Paralegals act as the support behind every lawyer, often writing documents like briefs and contracts. Let’s explore what you need to know before you start applying for paralegal jobs and how you can set yourself apart from the competition.
Think of a paralegal as the right hand of a lawyer. A paralegal is much more than just a secretary or administrative assistant. While paralegals don’t go to law school, and they provide legal advice or represent clients in court, paralegals still need thorough understanding of the legal system and are entrusted with critical responsibilities.
Common tasks for paralegals include preparing legal documents, gathering evidence, filing motions, interviewing clients, and meeting other court-ordered deadlines. Paralegals are the behind-the-scenes professionals who help legal services function. Modern law offices simply could not function without the essential work done by paralegals.
The outcome of court cases often hinges on small details in evidence and precedents. Paralegals must be able to conduct thorough legal research, analyze statutes or prior rulings, and present findings in a way that attorneys can use.
From drafting contracts and briefs to composing client correspondence, written communication is one of the most important paralegal skills. If you don’t already have excellent writing skills, a paralegal program can offer significant value by including legal writing practice.
Law firms handle multiple clients and cases at once, which means paralegals juggle deadlines, hearings, and documentation. Excellent organizational skills are key to staying on top of a demanding workload.
Legal professionals handle sensitive information every day. Paralegals must understand and follow strict ethical guidelines, maintaining client confidentiality at all times.
While some paralegals enter the field with on-the-job training, most employers prefer candidates with formal education in paralegal studies. A paralegal program, such as the one offered at IMBC, teaches both the foundational knowledge and practical skills you’ll need, plus you’ll graduate with an Associate in Specialized Business degree. Courses cover legal terminology, research methods, document preparation, and the use of legal software, preparing you for the workforce with a quick, 1.5-year program.
Students in the IMBC paralegal program will also benefit from working with our career services team to gain interview skills, resume-writing help, and assistance in completing job applications.
If you’re ready to start a stable, interesting, and rewarding career as a paralegal, training at IMBC should be your first step. Enroll in IMBC’s Paralegal program today or contact us to find out more.
