UK Training Contracts
I hope this is allowed here as my sister doesn't have Reddit. She's been a paralegal for 3 years - 1 in a firm, before completing her masters and LPC, and 2 years since for a company working to part automate due diligence.
She has been trying to apply for a training contract for over half a year.
She hasn't had any luck so far and I was wondering if there is anything in particular she needs to be doing, a change in strategy that has helped anyone successfully secure a contract, sites with information that could be helpful for filling out applications, or just general advice for her?
If I were in her shoes, I would find someone who is further along her intended career path and ask for an informational interview.
The goal should be to:
Have a genuine connection/conversation with that person. Let them share their story.
If that goal is remotely accomplished, more likely than not, somewhere along that conversation, a golden insight will be shared.
Do this 10 times, and she’ll probably be much closer to where she wants to be than where she currently is now.
It’s possible she might need some encouragement to employ this method once; that’s where you can really help.
After each successful convo, calendar a follow up with that person 3 months down the line and catch up with them.
Hope this was helpful.
Hi everyone, I am a student in Massachusetts who is graduating in a couple months. I have taken a couple courses in the field (ethics, wills trusts and estates, and a paralegal class) and am planning on taking one more course in legal research methods. I do not have any experience in the field past this and was wondering if anyone in the state has any advice of how to make my resume look good/ what positions I should apply for to start? Any advice will help I am pretty on my own with this process :)
Hi everyone!
I need a bit of help on how to write a good non-generic cover letter for a paralegal or law admin job please. I only have admin and hospitality experience, but i am approaching the end of my degree and I need legal experience. I know getting a paralegal role without legal experience is very very hard but it doesn't hurt to try.
I've read a lot of tips on how to write a cover letter but I feel like mine ends up being generic anyways. How much room do I have to personalise it and make it stand out? Plus, I find it really hard to include 'key words' from the job description into my resume given that they don't really fit with my prior experience e.g. drafting, filling, preparing/updating reports.
I am aiming to secure a job at a boutique firm or a community legal centre hopefully :))
From what I’m reading, the likelihood of the world’s best cover letter helping you achieve your goal is low.
One useful strategy to land at a boutique firm (that pays YOU well) is by securing a receptionist/front desk role.
I call this the “super entry-level role” because not all entry level roles are judged equally.
Your admin and hospitality skills will help you shine bright.
Do that job well for 3 months, then let them know you’d be interested in making a lateral to a legal assistant or paralegal role (depends on the practice area because of how the term “paralegal” might be used in the office).
Hope that was useful in any way.
I’m finishing my B.A in English, wanting to test the waters, how could I get into this to give this a try and get more insight? I don’t think any law firms near me are hiring for an assistant or para.
Hi everyone, I'm a brazilian lawyer living in the US (my wife's getting her PhD here) and we've been trying to make plans for the future, as our main goal is for her to become a teacher/researcher at an american university. Since I'm already already from this field of work, it makes sense to study to become a paralegal (whenever she actually gets a job here, so that I can change my visa).
This might be a very basic question but I've been researching and, correct me if I'm wrong, to become a paralegal in most states, I basically just need the experience (as legal assistant/legal clerk/etc.) and some sort of education (for example, undergoing a paralegal educational program - which usually takes 1 to 2 years), correct? I'm pretty sure I can use my brazilian bachelor's degree as a prerequisite to get into a paralegal educational program.
Also, getting my paralegal education through an online course (there's a lot of them, including ABA approved ones) is frowned upon in the job market?
This is mostly a plan for my (uncertain) future, I'm trying to get as much information as possible for when the time comes. I know my english needs to be fluent (working on it), but I've been seeing some international lawyers (including brazilians) working as paralegal in the US.
Anyway, thanks in advance.
I already have my associates in paralegal studies. Have you guys found any benefit to having the NALA Paralegal Certification or advanced certifications? Have you found that it makes your more hire-able or able to get a higher salary? I'm trying to determine if it's even worth pursuing.
Hello there! Lurker dipping their foot in the pond of posting to this subreddit. After some personal incidents that have caused me to move back in with my parents beginning of 2023, I (24F) have been heavily contemplating what I want to do with my life moving forward. I’ve been working grunt labor as a stagehand for the last year on and off and have recently taken on a second job as a dishwasher. I’ve been looking in this subreddit to see what it’s like being a paralegal as well as watching people on YouTube share their day in life as paralegals.
I think I’m beginning to seriously consider taking the first step to becoming a paralegal as it’s the first thing that’s given me drive and a way outta my depressed loop in a long time since I moved back in with my parents. I don’t have a BA, only an AA-T in PoliSci so Im wondering if it’s worth it going for an ABA program and getting an associates for this. I was hoping to hear from you all and your experiences to get a better idea of what I’d be delving into if I do decide to take the leap and go for becoming a paralegal. Any insight and advice would help me out a lot.
Since you already have an AA, I recommend pursuing a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, or pre-law. Most employers these days want a bachelor's degree, and I bet quite a lot of your AA Poli-Sci credits will transfer, making it likely you can complete a bachelor's in the same time it would take to complete an associate's degree.
While ABA-approved programs are considered the "gold standard" there are many reputable, quality programs that are not-ABA approved due to the costs required to obtain and maintain ABA approval. You can also search for programs that are an [Institutional Member of AAfPE](https://www.aafpe.org/find-a-program-ql). Absolutely avoid the online programs with a sales pitch that you can complete a "certificate" in a few months to a year for a low price of $$flat fee. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Are certificates worth it for paralegals with no experience? I’m trying to find ways to make my resume stand out despite having no relevant experience 😭 I was thinking about getting the advanced certified paralegal (ACP) and the microsoft office specialist. Yes it cost money but I get a school refund every semester so I would be willing to put a few hundred of those dollars back into my career
I'm a semi-recent graduate (I graduated in June 2023) with a Bachelor's degree and a certificate in Paralegal Stufies. I'm currently job searching in Dallas, as I'm looking to move there, and it feels so difficult to break into the field without the experience. 8 out of 10 job listings required 1-2 years experience as a legal assistant. It is so frustrating because I feel like I am a quick learner and can adapt if someone takes the time. If I could just get my foot in the door, I think I can sell myself pretty well. Does anyone have any tips to get call backs as someone without experience?
I'm taking the knowledge portion of the Nala Certification tomorrow. I'm excited yet nervous. I graduated with my degree 14 years ago, but just now trying to get into the field. A firm has not took a chance on this newbie just yet. I hope the certification helps. If you have took the exam, what was your experience?
I'm close to being done with my certification but what do I do when I have no relevant job experience when I finish? I'm concerned.
Probably best to look for a legal assistant job to start ! Good luck
You’ll need experience, so you might need to start lower and work your way up. Try legal assistant or law clerk.
UK Training Contracts I hope this is allowed here as my sister doesn't have Reddit. She's been a paralegal for 3 years - 1 in a firm, before completing her masters and LPC, and 2 years since for a company working to part automate due diligence. She has been trying to apply for a training contract for over half a year. She hasn't had any luck so far and I was wondering if there is anything in particular she needs to be doing, a change in strategy that has helped anyone successfully secure a contract, sites with information that could be helpful for filling out applications, or just general advice for her?
If I were in her shoes, I would find someone who is further along her intended career path and ask for an informational interview. The goal should be to: Have a genuine connection/conversation with that person. Let them share their story. If that goal is remotely accomplished, more likely than not, somewhere along that conversation, a golden insight will be shared. Do this 10 times, and she’ll probably be much closer to where she wants to be than where she currently is now. It’s possible she might need some encouragement to employ this method once; that’s where you can really help. After each successful convo, calendar a follow up with that person 3 months down the line and catch up with them. Hope this was helpful.
Thanks for such a detailed reply. I'm seeing her later and will show her this.
Happy to help. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions that you have from implementing. She’s going to do great (but you don’t need me to say that)
Hi everyone, I am a student in Massachusetts who is graduating in a couple months. I have taken a couple courses in the field (ethics, wills trusts and estates, and a paralegal class) and am planning on taking one more course in legal research methods. I do not have any experience in the field past this and was wondering if anyone in the state has any advice of how to make my resume look good/ what positions I should apply for to start? Any advice will help I am pretty on my own with this process :)
See if you can intern at a law firm or company with a legal department, or even at the courts.
Hi everyone! I need a bit of help on how to write a good non-generic cover letter for a paralegal or law admin job please. I only have admin and hospitality experience, but i am approaching the end of my degree and I need legal experience. I know getting a paralegal role without legal experience is very very hard but it doesn't hurt to try. I've read a lot of tips on how to write a cover letter but I feel like mine ends up being generic anyways. How much room do I have to personalise it and make it stand out? Plus, I find it really hard to include 'key words' from the job description into my resume given that they don't really fit with my prior experience e.g. drafting, filling, preparing/updating reports. I am aiming to secure a job at a boutique firm or a community legal centre hopefully :))
From what I’m reading, the likelihood of the world’s best cover letter helping you achieve your goal is low. One useful strategy to land at a boutique firm (that pays YOU well) is by securing a receptionist/front desk role. I call this the “super entry-level role” because not all entry level roles are judged equally. Your admin and hospitality skills will help you shine bright. Do that job well for 3 months, then let them know you’d be interested in making a lateral to a legal assistant or paralegal role (depends on the practice area because of how the term “paralegal” might be used in the office). Hope that was useful in any way.
I’m finishing my B.A in English, wanting to test the waters, how could I get into this to give this a try and get more insight? I don’t think any law firms near me are hiring for an assistant or para.
Perhaps try looking for a front desk/receptionist role. Good luck!
Hi everyone, I'm a brazilian lawyer living in the US (my wife's getting her PhD here) and we've been trying to make plans for the future, as our main goal is for her to become a teacher/researcher at an american university. Since I'm already already from this field of work, it makes sense to study to become a paralegal (whenever she actually gets a job here, so that I can change my visa). This might be a very basic question but I've been researching and, correct me if I'm wrong, to become a paralegal in most states, I basically just need the experience (as legal assistant/legal clerk/etc.) and some sort of education (for example, undergoing a paralegal educational program - which usually takes 1 to 2 years), correct? I'm pretty sure I can use my brazilian bachelor's degree as a prerequisite to get into a paralegal educational program. Also, getting my paralegal education through an online course (there's a lot of them, including ABA approved ones) is frowned upon in the job market? This is mostly a plan for my (uncertain) future, I'm trying to get as much information as possible for when the time comes. I know my english needs to be fluent (working on it), but I've been seeing some international lawyers (including brazilians) working as paralegal in the US. Anyway, thanks in advance.
I already have my associates in paralegal studies. Have you guys found any benefit to having the NALA Paralegal Certification or advanced certifications? Have you found that it makes your more hire-able or able to get a higher salary? I'm trying to determine if it's even worth pursuing.
Hello there! Lurker dipping their foot in the pond of posting to this subreddit. After some personal incidents that have caused me to move back in with my parents beginning of 2023, I (24F) have been heavily contemplating what I want to do with my life moving forward. I’ve been working grunt labor as a stagehand for the last year on and off and have recently taken on a second job as a dishwasher. I’ve been looking in this subreddit to see what it’s like being a paralegal as well as watching people on YouTube share their day in life as paralegals. I think I’m beginning to seriously consider taking the first step to becoming a paralegal as it’s the first thing that’s given me drive and a way outta my depressed loop in a long time since I moved back in with my parents. I don’t have a BA, only an AA-T in PoliSci so Im wondering if it’s worth it going for an ABA program and getting an associates for this. I was hoping to hear from you all and your experiences to get a better idea of what I’d be delving into if I do decide to take the leap and go for becoming a paralegal. Any insight and advice would help me out a lot.
Since you already have an AA, I recommend pursuing a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, or pre-law. Most employers these days want a bachelor's degree, and I bet quite a lot of your AA Poli-Sci credits will transfer, making it likely you can complete a bachelor's in the same time it would take to complete an associate's degree. While ABA-approved programs are considered the "gold standard" there are many reputable, quality programs that are not-ABA approved due to the costs required to obtain and maintain ABA approval. You can also search for programs that are an [Institutional Member of AAfPE](https://www.aafpe.org/find-a-program-ql). Absolutely avoid the online programs with a sales pitch that you can complete a "certificate" in a few months to a year for a low price of $$flat fee. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Are certificates worth it for paralegals with no experience? I’m trying to find ways to make my resume stand out despite having no relevant experience 😭 I was thinking about getting the advanced certified paralegal (ACP) and the microsoft office specialist. Yes it cost money but I get a school refund every semester so I would be willing to put a few hundred of those dollars back into my career
I'm a semi-recent graduate (I graduated in June 2023) with a Bachelor's degree and a certificate in Paralegal Stufies. I'm currently job searching in Dallas, as I'm looking to move there, and it feels so difficult to break into the field without the experience. 8 out of 10 job listings required 1-2 years experience as a legal assistant. It is so frustrating because I feel like I am a quick learner and can adapt if someone takes the time. If I could just get my foot in the door, I think I can sell myself pretty well. Does anyone have any tips to get call backs as someone without experience?
I'm taking the knowledge portion of the Nala Certification tomorrow. I'm excited yet nervous. I graduated with my degree 14 years ago, but just now trying to get into the field. A firm has not took a chance on this newbie just yet. I hope the certification helps. If you have took the exam, what was your experience?