Submit a career-related question to Charles A. Volkert, Esq., executive director of Robert Half Legal, a leading staffing
service specializing in the placement of attorneys, paralegals, legal administrators and other legal
professionals with law firms and corporate legal departments. Charles will answer one question
each month!
Q:
I’ve been at my current job for five years, and it’s time for a change. But I don’t feel I’ve kept
up with the times, skills-wise. The role of the legal administrator has changed significantly
since my last job search. How can I make myself more marketable?
A:
As you’ve discovered, the pace of change in the industry means that legal professionals cannot
afford to stand still. Whether or not you ultimately change jobs, you’re wise to work on your
marketability. There are several key areas you may want to target as you broaden and enhance
your skills.
First, consider proactively pursuing additional education. The demand is high for legal
administrators with certifications and advanced degrees, such as the MBA or CPA. If enrolling
in a degree-granting program isn’t feasible at this time, consider attending short-term seminars
on selected topics, such as facilities management, finance or business modeling.
Brushing up on your technical skills should be another priority. To become more proficient,
talk to your colleagues in the IT division about the latest advances in law office systems and
software. There is a wealth of information online as well, which you can peruse at your
convenience. And technology vendors often sponsor seminars or workshops about new products
and services.
Because a large percentage of a legal administrator’s job involves management (of resources,
staff, finances, etc.), focus on enhancing your skills in this area. For example, you might attend a
class on business communication to improve your verbal and written interactions with staff and
colleagues. By reading a wide variety of business publications in areas such as human resources
and law office management, you’ll pick up helpful advice and ideas about how to more effectively
organize and motivate your staff.
It’s always hard to see yourself objectively, which is why it may be useful to hire a career
coach who can identify weak areas in your resume and help you develop a plan to acquire new
skills. And don’t forget to tap your network for support and guidance: Your colleagues,
acquaintances and mentors will no doubt be able to suggest many ways to improve your
marketability.
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