by South University

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Are you interested in starting your career as a Paralegal? Are you currently working as Paralegal and would like to take your job to the next level? You can earn a Paralegal degree while studying from home. Distant education programs are designed for working adults who want to take courses and earn their degrees, but have to maintain professional and manage priorities at home. An online Paralegal degree program can provide an excellent foundation for a career as a Paralegal. Use eLearners.com for help in selecting the online Paralegal degree program that is right for your career goals.

Whether you are earning your Associate’s Paralegal degree or a Bachelor’s Paralegal degree, eLearners.com offers instant access to informative resources on numerous Paralegal schools and online Paralegal degree programs and is a convenient portal from which to request more information from the Paralegal schools that interest you most. Each of the schools offered through Paralegal Jobs with Paralegal degrees is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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Conducting a job search is always a stressful and labor intensive process. Between job search engines, networking, resume and resume cover letter writing, not to mention the interview process, it is no wonder that no one is anxious to dive into the job market.

Learn how to conduct more efficient and less stressful job searches with our job search tips! Learn about job search engines, how to conduct effective company research, networking, recruiters and more!

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1. Unless you are invited to do so, avoid sending attachments.
2. Spam filters and corporate security measures will often strip attachments from email, or block the email from going through.
3. You can paste your resume into the body of your email. And, you can post a copy of your reusme on the Internet with a link to it.
4. Of course, it is always best to get your resume hand delivered to the hiring manager.

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How you format your resume is as important as the career information and experience within it. You wouldn’t come dressed to an interview without carefully choosing your clothes. The same goes for your reusme. Your resume has about 5 seconds to make its first impression.

1. Use a font size that is easy on the eyes. No smaller than 10 points.
2. Avoid large fonts. They waste space and may seem comical.
3. Use a professional, business font such as Arial or Verdana
4. Use the same font throughout your resume.
5. Use white space. Crowded text is difficult to read.
6. Use short bulleted text to increase ease of reading.
7. Keep your resume to one page.

Remember, the goal of your resume is to get an interview. Accounting for every aspect of your professional life smacks of unprofessionalism.

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Overall, the most effective way of conducting a job search is networking. The best part about networking is that the more friends you make, the wider your network! Because really, that’s all that networking is – meeting people, making friends, and talking about your business (your business is YOU!).

By networking, you’ll find people who know about unadvertised jobs. Talk to people you know and find out about their companies – ask them to do internal job searches. They can tell you the right person to send your resume to; and you’ll have one of the most sought after types of references: somebody who knows the employer.

This kind of networking is great for everyone. You get a good reference from a trusted source and your friend may get a bonus for bringing in a referral that is hired.

You shouldn’t conduct your job search solely by networking, but you definitely shouldn’t conduct a job search without it.

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Overview for Lawyers

Lawyers act as both advocates and advisors in society. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances faced by their clients.

The more detailed aspects of a lawyer’s job depend upon his or her field of specialization and position. All lawyers are licensed to represent parties in court, but some, such as trial lawyers, appear in court more frequently than others. Lawyers may specialize in a number of areas, such as bankruptcy, probate, international, elder, or environmental law.

Most lawyers are in private practice, concentrating on criminal or civil law. In criminal law, lawyers represent individuals who have been charged with crimes and argue their cases in courts of law. Attorneys dealing with civil law assist clients with litigation, wills, trusts, contracts, mortgages, titles, and leases.

Employment Situation

About 27 percent of lawyers are self-employed, either as partners in law firms or in solo practices. Competition for job openings should be strong due to the large number of students who graduate from law school each year.

Employment of lawyers is expected to grow 11 percent during the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The growing population and increased business activity is expected create more legal transactions, civil disputes, and criminal cases. Job growth among lawyers also will result from increasing demand for legal services in such areas as health care, intellectual property, venture capital, energy, elder, antitrust, and environmental law. In addition, the wider availability and affordability of legal clinics should result in increased use of legal services by middle-income people. However, growth in demand for lawyers will be constrained as businesses increasingly use large accounting firms and paralegals to perform some of the same functions that lawyers do.

Education Outlook

Formal requirements to become a lawyer usually include a 4-year college degree, 3 years of law school, and passing a written bar examination; however, some requirements may vary by state. Competition for admission to most law schools is intense. As of 2006, there were 195 law schools accredited by the American Bar Association. Others were approved by state authorities only.

Becoming a lawyer usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school—4 years of undergraduate study, followed by 3 years of law school. Law school applicants must have a bachelor’s degree to qualify for admission. To meet the needs of students who can attend only part time, a number of law schools have night or part-time divisions. Federal courts and agencies set their own qualifications for those practicing before or in them.

Although there is no recommended “prelaw” undergraduate major, prospective lawyers should develop proficiency in writing and speaking, reading, researching, analyzing, and thinking logically—skills needed to succeed both in law school and in the law. Regardless of major, a multidisciplinary background is recommended. All accredited law schools require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Salary Expectations for Lawyers

In May 2006, the median annual earnings of all lawyers were $102,470. The middle half of the occupation earned between $69,910 and $145,600.

Related Information

• Find all advertised Lawyers jobs.
• Find a Law school near you.

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Overview for Paralegals

Paralegals, which are also called legal assistants, continue to take on more tasks in legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. However, they are prohibited from doing anything that could be constituted as the practice of law, including setting legal fees, giving legal advice, and presenting cases in court.

One of the most important tasks of a paralegal involves helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases.

After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys

Employment Situation

Paralegals are found in all types of organizations, but law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices employ the greatest number of paralegals. There were about 238,000 paralegals at work in the United States in May 2006. Private law firms employed 70 percent of paralegals and legal assistants; the rest generally worked for corporate legal departments and at various levels of government.

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is because employers are trying to reduce costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers.

Education Outlook

The most common way to become a paralegal is through a community college paralegal program that leads to an associate degree. Another common method, mainly for those who already have a college degree, is earning a certificate in paralegal studies. A limited number of schools offer a bachelor’s and master’s degree in paralegal studies. Some employers train paralegals on the job.

Associate and bachelor’s degree programs usually combine paralegal training with courses in other academic subjects. Certificate programs vary considerable; some take only a few months to complete. Most certificate programs provide intensive paralegal training for individuals who already hold college degrees.

About 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools, and proprietary schools offer formal paralegal training programs. Approximately 260 paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). While many employers do not require such approval, graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance employment opportunities.

Salary Expectations for Paralegals

Salaries for paralegals depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Paralegals who work for large law firms or in large metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms or in less populated regions.

In May 2006, full-time paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings, including bonuses, of $43,040. Earnings ranged from under $27,450 to over $67,540.

Related Information

• Find all advertised Paralegal jobs.
• Find a Paralegal school near you.

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Corporate paralegals often assist attorneys with employee contracts, shareholder agreements, stock-option plans, and employee benefit plans. They also may help prepare and file annual financial reports, maintain corporate minutes’ record resolutions, and prepare forms to secure loans for the corporation. Corporate paralegals often monitor and review government regulations to ensure that the corporation is aware of new requirements and is operating within the law. Increasingly, experienced corporate paralegals or paralegal managers are assuming additional supervisory responsibilities such as overseeing team projects.

Employment Situation

Employment of corporate paralegals is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average. Despite projected rapid employment growth, competition for jobs is expected to continue as many people seek to go into this profession; experienced, formally trained paralegals should have the best employment opportunities.

Corporate legal departments will increase their hiring of corporate paralegals. Insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks also hire paralegals. Corporations are expected to increase their in-house legal departments to cut costs. Because they can perform a wide range of tasks, paralegals are also increasingly employed in small and medium-size establishments of all types.

Education Outlook

Most employers do not require certification, but earning a voluntary certification from a professional society may offer advantages in the labor market. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has established standards for certification requiring various combinations of education and experience. Paralegals who meet these standards are eligible to take a two-day exam. Those who pass may use the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. NALA also offers the Advanced Paralegal Certification for experienced paralegals who want to specialize. The Advanced Paralegal Certification program is a curriculum based program offered on the Internet.

The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. offers the American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) credential, a voluntary certification program. Paralegals seeking the AACP certification must possess at least five years of paralegal experience and meet one of the three educational criteria. Certification must be renewed every two years, including the completion 18 hours of continuing education.

Salary Expectations for Corporate Paralegals

Salaries for corporate paralegals depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Paralegals who work for large law firms or in large metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms or in less populated regions.

In May 2006, full-time corporate paralegals at corporations received a median annual salary of $52,220.

Related Information

• Find all advertised Corporate Paralegal jobs.
• Find a Paralegal school near you.
• Find an online legal school or legal degree.

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Court reporters usually create word-for-word transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events. Sometimes written accounts of spoken words are necessary for correspondence, records, or legal proof, and court reporters provide those accounts. They have a crucial role in judicial proceedings and at every meeting where the spoken word must be preserved as a written transcript. They are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate, and secure legal record.

Additionally, many court reporters assist judges and trial attorneys in a variety of ways, such as organizing and searching for information in the official record or making suggestions to judges and attorneys regarding courtroom administration and procedure. Increasingly, court reporters provide closed-captioning and real-time translating services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Employment Situation

Court reporters held about 19,000 jobs in 2006. More than half worked for State and local governments, a reflection of the large number of court reporters working in courts, legislatures, and various agencies. Most of the remaining wage and salary workers were employed by court reporting agencies. Around 8 percent of court reporters were self-employed.

Employment of court reporters is projected to grow 25 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations between 2006 and 2016. Demand for court reporter services will grow due to the continuing need for accurate transcription of proceedings in courts and in pretrial depositions, by the increased need to create captions for live television, and by the need to provide other real-time broadcast captioning and translating services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Education Outlook

The amount of training required to become a court reporter varies by specialization and the type of reporting chosen. It usually takes less than a year to become a novice voice writer, while it takes at least two years to become proficient at real-time voice writing. Electronic reporters and transcribers learn their skills on the job.

The average length of time it takes to become a real time stenotypist is 33 months. About 130 postsecondary vocational and technical schools and colleges offer training. The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has certified about 70 programs, all of which offer courses in stenotype computer-aided transcription and real-time reporting. NCRA-certified programs require students to capture a minimum of 225 words per minute, a requirement for Federal Government employment as well. Some States require voice writers to pass a test and to earn State licensure.

Salary Expectations for Court Reporters

Court reporters had median annual earnings of $45,610 in May 2006. Earnings ranged from less than $23,430 to more than $77,770. Median annual earnings in May 2006 were $45,080 for court reporters working in local government and $41,720 for those working in business support services. Compensation and compensation methods for court reporters vary with the type of reporting job, the experience of the individual reporter, the level of certification achieved, and the region of the country.

Related Information

• Find all advertised Court Reporter jobs.
• Find a Court Reporter school near you.
• Find a legal school or legal degree.

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