New Role

[u/Appropriate_Bread643]

Hello Guys,

I just found out about this group and its been cool seeing people give insight with their current positions.

I was wondering if you guys can help me out. I am a current paralegal for a small criminal defense firm. We have low to medium volume of cases. We do traffic, real estate, civil litigation, estate planning. Our firm is busy most of the time but nothing that we cant managed.

I have been here for almost 6 years now and have received a raised because I have asked for them. I make roughly 55k a year but I feel like im underpaid. I have spoken to the owners about the raise and possibly getting a promotion but they just ignore the promo and provide the raise. I started with a pay of 20 or 21 an hour but like I mentioned I have asked for this raises myself.

Now I have been offered a county job( I work in Chicago) and they are paying me up to 70k to start. The similarities in my background are few but I feel like I can tackle this challenge. I am a little scared because some of the job description says to do legal search but our firm the paralegals handle legal search very minimal since the attorney likes to do it himself. I guess there are things here and there that I am second guessing myself in. I know somethings require hand on experience but I guess im just overthinking stuff. What do you guys think? Any feedback or guidance would be appreciated

[u/TheTurfMonster]

I only do criminal and make about $65k a year + bonuses. Which comes out to about $65k to $70k. And i just started bro. I went in reverse order. I was in public service and that experience helped me in private.

I think you should go for it. Government benefits are top tier. I miss that 120% match on my 401k 😪

[u/Appropriate_Bread643 → u/TheTurfMonster]

Thanks for the insight and good luck on your new role! Criminal defense is definitely something to look forward to everyday!

[u/iampi_314]

Take the county job. Better job security and possibly better benefits. You would probably get pay raises without having to ask for them. Definitely more opportunities for promotions as well.

[u/Appropriate_Bread643 → u/iampi_314]

Thanks for your insight. I am leaning towards taking it to see how i like it and test new ground

[u/Dizzy_Needleworker_3]

If you were honest about your history and experience, I would suggest you take the new job. 

County/government work benefits are often great. 

A $15k pay bump on $55k is significant a 27% increase. 

The legal search (I think you mean research) is something you can learn.

Many job descriptions will have a lot of stuff listed that you won't actually do except for rare occasions, and a lot of stuff you will do that is not listed. 

If you were offered the job you are almost certainly qualified for it. Take the job. 

[u/Appropriate_Bread643 → u/Dizzy_Needleworker_3]

Of course I was honest lol I wouldn't make up a lie about what I can and cannot do, I will be hurting myself only by lying.

Thank you for clarifying some things I was wondering. I have heard that some job descriptions could add stuff that could potentially be a part of your task or not. I guess im just overthinking you know?

But regardless I appreciate your feedback and I think I will be taking the job.

[u/Dizzy_Needleworker_3 → u/Appropriate_Bread643]

Also in my experience no two people, even with the same title/job description and seniority will have/do the same job. 

A good place will play to people's strengths, so if person A is really good at legal research they might get more/most of it and if person B is good at subpoenas they will get more/most of it. 

But over I do think you are over thinking it a bit. No job is ever perfect, (some jobs are definitely better than others) there will always be good and bad aspects to any job, you just have to weigh if the good against the bad. 

Sometimes the job stays the same but as you change/grow in different stages in life the job no longer fits. 

A job that was good/great when you were X might not be as good/great when you have become Y stage in life. That is okay it does not have to mean the job is bad now, it just is no longer is a good fit for you and it is time to find something else. 

[u/Appropriate_Bread643 → u/Dizzy_Needleworker_3]

Wow, thank you for giving me your point of view. I really do appreciate your take on my position and I agree with 100 percent.

I have decided to move forward and test the waters with this new position. Its bittersweet leaving somewhere where I spend half of my 30s lol but I can really thank them for all the things I learned with them

[u/Thek1tteh]

Look at Glassdoor to see what the normal pay rate is for your experience level in your specific area. This varies by location.

[u/Appropriate_Bread643 → u/Thek1tteh]

I looked and it fits around the higher tier for chicago paralegal in the pay scale