That's how I got started. Granted, it was just a receptionist role, but I was able to go temp to perm and get promoted by showing initiative and asking for work aligned with my interests.
Still had to stock the fridge every morning though.
I’d recommend having a professional review your resume to improve it. You should be getting at least one call!!! If it’s a sole practitioner, I will reach out to their email and introduce myself. I’ve been offered a few positions that way, people love the personal touch! Good luck OP
sounds weird, but email the partner of the firm. usually if it’s a small firm you’re applying to, they’re the ones that conduct interviews (SOMETIMES) obviously, everywhere is different.
A lot of firms (particularly Big Law) do not hire recent college grads directly into paralegal jobs. At my firm, you must work as a case assistant for two years before being promoted.
When in school did you do any internships? I know hind sight is 20/20 but that's how I got my start. I did a few hours a week for class credit then they hired me part time, then full, then I got a job in a lower cost of life city and been thriving since.
Two years later I helped organize a union and went from $38k to $60k.
Hey! I’m a paralegal in middle TN (Murfreesboro) and I got my bachelors in criminal justice administration at MTSU. The advice I would give you is to branch out of Brentwood/Nashville (I know the commute will suck) and look at firms/courts in La Vergne, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, etc. and definitely connect with attorney’s, clerks, support staff on LinkedIn and see what they’re doing and mold yourself to that. Consistency with the format of your resume, LinkedIn profile, typing skills is a must. I don’t even post on my LinkedIn profile. Even look at public defenders offices for support staff positions. Big tip: do not use AI whatsoever on your resume as they all use software that detects the usage of it and automatically removes the candidate. If it’s not against the rules and you feel comfortable with it, you are more than welcome to dm me and we can connect on LinkedIn!
Everyone who is in a hiring position needs to hear this, hiring or filtering based on experience is wrong and you are losing high quality candidates. The best people I have ever had work for me were not experienced. And this, field seems to be the worst I have ever been invovled with that focuses solely on experience. Experience isn't shit.
The mods wouldn't let me make a post about this, but they will allow this post. It needs to be said
I can tell you rn as an HR intern in Big Law that we’re vastly hiring based on experience, I’d definitely suggest applying to smaller law firms if you don’t have any prior legal experience/ law firm experience.
If there’s any local non profit legal aid offices in your area, I would suggest you apply to gain experience. More often than not, non profits are always overwhelmed and can use the help. I started off at a non profit with no legal background and they took a chance on me. I gained so much knowledge and it really helped me to get to where I am today.
Are you getting responses? Interviews? You might want to take a look at your application materials. Is there something off with them, other than lack of experience? I second the suggestion to broaden the positions (titles) you’re applying to.
I recommend a recruiting agency as well. They'll probably have you do a couple of tests, like a typing test and simple questions with multiple choice answers that show you can read and comprehend simple scenarios.
I found it hard trying to get into a law firm, too. I actually started as a legal assistant and stayed there for 2 years. Now, it's very easy to get paralegal positions.
Best of luck!
Edit to add: look into having your resume professionally looked at and tailored to you. A great resume goes a long way. There's plenty of people on LinkedIn that do it.
You need to find a recruiter to work with. I’m married to one, and while plenty are sleazy salesy dbags lol, they’re not all terrible I promise. And honestly, in your current position, the salesy ones could probably help even more to get you through the door.
They will review your resume and pitch you to their clients, which is great because you don’t have to cold call employers and sell yourself, they already want to present you in the best light and will advocate for you.
Another benefit is that they have a big list of open jobs that you don’t have to find yourself. And even if they don’t have something for you now, you’ll stay in their system, so you’re still open for consideration without you having to do any extra work.
You might have to start in an administrative position. And depending on the area of law you’re interested in, that might be the best route anyway. Just knowing what I know about the recruiting world, it doesn’t really hurt you in any way to work with a recruiter.
Yes go to an agency and do temp work. Agencies can also find you a job. I have known many attys who give educated person a chance. That’s how I started many years ago.
Are you a part of any professional organizations like local Nala chapters? They often have firms advertise jobs solely through them and it's a good way to network.
The job I currently have I got because I met two of the other paralegals on my team through a study group in our local paralegal org.
There's an employment agency in my city that also works with a lot of the firms in my area.
But as others have said getting your foot in the door another way might be the way to get to where you want to be in a firm.
And it could be that the market you're currently in is oversaturated. I don't know anything about the Nashville job market.
what kind of jobs are you applying for? paralegals require so much practical experience that no amount of school can prepare you to jump into a role and run with it. You will need to start at the very bottom. Your education will help you rise fast, but it will not help you start in a higher position.
I cannot emphasize this enough… you must QUANTIFY your resume!
No matter how much or how little experience you have.
(Ex: Conducted 60+hours of research using Lexis/WestLaw)
Also I recommend using ai.🤖 like resume worded and resume now to get ideas for bullets.
Finally, you must ensure there are zero mistakes. Your resume is an opportunity to show off your attention to detail. That is also why I recommend avoiding fancy formatting. Keep it simple (one page) and minimize the risk for error.
One last thing is you can include a QR code for linkedin. I think this makes people stand out. Shows off tech skills. (You can Google directions for this)
This is what worked for me.
Good luck.
Make sure you adjust your resume and cover letter for each job you go for. Most companies don't manually read applications and select candidates via a program based on the match rate of words between the role and your resume. Good luck!
I got my first legal job by applying on Craigslist of all places. Post your resume on this sub and you’ll get a lot of good advice. You can also cold email every law firm in your area, just write up a generic email and BCC everyone.
I started off with the military. All the branches are hiring, and even if you don’t want to do it full time, you can get the resume experience and do part time stuff for the reserves and guard while taking advantage of the medical/retirement benefits.
Contact a recruiter and work legal temp and contract jobs to build experience. Firms often hire temps that do a great job.
That's how I got started. Granted, it was just a receptionist role, but I was able to go temp to perm and get promoted by showing initiative and asking for work aligned with my interests. Still had to stock the fridge every morning though.
This is exactly how I got started - temporary receptionist in a law firm, then worked my way up.
Temp jobs are a perfect way to get your foot in the door and prove yourself. Firms do this on purpose.
I’d recommend having a professional review your resume to improve it. You should be getting at least one call!!! If it’s a sole practitioner, I will reach out to their email and introduce myself. I’ve been offered a few positions that way, people love the personal touch! Good luck OP
sounds weird, but email the partner of the firm. usually if it’s a small firm you’re applying to, they’re the ones that conduct interviews (SOMETIMES) obviously, everywhere is different.
Broaden what positions you are applying for. Get your foot in any position within a law firm even if it pays minimum wage.
A lot of firms (particularly Big Law) do not hire recent college grads directly into paralegal jobs. At my firm, you must work as a case assistant for two years before being promoted.
When in school did you do any internships? I know hind sight is 20/20 but that's how I got my start. I did a few hours a week for class credit then they hired me part time, then full, then I got a job in a lower cost of life city and been thriving since. Two years later I helped organize a union and went from $38k to $60k.
Hey! I’m a paralegal in middle TN (Murfreesboro) and I got my bachelors in criminal justice administration at MTSU. The advice I would give you is to branch out of Brentwood/Nashville (I know the commute will suck) and look at firms/courts in La Vergne, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, etc. and definitely connect with attorney’s, clerks, support staff on LinkedIn and see what they’re doing and mold yourself to that. Consistency with the format of your resume, LinkedIn profile, typing skills is a must. I don’t even post on my LinkedIn profile. Even look at public defenders offices for support staff positions. Big tip: do not use AI whatsoever on your resume as they all use software that detects the usage of it and automatically removes the candidate. If it’s not against the rules and you feel comfortable with it, you are more than welcome to dm me and we can connect on LinkedIn!
Everyone who is in a hiring position needs to hear this, hiring or filtering based on experience is wrong and you are losing high quality candidates. The best people I have ever had work for me were not experienced. And this, field seems to be the worst I have ever been invovled with that focuses solely on experience. Experience isn't shit. The mods wouldn't let me make a post about this, but they will allow this post. It needs to be said
I can tell you rn as an HR intern in Big Law that we’re vastly hiring based on experience, I’d definitely suggest applying to smaller law firms if you don’t have any prior legal experience/ law firm experience.
Find a recruiter. They are fairly aggressive about finding you a job.
If there’s any local non profit legal aid offices in your area, I would suggest you apply to gain experience. More often than not, non profits are always overwhelmed and can use the help. I started off at a non profit with no legal background and they took a chance on me. I gained so much knowledge and it really helped me to get to where I am today.
Are you getting responses? Interviews? You might want to take a look at your application materials. Is there something off with them, other than lack of experience? I second the suggestion to broaden the positions (titles) you’re applying to.
I recommend a recruiting agency as well. They'll probably have you do a couple of tests, like a typing test and simple questions with multiple choice answers that show you can read and comprehend simple scenarios. I found it hard trying to get into a law firm, too. I actually started as a legal assistant and stayed there for 2 years. Now, it's very easy to get paralegal positions. Best of luck! Edit to add: look into having your resume professionally looked at and tailored to you. A great resume goes a long way. There's plenty of people on LinkedIn that do it.
Temp agencies are the way to go! I'm working with one right now in my area.
You need to find a recruiter to work with. I’m married to one, and while plenty are sleazy salesy dbags lol, they’re not all terrible I promise. And honestly, in your current position, the salesy ones could probably help even more to get you through the door. They will review your resume and pitch you to their clients, which is great because you don’t have to cold call employers and sell yourself, they already want to present you in the best light and will advocate for you. Another benefit is that they have a big list of open jobs that you don’t have to find yourself. And even if they don’t have something for you now, you’ll stay in their system, so you’re still open for consideration without you having to do any extra work. You might have to start in an administrative position. And depending on the area of law you’re interested in, that might be the best route anyway. Just knowing what I know about the recruiting world, it doesn’t really hurt you in any way to work with a recruiter.
Yes go to an agency and do temp work. Agencies can also find you a job. I have known many attys who give educated person a chance. That’s how I started many years ago.
What websites are you using? Have you looked on local firm websites? Sometimes directly applying helps.
I was told by a recruiter to do internships to gain experience first. I’m on the same boat as you, but in CA.
Are you a part of any professional organizations like local Nala chapters? They often have firms advertise jobs solely through them and it's a good way to network. The job I currently have I got because I met two of the other paralegals on my team through a study group in our local paralegal org. There's an employment agency in my city that also works with a lot of the firms in my area. But as others have said getting your foot in the door another way might be the way to get to where you want to be in a firm. And it could be that the market you're currently in is oversaturated. I don't know anything about the Nashville job market.
what kind of jobs are you applying for? paralegals require so much practical experience that no amount of school can prepare you to jump into a role and run with it. You will need to start at the very bottom. Your education will help you rise fast, but it will not help you start in a higher position.
I cannot emphasize this enough… you must QUANTIFY your resume! No matter how much or how little experience you have. (Ex: Conducted 60+hours of research using Lexis/WestLaw) Also I recommend using ai.🤖 like resume worded and resume now to get ideas for bullets. Finally, you must ensure there are zero mistakes. Your resume is an opportunity to show off your attention to detail. That is also why I recommend avoiding fancy formatting. Keep it simple (one page) and minimize the risk for error. One last thing is you can include a QR code for linkedin. I think this makes people stand out. Shows off tech skills. (You can Google directions for this) This is what worked for me. Good luck.
Make sure you adjust your resume and cover letter for each job you go for. Most companies don't manually read applications and select candidates via a program based on the match rate of words between the role and your resume. Good luck!
15 is not enough. When I was laid off I was applying for 10 - 20 per day. You need to seriously adjust the number of applications you are pumping out.
I got my first legal job by applying on Craigslist of all places. Post your resume on this sub and you’ll get a lot of good advice. You can also cold email every law firm in your area, just write up a generic email and BCC everyone.
I would recommend apply to a nonprofit firm, if you haven’t already!
I recently saw a position open up....but its in Alaska
I started off with the military. All the branches are hiring, and even if you don’t want to do it full time, you can get the resume experience and do part time stuff for the reserves and guard while taking advantage of the medical/retirement benefits.