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LEGAL STAFFERS SOUND OFF
Legal Staffers Sound Off [9-20- 2004 by LawCrossing Staff] Do you have a question about working in the legal profession? About LawCrossing? No matter the topic, + send us an e-mail and we’ll be glad to answer it for you!
I just received my Paralegal Degree, and
Though we at LawCrossing are sympathetic
Are career fairs a good idea for profession-
I have no experience. No one seems to be
to your predicament, we also recognize it
willing to offer an opportunity so that I can
as an occupational hazard of the legal staff
als in the legal field? Cary G., Student
get the experience. How do I get the doors to
field. Often, both small and large firms will
open for me?
either have a surge in business, with which
Nancy P.
staffing must catch up, or a certain depart-
tive; so let me explain. Legal jobs are readily
ment is mismanaged to the point of never
acquired through personal connections.
The best way is to get your foot in the door.
having enough people, and other, better-per-
Often, when you apply for a job at a firm or
The strategy should always be multi-faceted.
forming departments end up picking up the
get an interview there, it’s great to be able
Talk to just about everyone you know and let
slack. Here’s my suggestion. If the person
to name-drop. Hence, any place where you
them know you are looking for work. Make
asking for help is directly in your chain of
can meet and greet people who make hiring
sure you start with your paralegal school,
command - and someone who may control
decisions at firms is definitely useful. Having
family, and friends. You can also try and get
your pay increases, promotions, and bonuses
said that, however, I think you will still be
in as support staff for a firm and work you
- I’d say suffer through it and then make sure
competing with all the other people at the
way up to the paralegal position you want,
your extra help is remembered. If, however,
fair. You will still be judged on your resume,
making sure that your employers know that
the extra work is more of a favor to a poorly
your academic performance, your class rank,
you are certified. Take initiative, offer to work
performing college and designed to hide the
and other factors depending on the firm. So I
overtime if there is a need, and talk to ev-
ineffectual management of a certain depart-
would suggest going to these fairs and other
eryone about the fact that you are a certified
ment, then politely refuse or make sure you
conferences, but if you are in need of a job,
paralegal. Another way to get your foot in the
draw attention to the fact that you are work-
this should only be one tool in your multi-di-
door is using a legal staff placement agency,
ing extra. Also make sure you make a note of
mensional job-hunting arsenal.
most will place you in a position you are
the extra work to your supervisor.
Yes, as a general rule, but everything is rela-
I’m planning on relocating and want to start
slightly overqualified for at first, but eventuI have a question about panel interviews.
looking for a new job. My move is probably
I had an initial interview with the person
a year away. Should I contact firms now and
I was hired to work in a specific department
I would be replacing, then another with a
in the coming months and then apply when
of a law firm as support staff. Recently, I’ve
supervisor, then a panel interview. Why did I
I move? My thinking is it would be a good
been asked to assist with projects in other
have to jump through so many hoops?
way to get my name out there. What do you
departments even though each department
Gregory G., Legal Administrator
suggest?
ally you will get a chance to prove yourself.
Dennis M.
has its own staff. If I don’t help, I’m seen as not being a team player. But I feel it isn’t
An initial interview with the person you are
my responsibility to help another depart-
replacing is a good sign. This person knows
Making contacts is a great thing to do in a
ment, as I was hired specifically for one
best what the job needs. Many firms will have
new city, for employment or otherwise. If
department. Also, I don’t think my salary is
the person who knows the person best do
your move is a year away, I would suggest
high enough to warrant the extra workload.
the initial screening, and then the supervisor
contacting firms for informational interviews
Should I ask for my job description to be
would decide whether she can work with you.
rather than applying for jobs. Another thing
rewritten and ask for more compensation or
I think a panel interview is often a way to see
to do is working with some agencies and go-
just stay where I’m put? Any input would be
how a person reacts under pressure. If you
ing out to see recruiters, if you have the req-
greatly appreciated.
made it that far, however, you have a very
uisite experience. Another thing I’d strongly
Karen C., Legal Assistant
good chance of landing the job.
recommend is getting a local address to put
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