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Ask the ExpertDr. Kathleen Wells is a professional career coach and Director of Coaches That Care. She has coached thousands of clients through the stages of successful career development.
Landing a first jobQ: Within the past year I have graduated from school to be a legal administrator and then relocated to Hawaii due to being recently married. My problem is I am having a hard time obtaining a job in the legal field and I'm not getting many interviews at all. I know employers are afraid because I do not have the experience, but how am I supposed to gain experience if no one ever gives me the chance. Could it be that I need to do more talking, as I'm not sure why I can't even get near a job. Please help, I'm desperate in Hawaii. - GailA: You are caught in a very typical scenario! No experience, no job--no job, no experience. I understand how frustrating that can be. First of all, is there a level "below" a legal administrator where you could get your foot in the door and begin training and gaining experience? Second, is there anywhere you can volunteer to do this type of work that will let you build your resume and do a good thing at the same time? Remember volunteer work shows on your resume as work experience. Let them ask if it was paid or not. Finally, be sure your resume is a functional style. This allows you to focus on transferable skills from past experience. These skills show how good you were in other fields and the employer can assume you will transfer those excellent skills to the legal field. Since you are new, I would also attach a couple of letters from your instructors indicating how good you are, how quickly you learn, etc. Another thing to do is network like mad. Talk to everyone! Let them know what you are looking for. Also be sure you are looking for employment everywhere. For example a local Sears store here just hired several paralegals to do some special work. Have you checked companies, hospitals, non profits, etc. for work or have you only looked at attorneys? Think outside the box. Brainstorm with family or friends about who could use legal administrators.
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