Managing Your New Legal Assistant

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 3 keys to effective leadership...

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Congratulations, you accepted a position at a new firm! Now you have a new legal assistant. Each of you depends on one another to complete your tasks. 

Here are 3 effective communication strategies to help you develop a successful working relationship:

1. The message within the message. Put yourself in their shoes - you (as an assistant) take the time to send a lengthy and detailed email and your boss replies with a simple, "Thanks." How would you feel? You might think they didn't take the time to read it. You may feel demoralized. You may have appreciated a more lengthy response.  
2. Get to know your legal assistant. When you know your legal assistant on a more personal level, you can interpret what they mean to say based on intuition and cut back on guesswork. Making the effort to learn about them can only enhance your work experience.  
3. Listen. This is often the most overlooked communication skill. You won't miss any important information if you pay close attention to what they're saying. Active listening takes practice. It's a challenge not to interrupt others and even more challenging to welcome differing perspectives. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Why You Should NOT Accept a Counteroffer

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares why you should not take a counteroffer...

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It's tempting to use a new job offer as a bargaining chip to get your current firm to counter and offer you higher pay. 

Don't think about it. 

More often than not, this situation does not have a happy ending. If your goal is to get a raise, it's best to negotiate it prior to starting a job search. 

Consider these points:

• You are now no longer a part of the inner circle. Instead, you are seen as the one who was looking to leave. 
• If the firm needs to make cutbacks in the future, you may be at the top of the list.
• Among recruiters, the rule of thumb is "70 to 80 percent of people who accept counteroffers either leave or are let go within a year."
• Consider your happiness. Why did you start searching for a job to begin with? Remember the factors that drove you to look: personality fit, you don't care for your boss, you're bored with the work, you are not recognized for your efforts, insane deadlines, etc. Chances are the situation will still be the same going forward. 
• Know the reality of the situation.  If you needed to have one foot out the door to receive the salary increase you wanted, what's going to happen in the future? 
• Should you want to work for the other firm someday, they will remember that you went all the way through the hiring process only to accept a counteroffer and most likely not be interested. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Working with Attorney Recruiters Made Easy

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares tips for working with recruiters...

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Some people are confused by what it is an attorney recruiter does. Here are a few tips to make working with a recruiter easy:

• Recruiters search for candidates.  They match candidates with available opportunities provided to them by their law firm or corporate in-house clients. Recruiters do not find attorneys jobs.
• Working with a recruiter is not the end-all solution to your search. View it as a part of the bigger picture. Recruiters recommend that you maximize your individual job leads by utilizing other job seeking channels such as networking with other attorneys and individuals connected to the law profession.
• Work together. You are on the same team. Its best to be open and honest from the get-go. Build an authentic relationship with your recruiter.
• Above all, know that a recruiter does not work for you, a recruiter works with you. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

6 Steps for a Career Breakthrough

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares an article on 6 steps for a career breakthrough...

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SelfGrowth.com featured an article written by author, Kathy Caprino who shares insight to get past constraints and limitations when in a career and life transition. 

Here are 6 essential steps for career breakthrough:

1. Understand what you truly want - Essence vs. Form

2. Research and commit to doing what it takes 

3. Stretch yourself beyond where you are

4. Power up

5. Develop a powerful money mindset

6. Manage to the constraints

Read the article HERE.

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

10 Things Happy People Do Differently

Levitt & Associates shares a "10 Things Happy People do Differently" by author, Steven Covey...

1. Express Gratitude
• When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value.
• If we aren't thankful for what we already have, we will have a hard time ever being happy.
2. Cultivate Optimism
• People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times.
3. Avoid Over-Thinking and Social Comparison
• Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous. 
• The only person you should compare to is yourself before now.
4. Practice Acts of Kindness
• Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside.
5. Nurture Social Relationships
• The happiest people on the planet are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships. 
6. Develop Strategies for Coping
• It helps to have healthy strategies for coping pre-rehearsed, on-call and in your arsenal at your disposal. 
7. Learn to Forgive
• Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being. 
8. Increase Flow Experiences
• Flow is a state in which it feels like time stands still. 
• It's when you're so focused on what you're doing that you become one with the task.
• Nothing is distracting you or competing for your focus.
9. Savor Life's Joys
• Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down to enjoy the joy.
10. Commit to Your Goals
• Magical things start happening when we commit ourselves to doing whatever it takes to get somewhere.

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

9 Words You DON'T Want to Say in Your Interview

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 9 words to avoid saying in your job interview...

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1.  "No." - Avoid one word answers (yes or no). If asked whether you are familiar with a specific case and your answer is no, demonstrate your willingness to research it with a follow-up statement.
2. "Um..." - You may need a minute to think of your response. If you politely ask for a minute to gather your thoughts on the subject, interviewers will be courteous to your silence. However, if you fill that time with "Uh" and "Um," you may seem unprepared.
3. "Sure, cool, kinda" - Steer clear of casual words and slang terms that may require an Urban Dictionary search. Your goal is to form the impression that you are polished and professional.
4. "Leverage, synergy, ideation" - Avoid too much business jargon. When you are using the word correctly, it may leave the impression that you are pretentious. And if you use the word incorrectly, you might embarrass yourself.
5. "Hit the ground running," "Circle back" - Avoid clichés. They have come to be known as verbal fluff and do not add value to what you are saying.
6. "Dedicated, motivated, team player" - Every resume your interviewer has seen uses these words. Instead of simply stating that you are, offer stories demonstrating that you are.
7. "We" - While you may be a team player, use "I" in the interview. The interviewer is interested in the work that you were responsible for, not your team.
8. "Hate" - Avoid this negative word at all costs. It is inappropriate to say you hate something in a job, especially someone and interviewers will only see your negativity.
9. "Perfectionist" - Do shine an optimistic light on your "weakness." Don't answer that you are a perfectionist, that you work too hard or care too much. They've heard it all before. Be original and honest.  

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

California Lateral Placement

The Legal Recruiting Team at Levitt & Associates, Inc. is Here to Help You with Your Career Move...

The path from high school to college to law school to working at your first law firm is a linear one.  Once you have your first job as an associate, you discover that your future holds a lot more opportunities and that your choices become more complex.

Do you aspire to be a partner?  Do you enjoy working for a big firm or would you prefer a boutique?  What firm culture best suits your lifestyle?

It is important to figure out what your short and/or long term goals are.  Use your intellect and drive to make the best choices and create the fulfilling life you desire.

Utilize your resources - work with an attorney recruiter should you choose to make a move.  If you desire to work in California, Alisa Levitt is your an exceptional resource. 

The following are a few testimonials provided by California legal professionals:

"I have known Alisa since I was a first year attorney.  She has always been supportive and understanding of my career needs and desire for growth.  Alisa's thoughtful and targeted search landed me with a nationally recognized employment law firm.  Alisa's guidance and advice was always on target and given with my best interests in mind.  As the Chair of the Employment Law Department of my current firm, I would not hesitate to call on Alisa to fill our attorney needs." - Nicole Minkow, Senior Employment Counsel at Pearlman, Borska & Wax

"I have worked with Alisa for over 13 years.  She has always been very professional, ethical, and responsive with respect to our attorney candidate searches.  Alisa is my "go to" recruiter and I look forward to a continued excellent working relationship with her.  I would definitely recommend Alisa’s services." -Timothy Menter, Partner at Menter & Witkin

"If you want a recruiter who is diligent, patient and treats you like an individual, look no further.  Alisa is second to none.  Over a two year period, she continually worked to find the perfect position for me.  Most importantly, she took the time to learn about my individual needs and goals in order to find opportunities for the best fit and long-term success.  I cannot thank her enough." - Tim S., Attorney at Orange County Law firm 

To get started, submit your resume to resumes@esqplacement.com or call 949) 488-3310.

Levitt & Associates, Inc.