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By: Tammy Essing, ACP, PHP
Welcome back, TPS readers! We hope today’s post finds you well-refreshed and partially sane, following a fun and fabulous weekend! The way we see it, today’s post is for everyone. Yep, true story. Whether you’re in search of your first paralegal position or a senior paralegal living the dream, today’s post is making its way onto the TPS blog with the intention of bringing us all together. (You know, like we’re all a part of some elite, super cool “paralegal society” or something!)
Paralegal Students & Recent Grads: This post is for you!
Experienced Paralegals: We need your help! Read today’s post and offer any additional suggestions you may have for those in search of their first paralegal position.
So, you did it! You’re a new graduate of the paralegal program! Congratulations! Now, here comes the hard part…how and where to begin to get yourself that first paralegal job.
Now, before I offer up some suggestions, I feel that something needs to be said here. Please do not be discouraged if you find the job market to be a little tough, and you don’t find the paralegal job of your dreams right away. I’m not trying to negative here, so I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to be Debbie Downer. However, realistically speaking, just don’t be surprised if you find a lot of employers are looking for those paralegals with experience these days. It has nothing to do with how good you were in school, or how good your computer skills are, or your writing skills, it’s just that the paralegals that have been through the hard knocks of working in a law firm for years, know what is expected, what’s involved, and know the industry like the back of their hand. The plain truth is that the majority of law firms just do not have the time to train new paralegals because of the fast-paced world in which they work.
With all of that said, here’s a couple of suggestions. First, be OPEN and WILLING to start where ever you can with a law firm. If you get that call for an interview at a law firm, but they tell you the position is for a file clerk position, in a mailroom, or copy room position, BE WILLING to start there. I say that from experience! I started out my career in the mailroom, and now here I am some 20 years later working as a senior paralegal!
If you prove yourself to that new employer that you are willing to work hard (no matter the position), plug-in and learn about the ins and outs of working in a law firm, you can get your foot in the door, and work your way to the paralegal track. Then, after some time working in the copy room, the file room or in the mailroom, you find yourself with some down time during the day, ask the senior paralegals to give you some starting projects you can work on and learn from. Make sure you ask questions, ask questions, and ask questions! It shows your enthusiasm and willingness to learn! Let the senior paralegals mentor you. (You only learn about 10% in school of what you will face in the job, so the senior paralegals are a treasure trove of information!) As you are allowed to take on those projects during your spare time, you will gain the trust of those who entrust you with the projects.
Another suggestion – think about using a recruiter! Granted, they do make commission from your placement at a job, but they also have great contacts out in the field, too. A friendly contact of theirs just may be the ticket to that first job because they may know someone who is willing to give you that first break.
There are some firms willing to hire paralegals right out of school because they are willing to invest the time and training, but these type of positions are so few. So, if you are lucky enough to find those positions posted, apply for them.
Consider joining your local paralegal association(s), network with other paralegals in the industry, and pick their brains for leads and advice. They have amazing contact information and career expertise! Also, go to the association’s CLE seminars and learn as much as you can, including areas that you might be interested in.
You’re going to find that first job…just be patient, realistic, open and willing to start anywhere! By eating the elephant one bite at a time, you’ll soon find yourself on the track to earning your paralegal position!
Tammy Essing, ACP, PHP is a senior litigation paralegal with 20 years of litigation experience, with a primary focus on litigated matters. She has handled a wide variety of litigated matters in oil and gas, commercial, complex commercial, construction, environmental and tort matters in both federal state level courts. She is advanced certified in trial practice through the National Litigation of Legal Assistants.
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Have an additional tip to share? Hit that lonely comment button! Have a question to ask? Post away!
We’ll see you on Friday. Until then, sip those tall, caffeinated beverages of happiness, maintain the sanity, and charge into the first events of the weekly Paralegal Olympics, my friends! All in the name of glory. And as an added bonus, a pay check! For the first round, we’ll be participating in a favorite paralegal pastime called “Paper Shuffle,” followed by “Esquire Round Up” and ending on a more relaxing note with an enthralling game of “Hurry Up and Wait!” May you find yourself on the metal stand at the end of the games.
We’ll see you soon!
The Paralegal Society™ 
I will never get enough of reading this article. It has been a long haul but I am inspired each time I read this and it makes me more willing to put 200 percent. I invested into a job recruiter to help me with my resume and I love my resume and even got some results; but, I need to land now. I’m going to follow-up with them again to see if they can help me. As you said, they have great connections and even if I have to invest a bit I will do just that….Thank you
Great article!
When I graduated from a paralegal program a year ago, I thought going the law firm job route was the only way to go. However, through networking, I found a three month contract job at the state bar association, and six weeks into the assignment I was hired on as a full time employee at the bar association. I took a risk taking the contract job since I’d been at my previous job for a decade and had decent benefits. I love working at the bar, and I’ve been on the job almost a year now. Be willing to take the risk and look in slightly unconventional places for jobs even if they are temporary, and it could lead to a full time gig.
New paralegal grads should not forget to utilize their previous expertise in marketing themselves. For example, if you were a tax accountant look at firms that specialize in this area, or if you were a nurse look at firms that specialize in disability cases, etc. Paralegals are used in all aspects of law, and most graduates probably have some unique previous expertise that could be expanded on with their legal education.
I have been told by managing partners of Law firms that they are willing to forego experience for a long term commitment to the Firm (5 years is the number most frequently thrown out) by an inexperienced paralegal, as the most frequent candidates we are competing with are second and third year Law students who do very well short term but are known to be leaving. It was counseled that indicating that a desire for a long term position or even considering a contract would boost and compensate for lack of experience. The Firm will be willing to forgo experience and invest in training if they are confident you will stay with them for the long haul. As one senior partner put it: “I’d rather have a quality newbie schoolie [PL] that I can train and know for sure will stay, than a Law student with a shorter ramp up time that will be moving on when he graduates.” This must be considered fully based on your desired long term goals, needs and the Firm itself, but it is a thought.
So glad to see this article mentioned starting out small and working your way up. That’s how it’s done – you are not going to get that multi-million dollar case right out of school. My advice: Never say “That’s not my job.” When you are starting out, be willing to do anything. Even if you think it is beneath a paralegal. If your attorney needs it done, then do it. You are a part of the team and your job is to make sure that team succeeds. So if you are asked to mail a letter or make a copy then do it.
You may also want to consider taking on a legal secretary role for a solo or small firm. Read everything you are given and ask questions. Attorneys love to talk about their work. Let them know you are interested in bigger projects – research, discovery, etc. Once they see what you can do and that they can bill for your time, your role in that firm will expand.
Thank-you for posting this, as I just graduated in May, and I honestly finished my coursework last December, however I couldn’t walk until May, so right after I completed my Paralegal coursework, I started looking for a position in order to occupy my time, and granted the interviews were few and far between, I decided to take chances and applied to all of the jobs which I am qualified to do, with my skill set, as an office Assistant, with Paralegal skills and knowledge, and I had 4 interviews total, so by the 4th interview, I was fully prepared with general interview questions, as well as a ton of practice interviewing. So, my 4th interview landed me my position, so I can say that persistence has paid off and I am now working in my career field, as well as my dream job too.
As I tell all of the recent grads that I know, is to keep up the persistence and to not give up on yourself.
I also graduated in May. I’ve had several interviews, but there is one common denominator that I’ve found in each of the interviews that, in addition to my lack of experience, is instrumental in my not getting the position. That is, they have each asked me if I know how to do dictation. Of course, I have to honestly answer that I do not. Therefore, it seems I need more training to be able to get a job as a paralegal.
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Not getting discourage.
I am a recently graduate and received my Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies. While I was in school I’ve been searching for position in a law firm for Administrative positions. Almost 10 years ago I worked as a legal secretary but things have definitely changed since then. I am willing to take a entry position in a law firm to get my foot in the door, however, I would like to chance to work on a case or assist another paralegal working on a case. I am trying not to get discourage because I have always wanted to pursue my degree in Paralegal Studies and I finally did it.
KD