Can I become a legal secretary with a Master's in English but no experience?

Prorkycake

I am a paralegal and I suggest you take nothing the previous poster said to heart. You most certainly can get a job as a legal secretary, but I would suggest considering paralegal work. I riddle you this. If it was absolutely impossible for people to get jobs with no experience, how is it that any one gets hired? Your education speaks volumes. With that said, since you already have a great deal of education, you might benefit from the online paralegal courses I often advise against. Since you have a Master's degree, I see no point in you having to get a paralegal or related associate's degree. A 1 year program or online certificate would show that you are committed to the career and that you know a little something about the law field. If you don't have the means to do that now, maybe mention it in interviews. You could possibly say, "I know that I don't possess a specialized degree, however if it benefits the firm, I am willing to take some paralegal classes to further my knowledge."

The key to getting your foot in the door is the resume. I don't know how many potential paralegals/legal assistants have a wonderful education and write a TERRIBLE resume. They focus on all the wrong things. I am the first line in our firm's hiring process. I weed out the bad resumes. I can give you these pointers. Do not advertise what you don't know. It is going to be obvious to me that you have no experience based on your prior employment. What I need to know is what coursework or related skill you have that demonstrate you can work in a law environment. I don't know how many intern resumes I throw to the side because they highlighted their work in fast food, but failed to tell me what skills they learned that we can use. I can say that out of 20 resumes, I might find one good one.

I am not saying that it will be an easy road. If you can just get your foot in the door and display that your education has made you capable and that you are a fast learner, you might just luck out. The fact that you have your Masters in English would bode VERY well for you. Many attorneys I meet and know wish they had English degrees because the law requires a lot of writing and comprehension.

Focus your resume on the skills you can offer. Don't highlight the fact that you have no experience. Most attorneys I know train on-the-job, meaning they know that every law office is different and that even if they hire someone with experience, they may not adapt to their firm. Does that make sense?

Don't let people discourage you. Focus on your resume and start applying. Good luck!

Hoolagal

oh the joy of being over-educated and no job prospects ... been there, done that ... you could not get a job as a legal secretary as that would require a college diploma of some sort ... and the education you have will do little to help you get into this field ... unless you know a lawyer personally who will give you a shot because you are their friend ... i also am over-educated and under employed ... i went to college after university and got a diploma and in medical transcription and started my own business ... and when i try to hire new people if i get a big job or new clients, and even when i advertise for medical transcriptionists with experience, half of who apply are over-educated and no employment and tell me they are fast typists and have worked in a clinic or something equally lame ... transcription is a skill that takes a minimum of six months to master to any accurate degree ... as is being a legal secretary ... so when i get the over-educated, under-employed applying it really just bugs me because some of these people think that because they are over-educated they are smart enough to do any "menial" job they think they can do when they really can't ... if you have no secretary experience and no legal experience, you will not be taken seriously if you apply for these jobs ... if you really want to be a legal assistant i would take the college course, less than a year and go from there ... i am 42 years old and out of all my friends who attended and graduated university, not one is doing anything to do with their degree ... university was not the best thirty thousand dollars i have ever spent, i would have preferred a car :O)

sitcpsitcb

Your biggest problem would probably be that you'll be considered overeducated. Most of the legal secretaries that I work with have a bachelor's degree but had no experience in the field when they started. Employers may be worried about hiring you because you're more likely to look for another job when/if the economy heats up again. An English background may be a plus but (as silly as it sounds) you probably would have a greater chance of getting hired with the BA in English rather than the MA.

Also, legal secretary responsibilities vary a lot. Some are going to require more secretarial background, and some are going to require more legal background. When you apply, research the position and firm/employer carefully to find the best fit for your skills.

Jenna

Being a receptionist takes the right skills but you also need the training to compete. Souters training has been training receptionists and secretaries for over 23 years in London. With clients including The Royal Secretaries. We also have opportunities for secretaries and receptionists in intern and permanent positions. Find out more information at http://www.souterstraining.com/Receptionist_Courses/Secretary_and_or_Receptionist_Foundation_Course/ Quote CIVNOM when booking and get a 10% Discount.

Marie

Well, it is definitely an advantage, but I really believe you should get more training. Try talking to http://www.mariebailey.com/ team. They give a good advice and would suggest you what you need to do or if you need any additional knowledge they would provide the training. They helped me getting a job about 2 years ago and now I am getting a promotion. So I believe it is a perfect start!!! Thanks and good luck!

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