paralegal jobs

November 1, 2022 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

CONTINUING EDUCATION WILL HELP YOU SECURE YOUR NEXT LEGAL OR IT JOB

Continuing Legal Education is a chess move in your favor.

To remain at the top of your field as a paralegal or IT team member, you must keep your skills current. In addition to keeping up with any changes in statutes and case law, paralegals should stay on top of changes that will affect their ability to do their jobs efficiently. Both paralegals and IT employees should remain tech-savvy and current with document management improvements, trial techniques, and court rules.

As a paralegal or IT professional, taking continuing education courses is an excellent way to stay on top of changes in the law and advances in the legal field.

Here are the top 3 benefits of continued education:

Increased value to the firm. Increasing your knowledge, building additional skills, and strengthening your current skills will make you invaluable to your law firm. In the long run, staying on top of your game may also lead to a raise or promotion.
Better performance. As you gain confidence by learning how better to perform your job, you will be able to handle more tasks. Your new techniques and skills will make you more productive and efficient.
Advanced communication skills. Paralegals often are the “go-between” for all parties involved in a case (attorneys, clients, courts, experts, witnesses). IT personnel are usually solving multiple problems at once under highly stressful situations. Successful law firms are built on great communicators!

Paralegals and IT team members who regularly attend continuing education courses are more marketable and have more opportunities for career growth. Not only does learning more help you to be an asset to your law firm, but it will also open the door for your career growth. Remember to update your resumes annually with your completed continuing education credits.

Top IT Skills

In February of this year, Team BRYTER wrote that in-house legal technology budgets will grow 200% by 2025. As these departments become increasingly dependent on technology to keep up the pace, IT specialists and tech-savvy legal professionals will most likely skyrocket.

One specialty predicted to continue in high demand is e-discovery/litigation. As document formatting changes due to improvements in software, professionals who are well-acquainted with the latest in e-discovery and knowledgeable about file compatibility across different platforms will have a leg up against other candidates. A paralegal with a background in predictive coding and further analysis software might cut document review by hours and make for a highly valued prospect.

What Recruiters are Looking For

Workflow, in general, will continue to embrace both automation and digitization, and having tech-friendly skills at hand will only help your chances on the market. Updating your skill set in these areas will raise your chances of success in the face of future tech innovations and a changing work environment.

Recruiters look for candidates with experience using legal research products such as Westlaw and LexisNexis. Potential employers may also expect proficiency in client software suites such as Google Workspace and Office 365. In addition, if you know law practice management software such as Clio and PracticePanther, you may gain an edge over your competition.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we have matched top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for over a decade. Our focus is on building long-term relationships with the companies we assist. Call us today at 888-366-6508. We can help you find the best candidate to join your legal or IT team or aid job seekers in finding the most appropriate position for their talents.

December 3, 2021 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

YOUR PARALEGAL RESUME SHOULD FEATURE THESE FIVE TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Being a great communicator is one of the five transferrable skills that paralegals need to land their dream job!

Your paralegal resume should always be strong, but for recent graduates and those new to the profession, experience may be lacking on the page. However, you most likely have a varied skill set to offer, and these skills are highly transferable. If you find yourself without a substantial amount of experience to highlight in your resume, building the document around your transferable skills is a sound strategy for guaranteeing you stand out from the other applicants.

1. Paralegals Must Demonstrate That They Can Prioritize

Planning is a simple but invaluable skill in all sectors. Any activities, assignments, and projects you organized while attending school make for a sincere demonstration of your ability to plan and act on the blueprints you create. Events you’ve put together are also significant items in your history that show the importance you place on solid planning.

2. For Paralegals, Communication is Key

Interviewers will always favor excellent communicators. Both written and spoken communication skills are vital in paralegal work. By providing the details of papers, projects, and presentations that you’ve completed, you can give your resume a leg up in this department.

3. Problem-Solving is the Universal Skill for Paralegals

All of us have solved a problem in a way unique to us. Even if you believe it to be unrelated to law, chances are you’ve found a way to clear a hurdle in your personal or professional life that was more efficient than your previous tries at it. By showing you can improve on how a task is completed to make the result more effective, you’re also illustrating how you can better guarantee client satisfaction.

4. Knowing How to Negotiate and Mediate is Key

Are there situations where you have met resistance head-on and made progress? These anecdotes reveal how savvy you are at knowing when to push and when to give under pressure. Moot court, debate, and panel discussions are a few examples of activities you could include in your resume to exhibit your capability in this area.

5. Paralegals Must Excel In the Details, Details, Details

Proving you are detail-oriented is far more helpful than stating it. To make sure you’re viewed as having a knack for accuracy, proofread your resume carefully for any mistakes. Listing any editing experience, responsibilities where you managed data such as cash flow, and preparation of policy and procedure documents are all great instances where your attention to detail will be on display.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, your success is our success. Our reputation for superior client satisfaction results from a tireless commitment to exceeding our clients’ objectives. We are the recruiting firm for top employers in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Gulf Region. Our recruiters will partner with you in your search for highly talented legal, management and technology hires. They will lend their industry knowledge, experience, tools, and technology to enhance your recruiting strategy. We have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. Our focus is on building a long-term relationship with your company. Call us today at 888-366-6508. We can help you find the best candidate to join your legal or IT team.

April 20, 2021 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

7 JOB SKILLS ESSENTIAL TO YOUR LEGAL CAREER

Do you have the seven key skills to help you stand out from the competition?

Searching for a legal job in 2021? Employers today are pursuing applicants that possess specific skills. When describing their ideal job candidate, law firm hiring managers said that these seven skills were essential. Whether you are a recent law school graduate or a seasoned paralegal, these seven skills can help you stand out from the competition.

1. Organization:

The ability to prioritize and remain focused when faced with competing priorities is essential. Researching points of law, drafting legal documents, and managing case files can sometimes be a juggling act. That’s why organizational skills are so critical.

2. Research and analysis skills:

Reading large amounts of information, absorbing facts and figures, analyzing the content, and summarizing it into a manageable memorandum, is vital. You can practice honing this skill by summarizing lengthy news articles into five-point bulleted lists of the most important themes.

3. Project Management:

As of 2020, 15.7 million project-management positions have been created globally across different industries. By the end of 2020, there should be over 6.2 million project management jobs in the United States alone. Some competencies you need to possess are strong leadership, organizational expertise, budget and schedule management, and business management skills.

4. Ability to Communicate:

Strong oral and written communication skills are crucial. Grammar mistakes can quickly deter potential employers from even considering you for a position. Although you proofread your resume and cover letter, make sure you give it another check before you submit it with your application.

5. Problem-Solving Skills:

Skills like problem-solving show potential employers that you know how to approach real-life situations and develop practical solutions. Most importantly, be sure to include specific examples of your experience with problem-solving during your interview.

6. Technical proficiency:

A successful legal professional is comfortable with the Microsoft Office Suite as well as Google Workplace. You should be familiar with electronic filing software, eDiscovery, practice management, document automation, electronic billing, and client communications.

7. Team Player:

Finally, being a team player is key to furthering your legal career. The primary traits for a team player are patience, being a good listener, and articulating your clear and honest opinion. Moreover, employers want employees that can get along with different personalities and be an effective team participant.

Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your career goals. For more than a decade, we have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region. Furthermore, we specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Finally, feel free to browse our Jobs and Career Listings to see a growing list of job opportunities.

February 15, 2021 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

FIVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING YOUR LAW FIRM INTERVIEW

Virtually all advice related to job interviews involves helping the job seeker prepare answers to the interviewer’s questions. However, much of your potential employer’s impression of you will be based on the questions you ask in addition to the questions you answer. Besides asking the standard questions about job requirements, job benefits, or the next steps after the interview, you should ask questions that will help you determine whether this is your dream job.

Be prepared to show that you have done your research and have taken the time to prepare questions that will reveal something about the firm. Show your desire to know more about the company’s culture to ensure you are the right fit.

Here are some suggested questions to ask your interviewer:

1.What is it about your firm that differentiates you from other firms practicing similar types of law?

Depending on how your interview answers this question, you will understand how the firm’s culture and priorities line up with yours. Give your interviewer the opportunity to tell you what makes them special and think about what their answer means to you in terms of the company being a match to your goals.

2.How would you describe the firm’s culture and philosophy?

If your interviewer describes a positive work culture with advancement opportunities, this is great news for you. The more details provided, the better. You may even keep the conversation going by asking for an example that defines the company’s culture.

3.What does a successful member of this firm look like, and what do they do to be considered successful?

This question will show your genuine interest in being a team asset. The implication is that you are asking because you want to know because you want to emulate that success. After the interview, you can do additional research to gain more knowledge about this individual and prepare for your second interview.

4.What does your firm use as the common markers of success?

This question will help you determine how the firm handles performance reviews. This is something you will want to know before you agree to accept the job.

5.What’s something that you learned later about the company you wished you would have known when you first joined?

By asking to hear about the interviewer’s experience, you are showing a true interest in wanting to know more. The information your interviewer provides will give you an idea of what it is like to hit the ground running in your new environment.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, our industry-expert recruiters are here to offer you insight and guidance. We will help you land your dream job and be there for you every step of the way. We help you improve your resume, prepare for your interview, and help you decide which job is best for you.

For more than a decade, we have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your career goals. Feel free to browse our Jobs and Career Listings to see a growing list of opportunities in your field.

January 25, 2021 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

LOOKING FOR A JOB IN 2021? READ THIS!

Legal industry job search — Job searches have changed due to COVID-19

Job seekers and recruiters have had to make adjustments to the hiring process due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

In April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the legal industry lost 64,000 jobs. However, as job interviews and professional networking continue to evolve, the legal industry has begun to rebound.

COVID-19’s economic impacts continue to present a changing marketplace for recent law school graduates and those seeking legal staff positions. However, there is some good news. New jobs were added for a solid six months (June to November), including a 208,000 increase in October.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we are here to help you navigate the new job-seeking landscape. Here are some job searching tips we would like to share with you:

Prepare for your virtual job interview

The increase of virtual interviews resulting from social distancing guidelines also serves as an indication of how the hiring process is evolving.

A national Human Resource survey revealed that 86 percent of employers conducted virtual interviews to hire job candidates during the coronavirus pandemic. Considering that the virtual interview is here to stay, job seekers should approach communicating their professionalism, experience, and willingness to fit into the company culture into a remote interview format.

Our advice is to be sure you make a great first impression via video conference. Develop anecdotal stories that represent your experience instead of a dry recitation of your qualifications.

Sharpen your job skills

With the lack of in-person events, there has been an increase in virtual events. Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn provide numerous opportunities to either attend upcoming virtual events at a discount or free of charge. Time in isolation doesn’t have to be isolated time.

Our advice is to use this time to take advantage of meeting new people and the opportunity to sharpen your skills.

Reconnect with colleagues

Facebook reported in March that messaging on Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp have increased 50 percent due to more people engaging on social media due to the pandemic.

Our advice is to use this opportunity to reconnect with other professionals in your field and keep up to date with the legal industry. As more people engage on social media due to the pandemic, now is a great time to ask for references.

Help from SRS

Before taking on a job hunt alone, contact SRS for a free resume review. You can also browse our Jobs and Career Listings to see a growing list of opportunities in your field.

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 career goals.