The Paralegal Voice: New Hiring Trends in the Paralegal World

The first episode of The Paralegal Voice, “New Hiring Trends in the Paralegal World”, that I co-host with Lynne DeVenny, is now available at Legal Talk Network and at iTunes.

This episode, featuring Robert Half Legal Executive Director, Charles “Chad” Volkert, as the expert guest, explores current hiring trends for paralegals and provides insight as to how paralegals can prepare for current and future hot jobs, including:

■ Hot legal specialty areas
■ Overseas job opportunities
■ Educational and certification requirements
■ Software proficiencies
■ Practice & social media tips

Thanks to the following sponsors who make this show possible for all paralegals:

• Teris: Sophistocated Litigation Supplot
• NALA: The Association for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
• Clio: Web-Based Practice Management
• West LiveNote

As a bonus, you may find these additional Internet sites regarding paralegal and legal hiring trends useful:

■Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition

■NALA, “2008 National Utilization and Compensation Survey Report”

■Robert Half Legal, “Pie Chart of Legal Growth Areas”

■About.com “Paralegal Stories: Trademark Law”

■Employment Crossing, “What’s Hot? Today’s Legal Specialties”

■Legal Assistant Today, “Paralegal Salaries”

■NFPA, "Hiring Trends"

■PennLive.com, “Strong Demand Persists for Paralegals”

Do you have a question, comment or request for a future show topic? Send them to TheParalegalVoice@gmail.com.

Five Easy Ways to Boost Your Productivity

Productivity...everyone wants to know how to get more done in less time. Getting more done in less time isn't the answer, though, and neither is drinking copious amounts of caffeine. The answer is to take steps to be your most productive ... to eliminate all those things that slow you down.

Here are five easy ways you can make this happen

1. Determine when you do your best work. When are your energy levels at their highest? Early in the morning? Later in the day? Everyone is different but it's really easy to figure out when you do your best work. Once you know that, you should plan to do work that takes your highest energy levels during the time when you feel your most productive. Plan tasks that don't take so much energy for the time when you're slowing down.

Drafting briefs or preparing deposition summaries requires high energy so do them when you're at your best. Returning telephone calls and answering email can be done when you're energy is ebbing.

2. Stop the external interruptions. External interruptions are the outside forces that stop you from doing your work. These include people stopping by your office to chat or incoming telephone calls. Here are some ideas for reducing the external interruptions:

Have your calls held while you're doing your high priority work that takes total concentration. This works best if you have a good voice mail message that informs callers when they can expect to hear from you and, also, elicits enough information so that you can be prepared when you return the call.

Don't be the Candy Magnet. If you keep candy on your desk, you're inviting people to stop by any time, regardless of what you're doing. If you have M&M's, I'll be the first one there!

Close your door. This sends an instant message that you don't want to be disturbed.

Arrange your office so that you're not visible from the hallway...and make it so that it's not so comfortable for chatting. Stack a few files on the guest chair...if they can't sit down, they won't stay long.

3. Stop the internal interruptions. Internal interruptions are caused by YOU! Are you interrupting yourself by going to email land, calling your best friend to get her potato salad recipe, or running for supplies? Do you spend too much time visiting other people's offices? You can stop the internal interruptions...here's how:

Don't stop yourself to read every email when it comes in. Instead, schedule a time when you'll check email and stick with it. First thing in the morning, at noon, and again about 4:00 pm should be adequate. You may have to shut your email program down entirely to avoid the temptation.

Telephone time should also be scheduled. Plan to return calls just before lunch (people will be ready to leave and won't talk long) or later in the afternoon. Prepare ahead for the calls so that you get right to the point and take care of the business. If you need a recipe, you should make that call on your own time.

Keep your desk stocked with all the supplies you need so you don't have to replenish them during the day. It's easy to have legal pads, file folders, stationery, pens, staples, and other supplies on hand within easy reach.

4. Everything doesn't have to be perfect. Perfectionism is a nasty time waster and will paralyze you... you may be reluctant to start because you desperately want to do a perfect job...or none at all. There is a time to be perfect (as in the finished product) but trying to prepare a perfect first draft is a waste of time.

The early stages of a project isn't the time to worry about getting everything right. The editing, rewriting and double-checking of facts and citations can be done at the end of the project.

Some tasks deserve or require more perfectionism than others. For instance a brief must be clearly written and well-polished. Applying the same energy to a letter or a memo is probably not the best use of your efforts. While some degree of perfectionism is necessary to do a good job, there is a difference between perfectionism and excellence...this is recognizing when good is really good enough.

5. Stop procrastinating. Procrastination will also paralyze you. When you can’t get started on a project...whatever your reason...you’re not producing. Everyone procrastinates sometimes. The interesting thing about procrastinating is that only you know when you're doing it. You get a cup of coffee, stop by a friend’s office to chat, check your e-mail, call your Mom, or even work really hard on a low priority project – all methods of procrastination. Here are a few tips for overcoming procrastination.

You may delay starting a project because you won’t have time to finish the whole thing at one time. This all-or-nothing thinking isn’t good because we rarely have large chunks of time to work on a project. The best way is to break the project down into smaller parts and work on just one part at a time.

Sometimes you procrastinate because you can’t start at the beginning so you lose sight of the fact that starting anywhere is better than not starting at all. While it’s great to start at the beginning this isn’t the only logical way to work because most projects have many good places to start, and all of them are about as good as the other. Just take the first step: start anywhere.

Work no more than 15 minutes at a time. This is a great anti-procrastination method. Set a timer and work full blast on a project for the next fifteen minutes. When the timer goes off you can choose to do something else for fifteen minutes or continuing working on your project. Most of the time you'll have momentum going and just re-set the timer and keep on working. It’s easy to work for hours this way but it doesn’t feel that long because you always know that a break is just 15 minutes away.

Start even if you’re not in the mood. The inspiration to work on a project is not always with you but if you wait for inspiration, you’ll never start. It’s better to begin the work and see if the ideas start to flow.

Unpleasant tasks don’t get any easier if you put them off...in fact, they get worse. And the worry over not working on a project takes as much energy as just biting the bullet and getting started. Think about taking a swim in very cold water. Some people prefer to dive in quickly and get the shock over with. Others stretch out the agony by stepping in inch by shivering inch. It's really easiest to plunge in and get the agony over with as soon as possible.

Your challenge: Think about how your actions are reducing your productivity. Once you've identified an issue, decide what steps you need to take to fix it. Then spend the next month practicing those steps. By this time next month, the steps will have become a habit and you'll find yourself well on the way to boosting your productivity.


© 2009 Vicki Voisin, Inc. Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? You can, so long as you include this entire blurb with it: Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes a bi-weekly ezine titled Strategies for Paralegals Seeking Excellence. More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com

The Paralegal Voice, a New Monthly Podcast at LegalTalkNetwork

Lynne DeVenny and I are pleased to be a part of The Paralegal Voice, a new monthly podcast for paralegals at LegalTalkNetwork. The show will focus on key issues for the paralegal profession.

We know that many paralegals and paralegal students are concerned about the economy and its effect on job security and hiring, so we’re very excited about the first podcast: “Hot Specialty Areas for Paralegals.” We’ll be talking with Chad Volkert, Executive Director of Robert Half Legal, about the latest hiring trends and what you need to know to get the most in-demand jobs now – and in the future. In addition to hot specialty areas, we'll also discuss education and software skills requirements.

The Paralegal Voice is for paralegals and about paralegals, and we’re counting on you to be part of the dialogue. Questions, comments and requests for show topics and guests are welcome and can be emailed to TheParalegalVoice@gmail.com.

Best of all, The Paralegal Voice is free and you can listen to the podcasts at your convenience. We suggest that you subscribe to the podcast by either going to LegalTalkNetwork or to the podcast directory at iTUNES! so you’ll receive each new edition as soon as it's released.

How To Get The Most Bang For Your Buck At a Convention, Conference or Seminar

Continuing education and networking are vital to career success. Opportunities for both are available when you attend a convention, conference or seminar.

With the opportunity, though, comes an investment of time, energy and money. You may even have to use your precious vacation days to be there. In the grand scheme of career advancement, this is all worthwhile but you must be sure you make the most of your time while you're there.

Here are a few tips that will help you get the greatest return on your investment:

Get the details out of the way early. As soon as you decide you'll attend an event, set up a file for all the miscellaneous information you'll receive. Then send in your registration and make your airline reservations or other travel plans. Next, make your hotel reservations so that you meet the deadline for special room rates.

What will you wear? Find out how you're expected to dress. Will business casual work? Will you need something for the closing banquet? Is a costume suggested for a reception? And remember, regardless of the convention location (i.e. New Orleans in July), you should bring along a sweater or jacket because meeting rooms are notoriously cold in spite of the outside temperature.

Be sure you bring business cards. You'll be exchanging business cards with convention attendees and also providing them to vendors so you'll want to be sure to have a good supply with you. If your employer doesn't provide them, either print your own or order them yourself. I highly recommend www.vistaprint.com for ease of ordering, prompt service and their many f.r.e.e offers.

• Hint: If you're unemployed, bring cards anyway. Design some with a clever phrase or two that highlight your expertise and experience. You never know where this will lead.
• Hint: Make notes on the back of the business cards you collect to help you remember the person and what you might like to follow up with them about later.

Bring a notebook. You should bring one notebook for all your seminars and workshops. This is for your notes and your 'to do' list for when you return home. Who will you want to thank? Who will you want to congratulate? Having all your notes in one place will help you to be more organized later.

Pick up your registration materials as soon as you arrive. This is your chance to go through the meeting materials and familiarize yourself with the convention schedule ... where you have to be and when. Put your name tag in a place where you can always find it when you leave your room. If you have tickets for lunches or dinners, put those in a safe place, too. If a list of attendees is provided, review that to see whom you already know and whom you'd like to meet.

Do something neat in your destination city. You may not have a lot of time for sightseeing, but be sure to visit at least one of the city's distinguishing features and have dinner in a memorable restaurant. If you don't, you might as well stay home and get your continuing education over the Internet.

Meet as many new people as you can. Start practicing right now: put out your hand and say "Hi, my name is Vicki and I'm not sure we've met." Was that so hard? No! Be sure to march up to as many people as you can and introduce yourself. They may be having a difficult time doing the same and will be grateful that you've taken the first step.

• Hint: It's very easy to get a conversation started with comments like 'What do you think about so and so?' or 'How has X or Y affected your job?' or "How is the job market in your region?' You are asking someone for their advice or wisdom or advice and you will always be able to make a connection. Every single person at convention has an interesting story. Be prepared to seek them out.
• Hint: Networking may offer you the most value from your conference. Please don't waste this opportunity by just hanging out with people you already know.Hint: Don't pull out your cell phone and spend every break making calls. Take advantage of breaks to do some more networking.

Visit the vendors. Vendors come with loads of interesting information regarding their programs and products. They also contribute to the cost of the convention, helping to keep your own costs down. Be sure to visit their booths, give them your full attention, and then make every effort to utilize their services once you're home. For instance, I always use a local court reporting business when I'm scheduling depositions in my state. When I have to go out of state, I call SetDepo simply because I know they support my convention.

• Hint: If you read my article titled "Free Clutter v Clutter Free" that was published in the November 2007 issue of Facts & Findings, you know that I advocate never taking a give-away from a vendor unless you can use it. If that yoyo or stress relief ball is just going to gather dust in your office, you don't need it. Your luggage is probably already filled to the max anyway.

Watch what you eat and drink and try to get some exercise. You'll be attending receptions and early-morning 'breakfasts' where the much of the food is high in calories. Try to make good choices as in fruit and vegetables over chips and dip. Would you eat that Danish at home? Probably not...choose the bagel instead. As always, drink in moderation so you're up and alert for the next morning's educational events.

• Hint: Try to take at least a half hour every day to visit the hotel exercise room or to go for a brisk walk. A walk (or even a run) is an excellent way to see some of the city, too.

This is not the time to relive your college Spring Break! You may view the convention as a vacation but that doesn't mean you're there to party down. If your firm or your association has paid your expenses, you have an obligation to attend the meetings and educational events. Remember that your behavior will reflect on your firm or association, so closing the hotel bar every night is definitely not a good idea.

The wrap-up. As soon as you return from your conference, take an evening to wrap up loose ends: write those notes to people who want to thank or congratulate, tally your expenses and submit them for reimbursement, and start your file for 'Convention 2009.' Place the list of attendees for this year's convention in the file, along with any brochures you brought home with you. Let the planning beginning!

Your challenge: First, prepare a "Seminar Tool Bag" that includes a notepad, notebook, business cards, two pens and anything else you think you might need. I'd also add granola bars, lip balm, sticky notes, tissues, mints, a camera and, perhaps, your favorite tea bags. Next, head to your convention and have a great time!

© 2009 Vicki Voisin, Inc. Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? You can, so long as you include this entire blurb with it: Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes a bi-weekly ezine titled Strategies for Paralegals Seeking Excellence. More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com

[Paralegal Strategies] Ethics: What About the All-Important 5 C's?

When you consider ethics issues, there are five areas that you must pay attention to...and each begins with the letter 'C'. Ethics are covered by the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct (www.abanet.org) and also by your state's Model rules. For purposes of this article, I will refer to the ABA's Model Rules.

1. Conflicts: Model Rules 1.7-1.11 refer to conflicts of interest that attorneys may encounter. Here are some tips to avoid conflicts:

> Have a system in place to check conflicts. This should include both former and current clients.

> Who's the client? Be sure it is clear whom the firm is representing. Is it the husband, the wife, or the husband and the wife? Is it the insurance company or the insured? The corporation or a corporate employee?

> Never use information you have gathered during the representation of a client to later sue that client.

> Pay attention to new hires, both attorneys and support staff. If they have a conflict, the firm may avoid disqualification by obtaining waivers from opposing parties and by screening the employee from contact with the matter.

2. Confidentiality: Model Rule 1.6 refers to the duty to keep all information related to the representation of a client confidential.

> Never discuss client matters with anyone outside the office. This includes billing information and factual situations...even if you don't mention the client's name. 'Outside the office' includes the hallway, elevator, restrooms, courthouse hallways, restaurants, parties and seminars.

> Be careful when you're using electronics. Conversations on a cell phone have an expectation of privacy but only when the parties take steps to keep the conversation private. Keep careful watch over your lap top...if it's stolen, a wealth of data could be lost or compromised.

> Emails and faxes also have an expectation of privacy but you should always have the client's permission (preferably in writing) before communicating this way. Be sure the client is available to receive the email or the fax so that the communication is not intercepted by a third party.

> There are some exceptions to the confidentiality rule: to prevent the client from killing or seriously harming someone; to prevent the client from committing a crime; to bring or defend a claim against a client. In each of these situations, the attorney may disclose only information essential to the matter.

3. Cash. Model Rule 1.15 covers the duty to protect the client's property.

> Know your state's rules regarding this duty as it varies from state to state.

> The client's funds cannot be commingled with the firm's funds.

> The firm can't 'borrow' from the client's funds, even with the intention of repaying the money before anyone finds out.

> The client's money may be transferred to the firm's business account only at such time as the fees are earned.

> Every firm must maintain a separate trust account which is also referred as an IOLTA account. (IOLTA = Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts)

> There are strict rules for reconciling the trust account and also for persons who are allowed to handle the account. Again, check your state's rules for more information.

4. Competence. Model Rule 1.1 refers to the duty of the attorney to possess the legal knowledge and expertise to handle the client's issues.

> Have the resources and the time to handle the client's case, including properly trained staff and the necessary equipment.

> Be sure to attend appropriate continuing education events.

> Manage time effectively so that deadlines are met.

> Assess staff workload regularly to be sure work is getting done.

> Delegate work according to ability.

5. Communications. Model Rule 1.4 covers the duty to adequately and appropriately communicate with clients.

> Be sure clients understand that the attorney is not always available for immediate response and provide alternative personnel for the client to use to relay messages.

> The so-called "Blackberry Culture' has clients expecting attorneys to be available 24/7 and to respond immediately. Explain to clients that their issues are important and that they will receive a response once the matter has been given the careful consideration it deserves.

> While the attorney may delegate much client contact to paralegals, the attorney is obligated to maintain a direct relationship with the client.

> Clients must be kept reasonably informed of the status of the case and provided with enough information to make decisions.

> Withdrawal from a case requires special steps. The client must be informed and, in most instances, their file must be made available to them.

One last rule: Model Rule 5.3 refers to the lawyer's duty with regard to nonlawyer assistants:

(a) a partner, and a lawyer who individually or together with other lawyers possesses comparable managerial authority in a law firm shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the firm has in effect measures giving reasonable assurance that the person's conduct is compatible with the professional obligations of the lawyer;

(b) a lawyer having direct supervisory authority over the nonlawyer shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the person's conduct is compatible with the professional obligations of the lawyer; and

(c) a lawyer shall be responsible for conduct of such a person that would be a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct if engaged in by a lawyer if:

(1) the lawyer orders or, with the knowledge of the specific conduct, ratifies the conduct involved; or

(2) the lawyer is a partner or has comparable managerial authority in the law firm in which the person is employed, or has direct supervisory authority over the person, and knows of the conduct at a time when its consequences can be avoided or mitigated but fails to take reasonable remedial action.

Your challenge: Familiarize yourself with the ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, as well as the rules that have been adopted by your state. The ABA also has Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services that can be reviewed at www.abanet.org The attorney's ethical obligations are your obligations, too, and you should thoroughly understand the all-important 5 C's: Conflicts, Confidentiality, Cash, Competence and Communication. In the end, though, trust your instincts: if an action doesn't feel right or ethical, it probably isn't. Every state bar association maintains an ethics hot line. Call yours if you have questions.


©2009 Vicki Voisin, Inc.

Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, ethics issues, organizational tips, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes a bi-weekly ezine titled Strategies for Paralegals Seeking Excellence. More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com (Subscribers receive a free special report titled ‘Is Your Computer Talking Behind Your Back?’ and are invited to attend free monthly Paralegal Mentor Mastermind Calls that feature guest experts discussing issues of interest to the paralegal field.)

Why Should You Be Certified?

The issue of certification has long been debated. Here a few questions I'm frequently asked:

• I graduated from a paralegal program, why should I sit for a certification exam?
• I have a paralegal certificate from a university, doesn't that make me 'certified'?
• I have a good job and several years of experience, how will being certified make a difference?
• What will those letters after my name really do for me?

I wholeheartedly support the certification process for paralegals and believe that it is an important professional goal. Please consider the following points:

Having a certificate does not mean you are certified. A certificate is issued upon completion of an educational program, at which time you are certificated. Certification involves passing an examination established by a sponsoring organization that usually has specific requirements of education and experience for persons taking the exam. Upon completion of the examination, you are certified.

The American Bar Association defines certification as 'a process by which a non-governmental agency or association grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that agency or association.'

I am certainly not minimizing the importance of completing a paralegal program and obtaining your certificate or your degree. In fact, I view paralegal education as essential. I am merely pointing out that there is an additional step you can take that will increase your professional profile. That step is certification.

Credential = credibility. Certification is a voluntary process and is not a prerequisite for paralegal employment. However, certification gives you credibility. It demonstrates that you have the knowledge base and the skill required to pass the examination. It may also make you more marketable and may increase your income potential.

Certification takes you off the level playing field. Graduation from a paralegal program (and, thus, being certificated) is the primary avenue by which people enter the paralegal profession. If everyone has a certificate, how is a potential employer to judge the best candidate for the job?

Think about it, two paralegals standing side by side with the same certificate from the same school and the same amount of experience. How can one be distinguished from the other? The answer is certification. The certified paralegal demonstrates that he or she is a multi-skilled professional with diverse knowledge and effective communication skills.

Certification gives paralegals an avenue for self-regulation. The issue of licensure for paralegals is old news...it's been discussed to the nth degree for more than a quarter century. Paralegals work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and do not provide their services directly to the public. For this reason, they do not need to be licensed.

Also, licensure says a person is 'qualified' to do work. It does not demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills. An example is a hair dresser (and I have the highest regard for my hair dresser, believe me!). Hair dressers are allowed to enter the profession when they are licensed by a state agency. The license does not say they have fantastic skills, it only says that they can perform the services.

The certification credential is awarded to people who prove their advanced knowledge and skills by meeting the standards of the credentialing organization.

Certification will do much for you personally. Ask anyone who has a credential and they will tell you that the achievement made them walk a little taller, made them feel stronger professionally, gave them incredible personal satisfaction and increased their level of professional confidence. They set a goal and they achieved it. They took a risk and they survived it. They have the credibility that the credential provides. They literally stand out above the crowd. Their accomplishment gave them great pride. You, too, can have all that with professional certification.

One more benefit you will reap from the certification exam is the learning that takes place in the preparation for the examination. Even the most experienced paralegal will learn something new and benefit from the intense review.

Also, you will usually be required to participate in continuing education programs to maintain your certification. This requirement will help you keep up to date with changes in the profession and in the legal arena.

Further, the credentialing organization will usually set high ethical standards for those using the credential. Unethical behavior will result in the loss of the credential.

Certification may give you a 'leg up' when you're searching for a job. In today's economy, you need all the ammunition you can muster to prove that you are the person for the job. Having the certification credential behind you exhibits not only the advanced knowledge I mentioned earlier, it also shows discipline, ambition, motivation and willingness to accept a challenge.

Which certification examination/credential is right for you? That's a personal decision. Many paralegal associations provide certification examinations (ie NALA, NFPA, NALS, and AAPI). There are also voluntary certification programs offered by some states...examples are North Carolina and Florida, but there are others. All have different structure and eligibility requirements, as well as different continuing education and re-certification requirements.

What is important is that the credentialing organization you choose is a bona fide entity, that the exam is administered under rules and regulations in accordance with governmental acts and in accordance with such issues as anti-trust and fairness.

It is essential that the organization agrees to keep applications and records confidential. It is crucial that the organization prepares an examination under the guidance of professional testing consultants, that the exam be continually reviewed for accuracy, and that it be updated on a regular basis.

Usually the certification designation is a certification mark duly registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Claims of certified status must be verifiable...in other words, if a paralegal claims to be certified, he or she must have the credential to prove it.

Can you ethically use the credential after your name? Yes! Whether it is CLA, CP, PP, RP, AACP, ACP, PLS, AVA, ALS, NCCP etc. you can use it. The U.S. Supreme Court has addressed the issue concerning the utilization of credentials awarded by private organizations. In Peal v Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee of Illinois, 110 S.Ct. 2281 (1990), the Court suggested that a claim of certification is truthful and not misleading if:

• The claim itself is true
  
• The bases on which certification was awarded are factual and verifiable
  
• The certification in question is available to all professionals in the field who meet relevant, objective and consistently applied standards
  
• The certification claim does not suggest any greater degree of professional qualification than reasonably may be inferred from an evaluation of the certification program's requirements.
  
• There is a qualified organization behind the certification process

Of course, the credential cannot be used to mislead the public and represent something you are not.

How do you prepare for a certification examination? The thought of all that study may sound overwhelming. The idea of taking such a critical examination may be frightening. The key to success is in the preparation and planning. The best thing to do is to break the process into steps:

• Decide which examination you will take.
• Decide when you will take the examination
• Working backward from the examination date, block a period of time for study and determine a study schedule (I recommend three months but that is an individual decision)
• Plan how you will study and what reference materials you will need (these may be available from the credentialing organization)
• Join a study group and enlist 'study buddies' to hold you accountable
• Take advantage of preparation and educational opportunities offered by the credentialing organization, as well as your professional association. For instance, NALA offers a three-day intense CLA review course, as well as CLA preparation courses at its convention.

Your challenge: If you already have a professional credential, congratulations! If you don't, please put that at the top of your list. Follow the steps above and begin planning for the examination. You will never regret the time and effort it takes. You will always feel immense professional pride when you put those initials after your name!

© 2009 Vicki Voisin, Inc.

Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? You can, so long as you include this entire blurb with it: Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes a bi-weekly ezine titled Strategies for Paralegals Seeking Excellence. More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com

Why Tweet?

Do you wonder why anyone would bother with social networking sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn? Do you think social networking is a waste of time? Do you think that time spent on social networks has no value?

Perhaps it's the word 'social' that bothers you? 'Social' conjures up thoughts of fun and parties...of spending time on nonsense when there are too many other things to do. Social networking sites can be a lot of fun but what is incredibly valuable to all of the social networking platforms is the social learning that takes place. While I participate in FaceBook and LinkedIn, Twitter is hands down my favorite.

Here are a few tips that will help you understand Twitter and get on the road to social learning:

What is Twitter? Twitter is a social networking service that allows users to send messages (called 'tweets') that are 140 characters in length to their friends (called 'followers'). This 140 word format is unique to Twitter and allows for quick, informal sharing of information with people you wouldn't normally include in emails or instant messages. This expands your circle of contacts to a community of like-minded people. That community is growing by leaps and bounds...Twitter has well over 5 million users.

What does Twitter offer? Twitter can be used for both business and personal purposes. It's is a great way to keep in touch with your friends and broadcast information about what you're doing. You can always share that you're eating a PB&J at your desk (I do enjoy those posts) but I think the BEST use of twitter is for business purposes. Companies will broadcast their latest news and blogposts. Individuals will post links to their blogposts or ask for help. For instance:

• @CathieCummings sent this message: I just christened my new laptop by getting peanut butter on the keyboard. Any suggestions on cleaning it?
  
• Here's another post from an attorney: Today, I found out that a paralegal had redacted ORIGINAL documents with a sharpie. (OOPS!).
  
• There are posts and links about employment opportunities: @alisondoyle posted Who's hiring http://bit.ly/tXeaO.

Tips for Twitter set-up. The first step is to go to http://www.twitter.com/ and create your Twitter account. I have four important recommendations for this process:

1. Select your user name (you can have up to 15 alphanumeric characters in your user name). Sign up using your given name with no spaces or underlines, as in VickiVoisin. Unless you have a brand that will identify you (such as @ExpertParalegal or @legaltypist), you must use your name or no one will be able to find you. How many people would know to look for me as @vvacp94? (Please note that @ is before every name on Twitter) Twitter will automatically check to see if the user name you've chosen is available.
   
2. Be sure to load a picture, too. If you don't, your avatar will be something that looks like a brown paper bag with eyes.
   
3. Give careful thought to your profile. Mind your manners and post a profile that will attract followers.


4. You may also set up your Twitter account so your Tweets automatically link to Facebook...this will save you lots of time.

How to post Tweets. Because your tweets are limited to 140 characters (that includes spaces and punctuation) you have to be brief and concise. There are all sorts of shortcuts you can take to get more bang for your tweet...but that could be an entire article in itself. For now, we'll stick with the basics.

• (Except for one tip: you can shorten any links you are using by going to http://www.snipurl.com/ or http://www.snipurl.com/ where http://www.paralegalmentor.com/ethical-technical-05-14-09.html would become http://snipurl.com/han90)

Your first tweet or two will feel strange but you'll quickly get the hang of it. Just type in 'Am a paralegal new to Twitter and wondering why I'm here.' Hit send and there goes your tweet....the response will surprise you. Once you get the hang of it, tweet about an article, an idea, or share a link of professional interest to your targeted followers. Many tweets will offer tips or links to articles or blog posts. Watch these carefully as this is where the social learning comes into play. For instance:

• @alisondoyle posts several employment-related links every day. Some tweets will ask questions and this is your opportunity to demonstrate your expertise and share information in quick bursts of wisdom.


• Looking for a job? Tell your Twitter friends! A story was posted about an account manager who was laid off from her job. Within minutes of the layoff, she pulled out her cell phone and sent a tweet that said 'Needs a job.' She did this even before she told her family. Before social media, victims of layoffs would share this news with just a few close friends and their family. Thanks to social media, the newly unemployed are coming out of the dark. This can be a great way to jump-start a job search. There will be support...either emotional support or suggestions for a new job. I might add here that there are lots of job postings on Twitter...I won't vouch for them but they're there.

What about followers? You can search for people to follow in the Find People link at the top of the Twitter page. Type in a name and then select 'follow.' The person may or may not follow you. This is a terrific option with Twitter because if someone chooses to follow you, you do not have to reciprocate. I frequently ignore anyone whose profile is questionable or who isn't writing about anything I'm interested in reading. You can follow topics, too. There is a search box in the right sidebar on the Twitter page. Type in 'paralegal' and all posts about paralegals will pop up. Type in 'job search' and you'll see all those tweets. From those tweets, you can select people to follow.

Here are a few suggestions for you to follow:

• @VickiVoisin (of course!)


• @legaltypist (virtual assistant) (who also has a great f'ree ebook Twitter 101 at http://www.legaltypist.com/twitter)


• @DebbieLynnAVA (virtual assistant)


• @ExpertParalegal (Lynne Devenny...great information and humorous posts)


• @alisondoyle (terrific employment information)@sallyannekane (with Legal Assistant Today)


• @kevinhouchin (an attorney)@breakthruguy and @mike_wesely (motivational quotes)


• @NALStweet (yes, NALS is tweeting)


• @lillyhill (paralegal who posts links of interest to the profession)


• @Goddess_Bless (Lisa Devlin) @MargaretAgius @CathyRibble @CathyCummings (all Strategies subscribers...I love their posts)


• @charlsye (Charlsye Smith-Diaz)


• @rsylvester (a reporter who tweets from the courtroom)


• @Paragate (Paralegal Gateway)


• @Oprah Winfrey (do I have to tell you who that is?)


• @aplusk (you get a gold star if you can figure that out ... it's Ashton Kutcher)

What does the # sign mean? The # you see before some topics is called a hashtag. Hashtags are channels that allow you to tune in to whatever signal will make Twitter useful at a given time. If you like the Food Network, you will follow #foodie or #cooking or #recipe. If you're a sports fan from San Diego, you can follow #padres. You will see all the tweets about that topic. The topics are endless.

Take a simple giant step. Now that you're all set up to tweet, you just HAVE to download Tweetdeck...until I did this, Twitter was difficult to use because tweets stream in real time. There was no way I could just sit at my desk and watch the tweets go by. Tweetdeck (a f'ree download at http://www.tweetdeck.com/) allows you to set up ten columns and then customize those columns to fit your interests. I have a column for 'paralegal' and another for 'probate' and another for 'law firm'...these change frequently. You can also organize your followers into groups.

My usual warning. Everything you post can be located with a simple Google search so remember that people may read every tweet you send. An inappropriate tweet (or post on any networking site for that matter) could hurt your career, cost you the job you have or take you out of the running for a new job. Don't say anything about anyone (especially your boss) that you would not say to them if they were standing in front of you.

Your Challenge. If you haven't already, it's time to see what the social media rage is all about. The key to your success is to use social media as a learning tool. Create your Twitter account...be sure to use your name correctly, upload a picture, write a positive profile...then ask yourself what you want to learn from Twitter and search for that information. This will get you off to a great start. Let me know if you have questions!

© 2009 Vicki Voisin, Inc. Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? You can, so long as you include this entire blurb with it: Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes a bi-weekly ezine titled Strategies for Paralegals Seeking Excellence. More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com