SURVIVING IN A TOUGH JOB MARKET

By Cindy Lopez

     At times, every industry in every region across the U.S. has a slow job market.  How does one survive?  There is no one answer that works for everyone, however a combination of these pointers should put you on the course you need to land your next paralegal job:

 DON’T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET:  When you are job searching there are many avenues to pursue.  These days we all sit at our computers and search the mega sites for what jobs are in our area.  This is a place to start but not the only place we should be looking.  The local newspaper ads are also a good find and checking with local job placement agencies is a way to find out about the jobs that are not listed in any newspaper or online ad.  If there is a company you have secretly wished you could work for, send them your resume with a cover letter explaining why you would love to work for their company and how you would be an asset to their firm.  Many employers appreciate initiative and want to meet a candidate who took the initiative to go the extra mile and has a genuine interest in working for them.

AN “OBJECTIVE” RESUME:  I mean this literally and figuratively!  One of the biggest pet peeves of human resources personnel besides poor grammar or spelling is that a resume has no Objective listed.  You must include in an Objective (which you will place right below your name and contact information) the title of the position you are seeking. 
Ex:  OBJECTIVE:  Full-time Real Estate Paralegal position with the Law Firm of Tipp and Topp. 
Including an objective or indicating what position you are applying for is so important because HR managers do not have time to guess which position you’re interested in and may cast aside your resume!  This is only the beginning of a professional resume, but an important part that should not be overlooked or omitted.  Literally, an objective should be at the top of your resume, listed as the first item before you begin listing schools, work history, experience, etc…  Figuratively the objective of your overall resume is to land an interview.  If you must have it more than one page, it must be no longer than two pages, using proper grammar and spelling, listing relevant schooling, jobs, experiences and skills.  Nothing personal, it should be kept as a “professional biography.”  If you feel you need assistance, I suggest a career development center at a local college.  They usually help the general public, you need not be a student to attend.  Your resume should be a reflection of you and a sample of your writing.  Never hire someone to write your resume for you!  A professional resume writer should be assisting you in organizing and focusing on what to write, not writing for you and delivering it to you in a shiny new folder.  As a paralegal you know that writing is a skill that you must master!  For resume consultation at a special Paralegl Press subscriber rate go here: NJ Paralegal Resume Consultations

 USE YOUR PARALEGAL SKILLS:  I can’t emphasize this enough.  Most people overlook this as a waste of time, but believe me I have heard if from HR managers of large corporations, research the companies you’re interested in!  Nothing impresses a company more than you knowing who they are, what they do.  Let’s face it we all want someone to be interested in us.  A company or firm is no different.  Employers are always impressed with interviewees who know about the firm and have an understanding of what it would mean to work for a firm such as theirs.  When seeking firms to interview with as yourself: How does this firm stand out against similar firms in the area? What are its points of difference? What is the office environment like, casual, high-strung, snooty?  Most firms are politically involved, would their political party conflict with your views and values?  Who are the leaders? What are they like, and how do they value (or not value) people?  Do you see ads for open positions in their firm often?  How you answer these questions will help you hone in on the firms you want to work for.  The others are not worth your time.

 DARE TO BE DIFFERENT, GET THEIR ATTENTION:  Try new ways to get an employer’s attention, without going overboard.  For example, send your resume in a large colored envelope or a tube package you can buy for a few dollars from the post office.  You may try printing your resume on quality bond ivory or grey paper since most people use white copy paper these days.  Using quality paper and a different color will certainly show professionalism and seriousness.  In your cover letter use a quote from someone famous.  For example, this is a favorite of mine: “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”* A quote should reflect your professionalism, your personality and your goal.  Make yourself stand out in a good way, for example, if you send them a poster sized picture of yourself, that’s a bit odd, although you definitely would get their attention!

                   SPREAD THE WORD: You’ve heard it before, “It’s who you know.”  Let your family, friends, colleagues, former bosses, and former teachers/professors know you are looking for your dream job.  Be specific: “I am currently seeking a full-time position in a small firm that practices family law within 25 miles of home.”  The more specific you are helps you define your goal and all who know you will be more apt to remember your request when that “made to order” job becomes available.  Try sending out an email and ask them to reply or call you if they hear of a position suitable for you.  You may want to follow-up on a weekly basis with a telephone call asking if they have heard of any assignments that may be suitable for you.

                JOB SEARCH ETIQUETTE:  In a tough job market, you can stand out by just showing up!  I always call if I am going to be late, I usually get the response “thank you for calling and letting us know”.  These days lack of respect for appointments is disgraceful.  It’s important to show respect to everyone you are in contact with during your job search.  Etiquette means: showing up to the interview; waiting for your turn to speak, not to interrupt while someone is mid-sentence; introducing yourself at the front desk when you arrive; turning off your cell phone and/or pager during interviews and meetings; paying attention during the interview; writing thank-you letters after interviews; calling the interviewer to decline an offer—do not hold onto it if you know you are not going to accept it.  Etiquette also means returning calls promptly, not over-negotiating your offers, and thanking those who helped you in your career search.

                   TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS:  Temping is a great way to make money and make connections, especially if you are trying to get an entry level position in your field.  If you find yourself needing a paycheck, utilizing a temporary placement agency may be your answer.  They can help you find a permanent position, while sending you out on temporary assignments.  This will help you in a number of ways:  you will gain more experience, make contacts in your field, and collect a paycheck!  I have been witness to many temporary paralegals who are a good fit at an office and are offered a permanent position in the firm when it becomes available.  For temping agencies see our Legal Resource Directory: Employment Agencies

HANG IN THERE:  The employment industry fluctuates like the stock market, and it always recovers. There will be many jobs available sooner than you think.  But no matter what the state of the economy, legal employers expect professionalism before during and after:  before in a professional well-written resume, during in a professional appearance and manner and after your hired its expected in a professional attitude!

*  Aristotle (384-322 BC) from www.quotationspage.com 

Author's Biography: Cindy Lopez holds her Paralegal Degree from Brookdale Community College, she has 12 years of legal experience and currently is Webmaster of NJParalegal.com.  She is Publisher and Editor of Paralegal Press, an online newsletter for Paralegal Professionals.  Mrs. Lopez has been an instructor at the Stuart School of Business teaching Legal Office Practice and Procedure.  She holds a seat on the Brookdale Community College Paralegal Department Board of Directors.  She holds speaking engagements throughout New Jersey discussing options for paralegal careers and the current paralegal job market in New Jersey.  She has held discussions at Montclair State University, Brookdale Community College, Ocean County College and Raritan Valley Community College discussing paralegal students' concerns.