How to Ruin Your Career in 5 Easy Steps

Chere B. Estrin As CEO of a prominent (yes, let’s acknowledge it here!), staffing organization, I talk to lots of unhappy or frustrated people, not exactly my favorite thing. As someone who loves coming to work, my Pollyanna attitude is that everyone should have the same experience. Sadly, that’s not the case. What I have found dealing with thousands of legal professionals throughout my...

Just a short note about a terrible new trend in submitting resumes.

By Chere B. Estrin Have you wondered why you are not getting a great response to your resume, even though you meet all the criteria? If you are not listing your city and state, chances are 90% that your resume will not get accepted. I noticed this is a new trend now and all I can say is “Don’t do it.’ Why? Because recruiters and employers want to know if they are wasting their time. Most...

All I wanted for Christmas was my two front seats.

By Chere B. Estrin Flightmare. If you got caught up in it, my sympathies! With thousands and thousands of weary travelers serious victims of the blizzard, ice or even Southwest, the holidays were dreadful. Can I vent for just a moment? For those of you still stuck at airports, in cities you know nothing about, sleeping in the airport, staying in hotels you can’t afford, or trying to take a...

8 Strategies for Climbing the Law Firm Leadership Ladder

. Last night, I plumb ran out of sleep. Here I was, snoozing away, not particularly dreaming about anything, when I woke right up. I found myself worrying about a legal professional who had come to me to find ways to get promoted in her firm.  I went over our conversation. She was at her firm 14 years and hadn’t had a raise in several years. Other professionals were being brought in at a...

How to Blow your Chances of Getting a Raise

By Chere B. Estrin It’s here again. Oh, yes. That stressful, anxiety ridden, white knuckling 30 minutes guaranteed to make your palms sweat, heart race and chest tighten followed by a sense of impending doom surrounding your otherwise well-being. Yes, I am talking about the performance review.  We’ve all been through it. Some were good, some were bad. Some met your expectations and...

Marina Shepelsky: How to Be a Top Lawyer in Your Niche

By Chere Estrin What does it take to become a successful lawyer? In a series of in-depth interviews for the Estrin Report, Chere Estrin profiles top lawyers from all types of practices, and we’re highlighting their top five tips here. This week, the spotlight is on immigration and divorce lawyer — and social media star — Marina Shepelsky.  Marina Shepelsky Founder,...

Are you a Corporate Paralegal? You may just be in luck.

Today, it’s a matter of dollars and sense. By Chere B. Estrin Are you happy in your job? Would you like to be happier? I have never witnessed  a job market quite like this one. Honest, I haven’t. It’s a circus out there. Law firms and in-house legal departments are coming at us with request upon request upon request (ok, you get it) for corporate paralegals all over the country....

Deep Hidden Secrets Revealed for Hiring Candidates in a Tight, Tight Market

By Chere B. Estrin The other day while I was having my nails done and my lip waxed, I received a desperate call from one of our good clients, a major AmLaw 100 firm (the top in the country). The Talent Acquisition Manager had been looking for very experienced, sophisticated corporate paralegals across the entire country and could not, despite ads, referrals, many agencies and praying to the...

Two Unbelievable Reasons Why Paralegal Resumes Get Tossed

Are You Guilty of This? By Chere B. Estrin Are you sending your paralegal resume out with little or no response? Are you thinking about seeking a new position but not sure whether your resume will meet the test? Let’s talk turkey. I hear over and over from paralegals telling me:  They don’t know why they are not getting interviews They have sent their resume out dozens of times with...

Do you know if it is time to leave your job?

The Great Reluctance Crossover By Chere B. Estrin Warning! For God’s sake, don’t show this article to your employer! That being said, (as if I had to), there has been no greater time to take advantage of a healthy job market where candidates firmly hold the upper hand – and probably will for some time to come.  If you haven’t peaked out from your current position to view what’s...