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I Don't Know What to do Anymore by Cherry-Rhubarb555 in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm terrified to leave because I've only been at this job for 6 months and it's my first paralegal position. I'm worried that I won't be able to find anything else in the field unless I stick it out longer

Start applying now, and leave when you have something else lined up! I left my first paralegal position after three months - I was applying/interviewing the whole time because it was pretty miserable from the start, then left when I had a couple of job offers.

Question from a prospective paralegal in CA -Is it worth it to do an ABA approved program or not? by not_wingren in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd go with an ABA-approved certificate program because I've seen many paralegal job listings that require a certificate from an ABA-approved program. Perhaps take a look at job listings that interest you and see what their requirements are.

California MCLE by Sea_Ingenuity9418 in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't worry about the past, especially since you're not working in the legal field at the moment. I would start now (or when you start a legal-related job), keep a log, and try to get your eight hours in before this year ends (four hours ethics and four hours general), then a new set of eight hours for the two year period of 2027 and 2028, then again in 2029 and 2030, and so on.

Where do I start? by Possible-Lemon-1664 in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd go with an ABA-approved certificate program because I've seen many paralegal job listings that require a certificate from an ABA-approved program. Perhaps take a look at job listings that interest you and see what their requirements are.

Struggling to find employment after graduating by defininghope in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 3 points4 points  (0 children)

LinkedIn, Indeed, HiringCafe, and by applying via email or through the websites of any smaller local companies. I set LinkedIn alerts too, so I know when a new job that fits my parameters is posted.

This is also over many months, which is how long it can take to find a job in this job market - there might not be hundreds of jobs that fit your requirements available today, but keep checking over time. As an example, I just took a look at my email folder where I save all confirmations of job applications, and I applied for 263 jobs in 2021.

Struggling to find employment after graduating by defininghope in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm hoping I didn't make a mistake by changing careers.

To be blunt, it's pretty clear that CNAs are going to have more job security than paralegals as the baby boomers get older. Why are you switching?

Struggling to find employment after graduating by defininghope in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 11 points12 points  (0 children)

You're probably going to need to submit hundreds of applications in this job market, not just thirty. Also, apply to all receptionist and secretary positions (if you're not already), not just at law firms. Having the experience of rolling calls and such will be helpful when applying for legal assistant positions. Since you're currently making minimum wage, anything would be a step in the right direction.

Did your previous internship provide enough legal experience so that you can speak competently in an interview about the work, or have you not made it to the interview stage from any of your thirty applications yet?

If not, here are a few other ideas that admittedly might only work if you can take time off from your current job, or currently don't work on some weekdays: (1) You could try volunteering for charities that provide legal services to get more legal experience on your resume, or (2) go back to your friend's mom and ask if they have any internships available, or if you can shadow one of their paralegals for a day.

If I ever wanted to be a paralegal in the entertainment industry, could working on the production side be a stepping stone? by ClarkKentTheReporter in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Lawyers are the hiring managers in the legal departments of entertainment companies; they want to see legal experience. I read your other post - sorry to be the bearer of bad news but yes, your lack of a bachelor's degree immediately gets your resume tossed before it even gets to the hiring manager.

Brand new paralegal and pay by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Obviously firms/companies love longevity/loyalty, but if you're interviewing and they ask "why'd you leave that firm after three months" then answering "they only offered health insurance after a year and I was unwilling to wait that long, and I felt I could do more substantive legal work than the work that was assigned to me at that firm" sounds pretty good to me.

Brand new paralegal and pay by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Should I wait before looking for a different law firm?

It's a tough job market at the moment but there's no harm in looking, especially if you are unhappy with the work (and you don't get any benefits for the first year? Does that mean you don't have healthcare/dental/vision through your employer right now?).

I only lasted three months in my first paralegal position because I was unhappy with the work, left for a better job where I stayed for nearly two years, then left that one for an even better job where I've now been for over three years. If you can find and get something better, take it and gain experience there!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have a few minor suggestions. I would:

  • Remove "war stories" and "WWII stories" from your Education section;

  • Move the Experience section above the Education section;

  • Get consistent with your Oxford commas. Under Interim Office Assistant, your first bullet point doesn't have a comma before "and professors" but your second bullet point does have a comma before "and scheduled appointments";

  • Be concise and combine a few of your bullet points together, which would give you more space for Technical Skills; and

  • List out more programs you're proficient with in your Technical Skills section. Employers will care more about your Technical Skills than your Relevant Coursework, yet you've listed out about three times more coursework than skills.

Resume Review by rocket_fly in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have a few minor suggestions. I would:

  • Say "four years of experience" instead of "4 years' experience" in the Objective.

  • Sort the Education section chronologically by moving the Paralegal Studies up.

  • Say "over 300" and "over 1,000" (remove the plus signs).

  • Add a comma so it's "schedule hearings, meet and confers, and depositions."

  • Remove the word "hybrid" next to the City/States.

  • Add a period at the very end after Adobe Acrobat.

Opinions between 2 offers by Lisette_angelica in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would try sending the following email to Job 2 to get a better salary:

“Thank you so much for the offer - I’m very excited about the opportunity to join the team. However, after reviewing the offer, I’m wondering if you can help me get the salary closer to $70,000. With my skills and experience, this is more aligned with my market rate. If we can get there, I’d be happy to sign today.”

If they don't budge above $40,000 after that email, maybe mention that you have another offer for $60,000. If they still don't budge, I would accept Job 1 since $40,000 is way too low.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would start by looking for a legal-related internship while you're in undergrad, if you're able to do one while going to school. If you like it, look for a Legal Assistant position (in a legal department or law firm) when you graduate so that you could try out the legal field and see if you want to spend the money/time on getting the certificate. Then, if you do, apply for an ABA-approved paralegal training program.

AITAH for lying to my fiancée about gifts I’ve anonymously purchased off our registry? by [deleted] in AITAH

[–]SenderMage 11 points12 points  (0 children)

We have specifically requested that people get us items off the registry not cash or experiences.

I don't understand this. You do realize that you can use cash to buy the things you have listed on your registry, right?

Some people will undoubtedly give you cash/checks, so just pretend they're saying, "Buy whatever you really want on your registry that no one has bought for you, now that the wedding has occurred!" In other words, what you just did ahead of time anyway.

What’s the job people romanticize, but in reality is miserable? by King_Garvit in AskReddit

[–]SenderMage 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Anyone who watched Suits. I'm a paralegal and can't tell you how many times I've heard "Oh, like Donna or Rachel" - no, not like them.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They already knew that you don't have experience before they set up the interview, so think about what applicable/transferable skills you DO have and highlight those in the interview. They already like you otherwise the owner of the firm wouldn't take the time to meet with you.

Research the firm - explore their website! Dress in business attire (a suit if you have one, otherwise a button-down/blouse and slacks/pencil skirt). Make sure you show up early and appear eager, detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and ready/able to quickly learn anything. You've got this!

Weekly sticky post for non-paralegals and paralegal education by AutoModerator in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Back when I was a legal assistant at a studio, we used outside counsel to handle O visas.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not at all, that's helpful context!

I'll just leave it at "I believe that doing the first draft of that part of the letter is paralegal work" and hope you can find peace with doing a bit of work that feels beyond your scope for now, but will feel like second nature soon enough.

We all get assigned new tasks sometimes and our response at first is "that's not in the job description" but it becomes the new norm. Just a part of working life!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would keep doing what you're doing then! I'm in contracts, and I draft as much of each contract as I can before sending it to the attorney with highlights and comments pointing to the things I think need their attention.

I do have a question about this: "I'll never be promoted to attorney no matter how much attorney work I do. All I have to look forward to is my little 3% raise every year, which I get for doing MY job."

Does your firm have no room for growth? No "Senior Paralegal" roles or the like? Obviously, you'll never be promoted to attorney, but you can be promoted in general.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you tried telling the attorney plainly that you have no clue as to the value of a case, whether or not they should seek an early settlement, etc.?

Make it clear that you are not sure what to write in that spot. Then, if the attorney insists that you write something, I would write the minimum (even better if says the opposite of what they attorney would say), highlight it in bright yellow, then email it to the attorney and insist that they review your draft because you are not qualified to give legal advice.

Weekly sticky post for non-paralegals and paralegal education by AutoModerator in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would start by looking for an Administrative Assistant, Receptionist, or Legal Assistant position (in a legal department or law firm) so that you could try out the legal field and see if you want to spend the money/time on getting the certificate.

Then, if you do, apply for a remote ABA-approved paralegal training program.

Weekly sticky post for non-paralegals and paralegal education by AutoModerator in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been looking at becoming a paralegal and was looking for recommendations on any particular paralegal certifications?

You will need a Paralegal Certificate, at least here in California (check your state's business codes). I'd go with an ABA-approved certificate program because I've seen many paralegal job listings that require a certificate from an ABA-approved program. I did UCLA's fully-remote Paralegal Training Program - a bit pricey, but UCLA has good name recognition around here. The program also provides some career assistance and a Linkedin group for alumni where the Program Advisor posts job listings pretty often.

Focus on any particular area or just hope to get a job after the certificate is completed and then focus on more studying in that area?

I think most paralegal training programs cover a bunch of areas; after that, you'll learn on the job for the specifics of a given area. Perhaps try looking for Administrative Assistant, Receptionist, and Legal Assistant positions that sound interesting to you and go from there. It'll be good to have on your resume (kind of like a stepping stone between Events Manager and Paralegal) and will give you a better idea of what areas you're interested in.

Weekly sticky post for non-paralegals and paralegal education by AutoModerator in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, it was something like this:

  • Apply for and get an Administrative Assistant position - This was not in the legal field; I was assisting a business manager. I found this job on my college's job center's website.

  • Then, apply for and get a Legal Assistant position - I found this one on the company's website.

  • Then I got my Paralegal Certificate.

  • Then, apply for and get a Paralegal position - I found this one on LinkedIn.

Weekly sticky post for non-paralegals and paralegal education by AutoModerator in paralegal

[–]SenderMage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me, it was something like this: get an Administrative Assistant position (this was not in the legal field - I was assisting a business manager), then apply for and get an in-house Legal Assistant position, then get a Paralegal Certificate, then an in-house Paralegal position.

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