I am recent Paralegal Graduate; struggling for job; had interviewed so many times; not fruitful; now had interview as legal secretary, still on waiting list; don’t know how to get my feet in a law firm/ field: All suggestions/ help appreciated

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I was in your shoes 12 years ago. It’s hard to even get a toe in the door, but don’t give up! You’re not going to get a bonified paralegal role to start off with, so don’t set your sights on that. I found my first “paralegal” role on Craig’s List of all places and it was doing NOTHING I’d just learned in college.

Law firms are not in the market for folks they will have to teach. Training is fine, but to teach a new hire costs too much time and money. So take any legal role you can get and if it’s not with a firm who uses “paralegals”, bide your time there. Learn the lingo. Learn the structure. Stay there 18 months then apply for outside roles. That’s what I did.

Don’t give up. It’s hard as hell, but I bet you are too, so you got this!! Right!? Best of luck!

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Thank you so much for your Words!! Means a lot!!

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The market, in general, is tough right now. Look for hybrid positions or maybe a legal secretary job. So much of what we do and learn is from hands-on work, not school, at least in my experience. Keep trying, and good luck!

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Thank you so much for your support!!

I graduated in 2014, it took me almost ten years to get a paralegal position. I started as an assistant in the legal department of an insurance company. I applied and applied! I also worked hard and eventually was promoted in the same department I was supporting as an assistant. I’d say take anything that gets your feet in the door at a law firm or legal department!

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Thank you for your words!! On that track to get in law firm under any position, so that will be helpful for me to get experience alongside.

I was able to get my foot in the door through personal injury work, started as a receptionist and then worked my way up to legal assistant. Got my paralegal certificate and got hired soon after but I did have to go through a lot of interviews and rejections before landing a job. If you have career services available through whatever program you got your certificate from, utilize their services and have them go through your resume, interview prep, etc.

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Thank you so much for your words!! I am following the track that take whatever comes in the way of being in law firm.

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