Real Estate Paralegal Resume Writing Guide | Examples, Templates & Tips

Additionally, you can also find a directory of ready-to-use resume examples like journalist resume, actor resumes, etc.

A Real Estate Paralegal resume must showcase your experience in real estate activities and highlight legal terminology knowledge as well as good communication skills.

Here is a job-winning resume sample for a real estate attorney:

How to make a Real Estate Paralegal Resume

As a Real Estate paralegal, you must showcase real estate law to set you apart from other candidates.

General guidelines to create a strong real estate paralegal resume:

• Choose an easy-to-read format and professional font.
• Keep the resume document small with a length of one to two pages.
• Highlight your responsibilities and accomplishments with bullet points.
• Craft your resume according to the job role you are applying for.
• Properly display your contact information.
• Write a perfect professional summary statement.
• Display your work experience, education, and any relevant skills or certifications.

Tips to keep in mind when writing a real estate paralegal resume:

• Highlight your expertise in real estate law and experience with contract review, title examination, and property transactions
• Emphasize your proficiency in legal software and database management
• Include specific examples of your responsibilities and accomplishments in previous roles
• Mention relevant education or certifications.
• Use strong and relevant action verbs used for the paralegal position to describe your responsibilities and achievements, such as "conducted," "prepared," and "coordinated".

Layout, Format, and Structure

The ideal resume layout for a real estate paralegal is easy to read and organized. A clean, professional design can help make your resume stand out to hiring managers.

Tips to improve the layout of your real estate paralegal resume:

• Use precise headings and subheadings to make your resume easier to scan.
• Include white space to make your resume more visually appealing and easier to read.

When it comes to the structure of your resume as a real estate paralegal, there are three main formats to choose from chronological, functional, and mixed.

This format is the most common and lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This is a good choice for candidates with a strong work history and a clear career progression.

The Functional format focuses on skills and accomplishment. If you have gaps in work history or transitioning to a new career then you must use the functional format.

As the name suggests, this format combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It is a good choice for candidates who want to highlight both their work history and skills.

When deciding which format is best for your real estate paralegal resume, consider your work history, career goals, and the specific job you are applying for.

For example, if you have a strong work history in real estate law and are looking to advance in your current career, the chronological format may be the best choice.

On the other hand, if you are transitioning to a new career or have gaps in your work history, the functional or mixed formats may be more effective in showcasing your skills and accomplishments.

Title and Contact Information | First Part of Your Resume

A good header for a real estate paralegal resume should include your name as the title, and your contact information beneath it.

Good Header

Jane Doe

Phone: 555-555-5555

Email: jane.doe@gmail.com

Location: New York, NY

Bad Header

Real Estate Paralegal

555-555-5555 (cell)

555-555-5556 (office)

jane.doe@gmail.com

New York, NY

The bad example includes too much information and is not concise. It is also not appropriate to brag about yourself.

It is better to use a simple and professional title, such as "Real Estate Paralegal," and list your contact information beneath it. It is inappropriate to include a photo on a resume for a real estate paralegal position. Instead, you must focus on your title and contact information

Describe Your Professional Experience as a Real Estate Paralegal

Use a precise heading like "Professional Experience" or "Work History." It allows the hiring managers to easily locate.

The main rule for listing professional experience on a resume are:

• Include the most relevant and recent positions first.
• Write the name of the company you have worked for, your job title, and the duration of employment for each position.
• Provide a brief overview of your responsibilities and achievements in each role.

Good Example of Professional Experience

ABC Law Firm

Real Estate Paralegal,

2021-2023

• Assisted attorneys in preparing and reviewing real estate transactions, including purchase and sale agreements, mortgages, and deeds.
• Title searches.
• Prepare title insurance policies.
• Managed closing documents and coordinated closings with clients and other parties.

Bad Example of Professional Experience

XYZ Company

Real Estate Paralegal

2019-2021

• Did legal stuff
• Worked on real estate contracts and other related documents.

And if you don’t have experience ...

If you are a fresher and don't have any professional experience, you can still highlight many things on your resume.

As a recent graduate, you can emphasize your education and any academic achievements or coursework relevant to the job.

You can highlight a range of skills that you might have developed through other activities such as volunteering, internships, or personal projects.

You can also put in school assignments or personal projects to demonstrate your abilities and knowledge.

Moreover, you can include any awards or recognition for your work or activities outside of a professional setting.

You can enter volunteering activities and skills. This demonstrates your commitment and willingness to work.

Education | Include your academic background

This section of a resume is list any formal education or professional development that is relevant to the job you are applying for.

This section is usually listed towards the top of the resume, after your contact information and before your professional experience.

Here are two examples of how to write the training/education section of a resume:

Skills for a Real Estate Paralegal Resume

As a real estate paralegal, some of the main skills that you can include in this section are as follows:

• Knowledge of real estate law and transactions.
• Experience with legal research and writing.
• Prepare and review legal documents, such as purchase and sale agreements, mortgages, and deeds.
• Proficiency in title searches and the preparation of title insurance policies.
• Coordinating closings with clients and other parties.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Team player.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.

List of Hard Skills For A Real Estate Paralegal

• Knowledge of real estate law and transactions.
• Legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to prepare and review legal documents, such as purchase and sale agreements, mortgages, and deeds.
• Experience conducting title searches and preparing title insurance policies.
• Familiarity with relevant software, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
• Proficiency in managing and organizing physical and digital documents.
• Ability to interpret and explain legal terms and concepts to non-legal professionals.
• Familiarity with local real estate regulations and practices.
• Experience coordinating closings with clients and other parties.

List of Soft Skills For A Real Estate Paralegal

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize workload.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Professional demeanor and appearance.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Customer service skills (if interacting with clients).

Professional Summary | How to Present Yourself

The resume summary is a brief statement at the top of your resume that highlights your most relevant skills and experiences. It gives the hiring managers a quick overview of your qualifications.

To write the perfect resume summary for a real estate paralegal, follow these steps:

• Your summary should be no more than a few sentences long.
• Showcase relevant skills and experiences in your summary.
• Provide specific examples of your achievements or responsibilities in previous roles to illustrate your skills and knowledge.

Correct Example

Experienced real estate paralegal with a strong background in preparing and reviewing legal documents, conducting title searches, and coordinating closings with clients and other parties. Proficient in real estate law and transactions and skilled in legal research and writing.

Incorrect Example

A real estate paralegal with experience in the legal field. Skilled in various tasks and able to work well in a team.

On the other hand, a weak resume summary might be too general or fail to highlight relevant skills and experiences.

Additional Sections to Boost Your Resume

For a real estate paralegal, some additional headings that you can include are as follows:

This heading could be used to highlight any software or technology skills that are relevant to the position.

This heading could be used to list any relevant seminars, workshops, or training courses that you have completed.

Include relevant experience in the real estate industry like internships or volunteer work.

If you are fluent in any language other than English, you could include this heading to highlight this skill.

Summarizing

• Demonstrated expertise in real estate law.
• Proficient in real estate transactions, including purchase and sale agreements, leases, and mortgage documents.
• Skilled in conducting title searches and analyzing title reports.
• Able to manage a large caseload and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to spot potential issues.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Proficient in relevant computer programs and software, such as Microsoft Office and real estate software.
• Experience working with clients and collaborating with attorneys.
• Degree in paralegal or related field preferred.

Complement Your Resume with a Cover Letter

A cover letter helps in explaining to the hiring manager your suitability for the position. It allows you to highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments, and to demonstrate how you can contribute to the company's goals.

In addition, a cover letter allows you to address any potential concerns that the hiring manager may have about your qualifications or fit for the role.

Take time to craft an effective cover letter that showcases your strengths and persuades the hiring manager to consider you for the position.

To ensure that your cover letter stands out, consider using our professional resume template to guide your writing and formatting.

FAQs

What are four things that a paralegal Cannot do?

Paralegals are not typically permitted to represent clients in court or engage in certain legal tasks, such as taking depositions or signing pleadings. However, some federal and state agencies do allow nonlawyers to engage in certain legal practices.

What are 3 skills that a paralegal should have?

A successful paralegal should have strong multitasking abilities, attention to detail, a desire to learn, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to anticipate the needs of clients and attorneys.