Paralegals: Don't Burn Bridges

There?s a new job on the horizon. You get to leave your old job. You know, the one with the boss you can?t stand. The really mean one. The one you?d love to give a piece of your mind. Matter of fact, you think you?ll do just that?before you leave?.

It?s perfectly fine to act that one out in fantasy, as many times as delights you. But heed this advice ? don?t do it in reality! And here?s why.

Life has a funny way of tossing curve balls our way. That very same ex-boss with whom you shared your parting piece of mind? Suddenly, he?s opposing counsel on a new case your new attorney boss just accepted. Even worse, he could be your attorney?s co-counsel on a case!

Perish the thought, but what if for some unforeseen reason, your new job doesn?t work out? Now you?re scrambling to interview elsewhere. You need a recent recommendation. It?s going to be rather awkward to ask the one who vividly recalls you spouting off as you waltzed out the door.

One certainly doesn?t have to lie when leaving an unpleasant position. ?Thank you, Mr. Smith, it?s been great working with you. I couldn?t wait to get to work every day. I?ll miss you.? That?s really piling it on, isn?t it? If that were true, why are you leaving?

If questioned as to why you?re leaving, choose a politically correct comment, such as: ?I think my skills are better suited to the new position,? or ?The benefits are simply too good to pass up.? Then, go the extra mile. Offer to train your replacement. Ensure the workload you?re leaving is manageable ? complete tasks that may be difficult for the new employee to assume. Leave detailed notes regarding ongoing assignments, and an updated list of any deadlines or to-do?s for both your boss and your replacement.

The best way to leave a job, even a job for the boss you really won?t miss, is with style and grace. Never burn bridges. You may have to cross them again!

Are you fascinated by trials? Do you like helping people? A career as a Paralegal is challenging, rewarding, and NEVER boring. Sign up for free newsletters that show you how to step into this exciting career. Adventures await you....

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Laura McDonald is a paralegal, employed by Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C. She is a member of NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). Laura is experienced in the areas of personal injury, civil litigation, family, environmental and corporate law, estate planning and bankruptcy.

The Principal P's of a Paralegal Career

Being a paralegal, or legal assistant, is a fulfilling and challenging career. It can be rewarding. It can also be quite stressful. The four P?s will pave the way for a successful paralegal career. These are:

1. Punctuality. Ever notice how your stress level rises when you?re late for work or a meeting? You sit in traffic and the clock is ticking out a drumbeat in your head. By the time you get to work, you?re flustered and certainly not in the best mind frame to calmly begin your work tasks. Instead of this nerve-racking scenario, the practical, punctual paralegal plans on leaving for work 15 minutes earlier. This allows extra time for unforeseen circumstances to intrude but not alter one?s sense of serenity. I have a rule of thumb ? anticipate five irritations while driving to work and smile through them. If there?s more than five, well, maybe it?s time to pull off the road and let the maniacs go on ahead.

2. Patience. Be gentle with yourself. If you feel tenseness building, take deep, cleansing breaths, and several more as needed. Oxygen fills your lungs, your pulse lowers, and a feeling of peacefulness returns. Paralegals practice patience toward co-workers, clients, phone callers, anyone who may not quite have being gentle with themselves mastered yet.

3. Perseverance. A missing witness? Keep trying to locate him, and stop when you do. A file has disappeared? Search until it?s found and ask others for assistance. Feeling brain-dead while summarizing a very dry deposition transcript? Get up and stretch, look out a window for a few minutes while you feel yourself relaxing. Then don your determination again, and get back to the grind. Legal assistants who excel in their jobs are dedicated to completing tasks.

4. Pride. If you know you?re doing your best, you will feel proud of your accomplishments. Ensure your work product reflects positively on you and your boss. Every document going out of your office gauges quality; for professionals this is extremely important. Sloppy work does not go unnoticed. Check and then doublecheck your documents. Are they as clean and attractively presented as possible? If so, sit back and smile.

The above principal P?s for paralegals are, of course, only part of what highlight good skills. But they are very important. They also contribute to attaining satisfaction and pleasure in one?s position. Being good at your job AND enjoying it, what a great combination!

Laura McDonald is a paralegal. She has many years of experience in the areas of personal injury (accident related and medical malpractice), workers? compensation, civil litigation, family, environmental, and corporate law, estate planning, and bankruptcy. She is employed by Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C. in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her website is: http://www.paralegalsecretary.bravehost.com. Laura is available to encourage anyone interested in entering the paralegal field or seeking to improve related skills

What Is The Best Online Paralegal Program

When selecting which online paralegal program you want to take, it is important to choose the best one. You want to pick an accredited program, which has a solid reputation and teaches its students the skills they need.

When looking at which online paralegal program to choose, you want to choose a program that allows you to quickly complete your degree. Online colleges like Kaplan University allow you to complete your Bachelor's degree in as little as a year if you already have your Associates degree.

When choosing an online program it is important to choose colleges, which are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This will ensure that when you present your degree or certificate to a potential employer, they will know that you graduated from an accredited institution.

There are many online college programs available, and some are just interested in making money. Some are not accredited, and you need to make sure they are before beginning your classes. When looking for the best online paralegal program, it will be helpful to look at the statistics for the program.

Does it have a high graduation rate? Does it have a reputation of giving the students the skills they need to effectively compete in the market? You may find it helpful to join chat rooms or forums and talk to people who have attended the online college you're interested in.

They will give you an idea of what you can expect. Online education is in its infancy, and there are many companies out there ready to abuse this growing market. You want to investment in your future, and you can do this by choosing the best online program.

If you have taken classes at a traditional community college or university, the online college should be able to transfer some or all of those credits and apply it towards your degree as a paralegal. If they cannot or refuse to, this may be a sign that they aren't a good institution.

If you look online you may be able to find a survey or list of the top online programs for paralegals. This will help you weed out any undesirable programs while focusing your attention on the best. After this it is just a matter of selecting the program, which suits your needs and schedule.

One thing that is great about online classes is that there is no need to commute. You can sit at home and take classes whenever you want. You will want to find paralegal programs, which suit your schedule. There are many good paralegal programs online. It is important to do your research to find out which is the best for you. Different programs will work for different people, and there are no right or wrong choices.

When enrolling into a paralegal program, if you need financial aid, it is important for the online college to give you assistance. Be wary of any online programs, which try to push you into student loans if you want to get a Pell grant. These are programs you should avoid.

Mansi gupta recommends that you visit online paralegal program for more information.

Online Paralegal Degree Preparing You For Employment

In an era when professional opportunities are diminishing, one area where opportunities are certainly expanding is in the field of paralegal work. Consequently, as the practice of law expands, and the need for professional paralegals grows, many argue that there has never been a better time to enter the field of paralegal work. To cater for this growing need for paralegals, a number of nationally accredited online paralegal degree programs have been developed.

Most nationally accredited online paralegal degree programs begin with a Foundation Course, setting out the legal concepts and practical legal techniques that you'll be expected to know and comprehend when the times comes for you to start looking for paralegal work. You'll also be taught how to undertake legal research, conduct interviews of clients and witnesses, and draft documents. But, an online paralegal degree is much more than this. Specially developed Advance Course follow the Foundation Course on which you'll have the chance to hone your online study skills by electing to specialize in key specialty subjects; such as, litigation, real estate, estate and wills, trusts, and corporate law.

With all the added benefits found on all online degree programs, such as (a) convenience to take the course at your own pace; (b) flexibility to complete work within your own time; (c) benefit of not having to live on-campus or commute to the campus; (d) and pay fees as and when you decide to study that module, completing an online paralegal degree course allows you the chance to find new employment opportunities either in the private sector or government sector as most legal employer will know that you are getting all the training needed to ready you for the daily tasks faced in the legal profession!

Today's online paralegal degree programs also offer students the option to study a Bachelor of Science in Management/Applied Management with a Law Office Management Emphasis, preparing you for an entry-level legal management position, or an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies program for those looking to undertake employment in a legal environment.

No matter which online paralegal degree program you elect to take however, the fun, joy and benefits of an online paralegal degree program are available for all to enjoy!

Amba is the owner of http://www.on-line--education.com a website that contains all the latest resources and information relating to on-line degrees. Visit http://www.on-line--education.com

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