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Connecting. Networking. Sharing. Meeting. Uniting!
Making Yourself Marketable in this Ever
Changing Field of Law
Contributed by Cindy Lopez*
Whether you're a seasoned paralegal or a recent graduate, marketing yourself in the workplace is a scary thought! What does it mean to make yourself "sellable?" Does it mean quit your job, change careers, get another degree? No, this simply means making the most of your skills, your preferences and your situation.
If you are a seasoned paralegal you may want to sharpen your management skills, make the most of your client interviews or change your area of law. The easiest and least expensive way to begin your research is surfing the 'net. Read articles on career and paralegal websites (like you're doing now), join a newsgroup which is an e-mail discussion group with others in your field or brainstorm through chatting forums and message boards. You will find what other resources are out there and that you are not alone. You say you don't have time for sitting in class a few hours a week? Take an on-line course where you can go at your own pace, two great resources are www.LegalEdCenter.com and www.NJICLE.com. The internet is also a place to find other ways of getting to where you want to be, such as seminars and discussions for today's paralegal, two associations who have a strong voice in the NJ paralegal arena are Legal Assistants Association of New Jersey (LAANJ) & South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA). Do some home-study and get books on specific subjects which can be searched on-line by title, author, keyword(s), etc... try www.barnesandnoble.com.
So begin taking those baby steps while you are working the daily grind - it is crucial to your progress and your mental health. It is imperative you are proactive in reconstructing your assignments and informing your supervisors of your interests, skills and extra efforts. Let's face it, our supervisors are involved with their own deadlines, their own court appearances and their own business worries - they very often will fail to notice a little extra effort or "expect" a good job, only noticing your work when it isn't perfect. Therefore, instead of mumbling under your breath, complaining to your family or worse, to your co-workers, let your boss know about it. In other words, "toot your own horn"!
If you are a recent graduate marketing yourself means making the most of your school experience. Use your professors, counselors and fellow paralegals to create an effective job search. Keep in touch with all of them, you never know when you will be working with them or FOR them! Let everyone you know be aware that you are actively seeking a "full-time paralegal position in a large firm in North Jersey" or a "part-time paralegal position in a small firm close to home." Whatever your situation, utilizing who you know and what you know make anything in life much easier and friendlier. Keep in mind, you may think you are at a disadvantage qualifying for most legal positions, but in fact, many employers are finding they would rather train someone to do it their way than re-train someone who does things their own way.
For you "second-careerers" who have gone back to school and taken that brave step by trying something new by wanting to accomplish something for "you" or those of you whom just want to learn something, I admire and encourage you. I went back to school later on, paid out of my own pocket attending night classes - I can honestly say I was a better student than when I was fresh out of high school the first time I "tried" college. Mature employees bring to their jobs a lifetime of experience, expertise and skills, and are good role models for younger employees, and many times, younger employers. Studies have shown that mature workers' attendance is as high or even higher than younger workers are, they have lower job turnover, and they have fewer on the job accidents than do younger workers! Studies have also found that the ability to learn remains constant throughout most of our lives. So kudos to you, always growing - always learning always living!
No matter what your present situation, there is always room for change, challenge and growth, and only you can make it happen!
"My dreams were all my own; I accounted for them to nobody; they were my refuge when annoyed-my dearest pleasure when free" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
*Cindy Lopez is the founder of NJParalegal.com, a major source of information, industry news and paralegal jobs in New Jersey. Cindy also provides resume counseling and speaks at several college paralegal programs, sharing her experience and knowledge of the industry with students coming into the Paralegal profession.
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