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By: Kelly S. Holdcraft
I advocate for High Heel Fridays instead of Casual Fridays. It is the best day of the week to look extra smart especially when others in your firm choose to look extra schlumpy. I strongly believe in the adage that you dress for the job you want, so it amazes me that most legal professionals dress as teenage Dairy Queen workers on Fridays.
For paralegals, High Heel Fridays are a great time to dress for success, not only with your clothing but also with your confidence. Picture yourself strolling into your partner’s office next Friday as a perfectly polished professional paralegal in your pretty pumps while they are primped in a preppy pink polo and pressed jeans. Your confidence will enter the room before you do!
Here are some suggestions for how to make the most out of your High Heel Friday:
Highlight your Skills – As paralegals, we need to be our own Business Development Managers. It is our responsibility to continually “sell” our knowledge and skills to our firm. Just because you got the job, made your hours this year, and/or have been with a firm since Christ was born, does not give you an excuse to rest on your laurels. How many of your partners and associates know your educational background and/or legal experience?!? Chances are that you know theirs and if you don’t, it is easily accessible on your firm’s website. Take some time on High Heel Friday to let them know about yours. Meet with your paralegal manager, office manager, practice group coordinator, partner, etc. to let them know about your background and skills. The most important thing to tell them is specifically how you want to use your experience to better the firm. “Did you know that I speak 5 languages, including Creole French?!? I would love to assist the firm’s pro bono efforts in Haiti. Can you put me in touch with the partner on that project?”
Have a Heart-to-Heart – While you are talking to your manager about how fabulous you are, why don’t you use the time to ask them how fabulous they think you are?! Many firms are notorious for having a decentralized management structure and what that means for paralegals is that the annual review process is nearly non-existent or nonsensical. Use High Heel Friday to have a heart-to-heart with your manager about your past, current and future performance. Again, bring specific items you would like to address like cross-training and educational opportunities. “I know that I am a Corporate Securities workhorse, but I would really love to take a course in Legal Project Management. Do you think the firm would pay for it?”
Happy Hour – Use your High Heel Friday confidence to expand your network within and outside of your firm. Introduce yourself to the new receptionist, assistant, associate, partner (don’t forget to “sell” your skills!). Meet a former colleague or supervisor out for coffee. Ask a potential mentor for lunch. Attend the firm’s Happy Hour (2 cocktail maximum). With High Heel Friday, you will shine in any meeting scenario!
Please use the comments section to let me know how you plan to use High Heel Friday to advance your professional paralegal career. At a minimum, it gives you an excuse to go shoe shopping . . .
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T.G.I.F., TPS readers!! We love this article and concept. What do you think of Kelly’s idea for High Heel Fridays? Are you into it? Against it? Perhaps you’re rocking your paralegal high heels loud and proud right now. Sound off and let us know what you think about Kelly’s suggestion by leaving a comment! We’d love to hear from you.
Also – be sure to check out Kelly’s terrific blog: Memosas – Waiting for my Next Pedicure at: www.momosas.wordpress.com
This is great advice! I’m not a paralegal yet it even working in the legal field but I’m always looking for new ways to better market myself. This is a great website with very good info! Thanks!!
Clair, We’re so happy that you found TPS! It’s terrific that you’re delving right into all that is legal — there is certainly lots to learn! Thanks so much for your kind words regarding the TPS site. We’re so glad you like it. I love Kelly’s article too! It offers terrific advice in an entertaining format. What more could we ask for? (Not much, right?) Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
Please feel free to join our social club for TPS on LinkedIn. It’s a fun and interactive group. We’d love for you to join us! ~ Jamie
This is the best advise I got in years :-). No, I am very serious here. I hate Fridays for their dress down code. Go High Heel Friday! 🙂
Okay, I love this idea (and love Kelly, too!), but I have to protest just a little. I gave up wearing “cute” shoes to work several years ago due to both the foot pain and the occasional need to (literally) run a filing to the court at 4:30 p.m. Does anyone have any suggestions? I do have some chunky heels, but they don’t give quite the same feel as a great pair of sleek high heels.
Hi Erica,
I know what you mean by heels making you feel a certain way and chunky heeled shoes not quite getting you there. I’m pleased to tell you that I’ve got your solution! It’s super awesome jewelry!!! Now, I’m not talking about gold or sterling silver jewelry. I’m talking about super cool, fun, trendy, outfit making kind of jewelry! When you see a sales girl (and lord knows we all hate to because we dream of what it would be like to have an entire fashion wardrobe like “that.”) what do you notice? That she has on a great outfit, heels, a cute handbag……and THE PERFECT JEWELRY! It makes the outfit. So, I would encourage you to go to Steinmart, Kohl’s, JC Penny’s or even Walmart (yes, Walmart has great stuff too), to pick out some super cool necklaces and bracelets that you can use to further accessorize and upscale your look and image!
Trust me, this sooo works. I recently developed a love for Lia Sophia jewelry and endless jewelry parties ensued, and jewelry really does make an outfit! My husband always used to laugh at me when my new stuff arrived, because I’d be wearing a plain black or white shirt and dress pants and I’d be like “bo-ring” then I’d put the necklace on and say “fashion supa-star.” It really does work. Try it out! And do let us know what you think. Lots of fashion fun awaits!
~ Jamie
I still love my “jean day” on Fridays………I can spice up the jean look with a great looking blouse and jacket, and some fab shoes. (Margaritas are an extra bonus after work) Happy Friday, everyone!
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