Legal 150 Graduate Studies Seminar

1. Legal 150Graduate Studies Seminar Laurie A. Dean-Newton, PhDc Paralegal Room R206

2. Chapter 13 • Salary negotiation strategies • Where to find out how much you will earn • Federal salary schedules • When to discuss salary • How to negotiate • If the offer is less than you expected • Negotiate for perquisites (perks)

3. Salary Negotiations Strategies • Starting salaries are generally higher than other entry-level positions • Consider pay cuts when changing careers • Senior paralegal experience is 3-5 years • Senior level paralegals can earn over $60,000 annually • Management paralegals can earn $80,000 or higher annually • Law firms increase salaries rapidly during early part of your career

4. Where to Find Out How Much You Will Earn • Local paralegal association • Ask about prevailing salary levels in your area • NFPA, NALA & Legal Assistant Today • PCC on local salaries of paralegals • There is no break down of information gathered according to region of country • Surveys are broken down into experience level

5. Federal Salary Schedules • Federal Employer’s Pay Schedule • Entry-level paralegals GS-5 or above • Pay scale changes yearly • Office of Personnel Management • Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site • www.ilrg.com/employment/salaries

6. When to Discuss Salary • Find out the interview process • At the end of the first interview or on the second interview • Allow employer to bring up the subject first • Appear to be primarily concerned with the work, level of assignments, and corp. itself • Do not be overly anxious to discuss salary or benefits

7. How to Negotiate • Understand your opponent and know; • What you want • What you will settle for • What the Potential is of the job (growth or more money) • Firm’s history regarding use of paralegals • Who you are negotiating with & power they have to get what you want • Year end or merit bonus, raise schedule, and overtime pay

8. If The Offer Is Less Than you Expected • Go ahead and negotiate • Lawyers love to argue • You are worth more because of education, and prior experience • Current salary survey states entry level paralegals make $____. • My background relates well to paralegal field which will not cost the firm to train me.

9. Negotiations for Perquisites • Continuing education • Law or graduate school tuition • Association dues • Health and dental benefits • Vacation pay, sick leave, personal leave • Bonuses

10. Other Negotiation Options • Early salary review • Hiring bonus • Placement agency as negotiator • Negotiation etiquette • Establishing a resolution date for salary issues • Taking an active role

11. Chapter 14 • Evaluating the interview • Using thank-you letters as opportunity • Hot tips

12. Evaluating The Interview • Will help you make decision about whether to accept the job • Helps to recognize ways to improve on future interviews • Make specific notes immediately after interview • Include impression of firm’s culture, environment, physical facilities • File notes away to refresh memory at later date • Interview evaluation notes can be used to seek future positions

13. Thank-You Letters As Marketing Opportunity • Write letter thanking everyone you met • It reminds the employer who you are • Can serve as a writing sample • Can be used to furnish references or information that may have been forgotten or requested • Last effort to sell yourself • Allows employer to see that you are interested

14. HOT TIPS

15. NEXT WEEK (FORMAL INTERVIEW)