Paralegal Grad Having Trouble Finding Work

Hi everyone,

I am only a few weeks away from earning my BS in paralegal studies from Kaplan Univeristy. I'm in New York City, and I am having a ton of trouble finding an entry level paralegal job. Almost all of the job postings I see want soem sort of experience. I applied for a few jobs, but heard no response. I'm just curious, is having an online degree a major disadvantage in the paralegal field?

Right now I don't know what to do. I am deciding whether I should apply for government work in the DAs office, US attorney's office, etc. or if I should take a part time job while I do my MBA.

An online degree can be a disadvantage in a competitive market and especially for entry paralegals. While you can still be hired with a non-ABA certificate, your certificate could short you of opportunities. A non-ABA certificate is a make-or-break issue for many firms, even for experienced paralegals. You may be able to level the playing field somewhat if you obtain a CLA, RP, etc., credential.

Just keep applying for jobs, but set your sights much lower than you have. Try applying to smaller law firms. Don't hold your breath about obtaining employment with the district attorney or U.S. Attorney. Those offices hire primarily experienced paralegals. Moreover, you've probably heard the stories about the difficulty people have getting any kind of government job.

I like that you plan to earn an MBA. You will earn more money with an MBA and can actually rise to a position of authority. Paralegal is nothing but a support job, with all of the responsibility, little or no authority, and all the grief. Paralegals are always subservient to attorneys. Because paralegals are not attorneys, attorneys are barred from partnering with paralegals and splitting fees with them.

Good luck with your MBA.

Thanks for the reply. So is my main problem that I got my degree online, or that it is not ABA-approved? Because I would imagine that someone with a BS in paralegal studies would be more attractive than someone with a completely unrelated degree and a paralegal certificate.

Donald_ in New Jersey said: I would imagine that someone with a BS in paralegal studies would be more attractive than someone with a completely unrelated degree and a paralegal certificate.

All you need degreewise to be a paralegal is a Bachelor's. Major doesn't really matter. While one absolutely needs the training a paralegal course provides, the certificate vaults you in front of the hiring manager.

In my case, I earned a B.S.B.A. degree in Accounting twenty years before I went to paralegal school. Law was a career change for me. But for my certificate I could have never been hired as a paralegal. I was finally able to use my accounting background in law.

Online could be your immediate problem because many employers give such degrees short shrift, though non-ABA approval could work against you in the long run. In any event, trust me, your potential is far greater with an MBA than it is as a paralegal.

I would add once more that you should keep applying for paralegal jobs. Every paralegal was entry level at one time. Apply even if firms want experience. You just may find yourself in the right place at the right time.

Do you know how I can get a part time paralegal job? I wanted to have a part time job while I do my MBA.

Do you know how I can get a part time paralegal job? I wanted to have a part time job while I do my MBA.

Sure: DO A JOB SEARCH.

Donald_ in New Jersey said: Do you know how I can get a part time paralegal job? I wanted to have a part time job while I do my MBA.

I second the above comment. Also, unless you want to work the erratic schedule of a temp, don't expect to find too many P/T paralegal jobs. Most paralegal jobs are full time.

I was just wondering whether an ABA certificate is really that important because when I search monster, career builder, etc. I have only seen one or two jos specifically require an ABA certificate. In fact, I have actually seen more jobs require fluency in a foreign language than an ABA certificate.

Don, you're beginning to be a pain in the butt.

Donald_ in New Jersey said: I was just wondering whether an ABA certificate is really that important....

Yes, it is that important. An ABA certificate is the highest grade of paralegal certificate obtainable. An ABA certificate leaves no doubt as to the quality of one's training. With an ABA certificate one is eligible for ANY paralegal job that requires a paralegal certificate. To that end,

Donald_ in New Jersey said: I have only seen one or two jobs specifically require an ABA certificate.

There you go. That's my point. Without having an ABA certificate one is shorted of many opportunities.

That is not to say you, Donald, will be disqualified automatically because you don't have an ABA certificate. You may not be considered for some paralegal jobs because you don't have one.

Donald_ in New Jersey said: I was just wondering whether an ABA certificate is really that important....

Yes, it is that important. An ABA certificate is the highest grade of paralegal certificate obtainable. An ABA certificate leaves no doubt as to the quality of one's training. With an ABA certificate one is eligible for ANY paralegal job that requires a paralegal certificate. To that end,

Donald_ in New Jersey said: I have only seen one or two jobs specifically require an ABA certificate.

There you go. That's my point. Without having an ABA certificate one is shorted of many opportunities.

That is not to say that you, Donald, will be disqualified automatically because you don't have an ABA certificate. You may not be considered for some paralegal jobs because you don't have one.

DON:

An ABA certificate is a regional preference. Look at the specific job postings in your area, join your local paralegal association, network - and see what credentials are being asked for. In my region, ABA certificate is a nice 'extra' but certainly not required. The 2 paralegals I knew who had ABA certificates, weren't even such great paralegals. An ABA certificate merely means that the school went though a bunch of hoops and paid a bunch of money to get ABA accreditation. There are many quality paralegal programs that are not ABA approved. I would go further to say that obtaining the CLA/CP or RP certification is a higher-grade credential than ABA certification.

Your biggest disadvantage right now is lack of actual legal work experience. In my experience, one of the best ways to deal with that is to look at solo practitioners and small firms, and/or even for legal secretary jobs. This will get your foot in the door where you can learn a lot and work your way up. The strict division between secretary and paralegal is becoming a thing of the past. Especially in smaller firms where they need 'all hands on deck'. If you show initiative and motivation, they'll teach you, then you can take that experience and move on to a larger firm for a dedicated paralegal position.

Jane Do Girl in Pensacola, Florida said: The 2 paralegals I knew who had ABA certificates, weren't even such great paralegals. An ABA certificate merely means that the school went though a bunch of hoops and paid a bunch of money to get ABA accreditation. There are many quality paralegal programs that are not ABA approved. I would go further to say that obtaining the CLA/CP or RP certification is a higher-grade credential than ABA certification.

An ABA certificate is not always indicative of ability, but it is indicative that a person has completed a program that has met industry recognized, ascertainable credentials. Again, as a practical matter, not having an ABA certificate is a deal breaker for many firms, even for experienced paralegals. Similarly, online certificates are also deal breakers for many firms.

Here again, an online certificate is not an automatic disqualifier. But IMO it can short one of opportunities. Experience can mitigate that problem somewhat.

The market just has to be flooded with unemployed paralegals with all of the layoffs that have been happening.

Jane Do Girl in Pensacola, Florida said: An ABA certificate is a regional preference....

Not necessarily. An ABA certificate is portable. It will be recognized everywhere, whereas a non-ABA certificate may carry weight only in the region in which it was earned. Legal employers in any locale should have no doubts about one's certifciate if one obtained it at an ABA-approved paralegal school.

Jane Do Girl in Pensacola, Florida said: An ABA certificate merely means that the school went though a bunch of hoops and paid a bunch of money....

....which, of course, is passed on to students. We all know that. But it's worth it to earn a credential pursuant to industry recognized and ascertainable standards.