At some point in their career, every working professional has made a mistake that shined the performance spotlight on them front and center. Typical mistakes made by new - and experienced - paralegals include misfiling documents, missing deadlines due to poor calendaring practices, failing to proofread for typos, inaccurately recording billable time, and coming to client meetings unprepared. And let’s face it…we’ve all sent that cringeworthy email to an unintended recipient. We’ve all ended an important call by accidentally hanging up.
Colossal gaffes that result in termination are rare, but errors made by paralegals and legal assistants can have significant consequences and rippling impacts on a law firm, up to and including a claim for malpractice. While this may be an extreme outcome, it is important to understand that each practice is responsible for inaccuracies or omissions made by its’ legal staff. Mistakes can seriously harm a case, lead to an unfavorable court ruling, and cause major setbacks.
The magic number between what a candidate is seeking and what a potential employer is willing to pay is often impacted by factors that are not related to direct experience, relevant education, or matching skills. Compensation is typically more dependent upon labor market conditions, geographic location, company size, and organizational budget than a job seeker’s background and qualifications. Salary structures will also vary between companies offering benefits and perks versus those offering none.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every business across the U.S. and globally, dramatically changing the recruiting and hiring landscape. The long-term impacts on the workforce are unknown, but it is still possible to conduct a successful job search. Here are five ways you can thrive during this crisis and get hired.
Help Prevent the Spread of Illness
