As a student, volunteering your skills and knowledge is a great way to give to others.
Offer your ideas in the paralegal club (or volunteer to start a club if one doesn't exist!), do graphic design for the program or an instructor, help other students discover the joys of research, work on the paralegal program display board, offer to assist an instructor in a project, do a kindness--make copies or grab a cup of coffee for the instructor.
Volunteering to help others makes their job or studies easier, makes them feel good, makes you feel good--and will probably increase the assistance you need when you are finally out there looking for a job.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Average salary by years of experience
More than 20 $62,000
15-20 $57,000
10-15 $52,000
7-10 $53,000
5-7 $47,000
3-5 $44,000
1-3 $42,000
Less than 1 yr $35,000
(Source unknown.)
15-20 $57,000
10-15 $52,000
7-10 $53,000
5-7 $47,000
3-5 $44,000
1-3 $42,000
Less than 1 yr $35,000
(Source unknown.)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Ask for advice
Raise your profile and build strong relationships! “As you ask more people for their perspective, you will build your network.” (Ari L. Kaplan, Esq.) In asking others for advice, you communicate respect for their skill—and their respect for you grows. Of course, be genuine! Don’t ask for advice if you aren’t willing to listen and learn. If you implement their advice and it goes well, be sure to affirm them by letting them know. Even if it doesn’t work out, be sure to thank them for taking the time to give you counsel.
Prepare yourself to be on the mentor side of the relationship. As you seek advice, others begin to seek your advice. I can’t explain it, but it happens. When someone asks for your opinion, give the question thoughtful consideration. Take their concerns seriously and offer a considerate reply. Others will begin to see you as an authority and mentor.
Prepare yourself to be on the mentor side of the relationship. As you seek advice, others begin to seek your advice. I can’t explain it, but it happens. When someone asks for your opinion, give the question thoughtful consideration. Take their concerns seriously and offer a considerate reply. Others will begin to see you as an authority and mentor.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Publications worth checking out
Legal Assistant Today is a bi-monthly publication.
The Michigan Paralegal Newsletter is published quarterly by the Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Section of the State Bar.
The Michigan Bar Journal is published monthly by the State Bar of Michigan.
The National Paralegal Reporter is published quarterly by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (“NFPA”).
Facts & Findings is published quarterly by the National Association of Legal Assistants (“NALA”).
The Michigan Paralegal Newsletter is published quarterly by the Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Section of the State Bar.
The Michigan Bar Journal is published monthly by the State Bar of Michigan.
The National Paralegal Reporter is published quarterly by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (“NFPA”).
Facts & Findings is published quarterly by the National Association of Legal Assistants (“NALA”).
Publish!
In any economy, you must market yourself to get the ideal job—or to get promoted in your current job. Here is a tip to help you market yourself and make yourself more valuable to your employer.
Let me tell you about a surprising experience I had a few years ago. I founded a tutoring program which was unique and met the needs of hundreds of families throughout the southern part of Michigan. By chance, I spoke with the publisher of a national magazine, telling her about this program. She was so intrigued that she asked me to write an article about it.
That was three years ago. Our program has grown from 20 families to more than 60 families per semester, in part due to this article. I cannot remember all the times someone has contacted me, saying, “I just moved to the area from Colorado (or out East, or Florida, or…). I read your article in ___ magazine and saved it in case I ever moved here.”
You may not market a service or a product, but you do market yourself—both to prospective employers as well as your current boss. By writing paralegal articles you meet interesting people in your chosen field. Writing gives you an opportunity to network, to develop connections, and to interact. It gives you the prospect of getting your name out there for others to see and remember—and to establish yourself as an authoritative voice.
Take a look at paralegal websites and local, regional, and national magazines. Many of them accept unsolicited articles—and if you take my advice and get published, be sure to let me know!
Let me tell you about a surprising experience I had a few years ago. I founded a tutoring program which was unique and met the needs of hundreds of families throughout the southern part of Michigan. By chance, I spoke with the publisher of a national magazine, telling her about this program. She was so intrigued that she asked me to write an article about it.
That was three years ago. Our program has grown from 20 families to more than 60 families per semester, in part due to this article. I cannot remember all the times someone has contacted me, saying, “I just moved to the area from Colorado (or out East, or Florida, or…). I read your article in ___ magazine and saved it in case I ever moved here.”
You may not market a service or a product, but you do market yourself—both to prospective employers as well as your current boss. By writing paralegal articles you meet interesting people in your chosen field. Writing gives you an opportunity to network, to develop connections, and to interact. It gives you the prospect of getting your name out there for others to see and remember—and to establish yourself as an authoritative voice.
Take a look at paralegal websites and local, regional, and national magazines. Many of them accept unsolicited articles—and if you take my advice and get published, be sure to let me know!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Resume tips
Education: Highlight your GPA (if it is strong!) or the fact you were on Dean's List or graduated with honors. Demonstrate your leadership skills by highlighting your role in activities in which you were involved.
Jobs: Mention specific responsibilities or accomplishments which show skills you bring to the paralegal job.
Publications: Include a list of your articles, blogs, or books.
Letters of recommendations: Don't! Don't attach them to your resume, don't offer them. Letters of recommendation make us feel great, but they offer little to the person contemplating hiring you. If a perspective employer wants a recommendation he wants to talk with that person by phone to hear her hesitations, her enthusiasm, the nuances in her answers.
Mistakes to avoid: Your cover letter should not look or sound like a mass mailing.
Your email name should not be "Hot Babe" or something similar; open a new account with something more appropriate for the business climate.
Avoid spelling mistakes and typos! Proofread carefully.
In your cover letter, address the fact that you are wildly overqualified or have little or no experience.
Thanks to Alison Green at AskaManager.blogspot.com for these "mistake tipe."
Jobs: Mention specific responsibilities or accomplishments which show skills you bring to the paralegal job.
Publications: Include a list of your articles, blogs, or books.
Letters of recommendations: Don't! Don't attach them to your resume, don't offer them. Letters of recommendation make us feel great, but they offer little to the person contemplating hiring you. If a perspective employer wants a recommendation he wants to talk with that person by phone to hear her hesitations, her enthusiasm, the nuances in her answers.
Mistakes to avoid: Your cover letter should not look or sound like a mass mailing.
Your email name should not be "Hot Babe" or something similar; open a new account with something more appropriate for the business climate.
Avoid spelling mistakes and typos! Proofread carefully.
In your cover letter, address the fact that you are wildly overqualified or have little or no experience.
Thanks to Alison Green at AskaManager.blogspot.com for these "mistake tipe."
Marketing yourself: what you need to know to stand out from the crowd, part 2
This is part two of an article begun earlier in the month.
4. Google alerts: Add attorneys, paralegals, professors, vendors, clients, and more to an alert. Every time this individual is mentioned online, you will receive an alert. Perhaps they earned an honor--you can send a congratulatory note. Maybe they wrote an interesting article--you can jot an email that you enjoyed reading it. This is a great opportunity to network and grow relationships.
5. Publish: Write an article for a paralegal association newsletter or magazine. You might simply write your personal profile, interview a successful professional, or focus on a particular area of paralegal practice which interests you.
Try recording an interview for a podcast which will show you are techno-savvy.
Start a blog for paralegals in general, for a specific area of law, or for unique issues for paralegals in your state.
6. Seek advice. Interestingly, seeking advice is a great way to build relationships. As you ask others for counsel, you build a network, and you show respect to the advisor. Be sure to ask only when you have a genuine need or interest. Authenticity is important. When you ask, listen! If you find yourself on the mentor side of the relationship, listen carefully, and give solid advice.
If you have more tips to add, please do! If these tips have helped you, share your experience with us.
4. Google alerts: Add attorneys, paralegals, professors, vendors, clients, and more to an alert. Every time this individual is mentioned online, you will receive an alert. Perhaps they earned an honor--you can send a congratulatory note. Maybe they wrote an interesting article--you can jot an email that you enjoyed reading it. This is a great opportunity to network and grow relationships.
5. Publish: Write an article for a paralegal association newsletter or magazine. You might simply write your personal profile, interview a successful professional, or focus on a particular area of paralegal practice which interests you.
Try recording an interview for a podcast which will show you are techno-savvy.
Start a blog for paralegals in general, for a specific area of law, or for unique issues for paralegals in your state.
6. Seek advice. Interestingly, seeking advice is a great way to build relationships. As you ask others for counsel, you build a network, and you show respect to the advisor. Be sure to ask only when you have a genuine need or interest. Authenticity is important. When you ask, listen! If you find yourself on the mentor side of the relationship, listen carefully, and give solid advice.
If you have more tips to add, please do! If these tips have helped you, share your experience with us.
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