Discouraged in Fairfield

I've been laid off from my paralegal position approximately two months. I can honestly say that I LOVED MY JOB. During that time I've updated and submitted my resume for countless paralegal positions and been to interviews (unfortunately those interviews were with recruiters).

I'm starting to become frustrated and resentful with the recruiters. While recruiters tell me that they have assignments and that I have an impressive resume for someone who is entry-level (1.5 years of corporate paralegal experience, two paralegal internships, and bachelor degree and ABA-approved paralegal certificate), recruiters are offering me administrative/secretarial positions which I do not want.

While I understand that the economy is rough and beggars can't be choosers, I've worked too damn hard and long to get this college degreee and longer to obtain the legal experience. I'm probably preaching to the choir, but I just had to vent to get out my frustrations. Thanks for listening.

Sorry, but two months and no job is nothing. IMO you have little to complain about. Everyone works hard to collect their training and experience. Moreover, at least around here, it's tough to find work, even for paralegals with more experience than you.

I have a four-year degree, ABA certificate and eleven-plus years of paralegal experience across multiple specialties. I was made to leave my last firm after working there for nearly seven years. I sent materials to something like 150 legal employers over a year's time. I netted ten interviews, including two phoners. No offers. I gave up, which is fine because I am disgusted with working for lawyers. Headhunters have answered my online resumes, but I won't deal with those liars and deceivers. I am sure my age has worked against me.

I'd suggest you apply directly to law firms and companies. Sure, applying directly is far more work, but no one ever said job searching does not require work. Perhaps firms around Hartford would find your background of interest. Also try the insurance companies. Don't deal with headhunters.

I've also submitted my resume directly to law firms and companies. When talking with recruiters regarding a position they posted online, I ask that they disclose the name of the company. In case they decide not to submit my resume, I can do some research on the company in addition to the job description (in case their website has a career web page) and directly submit my resume to that company.

It's funny that you should mention Hartford because I was born and raised in Hartford. I have considered moving back to Hartford for a split second, but have decided that I will stick it out in Fairfield County, CT. Hopefully, I will find something in NYC or in the Fairfield County area.

ParaGyrl in Fairfield County, Connecticut said: When talking with recruiters regarding a position they posted online, I ask that they disclose the name of the company. In case they decide not to submit my resume, I can do some research on the company in addition to the job description (in case their website has a career web page) and directly submit my resume to that company.

Have they actually disclosed their clients' names to you? I'd be surprised if they have. If so, good for you! And dumb of them.

Assuming their are recruiting for legit jobs, headhunters won't disclose their clients' names. They don't want candidates end-running them. In that regard, and in fairness, I cannot blame them.

Sometimes, if one diligently searches law firm websites for job postings one can still determine headhunter clients. Some stupid headhunters will take a firm's online job posting and cut and paste it as their own on their websites. A couple of headhunters here sent me e-mails in which they've done that. One would think they'd at least reword the posting.

All you can do is keep trying.

Some stupid headhunters will take a firm's online job posting and cut and paste it as their own on their websites. A couple of headhunters here sent me e-mails in which they've done that. One would think they'd at least reword the posting.
__________
Wow, I've seen that one.

ParaGryl, if you're young and you want legal work, then keep trying. Look at the legal forums here. I've posted several times the law firms LAYING OFF, not hiring.

You have a Bachelor's Degree. Keep your options open.

I find it hilarious that headhunters will cut and paste online ads nearly verbatim into e-mails.

I had applied to and was rejected by a large firm several times over the years. That firm had been looking for a paralegal for many months. Two headhunters e-mailed me at different times about that job at that firm. I answered both headhunters.

I identified the firm by name and said I knew that firm was their client. I stated that pursuing that firm would be a waste of time. (I could have given a damn about wasting their time.) One headhunter thanked me for my honesty. The other never replied.

The recession has brought job losses to the legal profession. The big firms have let staff go - attorneys and support staff alike - and everyone is having to 'do more with less'. The smaller firms are on hiring freezes and everyone is struggling, hoping to make do until things turn around. If this were a better job market, I'd recommend holding out. But, being what things are, maybe you should take one of the administrative jobs. It's all a matter of getting your foot in the door and working your way up. And who knows, when things turn around, you'll have proven yourself and possibly be ahead of the line for any new paralegal positions within that firm.

I was a newly minted college grad Class of 2000, first class of the new millennium, and we were supposed to set the world on fire. But, we hit the dot.com and telecom bubble burst and a recession. I was unemployed for 8 months and finally took a legal secretary job at less than my previous salary, just to get my foot in the door and a steady pay check. Sometimes, it's about doing what you have to, not what you'd druther.

Jane Do Girl in Pensacola, Florida said: If this were a better job market, I'd recommend holding out. But, being what things are, maybe you should take one of the administrative jobs. It's all a matter of getting your foot in the door and working your way up. And who knows, when things turn around, you'll have proven yourself and possibly be ahead of the line for any new paralegal positions within that firm.

"Possibly" is the operative word, though I'd rather say "not necessarily." Based on my 32+ years of work experience in three industries, I've found it's very difficult to break into different role if one is first hired into one role.

E.g., you could be hired as a legal secretary. Of course, you will do a great job. Although you may exhibit great potential as a paralegal and could sell some of your secretarial experience as paralegal experience, you may be typecast. The firm won't easily visualize you, or won't want to visualize you, as a paralegal. It won't want to promote you from your secretarial job because you are doing a great job. Finally, you will still be regarded as an entry-level paralegal - and - you may have to take a pay cut if you leave legal secretarial work to become a paralegal. You very well can suffer the same problems if you apply elsewhere as a paralegal.

I think one can easily suffer perception problems if one takes a job in a role other than one wants. Try to walk through the door and be hired as a paralegal if at all possible.

There are so many ppl who went to law school over the past 10 years, they are gobbling up all the paralegal jobs. There aren't that many paralegal jobs, they tend to hire legal secrtaries and them jump right to junior attorney because there are so many of them. Also, many ppl who went to law school and did not pass the bar are taking the paralegal and compliance jobs.

The insurance cos in Hartford are all laying off, the law firms are laying off. If you have the $$ to fly to an interview in another area, esp if it is a good company, that would be an idea, esp. if you work through your agency/recruiter.

It is hard for all levels to get back on track, senior level paralegals with extensive experience, and junior level. The other thing I have noticed is they are hiring ppl as junior paralegals with no paralegal certificate or education (as they can pay them even less).

However, if you can expand your georgraphic horizons, you will get back into a decent job sooner rather than later. I doubt Hartford will be that great a place, no harm trying, but many people are getting let go in legal in the area. I have seen people posting ads willing to work for free. A legal placement from university said I should volunteer to work for free. That might be OK if you are an intern (like you already did 2 internships), but that is just taking advantage of a challenging situation to ask people to work for free (that to me is an indication of a company/firm that would never value you - excepting genuine internships). But that is how crazy it is in Hartford county. An agency suggested to wear a short skirt on any interview. I am older, attractive, but no college cutie here... pretty crazy here...

paralegal candidate in West Hartford, Connecticut said: A legal placement from university said I should volunteer to work for free.

University placement people have no clue about the real world. That is ridiculous advice. Except for true interns, companies won't accept "volunteers." Something about problems involving Workers' Comp coverage, state labor departments, and the Wage & Hour Board. In other words, companies feel they must pay you if you're doing work for them.

Good luck with your job search.

The only real companies/corporations to take volunteers are the non profit ones, like hospitals, museums, charities, schools, government stuff. As Displaced said, there is literally no such thing as volunteering in a corporation because it causes far too many problems.

Could you imagine an employee working in a corporation, and she has a "volunteer" working along side of her? Just ain't going to happen.

[QUOTE who="I've found it's very difficult to break into different role if one is first hired into one role.

E.g., you could be hired as a legal secretary. Of course, you will do a great job. Although you may exhibit great potential as a paralegal and could sell some of your secretarial experience as paralegal experience, you may be typecast. The firm won't easily visualize you, or won't want to visualize you, as a paralegal. It won't want to promote you from your secretarial job because you are doing a great job. Finally, you will still be regarded as an entry-level paralegal - and - you may have to take a pay cut if you leave legal secretarial work to become a paralegal. You very well can suffer the same problems if you apply elsewhere as a paralegal.

I think one can easily suffer perception problems if one takes a job in a role other than one wants. Try to walk through the door and be hired as a paralegal if at all possible.

That is my exact concern. I've had at least 2 legal secrataries from my last job tell me they were told that they would never be considered for a paralegal position in that firm.

Even though it's a job that pays the bills and at least I'm working, it's something I'm trying to hold off as long as possible. If Paralegal/Administrative Assistant became available, I would consider it...as long as the position is 10-20% administative and 80-90% paralegal.

In the two firms where I have worked people switched between legal secretary, legal assistant and paralegal pretty easily. At my current job, it's hard to tell what peoples' titles are. All of these jobs look the same. (Which is not good for the paralegal profession.)

ParaGyrl in Fairfield County, Connecticut said: I've had at least 2 legal secrataries from my last job tell me they were told that they would never be considered for a paralegal position in that firm.

Even though it's a job that pays the bills and at least I'm working, it's something I'm trying to hold off as long as possible. If Paralegal/Administrative Assistant became available, I would consider it...as long as the position is 10-20% administative and 80-90% paralegal.

In your situation, an interviewing firm would notice your paralegal experience. It would wonder why you're seeking a legal secretary position, which could be regarded as a step down for you. You would explain you need a job, etc. Perfectly reasonable, of course - but the firm may not consider you because it figures you would bolt for the next open paralegal job.

Or else you'll be hired and work as a legal secretary. You'll apply and be interviewed for a paralegal job at another firm. It'll wonder how and why you were diverted to secretarial work. As Ricky Ricardo would say, you'd have some 'splainin' to do.

It's bad psychology IMO to divert oneself away from the type of job one wants. I have and have suffered accordingly. Once again, good luck with your job search.

ParaGyrl in Fairfield County, Connecticut said: I've been laid off from my paralegal position approximately two months. I can honestly say that I LOVED MY JOB. During that time I've updated and submitted my resume for countless paralegal positions and been to interviews (unfortunately those interviews were with recruiters).

I'm starting to become frustrated and resentful with the recruiters. While recruiters tell me that they have assignments and that I have an impressive resume for someone who is entry-level (1.5 years of corporate paralegal experience, two paralegal internships, and bachelor degree and ABA-approved paralegal certificate), recruiters are offering me administrative/secretarial positions which I do not want.

While I understand that the economy is rough and beggars can't be choosers, I've worked too damn hard and long to get this college degreee and longer to obtain the legal experience. I'm probably preaching to the choir, but I just had to vent to get out my frustrations. Thanks for listening.

Go to the "LITIGATION PARALEGAL FORUM" site, then go specifically to "Get a Litigation Job"

Last post list all the resources to attack to get a job.

If you are a paralegal, but your first job was a legal secretary and you have found out that the para(s) are being paid less- why would you want the paralegal position?

Unless you can financially afford to take a paycut to get away from the typing.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: If you are a paralegal, but your first job was a legal secretary and you have found out that the para(s) are being paid less- why would you want the paralegal position?

Unless you can financially afford to take a paycut to get away from the typing.

One reason, for the experience.

ParaGyrl in Fairfield County, Connecticut said: One reason, for the experience.

Read my comments, above. You would obtain **legal secretary** experience, not paralegal experience. You would detour from your goal and might have trouble getting back on track.

One HAS to be hired in one's intended position. Otherwise, one may never achieve it. Believe me, I know - I've taken other positions several times and was detoured.

^^^Please disregard my previous reply.