How Does an Assistant for Lawyers Get Hired by a Law Firm?

The many career opportunities offered by law make this profession one of the most sought-after and popular in the worldwide market. But do you know how to get hired by a law firm as a paralegal or a virutal assistant for lawyers?

Before that, it is worth remembering that there are many ways to work in the legal field, from public exams to the possibility of being a freelance lawyer working from home or providing virtual legal assistant services. Therefore, the first step is to define how you want to work.

Many lawyers, whether newly graduated or already experienced, prefer to be hired by a law firm rather than opening their own business. And, to be successful in this endeavor, it is important to take into account that hiring goes beyond the job interview, starting with preparation.

What do law firms look for in candidates?

Before we get into the details of how to get hired by a law firm, it’s important to know what these companies expect from candidates who knock on their door looking for an opportunity.

Firstly, the offices will filter professionals according to requirements considered basic today, such as fluency in English (and other languages) and excellent academic training, whether undergraduate or later stages, such as postgraduate, master’s ,and doctorate.

From there, the evaluation of professional and personal characteristics that may be useful for the company begins.

In this sense, an almost unanimous point sought by large law firms is the flexibility and versatility of the candidate.

• Is the professional willing to work in different areas, including being reassigned when the company needs it?
• How does the candidate deal with other areas of law practice other than the one in which he or she specializes?

Another aspect highlighted by recruiters from large law firms in the US is enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Remember that this type of company deals with clients of different sizes and profiles. Each case is a new challenge. Therefore, what is sought in the candidate is the ability to evolve with these situations and, thus, contribute to the development of the company. Ultimately, the ideal candidate in the eyes of law firms is one who demonstrates resilience and commitment.

The first concerns emotional intelligence to deal with moments of tension and face the obstacles that arise daily. In turn, commitment means total availability to the client and maximum dedication to defending their interests.

Before the interview: what to do to prepare

It goes without saying that being well prepared is essential to increase your chances of being hired. With that in mind, I have put together some tips:

Improve your resume

Even today, the first contact between a law firm and a candidate is often through a lawyer’s resume. Whether you like to do one or not, you need to prepare it with special care, as this document can determine the next steps in the selection process, and how to actually be hired by a law firm.

In this sense, an aspect ignored by many candidates and increasingly sought after by recruiters is the effort that the professional is willing to invest in their own hiring. And this starts with preparing the resume.

Avoid sending the same generic CV to every job you apply for. A good candidate is one who shows how their skills and qualities can specifically contribute to the goals of that particular company.

Therefore, invest in preparing a specific document for each position you are interested in, demonstrating that you have done your homework and that you really know the position you are applying for.

Also, remember to constantly improve your skills. Take courses, invest in a new language, seek out experiences abroad. In short, give more weight to your resume and don’t forget to highlight your new qualities.

Use LinkedIn

In addition to resumes, LinkedIn is increasingly used by companies to learn more about candidates, their interests, and skills. It is no wonder that the US is already the first world country with the most registered users on this social network. Therefore, keeping your profile updated and with relevant information about your career is essential.

However, it is not enough to simply upload a good photo and fill in some information and think that the job is done. You need to be active on the network, sharing and liking content, participating in relevant groups and discussions, and expanding your network of relationships.

Also, don’t forget to keep your professional qualifications up to date. Make sure to write a professional summary, describing all the companies you’ve worked for, the courses you’ve taken, and other relevant experiences. Also, list your skills and ask for recommendations from your connections.

Find out about the company

Another fundamental point before the interview is to research the office, to bring information about what you can do and what you will add to the company.

To do this, do a brief research on the firm: what branch of law does the firm work in? Who are its main clients? Who are the founding partners? What was the main cause they defended?

It is unlikely that a recruiter will ask a candidate about this information, but when the opportunity arises, mentioning some of it can count in your favor, as long as it is done naturally!

Activate your networking

Many offices check candidates’ references, so it’s a good idea to look for contacts in common and ask for a “friendly recommendation.” After all, although a reference isn’t everything, it can count for a lot and influence the decision.

With this in mind, always try to expand your network of contacts. To do this, participate in conferences, take courses and workshops, and attend industry events. Try to maintain a good relationship with your colleagues and let them know that you are in the market.

Send your resume

Networking is good, of course. But be proactive and don’t wait for a recommendation from a colleague. Search online for vacancies that fit your profile and get to know the companies that offer them.

Once you have filtered your options, send your CV. If the firm’s website does not have a specific area for this, try to identify the person in charge and send a brief introductory email with your CV attached, making your services available to the company.

During the interview: what to do to get hired by a law firm

The famous saying that “first impressions are lasting” applies very well to the day of your job interview.

It is not enough to master all the techniques on how to be hired by a law firm that I have mentioned so far if, at the time of the interview, you arrive late, do not express yourself well or have inappropriate attitudes.

Your resume and recommendations are the gateway, but what will get you hired by a law firm is your performance during the interview. 

Therefore, follow some fundamental tips:

1. Be more than punctual and arrive a little early

Arrive at least 15 minutes early for your interview. In law, punctuality is a fundamental characteristic. After all, put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes: if the candidate is late for the job interview, what will it be like when he has to deal with the busy day-to-day running of the office and all the appointments on his calendar?

2. Dress appropriately for your position

No matter how casual the office may be, the job interview is a formal moment in which the candidate will introduce themselves to the company. In this regard, knowing how to dress is essential to project a serious and professional image.

For men, a suit in sober colors, a light-colored shirt, a tie, and dress shoes are the basics to follow. For women, more conservative clothing is recommended, with little jewelry and discreet makeup.

3. Turn off your cell phone

Before you start the interview, turn off your cell phone and put it away. In an event like this, even the quick vibration of a message in your pocket can be embarrassing.

Of course, if you need to have your cell phone on, let the recruiter know about the situation and let them know that something urgent may come up during the interview. As always, the best way to handle the situation is with professionalism and maturity.

4. Don’t badmouth previous jobs

In keeping with professionalism, never speak ill of the places you have been or the people you have worked with. Mention them in a respectful and professional manner, highlighting the positive impacts that these previous experiences have had on your professional development.

5. Speak natural language and avoid slang

If we are facing a formal situation, the language should also follow this line. Use the language correctly and avoid using slang. However, avoid leaning to the other side and using excessively technical language unnecessarily.

Legal Entrepreneurship: a possible channel, yes!

At first, the search for a formal job and the desire to be hired by a law firm may seem like the only alternative. However, what I have been talking about a lot in recent years (and what I have also seen in practice) is the success of Legal Entrepreneurship for lawyers.

So my final tip is: if you want to be hired by an existing firm, follow the recommendations above; but, if you are only doing so because you are afraid of facing the market, know that you can follow the mindset of Legal Entrepreneurship.