As the youngest in my office, I'm struggling to fit in and communicate with my new coworkers (I just joined the firm a few weeks ago). Any socially awkward paralegals out there with tips for overcoming this?

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Don’t overthink it. Just do your best everyday. In reality, people are largely distracted or hyper focused on work, and aren’t judging you for being awkward. Just be genuine and authentic, and eventually people will get to know you. I just started a new job at a huge lawfirm and I’ve had to learn an insane amount of people from a global law firm.

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No tips. I'm socially awkward too and I've just embraced it 😅

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Confidence is key. Find it.

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When you come in speak and let your work speak for itself. You don't have to kiss a**, be polite, cordial but if people are nasty, its not your problem. Document any discrimination. Let your work speak for itself. It should get better over time. Check back in, in a few months.

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This

I have 17 years in this profession, of which 10 years in Big Law. I don’t talk much in social situations. Tbh if you’re a junior my advice is to not get chatty about yourself and your personal life. Even rants about how slammed you are look unprofessional. There is a paralegal here who calls and will make giggling noises as she talks to you. Another rambles about her day like “Ohhh i had x amount of files to open, i had to do this and that…” Nobody has time for this. Keep your mouth shut and only talk when you seek clarification on something to do your job correctly. A coworker of mine was a talented paralegal and she tanked at my firm because she was always rambling about her personal business and even talked nonstop about an upcoming colonoscopy to the managing partner. I mean, yikes, that woman just looks at you as a cost benefit analysis. Do not talk at all if you’re smart. Just focus on your work. Keep talking to when you have questions. I am socially awkward too. It helps to be quiet and just observe. Thats how you survive.

Just be friendly. If you have a sense of humor, display it. Law is so dry, we have to throw in some humor.

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I was listening to a Mufti Menk lecture yesterday on this topic. Surah Nashra is also about burdens we bear. Within this Surah,Allah SWT speaks about how He is the one that granted the cure, purity, and strength after the backs were about to break. Allah SWT takes us to this point to refine us. We never know our capabilities until we are tested and challenged. This is when we realize we can do it and we can get through it 🫶🏻! IA you got this 🫶🏻!

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