How to Get Started in the Legal Industry Without a Degree
Imagine never needing to work on the weekends, having paid benefits from day one, and being treated to lunch almost every weekday. That’s the life a lot of professionals employed by law firms enjoy. Young, career minded women are under the impression that a law degree is needed to work among lawyers and law students, but you can get started with only a high school diploma. So, how do you do it?
Entry level employment opportunities at www.marronelawfirm.com, and similar law firms, don’t come around that often, but they are open to anyone who demonstrates the right principles and traits. If you’re a go getter with good references, an open mind, and don’t easily crack under pressure, pay attention to these tips to learn how you can become a valued employee at a highly regarded law firm.
Have an Impressive Resume
It’s important to understand that hiring managers at law firms ‘meet’ your resume before deciding if they want to actually meet you. Any spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, typos or even instances of poor formatting will get your resume and accompanying cover letter thrown in the trash. Be succinct when you summarize your skills and highlight all of your most recent accomplishments. You want your resume to stand out – in fact, you want it to shine so that it makes other applicants seem downright dull. The legal field is competitive, so you have to convince hiring personnel that you are a great catch.
Prepare to Interview with Confidence
If your resume proves good enough to gain the interest of a law firm that is hiring for an entry level position, your next task is showing your interviewer that you can back up what you put in writing. Come to your interview dressed as if you already have the job. Nothing that you wear should be a distraction, either to you or your interviewer. Make eye contact throughout your interview, and if you are asked a question that leaves you stumped, take your time so that you can think of a thoughtful answer. Send a follow-up via standard mail to your interviewer thanking them for the chance to be considered for a position. If you don’t get hired for this particular job opening, making a good impression can help with getting your resume kept on file.
Be Able to Multitask
When you get hired, you have to work well with other staff members and show that you are capable of learning quickly. Even if you don’t have any previous legal experience, you’re going to be expected to remember precise instructions. After you begin to feel like you’ve learned it all, another volley of tasks is going to be heading your way. Learn how to multitask and prioritize because you’re going to be under constant time constraints.
Now all legal professionals went to law school. There are paralegals who have gained certification, as well as legal secretaries who spend years training under attorneys. Clerks may spend their days going between the office and the courthouse, making them very knowledgeable about how to properly fill in legal forms. Find an area of the law that pairs well with your lifestyle and begin looking for your opening in the legal industry today.