The Successful Paralegal Job Search Guide

by Estrin, Chere B.; Hunt, Stacey

• ISBN13: 9780766830257
• ISBN10: 076683025X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-12-26
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

"The Successful Paralegal's Job Search Guide" is a comprehensive employment guide that covers all facets of paralegal employment. It includes tips on becoming a paralegal, becoming familiar with the structure of law firms and in-house legal departments, utilizing internships, and entering the marketplace. Utilizing material that familiarizes the student with every step of the job search process, this book also includes pertinent case studies and instruction on how to utilize the Internet in the job search.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
About the Authors	xiii
Batter Up!	1	(6)
Where Are They?	1	(1)
Paralegal Hiring World	2	(1)
Good Times and Bad Times	3	(1)
So, What Are the Dollars?	4	(1)
Why Paralegals Change Jobs	5	(1)
If You're Ready to Move	6	(1)
Getting into the Field	7	(14)
Choosing a Practice Area	8	(1)
Practice Area Descriptions	9	(3)
Where Do Paralegals Work?	12	(9)
Structure of Law Firms and In-House Legal Departments	21	(10)
Kevin J. Behan
The Hierarchy of Lawyers and the Legal Staff	22	(2)
Nonlegal Staff	24	(3)
Division of Duties in Medium and Small-Sized Firms	27	(1)
In-House Legal Departments	27	(4)
A Top Paralegal Manager Tells You What She Wants	31	(6)
Katie Thoma
What Paralegal Managers Look For	31	(6)
Hi, Ho! Hi, Ho! It's Off to School We Go!	37	(12)
What Types of Courses Should Be Offered?	38	(1)
Other Earmarks of a Good Program	39	(2)
ABA Approval---Just What Is It Anyway?	41	(2)
AAfPE Membership	43	(1)
Types of Paralegal Programs	44	(3)
Beware the Fly-by-Night Schools	47	(1)
Deciding Which School Will Meet Your Goals	47	(2)
The Importance of Internships	49	(2)
Entering the Marketplace and Transferring Your Skills	51	(4)
Transferring Your Existing Skills to a Legal Career	51	(4)
Unsung Heroes and Rising Stars	55	(8)
You Can Take It with You	55	(2)
Been There---Done That: Interviews with Second-Career Paralegals	57	(6)
The Secrets to Creating a Great Resume	63	(56)
Preparation for Writing Your Resume	64	(1)
If Your Resume Isn't Working, Why Not?	65	(2)
Formats	67	(1)
Heading	67	(1)
Education	68	(1)
Skills and Abilities	69	(1)
Work History	70	(1)
Computer Skills	71	(1)
Special Skills and Abilities	71	(1)
Organizations and Affiliations	72	(1)
Sample Organizations and Affiliations	72	(1)
References	72	(1)
The ``Older'' Workforce	72	(1)
Job-Hoppers	73	(1)
The Functional Resume	73	(1)
The Targeted Resume	74	(1)
Ten Commandments of Resume Writing	74	(1)
Ten Great Resume Writing Tips	75	(2)
The Every Resume Writing Book Action Word List	77	(2)
Pretty Darn Good Phrases to Use	79	(2)
Sample Resumes	81	(36)
What's Wrong with This Picture? (or I've Sent Out 500 Resumes. No One Must Be Hiring.)	117	(2)
Your Resume Is Hereby Rejected. Most Sincerely, MAC 9000	119	(4)
Computer Processing of Resumes	119	(4)
How to Write a Revolutionary Cover Letter	123	(14)
The Basic Ayes and Nays for Writing a Killer Cover Letter	125	(1)
Sales 101	126	(1)
Features and Benefits Worksheet	127	(1)
How to Respond	127	(1)
Openings for Letter	128	(1)
How Your Expertise Fits with the Organization	128	(1)
Dynamic Closers	129	(1)
Sample Cover Letters	130	(7)
Where to Look: Resources, Techniques, and How to Use Them	137	(20)
Networking Your Way to a Job---The Hidden Job Market	137	(2)
Seminars	139	(1)
Print Media	140	(4)
Legal and Other Directories	144	(6)
Blind Mailings	150	(1)
Articles by and about the Firm or Corporation	150	(1)
The Old Boys and Girls Network	151	(1)
American Society of Corporate Secretaries, Inc.	151	(1)
American Staffing Association	151	(1)
Alternative Careers	151	(2)
On-Line Job Hunting	153	(4)
Wired for Work: A Guide for Finding a New Job On-Line	157	(6)
Job-Search Tips	158	(2)
Women's Web Sites	160	(1)
If You Get Stressed Out Over the Whole Deal	160	(3)
Getting a Staffing Organization to Work for You	163	(10)
Staffing Organizations	163	(3)
Guide to Legal Staffing Organizations	166	(7)
Let's Go Surfing!	173	(14)
Web Sites	173	(14)
Employment Verification, References, and Writing Samples	187	(12)
References	187	(1)
The Importance of a Good Reference	188	(1)
Reference Letter Myths	189	(1)
Employment and Academic Verification	189	(2)
Choosing Your References	191	(2)
Testimonial Letters from Clients, Supervisors, and Coworkers	193	(1)
Writing Samples	194	(1)
Articles by You or about You	195	(1)
Sample Testimonial Letters	196	(3)
Resume Tracking	199	(4)
Checklist for Great Follow-Ups	201	(2)
Golden Rules about Appearances	203	(8)
Appearance Counts	203	(2)
Attention Getting Yeses and Nos	205	(1)
Dressing to Get the Job	206	(5)
The Interview	211	(18)
Doing Your Homework	212	(1)
The Day Before	212	(2)
Interview Day	214	(3)
Structure of the Interview: The Unspoken Rules	217	(3)
Selling Yourself	220	(1)
Stress Interviews	221	(1)
The Behavioral Interview	222	(1)
Day-Long Interviews	223	(1)
Group Interviews: If You Are Interviewed by a Group	224	(1)
Let's Do Lunch	224	(1)
How to Say It	225	(2)
Closing the Interview	227	(2)
275 Tough Interview Questions	229	(20)
Interview Questions	229	(8)
Questions Candidates Can Ask during the Interview	237	(6)
Illegal Questions	243	(2)
Sample Illegal Questions/Comments	245	(4)
The Buzz on Objections to the Sale	249	(4)
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow	249	(1)
Gaps, Holes, or Voids Now Become Hiatuses, Recesses, or Interim Periods	250	(1)
Low Grades Do Not Equate with Low Performers	251	(1)
Coming from a Foreign State	251	(1)
``We Really Hadn't Intended to Spend That Much Money on Salary''	252	(1)
``What Are Your Weaknesses?''	252	(1)
Follow-Up and Thank-You Letters	253	(16)
Follow-Up Letters	253	(1)
Sample Follow-Up Letters	254	(3)
The Thank-You Letter	257	(2)
Sample Thank-You Letters	259	(6)
Call-to-Action Letter	265	(1)
Sample Call-to-Action Letter	266	(1)
Acceptance Letter	266	(1)
Sample Acceptance Letter	267	(2)
Evaluating the Job Offer	269	(8)
Using the Estrin Job Opportunity Inventory Checklist	269	(2)
Your Initial Reaction	271	(3)
Sample Offer Letter	274	(1)
Making the Decision to Negotiate	275	(2)
Negotiating to Close	277	(8)
How to Ask the Question	278	(2)
What to Do If You Can't Get More Money	280	(1)
Knowing How and When to Concede	281	(1)
Deadlines	282	(1)
Using a Staffing Organization to Negotiate for You	283	(2)
15 Ways to Leave Your Lawyer	285	(4)
Last Impressions	285	(4)
Riding the Train from Temp to Full-Time	289	(8)
Temporary Staffing/Agencies	289	(3)
When Should You Consider Temping?	292	(1)
How and Where to Begin	292	(1)
Interview Tips from ASA	293	(1)
Working with Your Temporary Agency	294	(3)
Your First 100 Days in Your New Job	297	(14)
Sample Diary of a First Day on the Job at a Mid-Sized Firm	297	(2)
Survival Skills for Working with Attorneys	299	(2)
Survival Skills for Working with Staff	301	(1)
Working with Other Paralegals	302	(1)
The Learning Curve	303	(2)
Accepting Responsibility While Not Getting Overextended	305	(1)
The ``B'' Word: Billing	305	(3)
An Eye Toward the Future	308	(3)
Appendix A Legal Lingo	311	(10)
Appendix B Choosing a Paralegal School	321	(22)
Appendix C Associations and Organizations You'll Need to Know	343	(12)
Appendix D Paralegal Specialties	355	(4)
Appendix E Salary Surveys	359	(12)
Appendix F Resources: Directories, Guides, Newsletters, and a Whole Lot More	371	(4)
Appendix G Recommended Reading Materials	375	(4)
Appendix H NFPA Model Code of Ethics and Responsibility	379	(4)
Appendix I Free Resume Critique	383