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Legal 150 Graduate Studies Seminar. Laurie A. Dean-Newton, PhDc Paralegal Room R206. 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
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Legal 150Graduate Studies Seminar Laurie A. Dean-Newton, PhDc Paralegal Room R206
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Negotiations for Perquisites • Continuing education • Law or graduate school tuition • Association dues • Health and dental benefits • Vacation pay, sick leave, personal leave • Bonuses
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
Chapter 14 • Evaluating the interview • Using thank-you letters as opportunity • Hot tips
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
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