Litigation assistants possess a specialized set of skills that law firms and legal departments desperately need. When you’re looking for a position as a litigation assistant, you may feel overwhelmed at the sheer number of opportunities and the work required to stand out to potential employers. How do you find the position that suits your current skills and supports your career goals?
Here are five ways to seek and find a great litigation assistant position:
- Study, learn, network. “Networking” is about more than merely getting your name and business card out into the world. It’s also about building relationships and sharing ideas and information with other professionals in your field. Join professional organizations that focus on litigation, attend conferences, or take continuing education classes to meet others with similar passions and career paths.
- Focus on your accomplishments. Many job seekers use their resumes to list their duties in previous positions or the topics they covered in classes related to their desired job. Stand out by focusing less on your to-do list and more on your all-done list. Give specific examples of accomplishments that are also examples of the duties listed in the job application. You’ll show that you can provide value to a prospective employer by showing that you have already provided value to previous employers.
- Leverage the power of the Internet. Many law firms and legal departments have discovered the power of the Internet in helping them find litigation assistants with the talent and drive they need. Put yourself in front of these employers by polishing your LinkedIn profile or establishing a strong professional presence on another site, such as by starting your own blog on litigation-related topics. Clean up your social media profiles as well, so your presentation is polished and clear.
- Make job fairs work for you. Go into job or placement fairs with a strategy in mind. Research the law firms and legal departments you most want to work with and have a few specific questions about their work to ask. Take notes, have a conversation, and don’t forget to send thank-you notes to every person you spoke to while at the job fair.
- Work with a recruiter. Staffing firms thrive on the relationships they build with the law firms and legal departments they serve – as well as the relationships they build with those who are looking for work as litigation assistants and in similar fields. Your recruiter can become your best ally in finding the job that’s right for you.
At Kent Legal, our recruiters specialize in connecting legal support professionals to law firms and legal departments throughout the greater Toronto area. We can help you find a position that builds on your skills and offers a great fit for your work ethic. Contact us today to learn more.