Research Paralegal Job Profile: Female, age 29, from New York, NY (ID# 4568)

1. What exactly do you do?

What field is your job in?

Insurance
What is your job title?

Research 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)

large, international life insurance company
How long have you been employed in this position?

1 year
How many hours do you work a week on average?

38
Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)

38
Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)

State legislative and regulatory tracking and lobbying
What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.

58000
What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.

65000
Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)

2 weeks vacation, 5 study days a sememster, health insurance, 401k, tuition reimbursement, half day summer Fridays
Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?

well compensated

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

I love working with others; there is tons of collaboration and work as a team internally and with various departments.
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

office in midtown; it is in a great convenient location
Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 5 Income
- 4 Work Environment - co-workers
- 3 Work Environment - supervisors
- 7 Benefits
- 8 Hours
- 2 Level of responsibility
- 1 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?

Gain some experience in the legal field at either a large law firm or a small one.
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)

Well-spoken, outgoing, detail oriented and focused.
Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?

Yes, it is important to understand various issues effecting the industry.
What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?

Learn as much as you can about insurance.

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

adverstisement at law school
What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)

electronic application
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.)

prescreened by recruiter, interview with HR, interview with various VPs, coworkers, follow up with higher level people. These were all individual interviews.
If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?

Tons of questions regarding my knowledge, prior work history, schooling, ability to travel and relocate.
Is this the job / field you planned to work in?

Yes
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 had always planned to go to law school and thought I would be working in a corporate firm. I realize that in-house attorney work is more my speed.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?

on the job
Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain

yes, my coworkers and managers were helpful at providing me with answers to my questions and background materials.
Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain

I am currently in law school which has been helpful in my field.
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?

Talking to the trade and various department across the company
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.)

It is great to see your hard work pay off in the form of having legislation changed; it is difficult when despite your hard work, a legislator or regulator is unwilling to make the change.
Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?

Yes it is. I hope that I am retained after graduating from law school. IT is a great company and has a wonderful culture and learning opportunities for its employees.
What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)

become an attorney
Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?

7 am - 8 am

travel to work
8 am - 9 am

travel to work
9 am - 10 am

draft various emails internally and to our trade association to follow up on outstanding issues and provide clarification
10 am - 11 am

assist attorney with compile documents for his presentation to board of directors
11 am - 12 am

participate on trade conference call regarding insurer disclosure
12 am - 1 pm
1 pm - 2 pm

review emails from trade association on newly introduced legislation and review legislation and regulation introduced during the prior day via our subscription tracking service
2 pm - 3 pm

participate in industry conference call on insurer disclosure
3 pm - 4 pm

assist attorney with compile documents for his presentation to board of directors
4 pm - 5 pm

compile and organize meeting notes from daily conference calls; update my managers on outcome of calls; provide updates to internal collegues.
5 pm - 6 pm

send internal emails on pending and introduced legislation; send email to external counsel seeking clarification
6 pm - 7 pm
7 pm - 8 pm
8 pm - 9 pm
9 pm - 10 pm
10 pm - 11 pm
11 pm - 12 pm