Would you know the perfect paralegal job if it was staring you right in the face? What if it was in the form of a temporary job? Not many paralegals view a temp position as a step in the right direction, but the paralegal profession has now become quite competitive, and a successful career may very well begin with a temporary job.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Don’t get lazy with your continuing education opportunities
Even in temp positions, employers want to see if you’ve been keeping up on your skills and the profession. With this in mind, don’t stop seeking continuing education opportunities because you never know when you may make a good impression on your temp client. If you can demonstrate you are on your game when it comes to current legal issues, your client will notice, and this may set you apart from your peers and result in a job offer.
2. Do your homework before starting a new assignment
View each temporary assignment as an opportunity to leave your mark. Therefore, just like you would a job interview, take the time to research the company and learn more about the areas of law they practice, who their clients are, and about the attorneys who work there. In addition to searching social media, which can often be a veritable gold mine for information, look to company websites, as they likely offer up quite a bit of information on the company’s history and/or background.
3. Make an excellent first impression
Show your eagerness to make a good impression by showing up at least 10 minutes early, by dressing professionally, and by offering to take on projects or tasks outside of your regular job duties. Be on your A game, and they will notice.
4. Don’t turn your nose up at professional opportunities
Not all temp jobs will be your dream job; therefore, don’t automatically turn away from a job because you perceive it to be below you because some of the best jobs turn out to be major stepping stones on the road to the perfect job.
