettle to be a great addition to your legal team.To paraphrase the most popular legal proverb: If you dont ma ke it prime, you wont get the time (at an interview).That wrong one is super generic and feels quite selfishYour job application will be immediately sentenced to life in the recycle bin.The right one, though, makes you immediately appear to be a competent law firm candidate. Your background shows you have the experience they need, even if its for an entry-level paralegal position.Prima facie, excellent!Pro Tip: Writing a general cover letter is a capital offenseitll immediately kill your chances. Instead, tailor your cover letter for this one specific paralegal job at this one particular law firm. If you need to apply for a second job, write a new cover letter.There are other ways to go about your paralegal or legal internship introduction statement. For more ideas, see: How to Write a Cover Letter For a Job: Sample Guide [20+ Examples]3Write a Great Middle for Your Cover Letter for ParalegalsYou need to habeas an awesome cover letter corpus if you want to get considered for the pa ralegal job offer.So, make a solid case for your employment in the main body area.In 2 or 3 paragraphs, heres how to present your side in a legal cover letter body:Explain why youre the best paralegal candidate or intern for their staff.Demonstrate your knowledge and know-how match their requirements.Quantify your achievements to prove your paralegal skills.Show them their specific law firm is the only one you want to work for.Heres a sample paralegal cover letter with no experience main statement:Sample Cover Letter for ParalegalsBody ParagraphsDuring my university coursework and subsequent law internship at Smith Sosnowski, I developed and built many skills which would serve me well as a paralegal at Gretchen Gretchen. My experience spans probate cases, divorce actions, bankruptcies, and investigations, and it positions me suitably for this new role.During my time at SS, my achievements included:Completed research and documentation for over 50 legal cases.Improved litigation res earch time by 15% by adopting new investigative tools.Reduced administrative expenses by 22% through new client communication method.As my accomplishments detail, Im particularly fond of performing the research and data aspect of the industry, whether its liaising with courts and opposing counsel or preparing motions and discovery. If granted the opportunity to work alongside the great legal minds at Gretchen Gretchen, that same grit and determination comes with me.This body area is as brief as an amicus, at only three paragraphs long.However, in such a short space, it successfully covers your legal wins, related experience, and paralegal skill set. On top of that, it subtly conveys enthusiasm by throwing in a bit of flattery.Sure to please the court!Pro Tip: Emphasize the fact that you want to be a paralegal, and youre not just interested in the position as an entry-level lawyer job stepping stone. Law firms want to see passion for law and justice, rather than to be used as a mean s to your career ends.Need more ideas on how to tweak these middle bits? Weve got all the cover letter dos and donts here: 35+ Best Tips and Advice For Writing a Cover Letter4How to Close Paralegal Cover Letters Like a BossLike Clarence Darrow, youve got to hold their attention in your closing arguments.It doesnt have to be 12 hours long, though.Heres how to bring your cover letter to a satisfying end:Paralegal Cover Letters SamplesClosing ParagraphwrongI await your response at your earliest convenience.rightI would welcome the chance to discuss Gretchen Gretchens upcoming cases and plans, as well as to share with you how my legal and administrative achievements provides me with an excellent foundation for membership on your legal team.The first example is curt and brutally impersonalA misdemeanor, at least.The other one, though, closes it out respectfully and effectively.Itll make even Clarence Thomas offer up some verbal praise!Next up, an easy closing sentiment and your full nam e:Sample Cover Letter ParalegalValedictionSincerely,Li Xiu YingAnd finally, we have a postscript.While it isnt mandatory, including a P.S. below your signature is a great way to grab their attention one last time.Heres a paralegal cover letter example postscript:Sample Entry-Level Paralegal Cover Letter PostscriptP.S. Perhaps we could meet over a lunch and I can explain my ideas to translate the 12% administrative expense reduction to your legal team?How about it?This example is efficient because it briefly reminds them of your accomplishments. And, for even more effectiveness, it adds a personal touch to the otherwise formal nature of any cover letter.Sure to convince any grand jury!Pro Tip: To boost your paralegal job chances even further, mention any relevant certifications youve acquired. Dont have any? Get one! NALAs Certified Paralegal (CP) program is a respected one to consider, for example.Looking for more ideas on how to close out a bankruptcy paralegal or litigation parale gal cover letter? Weve a great guide right here: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample Complete Guide [+20 Examples]Key TakeawaySo you see, writing a great cover letter for paralegal jobs causes no undue hardship.Lets bring it all together.Heres how to write the perfect paralegal cover letter:Format your paralegal cover letter template correctly.Begin with an intro statement that captivates from the start.Highlight the skills and experience you bring to the law firm.Use numbered accomplishments to prove your value.Close your cover letter for paralegal positions powerfully.Contemplate using a postscript to catch their eye once more.Now THATS a paralegal cover letter as exciting as any Andy Carpenter mystery!Have questions on how to write a paralegal internship cover letter? Not sure how to talk up your legal skills, relate your paralegal achievements, or mention your law experience? Get at us in the comments below, and well answer your questions. Thanks for reading!