CHAPTER 2 Career Opportunities

Introduction Paralegals enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities in both private and public sectors Most legal assistants work in law offices Corporations, insurance companies, banks, and real estate agencies regularly employ legal assistants The government has created positions for paralegals at many agencies

Where Paralegals Work Law firms Corporations and other business organizations Government Legal aid offices Freelance paralegals Learning Objective: What types of firms and organizations hire paralegals.

Paralegal Specialties Litigation Corporate law Contract law Real estate law Personal-injury law Insurance law Employment and labor law Learning Objective: Some areas of law in which paralegals specialize.

Paralegal Specialties Estate planning and probate administration Bankruptcy law Intellectual property law Environmental law Family law Criminal law Additional specialty areas Elder law Legal nurse consultant (LNC)

Paralegal Compensation Compensation Surveys Paralegal income is affected by a number of factors Size of the firm or legal department Specialty area of practice Years of experience Geographical location Cost of living Learning Objective: How much paralegals can expect to earn.

Paralegal Compensation

Paralegal Compensation

Paralegal Compensation Job Benefits Part of total compensation package Paid holidays Sick leave Group insurance coverage Pension plans Packages vary from firm to firm Consider the benefits that you will receive Consider what these benefits are worth to you

Paralegal Compensation Salary versus Hourly Wages Most paralegals are salaried employees Frequently asked to work overtime Overtime wages Bonuses

Planning Your Career Three key steps Define your long-term goals Define your short-term goals, adjusting them to meet the realities of the job market Reevaluate your career after you have had some experience

Planning Your Career Defining Your Long-Term Goals Define your career goals from the beginning Requires personal reflection and self-assessment Your goals may change As you gain experience as a paralegal As your life circumstances alter Different goals later in life

Planning Your Career Defining Your Long-Term Goals (continued) Explore new challenges Changes within the profession Your own experiences New opportunities

Planning Your Career Short-Term Goals and Job Realities Find a job The ideal job Salary consistent with training and abilities Level of responsibility that is comfortable/challenging Excellent job benefits Realities of job market may not allow for the “right” employer or the “perfect” job

Planning Your Career Short-Term Goals and Job Realities (continued) Can gain valuable skills and experience in any job “Try on” jobs

Locating Potential Employers Networking Career opportunities often go unpublished More paralegals find employment through networking than through any other means Online networking, such as LinkedIn Join a professional association NALA NFPA IPMA State bar association Learning Objective: How to search for an employer.

Locating Potential Employers Networking (continued) Network during internships Volunteer Finding Available Jobs Locate sources that list paralegal job openings Trade journals Online publications Online databases

Locating Potential Employers Finding Available Jobs (continued) Identifying possible employers Legal directories Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (also online) West’s Legal Dictionary (also online)

Locating Potential Employers Job-Placement Services Your school’s placement service Legal staffing or placement companies (recruiters) Temporary contract employees are often used Job can last from a few days to over a year Valuable work experience

Marketing Your Skills The Application Process The résumé What to Include in your résumé Header: name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, website address Body: simple, brief, clear One page is sufficient Do not include personal data Age, gender, hobbies Marital status, number of children Photograph Learning Objective: How to present yourself to prospective employers.

Marketing Your Skills The Application Process Proofread your results The cover letter Content is key Hard copy is best List of professional references Permission is required Build your contacts

Marketing Your Skills The Application Process Your professional portfolio Should contain several samples of legal writing Always include résumé and list of references Digital marketing Ensure that you have a presence online Build a professional-looking web page Your digital image must convey professionalism

Marketing Your Skills The Interview May be most challenging/stressful part of your search Every interview will be different Remember what went right about the interview Before the interview Do your homework: learn about the employer Think about what may be asked, then prepare Look professional Cont.

Marketing Your Skills The Interview At the interview Pay attention Listen closely Be prepared for four types of questions Closed-ended questions Open-ended questions Hypothetical questions Pressure questions

Marketing Your Skills The Interview (continued) Some topics are not appropriate Be ready to respond Question the interviewer After the interview Jot down notes to provide a refresher for your memory List names and positions of people you met

How to Jumpstart Your Paralegal Career by Antoinette France-Harris, J How to Jumpstart Your Paralegal Career by Antoinette France-Harris, J.D. Tip 1: Formal Education Tip 2: Never Stop Learning—Continuing Legal Education Tip 3: Get Certified Tip 4: Improve Your Paralegal Résumé Tip 5: Network/Find a Mentor Tip 6: Become a Volunteer Tip 7: Take Other Jobs in the Legal Environment Tip 8: Keep Abreast of Hot Areas of the Law

Marketing Your Skills The Follow-Up/Thank You Letter Send a day or two after the interview, but not longer than a week later Mention again your availability and interest Thank the interviewer for his or her time Perhaps refer to a discussion from the interview

Marketing Your Skills Job-Hunting Files Keep professional portfolio materials up to date Construct a filing system for job-search activities Create a separate file for each potential employer Preserve copies of all correspondence

Marketing Your Skills Job-Hunting Files (continued) Keep information on each firm at your fingertips Files will be an excellent resource for networking Salary Negotiations Be prepared Gather information beforehand Respond carefully

Marketing Your Skills Salary Negotiations (continued) Remember that salary is just one factor in the decision Benefits Career opportunities Compensation Competition Job description Job flexibility Location Permanence Travel

Career Development Third step in career planning Reevaluating your career goals Reassessing your abilities based on your experiences Three options Being promoted or transferring to another department Moving to another firm or specialty Going back to school for additional education Learning Objective: How to prepare a career plan and pursue it.

Career Development Career Paths Creating Opportunities Often provided by large firms and government agencies Creating Opportunities Smaller firms No specific career path Limited opportunities and advancement Suggest a plan to your employer Acquire additional education Work toward an advanced degree

Using Social Media Effectively Social media a key factor in determining career success Digital shadow You influence how people perceive your digital shadow Invest effort in creating an online reputation Manage how others see you Professionalism Abilities Work ethic Learning Objective: How to use social media to promote your career.

Summary More than two-thirds of paralegals work in law firms Many paralegals work in corporations, government agencies, or legal aid offices Some experienced paralegals own their businesses and work for attorneys on a contract basis

Summary Many paralegals specialize in one or two areas of law Salaries and wage rates for paralegal employees vary When evaluating a job, paralegals should consider the total compensation package

Summary Career planning involves three steps: defining long-term goals, devising short-term goals, and reevaluating career goals after gaining on-the-job experience Paralegals can locate jobs through networking, the Internet, school placement services, and private placement companies Prepare a professional résumé, a cover letter, a professional portfolio, and a list of references

Summary Conduct background research on a firm prior to an interview, and send a personalized follow-up letter after an interview Keep your records organized as you look for work by creating a filing system for all job-search activities Career goals change over time, as do job opportunities Skillful use of social media creates links and impressions about your ability