How To Get Entry Level Paralegal Jobs

Starting to hunt for your first entry level paralegal job can be daunting, especially if you are completely new to the legal field. Every profession has its quirks, and the legal field is no exception. Here are some suggestions for identifying the places to begin, ways to approach people, and tips for conducting a search that will turn up entry level paralegal jobs that will be right for you.

Start in School

During your paralegal training, make a point to get to know your school's placement director. It is his or her job to help you find a position after graduation. A good placement office will have law firm and business directories for your local area, information on job fairs, and recent issues of industry publications that advertise job openings. An excellent placement office will maintain contacts in the legal and business communities and find out about paralegal job opportunities before they are made public.

Research the Paralegal Field

If you have determined that you want to work in a law firm setting, a good resource to identify local firms and the types of law they practice is the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory, available online at www.martindale.com. Martindale-Hubbell includes almost all US law firms and attorneys by their location and specialty and lists many corporate and government lawyers as well. You can also check with your state, county or local bar association. Most publish directories of member attorneys and law firms. If your location has a business journal or similar publication, these papers often compile lists of the largest law firms in the area. Your local library should hold the most recent edition.

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) also maintains an employment site at paralegals.legalstaff.com.

Network

Networking is another great way to find a good entry level paralegal job. You can also begin this component of your paralegal job search while in school. When your research has identified potential employers in your location and area of interest, ask your placement office or fellow students to put you in touch with recent graduates who have found paralegal jobs with these employers. They can tell you a lot about the office environment, benefits and potential job openings.

Also consider joining a professional organization while still in school to further expand your circle of contacts. The National Association of Legal Assistants and the NFPA offer discounted memberships for students. Make sure whatever organization you choose has an active local chapter. You will accomplish more of your networking goals at the local level than through the national organization.

Your Paralegal Resume

There are hundreds of resources on effective writing of resumes and cover letters and just as many opinions about how long your resume should be, what kind of paper it should be printed on, and what will make it stand out. Your local library or placement office will have many resume guides to choose from.

When preparing a resume for a paralegal job, keep in mind that the legal field is typically more conservative than others. Shy away from advice to make your resume nontraditional, such as fashioning it as a court pleading or printing it in a wild font on neon paper. A common font, such as Times New Roman, and white or cream paper will convey a more appropriate image.

Also make sure that both your resume and cover letter are thoroughly proofread and contain no grammatical or punctuation errors. If you know an English major or someone else who has a good eye for punctuation and grammar, have them review it for you.

Lastly, keep it concise. Your resume should cover your past work experience and responsibilities, education and relevant skills. Effective resumes may also include job objectives and volunteer experience. Do not be tempted make your resume look more substantial by including anything else you can think of. Highlight information that makes you ideally suited for a particular paralegal job opening in the cover letter.

Preparing for a Paralegal Job Interview

The day has arrived for your interview. You will find as many guides on interview preparation as on resumes. For paralegal job interviews, there are a few specific things to keep in mind.

You may first meet with a human resources professional or paralegal manager. They will be most interested in your education, past work experience and determining whether your demeanor will fit in well at the firm. You may then meet with lawyers who will want to know more about your skills and how they make you the best candidate for the position.

Many law firms and most corporations have websites. Research the firm and its practice in advance of your interview. If the site includes attorney biographies, find out about the legal practices and accomplishments of the attorneys you are likely to be working with. Come prepared with some questions that demonstrate you have done your homework.

Even if the law firm or corporate environment has a casual work atmosphere, dress formally for the interview. While attorneys may dress casually for routine days in the office, if they appear in court or attend an important business meeting they wear business suits. They will expect that you do the same.

Relax

This is often more easily said than done. But remember, you have the knowledge and training to succeed in this job. Be confident that you can answer their questions and engage in interesting conversation about the work and yourself. If you can be relaxed and answer questions honestly, you'll have the best chance at landing the job.

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