It's not all about me

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.

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.)

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.

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”).

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!

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."

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.

Scholarship possibilities

Your first step in obtaining financial aid is to complete your FAFSA. With this information your school can tell you for what federal, state, and school aid you are eligible. Scholarships abound, but you must be diligent; don't let a few refusals stop you. Last year I applied for dozens of scholarships, then finally landed one that paid in full.

Here's a good resource for women to check out: http://www.collegemommagazine.com/.

Here are some scholarships to consider:

http://www.nals.org/ -- check out both local and state
Peo International
http://www.executivewomen.org/
http://www.colascholars.org/
http://www.upromise.org/
http://www.thesalliemaefund.org/
http://www.americanlibertyscholarship.com/
http://www.scholarships.us.com/
http://www.dollarsforscholars.org/
http://www.tuition.com/
http://www.mensafoundation.org/
http://www.aarpfoudationwlc.org/
www.bpwusa.org/i4a/pages/ (Talbot's)
www.lindalaelmiller.com/scholarships
www.burgerking.com/bkscholars
http://www.michbar.org/legalassistants/scholarship.cfm (Michigan residents only)

Also check out local or state organizations. In Michigan, many are able to find scholarships at Michigan Works. Ask your financial aid office, but don't rely solely on them! Check out these ideas--and ask other students!

If you nab a scholarship through one of my leads, please let me know!

Valuable websites

NALA: National Association of Legal Assistants http://www.nala.org/

Legal Assistant Today magazine http://www.legalassistanttoday.com/

NFPA: National Federation of Paralegal Associations http://www.paralegals.org/

NALS: National Association for Legal Secretaries http://www.nals.org/
(Yes, they do have paralegal resources--even certifications for PLs!)

How do you define success--in the classroom or on the job? Part 2

Success is measured by more than a paycheck at the end of the month. Many factors contribute to one's success. Be sure to check last week's blog for part 1 in this series.

Self-starter: She learns what is expected on the job or in the classroom. She organizes herself to do the work; she doesn't wait for someone to remind her to complete a task. She is engaged. She does tasks right the first time with minimal supervision, but asks for clarification when needed.

Timely: He doesn't wait until the last minute to begin a task. As a student, he doesn't wait to do his research paper until the last week; he starts it right away. In the job and the classroom he will pace himself to avoid panic mode.

Personable: She will introduce herself to new staff or students, as well as professors. She will make herself approachable. She will smile and speak to others.

Thinks outside the box: He will think of innovative ideas which will benefit the organization. He isn't bound by the way things have always been done. Could the office go paperless? Could they make better use of Blackberries? In classroom assignments, he completes the task, but goes beyond what was required.

Check back next week for the final part of the series!

Paralegal students

Here's a tip: treat your professors the same way you would treat a supervising attorney.

How do you define success--in the classroom or on the job? part 1

Some college students do the absolute minimum required and are satisfied with passing the course. Some determine to work hard enough to earn a "B" and refuse to do better. Some work very hard and earn an "A." Then, there are those who earn an "A," but go a step further. They do even more than is required--they add important documents which are not required, but would be invaluable in a real law office environment.

One might assume that a student's work ethic is the same one she will display in the work environment. So, what does it take to be a success--in the classroom or on the job?

Communication: She develops and refines her ability to talk to other professionals (or students and professors) or clients in person or by phone. She knows how to write a cogent letter or email--and understands when one mode of communication is preferred over the other.

Team Player: He works hard on his own studies or job, but is also interested in the success of his fellow peers. He is interested in their personal lives and is willing to invest his skills in helping them excel on the job. Will he help another student find a correct citation, will he show a co-worker a trick in Access to make a project much quicker and more professional in appearance? Will he acknowledge the part another student or staff member played in a project--or does he simply take full credit for an excellent job?

Big Picture: She sees beyond her own desk. She can see the ramifications of policies and decisions at school or on the job and how they impact others (employees or students), as well as the professor or attorney.

Positive: He seldom complains or generates unrest. He never gossips. He may acknowledge the difficulty, but he encouarges others to see it as a challenge--and helps them find ways to handle the situation and become more positive themselves.

Years ago I worked with a dear friend, Kathy. She was amazing. Everyone loved her. Why? She was the most accepting person I've ever met, and she was always ready to help someone or to affirm them. In fact, she was so upbeat I determined to entice her to say something uncomplimentary about someone--anyone! To my shame, I baited her for an entire week. That was a life-changing experience for me. Never once did she take the bait, never once did she denigrate someone else. I doubt that I have proved as upbeat and positive as Kathy, but I decided in that moment that I wanted to emulate those qualities--and have since strived to be more like her in those ways.

More to come! Check back for Part 2 on qualities of the successful student or employee.

What's the difference between a lawyer and paralegal?

The most significant difference between lawyers and paralegals is that lawyers can set fees and give legal advice. If a paralegal does these, he would be in violation of unauthorized practice of law statutes. Of course, an attorney’s primary responsibility is offering legal advice to clients. The paralegal’s responsibility is to then carry out the tasks which result from the lawyer’s analysis and strategy.

Paralegals may be trained on the job or through an accredited college or university. He may simply receive a certificate in Paralegal Studies—or be awarded an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies. There are even a few Master’s degree programs for paralegals.

Marketing yourself: what you need to know to stand out from the crowd, Part 1

1. Increase your skills: If it has been awhile since you attended school, take the time to brush up on your skills—or find new ones. Depending upon your attorney’s specialties, you might take a course on medical terms or chemistry—or basics such as bankruptcy or will and probate. If taking a college class is more than you’re able to tackle right now, find some CLE courses or seminars in your area.

2. Think of others: If an attorney or paralegal you meet at a conference, in a class, at a meeting mentions an important meeting coming up, record the date and to send them an email wishing them luck. “Those who surround themselves with a genuine network built on sincerity and mutual value tend to be more successful.” (Ari L. Kaplan, Esq.)

You may also take advantage of Google Alert. Add individuals you meet (or those in your firm) to Google Alert; it will advise you whenever they are mentioned online. This will give you another opportunity to touch base, offering an email or note recognizing their accomplishment.

Thinking of others is not only personally gratifying, but building relationships “will enhance your career and business development prospects.” (Kaplan)

3. Get involved: You can’t network if you sit at your computer all day. Find people who have similar interests. Check out community events, local business organizations, and law-related conferences.


Check back soon for part 2 on how to market yourself.

(You can find more on this topic from www.LegalAssistantToday.com March/April 2009 in an article by Ari L. Kaplan entitled Marketing Yourself.)

Profitable law office model

While researching various paralegal possibilities, an acquaintance outlined an intriguing office option. His friend (an attorney) had tried a number of practice situations--from partners to hiring associates, but he realized he wanted to branch out on his own, only to discover he had more work than he could responsibly handle. So, he hired a paralegal, then another, then another, until he had six paralegals working for him. He paid his paralegals well, based on their skill. Both he and they made a very nice living.