Tips for Finding a Job as a Paralegal

If you’re a recent paralegal grad who is in the process of job seeking, you may find that the competition is fierce and that it’s difficult to land yourself a job. Despite having the ability to work in a number of organizations like corporations, government agencies, as well as law firms, there are simply too many people all vying for the same role. No matter how hard you try you’re finding it difficult to stand out.

Lacking in paralegal experience can make this job hunting process even more difficult, so what exactly are you supposed to do? Well, there are a few steps that you can take to jumpstart your career – here are some tips that you can use if you’re interested in a paralegal job.

Partner with a Recruiter

Recruiting firms are hired by organizations to find them the best talent out there for the job. Because of this, inexperienced job seekers may think that a recruiter wouldn’t bother with them. This isn’t actually true: good recruiters are usually interested in building their network, and are typically more than happy to offer valuable advice to fresh job seekers.

Want to learn how to find a recruiter for your career boost in the paralegal profession? One of the easiest ways to connect with one is through LinkedIn. You can directly add them to your network by searching for “recruiter [city location]” in the search box. Keep an eye out for legal recruiters that way you can network within your own industry.

Create an “All Star” LinkedIn Profile

Another way to connect with a recruiter is by having them come to you. This is helpful for getting noticed by both recruiting firms as well as in-house recruiters who are looking for paralegals to add to their team.

In both cases, having a strong LinkedIn profile is crucial for getting noticed. With one, you’ll find that recruiters will actually begin to reach out to you and discuss possible opportunities.

Some tips for improving your profile include:

• Using a high-quality, professional photo for your profile picture – make sure it’s well-lit and not casual
• Add your personal details like full name and contact info
• Include a headline, summary, and completely fill out your job and education history (just like you would in a resume)
• Utilize keywords so that you show up in search results – for instance, make sure you mention “paralegal” in your headline, and include terms like law and legal, as well as a speciality area (if you have one)

A complete LinkedIn profile that utilizes keywords is an essential tool for anyone looking for a job. Without one, firms aren’t likely to even give you the time of day because they want to be able to quickly assess you first before putting the time into connecting with you.

Remember to Network

Use LinkedIn to join communities related to the paralegal profession and show you are active in them. Also don’t be afraid to reach out to connections you’ve made in the past (like through school) and keep in touch. You never know when someone in your network might be able to help you land your next job.