The Best Virtual Paralegal Team was recently asked by a new paralegal about networking, specifically using Facebook to create connections!
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(00:00) You're listening to The Paralegal View with Holly Sherriff and the team at Best Virtual Paralegal
(00:05) LLC. Our team strives to bring our team's mantra, share what we know so others can grow, be kind,
(00:13) make good choices, and make yesterday jealous by making today the best one yet
(00:17) to life through digital content and epic services.
(00:22) Hello and welcome to The Paralegal View, the audio blog from Best Virtual Paralegal LLC,
(00:28) BVP. I'm Kennedy, a spokesperson for Best Virtual Paralegal LLC, BVP, and its founder, Holly
(00:36) Sherriff. Today's episode is a narration of Your Reputation is Your Brief, an open letter to the
(00:42) job searching paralegal, where Holly helps an entry-level paralegal from Georgia improve her
(00:47) networking and job-seeking skills using social media. You'll definitely want to stay tuned for
(00:52) bonus commentary. Immediately after my narration and commentary, I've invited two special guests
(00:58) to give us their own insights on today's topic. Hope you enjoy today's show. Have you ever felt
(01:04) nervous about putting yourself out there professionally, especially when you're
(01:08) looking for a job? You're not alone. Today, Holly is responding to questions from a paralegal
(01:14) located in Georgia in the blog article titled Your Reputation is Your Brief, an open letter to
(01:20) the job-searching paralegal. Today's question is about posting anonymously on social media.
(01:26) Let's dive in. The question, the new paralegal writes, Dear Paralegal Sidebar, I am new to the
(01:34) paralegal profession, and I have been struggling to break into a role. A friend suggested I use
(01:40) social media to build my network, so I have been posting in any paralegal group I can find on
(01:45) Facebook. I have been posting anonymously because I am shy and I don't want people to know that I
(01:50) can't find a job. Oh wow, this sounds like both new and experienced legal professionals often
(01:57) struggle with this question. I can't wait to hear Holly's response. Holly writes, Dear New Paralegal,
(02:05) Thank you for your honest question. Your situation is incredibly common, and the feelings of shyness
(02:11) and fear of judgment are completely understandable. Starting a new career is daunting, and it's
(02:17) natural to want to protect yourself. However, the very strategy you're using for protection is likely
(02:23) preventing your success. Let's reframe the issue. Being open about your job search is not a sign
(02:29) of weakness. It is your single greatest networking asset. Wow, this is great information so far.
(02:36) Next up, Holly tells us to flip the script. Why hiding your job search hurts you? Your concern
(02:42) that people will judge you for not having a job is a fear that many new professionals share.
(02:47) In reality, the legal community is filled with experienced paralegals and attorneys who remember
(02:53) what it was like to be in your shoes. They want to help the next generation succeed.
(02:58) By posting anonymously, you are unintentionally closing the door on potential help. Here's why
(03:04) transparency is a more powerful strategy. Clarity attracts opportunity. When you post
(03:09) with your real name and a clear goal, e.g., Hello, I'm your name, a recently certified
(03:16) paralegal with skills in e-discovery and legal research, seeking my first role in a litigation
(03:21) practice, I'd appreciate any leads or advice. You give people the exact information they need
(03:27) to help you. A hiring manager can see your profile. A senior paralegal can tag a recruiter
(03:33) and others can share relevant job postings. Vulnerability builds connection. Being open
(03:39) about your status shows confidence and initiative, not failure. It signals that you are a proactive
(03:45) professional taking charge of your career. This is a highly respected trait in the legal field.
(03:51) People connect with and want to help those who are genuinely trying. Anonymity raises red flags.
(03:57) In contrast, an anonymous post asking for connections can seem suspicious. Colleagues
(04:02) might wonder, why are they hiding? Did they leave a previous job on bad terms? It can create more
(04:09) negative speculation in their minds than the simple truth of your situation ever would.
(04:14) Wow, Holly offers some great advice so far. I agree with her. When you are trying to build
(04:19) relationships with people, one of the best practices is to be as authentic as possible.
(04:25) I can't wait to hear the closing verdict. The verdict. Your journey to find your first
(04:30) paralegal role is a story of ambition, not shame. Embrace it. Be brave, be open,
(04:38) and let the community of professionals you want to join help you get there.
(04:42) Your professional identity is your most valuable asset. Start building it today.
(04:47) Build your network in a supportive community. Instead of posting anonymously in random groups,
(04:52) the best way to overcome shyness is to join a community built for support and professional
(04:57) growth. Looking for daily support? For peer-to-peer networking in a private,
(05:02) supportive environment, join our Paralegal Network on Facebook at facebook.com slash
(05:08) group slash paralegal network. Thank you for joining me today on The Paralegal View,
(05:13) a Best Virtual Paralegal LLC production. I'm your narrator, Kennedy. I hope you enjoyed today's
(05:19) topic and please remember to join the conversation and grow your career. If you have a question about
(05:26) how to launch, grow, scale, and build a successful paralegal career, Holly and her support team
(05:33) invite you to submit your question. And as with all our great content, for more expert advice,
(05:39) career resources, and exclusive content, subscribe to the Best Virtual Paralegal community.
(05:45) It's the ultimate resource for paralegals dedicated to building a successful and fulfilling career.
(05:51) You can find the sign up and subscribe list in the show notes. Until next, folks, be kind,
(05:56) make good choices, and make today so awesome. Yesterday gets jealous. Stay tuned for bonus
(06:02) commentary brought to you by our friends and fellow freelancers. Hey, everyone, and welcome
(06:07) to the show, Sam. Today, we're diving into something super important for anyone in the
(06:13) legal field, especially those just starting out. We're talking about your online reputation as a
(06:20) paralegal and really just how you show up when you're job searching. It's kind of a big deal, right?
(06:27) Absolutely, Chloe. It's actually a question that comes up a lot, you know. Holly A. Sheriff, the founder
(06:34) of Best Virtual Paralegal LLC, she wrote this amazing open letter about it, addressing a new
(06:40) paralegal who was posting anonymously in Facebook groups looking for work. Oh, wow. Posting anonymously.
(06:48) That sounds, well, I guess understandable if you're feeling shy or like a bit self-conscious
(06:54) about not having a job yet. But is it really the best strategy? That's exactly what Holly's letter
(07:00) points out. It's totally natural to feel that way, but actually it's counterproductive. She calls it
(07:07) flipping the script. Your openness about your job search, believe it or not, is actually your biggest
(07:13) asset. Hiding it, that just closes doors, you know. It doesn't help people help you. Yeah, like when
(07:20) you're transparent, you're giving people the clarity they need. If you clearly state who you are, what
(07:27) your skills are, and what you're looking for, then hiring managers or senior paralegals can actually
(07:33) connect you to opportunities. It just makes sense, right? That's so true. And it kind of shows
(07:40) confidence too, doesn't it? Being vulnerable like that, saying, hey, I'm new, I'm looking, here's what
(07:46) I bring, that actually builds connection. Nobody wants to hire someone who feels like they're
(07:52) hiding something. So speaking of helping, I know Best Virtual Paralegal offers a ton of services
(07:59) for attorneys and paralegals. How does that fit into all this? Oh, it's huge, Chloe. Best Virtual Paralegal
(08:06) is all about empowering legal professionals. We offer everything from paralegal coaching and career
(08:13) coaching to business consulting for paralegals starting their own ventures. We also provide
(08:19) litigation support, trial preparation, deposition summaries, legal research. I mean, the list goes on.
(08:26) The team at Best Virtual Paralegal really helps both seasoned attorneys and new paralegals
(08:32) streamline their work and, well, boost their careers and reputation, just like Holly preaches
(08:38) in her letter. Wow, that sounds incredibly comprehensive. So it's not just about, you know,
(08:45) getting a job. It's about building a whole career and having that support system. It kind of circles
(08:52) back to what we were saying about your reputation being your brief, right? Exactly. Holly always says
(08:59) your professional identity is your most valuable asset. It's like, don't just post in any random
(09:05) group. Find communities built for support and growth, like the Paralegal Network on Facebook
(09:11) that Best Virtual Paralegal sponsors. That's where you truly connect and grow. That's fantastic
(09:18) advice. It's about being proactive and authentic, not just passive and anonymous. It makes so much
(09:25) sense when you think about it. Your journey to finding that first paralegal role, or really any
(09:31) role, should be a story of ambition and confidence, not something to, like, feel shame about. That's a
(09:38) really powerful message. It absolutely is, Chloe. Embrace it, be brave, and let the legal community
(09:46) see the incredible professional you are. They want to help. Totally. What a great conversation, Sam.
(09:53) Thank you for all those incredible insights. And to all our listeners out there, thanks for
(09:58) tuning in. Until next time, folks, make good choices, be kind, and never give up on yourself.
(10:08) Thanks for tuning in to today's episode of The Paralegal View, a Best Virtual Paralegal LLC
(10:13) production. If you enjoyed this article, blog post, or podcast episode, share it with your friends and
(10:18) colleagues. Did you find the strategies helpful? Let us know on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn
(10:25) by following at BV Paralegal. Need more help? Call or text Best Virtual Paralegal LLC BVP at 717-747-3588
(10:36) and scan the QR code found in the show notes for all our contact info and sites. Until next time,
(10:43) to use our founder's favorite mantra, be kind, make good choices, help others,
(10:48) and make yesterday jealous, by making today the best one yet.
(11:12) The Paralegal View, Best Virtual Paralegal, BVP, The Attorney Panic Button, BV Paralegal
(11:30) are all trademarks and brands for Best Virtual Paralegal LLC, BVP. Best Virtual Paralegal LLC
(11:38) is not a law firm. This content or site is for general information about the products and
(11:43) services offered by Best Virtual Paralegal LLC to attorneys and law firms within the United States.
(11:50) If you have come to this content with a specific legal issue or problem,
(11:54) consider seeking the advice of a licensed attorney of your own choosing.
(11:58) Within most states in the United States, a licensed attorney should
(12:02) and may be required to supervise all paralegal tasks.