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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.

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JOB SEARCHING DURING COVID-19? HERE ARE 5 TIPS TO SUCCEED

 

Job searching was already difficult. But with the added economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be feeling a bit discouraged. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions (SRS) we are here to help you navigate the changing job market and find employment during these unprecedented times. At SRS, we work with Legal and IT Professionals and their prospective employers; however, these five tips on how to succeed, apply to everyone:

 

1. Job Searching through Networking and Establishing Your Brand

 

It is a great time to spruce up your LinkedIn profile and build your brand using social media. Ask yourself, “How do I want potential employers to perceive me? If an employer only looked at your social media pages, what would they think of you? Consider these questions, and adjust your brand accordingly. Not only should your online profile be professional, but it should also be without controversy.  Once you have established a professional brand, work your contacts to see if you can determine who is hiring.

 

 

2. Take Time to Develop Your Skills

 

Not everyone gained additional time due to the pandemic and its layoffs, but for those that now have some surplus of time, utilize that time for professional development. Take an online course regarding a new software you’re unfamiliar with, or take time to develop a new skill or complete a certification. Every hour of knowledge you gain will sharpen your edges as a job candidate. Here is a list of free online learning that is updated continuously.

There has also been an increase in webinars and podcasts due to the coronavirus pandemic; even if you already have all the knowledge and skills you need, you should stay abreast of new developments and innovations in your field.

 

3. Job Searching Past Your Horizon 

 

The pandemic has oddly helped job searching in some aspects. During various stages of the application and hiring process, because in-person interviews were required,  you may have excluded out-of-state employers from your search. Now, however, with virtual interviews being the norm, there will be new opportunities. According to MoneyWise, due to job opportunities and a lower cost of living, there has been a surge in moving to five states in particular (Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, South Carolina, Washington). For those we want to continue to call Louisiana home, we are here for you.

SRS works with top corporations, legal firms, and tech companies throughout the Louisiana Gulf Region as well as nationally.  If you are ready to discover new job opportunities in the Legal or IT field, our executive recruiters will assist in your job search and career path. Learn more about how we help top-tier talent achieve success.

 

4. Check and Polish Your Resume

 

Chances are, you might not have set eyes on it in a while. Now is the perfect time to both update and polish it, so your most important sets of experience, accomplishments, and skills stand out. Since most resumes are digital or coming out of an online portfolio, take this time to make sure that all items you refer to have hyperlinks attached.

 

5. Prepare for the Virtual Interview

 

The increasing necessity for distance has made the virtual interview all the more standard. Virtual interviews do have their own set of inconveniences, as it’s difficult to convey the type of person you are, your work ethic, and your outright ability to work at home. The pandemic has produced several new considerations your potential employer will want to explore.

Get ready to talk about how you handled the pandemic. Employers want to evaluate a candidate’s ability to manage stress and pressure. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses during the quarantine. This not only shows that you’re human and honest about your limits, but that you’re functional enough for the workload. If it’s a remote job, you will need solid answers on how you were able to stay motivated working from home, as well as demonstrate hat you are compfortable switching back and forth to work from home as needed.

There are so many unknowns in the current climate, and demonstrating this type of adaptability shows a potential employer that the uncertainty of things moving forward will not affect you to the point where they’re at a loss if they hire you.

 

5. Prepare for Behavioral Questions

 

Behavioral questions measure how competent you are with specific abilities, and the real answer to these questions is in the answering. There is no right way or wrong way to answer. These types of questions aim to characterize a person and sketch their personality type. Often these questions are situational, involving past work performance. Here is an example of a behavioral question,  “When was the last time you messed up on a project and didn’t take responsibility for it?” The interviewer is more interested in how you answer the question than the actual event. Your answer should reveal character. What you’re capable of doing and that you have the functionality to act. Learn more about behavioral questions here.

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals. We offer a free resume review, which you can find more information here.

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EMPLOYEES EXEMPT VERSUS NON-EXEMPT – What’s The Difference?

Are your employees exempt or non-exempt?
The Department of Labor has guidelines to determine an employee’s status.

Employees in organizations are classified as either exempt or non-exempt. There are different types of employee benefits and eligibility requirements for each category. It is vital to know which categories your employees fit into, in order to ensure fair compensation and allocation of duties.

Exempt employees are not eligible for minimum wage or overtime pay. These employees receive a salary for the work they perform. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) provides basic guidelines to distinguish the difference between the two types of employee classification. The federal government and individual states have laws that address this employee classification and employee rights. Therefore, it is essential that employers are aware of labor laws.

Here are three requirements workers must meet to be considered exempt:

1. Job Duties

Exempt employees must perform specific job duties. The employee’s job duties must primarily involve executive, administrative, or professional duties as defined by the regulations. This is in addition to meeting earning and salary requirements. Furthermore, exemption status only applies to those who have high-level responsibilities.

2. Exempt Employees receive salaries

The employee must be paid a predetermined and fixed salary that is not subject to reduction because of variations in the quality or quantity of work performed. These employees will remain exempt as long as their monthly base payment is higher than the FLSA minimum threshold.

3. Earnings

The FSLA minimum salary threshold changes every year. Therefore, employers should keep current on regulations concerning employee compensation. In 2020, exempt employees must earn a minimum of $684 per week or $35,568 annually.

Non-exempt employees are eligible for both hourly wages and overtime pay. After an employee works over 40 hours a week, employers must pay overtime. Any position that earns minimum wage is eligible for overtime and therefore cannot be exempt. Typically, paralegals fall into this category. Check the Department of Labor’s website for specifics regarding paralegal classifications. 

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. In addition, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals!

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VIRTUAL JOB INTERVIEWS ARE HERE TO STAY- Here are tips on how to prepare!

Are you ready for your virtual interview?

As the world continues to adjust to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) businesses have found new ways to attract and hire new employees. Virtual meetings are utilized for recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding employees. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are conducting the first interview virtually. Your second or third interview, maybe a face to face interview, however, you must be prepared to ace the virtual interview first.

Preparing for a virtual job interview

A virtual interview may seem easier because there is no parking involved, however, sometimes that is not the case. You will still be asked questions about your work history and job-related skills; however, you will be asked additional questions as well. Be prepared to talk about how you managed your time during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as your ability to handle stressful situations.

Below are sample questions that may be asked on your virtual job interview:

How do you stay motivated?

When you are on the job, it is easier to stay on track because you are accountable to others. In order to prove that you are the right choice, you may need to provide a few solid examples of how you stayed motivated. Prepare your answers in advance and practice your virtual interview with a colleague. You will want to make sure that when giving personal answers you remain professional.

Are you comfortable working remotely?

Prior to COVID-19, many business professionals had not worked from home. In answering this question, it’s important to show that you can quickly adapt to handling situations remotely while still exhibiting professionalism. Even after the pandemic is over, telecommuting may be here to stay.

How have you handled stress associated with COVID-19?

Regardless of your profession, we have all faced trials and tribulations surrounding the state of global health these past few months. Currently, employers are searching for people with the ability to overcome and adapt to high pressure and high-stress situations. Flexibility is an invaluable skill that employers will seek out in their talent pool. Show potential employers your ability to keep a level head and approach stressful situations directly.

What is your work-from-home approach? Can you utilize your space for virtual team meetings?

Employers will want to know if your environment at home and is cohesive with a full-time job. Practice answering this question by describing your workspace. Do you have a reliable and fast WiFi and a computer that will support your work?

How did you spend your time during stay-at-home orders?

This may seem like a trick question, but it is really about your ability to adapt. Have you been keeping your professional skills sharp and investing in your career? How well have you handled the distractions related to the pandemic? Were you able to remain productive?

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!

 

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TECHNOLOGY JOBS OUTLOOK FOR 2020

IT Recruiting and IT Careers

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!

 

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

Tech saavy parelegals have job security

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!