How to Hire a Paralegal and How to be Hired

The paralegal profession is a very lucrative yet competitive one. Knowing how to hire and be hired is important for both sides of the table and can prove difficult to navigate. So let's unpack this.

When hiring a paralegal:

When you are hiring a #paralegal you want to make sure you are connecting all the dots. In order to do so ask yourself these questions:

1. What are the needs that are to be fulfilled by this position?

You need to break this down as much as possible in order to create a well-rounded job description and expectations list. Treat this answer like a goal and make sure you cover all aspects. View the position in its entirety versus the daily tasks. Meaning, reviewing what needs to be done from the initiation to the closing of the case.

2. Outside of the skills/education warranted for this position what personality is wanted to handle both the current team and the clientele of the firm?

This is imperative for team building and the overall success of caseload management. Think of this as assembling a sports team. Where you evaluate all the players on the team by their strengths and weaknesses. Then think about whether you need someone that is a team player or a loner that can handle the caseload mostly on their own.

3. What experience are you really looking for?

Employers and hiring managers automatically assume that because an applicant has X amount of experience that they are suited for the job. When evaluating a potential legal professional, understanding what they have actually done within those years is what will be key to filling the position. Not every paralegal has done the same tasks and taken on the same responsibilities throughout their career. Much like associates and #attorneys they are tiered by the type, not by the years of work.

How to get hired as a paralegal:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there have been 336,250 employment opportunities nationwide as of May 2021. To say that it is a paralegal's world out there is pretty much accurate. The demand for paralegals has almost tripled after the 2020 pandemic and shows no signs of stopping. So "standing out" can prove quite a challenge.

Here are a few tips when searching for a paralegal job regardless of experience and education:

1. Highlight your strengths on your resume/CV:

Paralegals often get caught up in the logistics of their work history and fail to highlight all their accomplishments along the way. Really owning your smarts and skills will showcase that you are "ready" for any challenge. This could be an acknowledgment (even if it was an email), awards given, caseload management success (especially if the firm earned more money), and maybe even some events you attended that are prestigious in the legal community. Remember they are hiring a human not just a set of skills.

2. Think about what sets you apart from the rest?

The hard truth is any candidate can receive the same skills and education you have. What about you sets you apart from those skills and education? Being a go-getter is great. But knowing how to run a caseload from start to finish is even better. Speaking with your teammates in understanding the process from start to finish, is leadership! Going above the call because it is not only helpful to the team but to the caseload, that is mindset management. Reflecting on who you are as a worker that intertwines with your personality is really what needs to happen here.

3. Knowing what you want now:

Knowing what you want will help you set your expectations on the table at the time of the interview. This way everyone is clear about the journey that will transpire during your time at the firm. I say knowing what you want now because as humans we were meant to evolve. This was proven when we went from cave people to our current societal norms. What you want today may not look the same 5 or even 2 years later. Really connecting with this fact will make you more open to new opportunities and confident come time to negotiate.

I will leave you with this final note. Hiring and being hired is a negotiation meeting. Both sides need to come to the table with a set of expectations and compromise when possible. That way, all the cards are on the table and it lessens the "surprises" later on.

Find more legal professional guidance in my book Let's Talk Paralegal