“Don’t underestimate the value of a smile
and enthusiasm for the work”
by keyword and geographic location, while
also indicating what connections, if any,
you have with the prospective employer.
While LinkedIn Premium touts additional
services, users with the free version of
LinkedIn can use the “Jobs” section as an
effective way to search job openings.
National Association of Legal Assistants
(NALA), National Federation of
Paralegal Associations (NFPA), and local
paralegal associations almost always
have job listings for paralegals and legal
assistants. These are good resources
because employers who advertise
openings with professional associations
targeting paralegals are usually looking
for the unique skills that paralegals offer.
also often advertise openings for
paralegals and they can help you connect
with other attorneys or hiring managers
in the areas you are targeting.
When to do this: Update your résumé
and draft a few template cover letters
targeting your areas of interest within the
first week or two of job searching so your
documents are 90 percent ready and need
only minor edits when you tailor them for
each application. Once your application
documents are updated, you should aim
to apply to at least two to three positions
a week, or more, time permitting.
Step 4. Understand your digital profile
Do a Google search of your name so
you understand what others see when
they search for you. Your digital profile
is often the first impression others
will have of you, both personally and
professionally. According to a 2016
CareerBuilder study, 53 percent of hiring
managers are searching a job candidate’s
professional online persona. Applicants
should be aware that in today’s
market, a job application includes
online information available about
the candidate. For more information
on understanding, managing, and
monitoring your digital profile, see the
article on digital profiles published in
Paralegal Today’s 2017 Q2 issue.
When to do this: Google yourself as
soon as possible. Then, follow-up and
monitor your profile once a month while
you are actively job searching. Create or
update your LinkedIn profile as soon as
16 Q4 - 2017 www.ParalegalToday.com
possible after your résumé is updated.
Step 5. Cultivate professional contacts
How can you most effectively target the
unadvertised job market? By tapping
into professional networks. Setting up
informational interviews is the traditional
way to develop contacts, but I also
encourage you to attend industry related
networking events and to send outreach
emails directly to hiring managers and
employers in which you have an interest.
Having “eyes and ears to the ground”
on your behalf is one of the primary
goals of tapping into and building your
professional network. Many candidates
are discouraged when they meet with
contacts who do not offer any job leads;
however, it is important to keep in
mind that professional contacts may
offer other valuable information. When
meeting with colleagues, you should
clearly define the types of positions
you are seeking and ask for additional
professionals to contact, organizations to
consider, recommendations for industry
publications, and information about
upcoming networking events. In addition
to letting others know that you are
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