But after a long discussion with the department heads, I realized almost everything auditors do actually mirrors many skills we paralegals use every day. Although we are specialized in what we do, our paralegal skills are a true asset in any job. It's the nature of the job, and we're always kept busy and in demand. In general, paralegals need to be detail-oriented, able to handle many priorities and deadlines at one time and flexible enough to meet several attorneys' expectations simultaneously. Paralegals also need to be able to investigate, have good oral and written communication skills, be able to read and interpret documents, and be well organized.
Many paralegals are also now very proficient at the computer.
In a bank, there are many positions for which a paralegal is well suited. Most paralegals, regardless of specialty area, use numbers, accounting or finance information to calculate state taxes, judgments or interest. Every paralegal I know is very strong in these areas, which are a necessity for the job. These are yet another set of skills that are absolutely necessary for paralegals and are also part of the basic job qualifications for any specialty. Most paralegals are well versed in computer skills, many more so than they realize.