Articles by Amy Shanks

Experienced recruiter with a passion for the business - always striving to improve the level of service and innovation for our clients. I believe in acquiring talent beyond expectations resulting in a strong client partnership that allows us both to focus on what we do best.

June 30, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

TECHNOLOGY JOBS OUTLOOK FOR 2020

Technology continues to be one of the fastest-growing career fields. In a world where unemployment is the top news story, informational technology (IT) job opportunities continue to increase.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, informational technology (IT) jobs are growing at over 25 percent annually. In addition, career opportunities in information security analysts, computer user support specialists, and computer occupations are expected to grow. Furthermore, as new techniques are developed to assist with problem-solving in the legal field, here are some of the emerging roles:

Legal Solution Architects

Legal Solutions Architects (LSAs) anticipate, identify, sell, and drive innovative business solutions. By using their understanding of technology, knowledge management, business analysis, process improvement, and project management, an LSA provides solutions that enhance the client experience. Also known as legal engineers, LSAs work with clients and lawyers to process data. They develop software and technological solutions that assist legal professionals in creating legal-services applications.

Litigation Support Professional

As you know, volumes of data are unavoidable in large-scale litigation. The role of litigation support professionals (LSP) is to assist attorneys in managing this large-scale litigation. They are responsible for designing and implementing databases for managing, sorting, indexing, and coordinating the large volumes of data produced in major litigation. This is especially needed during trial preparation.

In addition, LSP’s help to develop data management strategies, assist with technology in the courtroom and provide user support and training. Some LSPs are paralegal/IT hybrids who perform traditional paralegal tasks as well as IT roles.

Most LSPs possess a four-year bachelor’s degree in a related field. Furthermore, they usually exhibit advanced technical skills and are knowledgeable regarding database and litigation support applications.

E-Discovery Professionals

Electronic discovery, (e-discovery), is a $10-plus billion industry. These specialists are responsible for collecting, processing, and preserving every scrap of evidence and supporting documentation in electronic form. Furthermore, they help to identify and manage electronically-stored information (ESI) during litigation. Because of the recent changes in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and growing volumes of ESI, this field will continue to grow.

Career Opportunities in Technology

According to a recent Forbes article, there was a 713 percent growth in legal technology in 2018. Our prediction is that IT jobs will continue to grow.

For more than a decade, SRS has been helping job seekers find their ideal opportunity. Furthermore, because exceptional talent is in high demand at top-performing companies, we would love for you to submit your resume. Certainly, if you are ready to make a career move, don’t hesitate, contact SRS today!

June 12, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

PARALEGAL JOBS AND THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON THE LAW OFFICE

Tech-savvy paralegals have more employment opportunities.

Most paralegals had no reason to question their job security six months ago. The economy was booming and there were paralegal jobs for the entry-level as well as the experienced paralegal. However, the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) brought a lot of change to the traditional law firm.

The good news is that there are still plenty of great career opportunities for experienced paralegals. Especially for those that have technological skills. The better news is that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the paralegal profession will continue to grow 12 percent annually through 2028.

The New Law Office?

Legal consultant Mark A. Cohen summed up the future of the law office succinctly in his article, “COVID-19 Will Turbocharge Legal Industry Transformation”. He said the coronavirus “will propel law into the digital age and reshape its landscape”.

According to Cohen, remote work and distance learning are just the tip of the iceberg. He predicts that we should expect more inter-office collaboration as well as more collaboration with other law offices. In addition, there will be more digital hearings and trials. Most importantly, he stressed that the key to survival is upskilling (learning new skills).

Paralegals Poised and Ready

According, to a 2019 study by Legal 2 Legal Solutions and Ari Kaplan Advisors, paralegals have what is takes to meet the challenges of a post-COVID-19 law office. Many paralegals regularly participate in virtual team meetings and are comfortable using a variety of digital tools and applications. Finally, paralegals excel at learning new skills and keeping up with the latest trends in eDiscovery.

The survey of 35 paralegals and paralegal managers in the AmLaw 200, revealed:

71 percent of paralegals believe that collaboration is extremely important to their day-to-day work;

63 percent said they receive periodic training; and

49 percent of paralegals described their level of autonomy as significant.

In addition, 63 percent of the survey participants provide litigation support and 60 percent have some responsibility for eDiscovery. These trends reflect the growing impact of those fields in law firms and how paralegals are ready to accept the challenge.

Paralegal Collaborate

The impact of COVID-19 will be minimal if paralegals remain tech-savvy and able to collaborate digitally. Paralegals understand that teamwork is essential to make operations run smoothly and effectively. Working well as a team not only saves time, it also increases output.

Autonomy is Essential

The coronavirus brought many workplace firsts, from having to work from home while kids were out of school to attending virtual hearings from your living room. As work and home life became more intertwined, paralegals continued to show that they have the ability to efficiently utilize their time and prioritize tasks. Paralegals, already known for their skills at autonomy, will continue to prove that they have this discipline post-COVID-19.

Paralegals and Technology

Technology allows paralegals to work more efficiently with the automation of routinized tasks. One key component that will certainly increase in the law office post-COVID-19 is eDiscovery. Paralegals who are working with e-discovery will also act as a conduit between the IT department, attorneys, and clients.

The biggest challenge with eDiscovery is how to store and protect valuable data properly. Paralegals will aid in ensuring that the proper steps are taking to keep the data organized and secure.

In conclusion, it is the right time for paralegals to show how they have the right skills to do the job.

For more than a decade, SRS has been helping job seekers find their ideal opportunity. If you are a top performer in the Legal Industry or Informational Technology, submit your resume. Exceptional talent is in high demand at the top-performing companies. Ready to make a career move? Contact SRS today!

May 15, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS – How to Prepare Your Responses

Be prepared to answer behavioral interview questions.

Have a stellar resume? Years of technical experience? These are all impressive, but for most jobs, fitting into a culture and demonstrating adaptability and responding to pressure is just as important as technical skills. Likely, you will be asked behavioral questions at your next interview.

WHAT IS A BEHAVIORAL QUESTION?

Behavioral Interview Questions are situational questions designed to uncover your skills and talents (competencies). They are questions that make you think and reveal qualities about yourself indirectly. They may make you uncomfortable because they require that you “think on your feet.” There is no right or wrong answer. However, there is a correct way to prepare your response to reveal the personality trait/work habit the interviewer is seeking.

Some of these questions are in the category of “When did you stop beating your wife?” They have an underlying assumption that you did something wrong. For example, “Tell me about a time you did not properly handle a disagreement with a co-worker.” If you can not think of an answer immediately, ask for clarification. This will give you some time to figure out the underlying purpose of the question so that you can prepare your response.

Employers are not trying to trick you. They ask behavioral questions so that they can hire the right person for the job. The questions they ask are to determine if you have qualities such as integrity, decisiveness, adaptability, sensitivity, tenacity, and diplomacy. They want to know if you are a self-starter and if you feel comfortable in a leadership role.

Here are some common behavioral questions:

How did you handle conflict with a co-worker?

Describe a time when a co-worker approached you and criticized your work. How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?

Tell me about a time when you had to persuade someone to see your point of view. What tactics did you use?

What was the outcome?

Tell me about a time you failed. How did you deal with it?

THE STAR METHOD

Apply the Star Method to any behavioral interview question. STAR stands for:
Situational: Tell the interviewer the context or setting of your answer.
Task: What was your role in the situation?
Action: What action did you take to address the situation?
Result: What was the result of your action?

Results are the most crucial element of this equation. What did you learn? The details of what exactly happened in the proposed situation are not as important as your result.

Preparation and practice are the keys to your successful behavioral interview. Find out as much as you can about the company culture before you arrive at your interview. Review the company website, their social media platforms, and ask your colleagues. Then, practice responding to the most common behavioral interview questions. Discuss your possible answers with someone you trust, someone who has had success in your field, or your recruiter. Ask for help with specific questions that may be difficult to answer. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we can help you prepare in advance. Being prepared will not only reduce your anxiety, but it will also demonstrate your confidence and competence.

For more than a decade, SRS has been helping job seekers find their ideal opportunity. If you are a top performer in the Legal Industry or Informational Technology, submit your resume. Exceptional talent is in high demand at the top-performing companies. Ready to make a career move? Contact SRS today!

April 28, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

YOUR TELEPHONE INTERVIEW WILL BE A SUCCESS WITH THESE 7 TIPS!

Telephone interviews are better if you are standing and smiling!

Telephone interviews are becoming more frequent due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the job market. Most companies now employ the telephone interview as the initial interview. Your ability to excel will likely determine whether you will be asked for a second interview or offered the job. The candidates that treat the telephone interview like an “informal chat” rarely make it to the next stage of the hiring process.

Below are some useful tips and tricks to ace your telephone interview:

Do your research

Make sure, you prepare for your telephone interview like any other interview. Check the company website and write out at least three questions to ask the interviewer.

Be prepared

If you are taking the call on your cell phone, make sure you have an excellent telephone signal and a full battery. Save the hiring manager and recruiters’ name and number on your phone so that you will answer the phone professionally. Make sure you are settled and waiting for the phone call at least 15 minutes in advance and that you are in quiet space to talk. Keep your CV, bullet points of your top skills and achievements, plus any headline information about the company in front of you in case you get stuck.

Pay attention to your surroundings

Find a place to take the call without any distractions. You will want to make sure you are entirely focused on the interview. If you don’t need your cellphone during the discussion, turn it off or put it on silent. Better yet, put it out of reach so that you will not be tempted to check it.

Get physically and mentally ready for the telephone call

Do some breathing exercises before the interview. To calm your nerves, try visualizing a positive outcome.

Prepare to speak

Make sure you drink a glass of water before the interview, especially if your phone interview is first thing in the morning. Remember, the interviewer will be unable to read your body language or see your facial expressions. Avoid speaking too quickly, interrupting, mumbling, covering your mouth or using filler words such as “um,” or “like”.

Stand up

If you have an interview via webcam, make sure you stand to make sure that your posture is upright. Standing will help you project your voice which eludes confidence. It is important to remember to smile as it helps to inflect a positive intonation in your tone of voice.

Remember your manners

Avoid eating, chewing gum or checking your cell phone. It is disrespectful to your interviewer and will show that you don’t take the process seriously. Avoid multi-tasking. Finally, avoid interrupting. Unfortunately, this is more likely to happen during a telephone interview, because you can’t see the interviewer’s visual cues to judge whether they have finished speaking. By pausing for a few seconds before you talk, you can easily avoid interrupting.

Bonus Telephone Interview Tip

Conclude the interview just as you would a face-to-face meeting. Remember, to thank the interviewer for his or her time, reiterate your interest in the role, and ask the interview to clarify the next steps. Remember, you can still leave a lasting impression with the interviewer, even with a telephone interview.

About Strategic Recruitment Solutions

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We sp ecialize in Legal and IT Recruiting and have industry-expert recruiters that can offer the kind of insight and guidance that helps grow companies and careers. Call us today to see for yourself how easy partnering with the right recruiter will help you reach your business goals.

When you are ready to add to your team, consider partnering with us. We can help you recruit and retain employees now and in the future. Call us today at 888-366-6508.

April 11, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

FREE RESUME REVIEW FOR LEGAL AND IT PROFESSIONALS

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Amy Shanks at (504) 261-1611
[email protected]

SRS Offers Free Resume Review to Legal and IT Professionals in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana, April 10, 2020

Responding to the direct need of thousands of workers being laid off throughout the Greater New Orleans area and Baton Rouge, Strategic Recruitment Solutions (‘SRS”) is offering a Free Professional Resume Review. The resume review specifically targets professionals in the legal and Informational Technology (IT) fields.

SRS, a leader in executive search solutions specializing in the Legal and IT fields, partners with most of the law firms and technology companies throughout the Gulf Coast region. That is why SRS can provide access to legal and IT jobs that are often not advertised on job boards, or even on a company’s website.

“Many people are being laid off or let go as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We want to do our part to show we care and are here to help our community,” said Amy Shanks, director of the Louisiana Legal Division at SRS in New Orleans. “Our legal and IT recruiter teams in New Orleans and Baton Rouge are ready to review each resume and offer job seekers our suggestions for improvement. We want to ensure each resume we receive passes the six-second test.”

Most hiring managers make up their minds whether your resume merits a second look within six seconds or less. “That’s why the top of your resume is crucial”, Shanks said. It is vital that your resume is engaging and includes the most polished and concise presentation of your skills, education, goals, and experience. The legal and IT fields are always competitive. However, with the help of SRS’s experienced recruiters, your resume will stand out from the rest.

The Most Common Resume Mistakes

Resumes should be professional, formatted with visual attention-catching information, and be grammatically correct. Most importantly, your resume should focus on the exact requirements of the job position. “We want to make sure your resume highlights your career the way it should,” Shanks said. “We treat each resume as 100% confidential and will not share it outside of SRS.”

About Strategic Recruitment Solutions

For more than a decade, SRS has been helping job seekers find their ideal opportunity. Most importantly, we want to do our part in helping you find employment. If you are a top performer in the Legal Industry or Informational Technology, submit your resume today. Exceptional talent is in high demand at the top-performing companies and we can help you land your dream job.

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