Posted on Dec 13, 2020
How do I re-enter the Job Market post-graduation?
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Wondering how to enter the job market as a paralegal student and if attorneys will hire me while I am in school for my degree?
Posted in these groups: 
Employment
Paralegal
Employment Paralegal
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 4
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PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster I would inquire with your school's alumni office and the department office to see if there is an internship for para legals. You can get resume experience and get an on the job audition. On the east coast it may be referred to cooperative education. Northeastern University is built on this. Others have it as a bolt on.
If they don't have anything, I would reach out to local law firms to see if they would take on a paralegal as an intern.
I would go to USAJOBS and see if there are any paralegal internships at a near by federal entity. It doesn't guarantee you a job, but again experience. Also if they have anything open up due to churn or retirement, opportunity can meet preparation. I would also seek out the state, county, and municipal equivalents.
Join a professional organization now. Don't know if paralegals have an equivalent of the bar association . 80% of people find jobs regardless of industry, through their personal network. Join community organizations as well like Elks, Masons, VFW etc to expand your circle.
Get 250 business cards made with your key qualifications/experience printed on it with you name, professional sounding email address, and phone number on it. Leave the back blank. When you meet people at these community and professional gatherings, intro yourself to at least 3 people. Mentor and Leader types will write down your key info and refer you to someone who may be looking for a "you".
Build a solid LinkedIn account. Build a soldi Indeed account for when you start cold applying for jobs. Include your profile links on your card. Include a good quality photo in business attire.
Your volunteer time will also be resume worthy.
If they don't have anything, I would reach out to local law firms to see if they would take on a paralegal as an intern.
I would go to USAJOBS and see if there are any paralegal internships at a near by federal entity. It doesn't guarantee you a job, but again experience. Also if they have anything open up due to churn or retirement, opportunity can meet preparation. I would also seek out the state, county, and municipal equivalents.
Join a professional organization now. Don't know if paralegals have an equivalent of the bar association . 80% of people find jobs regardless of industry, through their personal network. Join community organizations as well like Elks, Masons, VFW etc to expand your circle.
Get 250 business cards made with your key qualifications/experience printed on it with you name, professional sounding email address, and phone number on it. Leave the back blank. When you meet people at these community and professional gatherings, intro yourself to at least 3 people. Mentor and Leader types will write down your key info and refer you to someone who may be looking for a "you".
Build a solid LinkedIn account. Build a soldi Indeed account for when you start cold applying for jobs. Include your profile links on your card. Include a good quality photo in business attire.
Your volunteer time will also be resume worthy.
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PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster
Thank you. I am starting to build a LinkedIn, and will create an InDeed account as well. I have an email account just for resume/employment only now. We are close to 2 months into classes now and in Month 11, we are working toward Degree courses and LTC Mackay, I am talking to my college and Voc Rehab in a couple months to see about Resume building help so that I can have a chance.
You have helped me find the starting point and I am grateful to you.
You have helped me find the starting point and I am grateful to you.
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LTC Jason Mackay
PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster start building your resume now. It’s easier for someone to edit one than write from scratch.
-do a chronological resume with the job title, company, dates, brief job description plus accomplishments
- use STAR format for accomplishments : situation, task, action, result
- education, degrees, certs, licenses
- brief summary blurb of military experience/accomplishments
- honors and awards
- hobbies and volunteer work. If you mainly volunteered, then list it as professional experience but ensure it is marked as volunteer effort.
Pulling all this together helps the resume helpers fo more for you
-do a chronological resume with the job title, company, dates, brief job description plus accomplishments
- use STAR format for accomplishments : situation, task, action, result
- education, degrees, certs, licenses
- brief summary blurb of military experience/accomplishments
- honors and awards
- hobbies and volunteer work. If you mainly volunteered, then list it as professional experience but ensure it is marked as volunteer effort.
Pulling all this together helps the resume helpers fo more for you
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PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster
LTC Jason Mackay - I wasn't thinking about even adding my volunteer efforts because I was out of work for say 11 years-recovering from injuries and learning to do things differently to accomplish my goals, but always volunteered and helped others; a few told me that volunteering means nothing but since you and many here are saying add it and keep doing good in classes and take the NALA (National Association of Legal Assistance) exam to show my abilities to be a Paralegal, than I am going to follow your lead, not only because you outrank me, but you know what it takes to do the job an attorney told me the same thing and he commented on my post as well.
All I ask is that if I get into too many questions, that you forgive me
All I ask is that if I get into too many questions, that you forgive me
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LTC Jason Mackay
PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster - I am not a legal expert. But I became a connoisseur of job hunting when I retired in 2016.
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I don't think anyone here can speak for the hiring manager. If the job is advertised as requiring a degree you may get passed over if you are still in school pursuing said degree.
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Check with your school’s guidance office or financial aid office. They should be able to help you find employment. Also legal firms may offer internships that can lead to post graduation employment.
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