Are litigation paralegal job opportunities growing or declining?

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:

Until recently I had a relatively stable employment history....
Near the very end of my tour, I learned a new way to draft expert witness designations...[attorney] gave me an article on expert witness designations. It was a great article! I used nearly everything the article recommended the next time I had an expert witness designation to draft. He said he liked it - a rare compliment from that man....[Better question] Tanya, is why have you changed jobs so often? ...

DLP- yes you have stable work history. ME- not so much - as you know. FOr me it was at least helpful to identify the reasons I was terminated, worked through "the theory" with help of my fellow Paralegal comments. I needed to see what I was doing wrong overall.

GRANT- did you get a letter of recommendation that had a "negative comment" smack in the middle of it, carefully worded to express that employee had a problem? Maybe it is a clue. [Trust me- I had one job- ws terminated, did not really know what the heck had happened]

Ultimately, the job hopping ruined my paralegal career. - lost too much money in-between jobs.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:

A better question, Tanya, is why have you changed jobs so often? .

That is a great question. That is what I did, as my comments are everywhere. I had to figure out what the heck was going wrong. For me, it seemed often bad luck, did not interview well at big firms and failed to impress [before the job hopping started] and probably some bad judment calls along the way, CHOICES. Often, when I was in-between, my only choice became to take a job if offered. or go homeless

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Or simply keep up as much as possible with your filing. You'll always know where the document is if you have indexed it into its appropriate subfile. Important for pleadings and discovery.

Alternatively, keep all your unfiled items in ONE place, such as your inbox or an unfiled items basket.

Actually, whatever I was doing, I could always put my hands on my documents when requested.

mary in Tampa, Florida said: I used to mumble something to Frank. Then say, "You're hearing things again, Frank."

Frank was the power-attorney in the last firm you were empolyed by for what 7-8 years?? Wasn't there some kind of merger that took place and ultimately bounced you out the door?

Grant013 in New York, New York said: I've never had trouble finding a job even though I am considered a job hopper.The longest job I had was for 2 years in a nonprofit.I had another job for 2 years as a personal assistant to an artist. All else on the resume was about 1 year.......

I think that job hopping is common when you just start out, especially when you are checking out different industries. However, being this is a Paralegal forum, you do not want to be a job hopper in legal. Legal considers it unstable work history, after the first couple of hops. That is what I believe to be true.

I worked for Frank for two years at Fowler White. He had gone through 18 secretaries within the last several years. Frank had a strategy that he wanted Michele G for his secretary. He had worked at FW for eight years for another attorney. Frank hired Michele as the supervisor for his department. She kept doing more and more work for him. When I got hired, I already had my Bachelors in Business Administration (management). I told her what his strategy was. She didn't believe me. He did nothing but run me down. A year later he brought up to her that he wanted her as his secretary and I be her assistant. She quit. A month later his paralegal quit. So I did the work of secretary and paralegal for several months. But by that time, our relationship was too far gone to be revived. cont

cont
They hired Sharon as a supervisor. She made it her business to look like she was doing a great job by working to get me to quit. I did. She is now another attorney's secretary.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:

Sadly, employment is now a process of "last man standing" instead of "we want you. Any reasonable employer, if such exists, cannot help but wonder what is wrong with a candidate who presents with a "great personality" and great skills but a not-so-great work history.

Better results at interview if the interviwer asks reasons why hopped, such as being laid off. That does not reflect on the employee - it means work is slow.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: cont
They hired Sharon as a supervisor. She made it her business to look like she was doing a great job by working to get me to quit. I did. She is now another attorney's secretary.

B.S. politics ruined your career at FW. Frank did not seem that pleasant, but you were there 2 years. AND before that time about 5 years at a different firm??

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: cont
They hired Sharon as a supervisor. She made it her business to look like she was doing a great job by working to get me to quit. I did. She is now another attorney's secretary.

Maybe go with "irreconcilable differences."

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: ...or it can show irresponsibility, unreliability, disloyalty and, last but not least, instability.

If I were an employer, I would wonder about a candidate who presents with an unstable job history. I would wonder if that person would leave me as soon as I had broken in the person and if I'd have to start the hiring process again....

I, for one, never quit a job. I stuck it out as best I could, because I needed the unemployment benefits.

Start the hiring process all over again - well, some of them do not seem to care if they terminate and re-hire.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:

Apparently none of these operations care if people come and go, on their own volition or otherwise. What a waste of manhours for them, but that's their problem.

I know - stupid business practice. Just do like it when I have to go because they cannot see their own mistakes. - now causing me big blip on resume, stress,,,,,,,

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: Maybe go with "irreconcilable differences."

At this point, with a few months of my leaving, the firm was splitting up. Attorneys (who knew about it) were already leaving, secretaries going - at this point I will say the firm was splitting up and I was eliminated with a group of others.

Mostly at this point, I think I'm going back to court reporting. There is maybe five months of school left (sub jobs), and I can get some depo jobs, I can do okay.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:
A better question, Tanya, is why have you changed jobs so often? All things being equal, Tanya, I would hire the drone and so would most employers. At least the person is reliable and stable. Moreover, Tanya, job hoppers can have precisely the same "negative" qualities you attach to the drone.

You are either taking the drone comment personally or you enjoy arguing.You are speaking for the employer.You are reflecting the big corporate mentality in your position.Not everyone is looking for jobs there, especially these days in this current economy.Like I said, in non-corporate environments - outside of law offices, banks and all large others - my background has never been a problem. In real estate, nobody cared.I'm not looking for a career in the corporate world so it really does not matter.In New York City areas, in general, many people job hop.Their stories sound similar to mine.And they are all currently employed. Why have I changed jobs so often? My paralegal "career" ended when my father's terminal illness interfered and made my re-prioritize my needs.Para jobs also never paid me enough.My nonprofit job had a major budgetary cut.I also decided to attend college full time in pursuit of another degree, ending another job I had.Are all these reasons legitimate enough?It depends who the employer is.Smaller companies understood these reasons.If my job hopping was that bad, I would be homeless by now as would many of my friends here in NYC.

Life often presents certain circumstances that MAKE one job hop.Someone should be marginalized or blacklisted because of that? I have good references from my jobs.But yes, in legal, banking, high end corporate job hopping is a problem.That's fine, as I am not really looking to for jobs there anymore.I was never happy there so that's fine.I'm happier in a smaller environment.I can focus on my real estate career on the side.Large corporate made in impossible to have any other interests/career or otherwise outside of the company.It was the law firm and only the law firm.Corporate world does not view career-changers positively either - so what, someone should remain miserable where they are and never do anything better? I refuse to allow others to dictate how my resume should look and how I should live.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said:
It appears that all of your Paralegal jobs would have been 1 year or under. WOuld that be correct? That gets you in trouble with law firms- definitely the big firms. [I started out my 1st Paralegal job just shy of 2 years, after that it was 6mo or less]
ANd you lose a lot of money in between jobs. Until, I moved to Miami, I did not lose money in between jobs - However I did not move forward monetarily.

Yes, they were like 8 months, 11 months.I had to give up on big firms.That's ok, as I didn't want to be around anymore "Herbs." Absolutely you lose money in between jobs.Job hopping really doesn't improve the situation, I think it makes it worse. One learns that as one gets older.Now looking back, clearly job hopping was mistake. But you can't change the past.You can explain it so that people understand.You can cite the inexperience of youth for doing it.I am looking for stability now and I would let them know that if asked.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: At this point, with a few months of my leaving, the firm was splitting up. Attorneys (who knew about it) were already leaving, secretaries going - at this point I will say the firm was splitting up and I was eliminated with a group of others..

Yeah, I thought I remembered you commenting on staffing change, internal change..The above is a good response and it is true.

Grant013 in New York, New York said: ... My paralegal "career" ended when my father's terminal illness interfered and made my re-prioritize my needs.Para jobs also never paid me enough.[return to college ... in pursuit of another degree, ending another job I had.Are all these reasons legitimate enough?It depends who the employer is.Smaller companies understood these reasons.If my job hopping was that bad, I would be homeless by now as would many of my friends here in NYC.

GRANT- In speaking of the Paralegal profession only, as this is a paralegal forum- we are simply pointing out the pit falls of job hopping in legal. Legal seems to be ok with a 2 year stay, but short of that- one is labled job hopper and it is hard to get interviews at law firm because of the dings. (hops) No one questions you as to your choice to leave the profession. Get out early before you are trapped. (cont'd)

(cont'd)

Sounds like you had a degree in paraelegal studies, as you mention you went back to school- if I understood that. Smart move. I do not know how big firms feel about the paralegal studies degree, as opposed to 4-year college degree plus ABA paralegal certificate.

I am sure the smaller firms do not have a problem with that- you were working in the profession and hired.

My second job was a nightmare. Had I started out there, oh, things would be bad...I started out good, then go too many "dings" on my resume. So that was my downfall.

AS DLP commented, too many "dings" in a row on the resume start to preclude you from getting an interview.

My resume had "dings" and "dents" and finally it was sent to the salvage yard and ultimately destroyed.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:

Tanya, you are taking my rebuttal of your unfounded anti-stable employee comment personally and very defensively. I really think what's going on with you, Tanya, is because you do not have a stable employment record you are envious of people who do. ..

Ok DLP- As to me- a group of the forum is aware of my job hopping resume. I was very disturbed as it happened and ...SO I utilized the paralegals on the forum to help analyze what went wrong. I was brutally honest - had to be- or I would figure out nothing. SO- if you have to crack the whip on me - do it quickly and swiftly.

dlp - LET's remember, that I even took the 40k job [while unemployed from legal] at the national plumbing company, whereby the plumber fot so pisssssssss at me BECAUSE I spoke with a college educated voice and threatend to throw me up against the wall - yeah- I was terminated 3 weeks later.

If I had called the cops, I would have grounds for a lawsuit.

Fear of losing my job kept me from picking up the telephone, I was so close to calling.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Yes, we analyzed your situation, Cindy. You deserve compassion and not a whipping.

Your situation is distinguished from Tanya's because:

1) To say the least, you've suffered some very unusual situations, such as the plumbing outfit and the Miami "relationships" utter BS episodes;

2) I've been reading your stories for a year now and you've been straightforward and non-defensive about your situations; and

3) You have never expressed resentment against people with stable employment records. Hell, Cindy, you even semi-persuaded me my last seven years in the legal industry count as stability! Despite my somewhat ignominious end.

As Curly of the Three Stooges would say, Cindy, you were primarily a victim of soicumtances. You have suffered for them. In Tanya's case, her father's situation doesn't, or shouldn't, count. Things such as illness come up. Otherwise, Tanya has simply jumped from job to job. Fine, if she can stay employed. Good for her. But her defensive crack about "stable drones" is arbitrary, unfair and resentful.

I am simply pointing out reality. It's simply the path of least resistance for employers to hire candidates with stable records. They have no shortage of such candidates, especially in these times. I'm not saying it's right or wrong; it is what it is. Finally, the only times I've ever quit jobs after college were when I had lined up other jobs.

Whew, no flaggings... (cont')

(cont'd)

The 3 Stooges - it was just "mostly" soicumtances".Classic.

Hey, I put myself out there, because I needed, wanted to learn from mistakes. TO stop the beat from going on.... It stopped, however, at meltdown. (the movie)

I know I tried, but still the beat went on.. perhaps one place "uses" you for the quarter - however - you get a big "dent" in the rear of the resume pack. TIs true. Thank you for your candor, of what you know. It is the best of what I know. Thank you for your itemiized analisis.

Who is best to figure this out but other paralegals. Had it been all failure on my part- I would just have to accept it- someone I did manage to screw up my life. That is on me. I have no choice but to accept it. Thank you for the reply -not sugar coated.

As commented in this blog, 2 years in the same place is considered "stable" in legal world. Everyone else past the test. Hat off to you.

No, I do not have your check for $1Million.

[Noticed anyone] I am a sloppy typist. (just not at work)

Grant013 in New York, New York said: You are either taking the drone comment personally or you enjoy arguing.You are speaking for the employer.You are reflecting the big corporate mentality in your position.Not everyone is looking for jobs there, especially these days in this current economy.Like I said, in non-corporate environments - outside of law offices, banks and all large others - my background has never been a problem.....

GRANT - I think you may be a "twentie-something" at this time in your life. By the time you hit 30, you need to pick a career and stick with it in a solid stable employment record.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: DLP- GRANT- did you get a letter of recommendation that had a "negative comment" smack in the middle of it, carefully worded to express that employee had a problem? Maybe it is a clue. [Trust me- I had one job- ws terminated, did not really know what the heck had happened]

The negative comment was his opinion only in the firm.Other lawyers who worked with me did not express the same sentiment.He had a right to his opinion and could have discussed it with me outside of the letter thing.I was open to his feedback always.That negative opinion had no place in the reference letter as it defies the purpose of a reference letter.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: I think that job hopping is common when you just start out, especially when you are checking out different industries. However, being this is a Paralegal forum, you do not want to be a job hopper in legal. Legal considers it unstable work history, after the first couple of hops. That is what I believe to be true.

Exactly.I could not get hired when I was ready to return to legal following my father's situation.The non profits hired me without any issues.I had bills to pay and put food on the table, so I went with it.I was tired of legal anyway so it was time to try something new.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: GRANT - I think you may be a "twentie-something" at this time in your life. By the time you hit 30, you need to pick a career and stick with it in a solid stable employment record.

Totally agree with you.I have picked a career that I love: real estate.By the way, not a single real estate broker asked me why I left any of my jobs.The issue? The economy killed it for me right now.It started out VERY nicely for me in late 2006 and early 2007.I plan to return when it gets better.In the meantime, I am looking for salaried or hourly wage jobs as I wait for the economy to improve. I would love nothing more than to have a solid stable employment record.I regret it never happened for me in the paralegal field.I want to continue doing real estate but it's not smart to do it now.You are not generating enough to cover expenses let alone get much of profit.

Grant013 in New York, New York said: The negative comment was his opinion only in the firm.Other lawyers who worked with me did not express the same sentiment.He had a right to his opinion and could have discussed it with me outside of the letter thing.I was open to his feedback always.That negative opinion had no place in the reference letter as it defies the purpose of a reference letter.

I agree - letter of reference is about promoting the employee and the good things employee has to offer.

I was only suggesting the MAYBE there was something to his point that you had overlooked. - he saw - and you would not want to repeat that actions, behaviour or whateverism.

Grant013 in New York, New York said: Exactly.I could not get hired when I was ready to return to legal following my father's situation....

AS I was a job hopper myself, and it put "dings" on my resume precluding me from getting interviews in many firms.

You had several jobs also- being out of the field for medical emergency is different.

Wanting out of the legal field - get out while you can, as you did. Just do not job hop anymore. Stay for 2 years and move for upward mobility.

Grant013 in New York, New York said: Exactly.I could not get hired when I was ready to return to legal following my father's situation.The non profits hired me without any issues.I had bills to pay and put food on the table, so I went with it.I was tired of legal anyway so it was time to try something new.

Stay at the present job and ride it out in this bad economy. I would not even think of changing in these times.

Grant013 in New York, New York said: Exactly.I could not get hired when I was ready to return to legal following my father's situation..

I think you would have a hard time in legal due to the job hopping period. Got to stay 2 years for stability. I knew that - still got forced to hop, terminated.

You could catch a break - but lots of firms would not consider interviewing you. Nothing to do with the medical emergency.

Grant013 in New York, New York said: Totally agree with you.I have picked a career that I love: real estate.By the way, not a single real estate broker asked me why I left any of my jobs......

Real estate sales does not care about your pasy job history. You get your license and it is pure commision. You either generate and make a living or not.

The real estate market is still bottoming out. It is expected to continue to bottom thur 2009. I have been following the market since the bubble began and then crashed and is still crashing. Keep your present job - no more job hopping while this economy is in crisis.

I hope this is a direct hire position, not a temp position. YOu need to start betting benefits, such as saving. YOu do not want to be still working at 50 and 60 trying to make ends meet.