Paralegal Job Profile: Female, age 31, from Vancouver, WA (ID# 2244)

1. What exactly do you do?

What field is your job in?

Legal Services
What is your job title?

Paralegal
Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)

Law Office of 15 partners and 42 employees
How long have you been employed in this position?

4 years
How many hours do you work a week on average?

40
Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)

40
Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)

Legal research, document preparation and client appointments
What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.

55000
What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.

57000
Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)

Medical, dental, life and car insurance
Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?

well

Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain

I work with 12 other paralegals closely. It is something I enjoy for the most part.
Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?

Yes
Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?

Yes
Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 1 Income
- 3 Work Environment - co-workers
- 2 Work Environment - supervisors
- 4 Benefits
- 5 Hours
- 7 Level of responsibility
- 8 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 6 Job Title

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?

Get appropriate follow up education. Making sure that your degree is up to date is cucial.
What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)

Great organizational skills as well as the ability to stay calm and focused while under pressure from urgent deadlines.
Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?

Yes; legal research is key.
What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?

Take notes, lots of notes. So much information will come at you that it is impossible to retain it all.

How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)

Legal newspaper.
What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)

Submitted resume and cover letter via email.
Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)

I had a total of 4 interviews. I met with the office administrator first then 2 attorneys individually and finally with the most senior paralegal.
If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?

Mostly about past work experiences, how I would react in hypothetical situations and my knowledge of court/legal procedures.
Is this the job / field you planned to work in?

No
If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)

I was originally a photographer who needed extra money for college. So, I took a job as a receptionist for a law office. After a while I found that I loved the atmosphere and that I wanted to do more. I took the appropriate classes and moved up from there.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?

If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?