It may be 2022, but women are still facing challenges in the workforce. There is no doubt that women have progressed significantly, but there is still much work needed to improve things. Between discrimination, lack of childcare assistance, workplace harassment and other challenges, women are constantly faced with obstacles while navigating their careers today. Continue reading
It’s the most organized time of the year – spring! As we kick into gear with a new season and plenty more daylight to enjoy our weeks, engaging in a little bit of spring cleaning might be the answer to boost productivity and fuel creativity – not to mention feel more organized at your workspace. Whether you’re working from home or at an office, you can always do with some spring cleaning tips for a fresh workspace. Continue reading
Some love the perks of free food or gym memberships, while others cherish their health care benefits and volunteer opportunities. There are different aspects of a job that make an employee happy. However, being happy with your job goes beyond the perks and benefits offered, it also stems from growth opportunities and motivation. As you focus on your career path, we know that ultimately, it’s your happiness that matters above all. Here are some easy ways you can be happier at work. Continue reading
We’re all starting to miss the occasional water-cooler talks and walking to lunch with our coworkers. As so many work in a remote or hybrid setting now, some might still prefer going into the office while others welcome the idea of working at home because they are able to better balance their priorities. The hybrid setting has become a popular working model, ideally bringing the “best of both worlds” of remote and in-office work, and offering flexibility, growth and productivity. Continue reading
Stress. We all feel it at some point or the other. In fact, stress is so common in the US that 55% of Americans are stressed during the day, 20% higher than the world average of 35%! Whether it’s the pressure of completing a project within a tight deadline or dealing with a challenging manager, workplace stress is inevitable. Certain industries are more stressful than others, but the key to being able to keep up with your demanding career is to learn how to manage the stress that comes with it. The last thing you want is for stress to affect your physical and mental health.
Since stress in the workplace is inevitable, the best way to handle it is not to give up but to learn how to effectively manage it. Luckily, there are many coping strategies for you to help take on those hard days with confidence and keep the stress at bay.
Take a deep breath before you feel antsy. Here are simple ways of managing the effects of stress in the workplace.
Understanding what causes you stress is the first step to help you manage it. One of the best ways to do this is to journal or simply take note of what goes on in your day and how you reacted in that moment. When you look over your day and see your reactions, you will eventually be able to point out patterns and things that seem to be affecting you in a negative way. Once you identify those stressors, you can take control of how you manage the situation and reduce your stress.
Boundaries are important to help you establish a balance between your work and personal life. You need to be able to switch off from your work day, especially if you are working from home. This could mean having a set schedule, unplugging from your email when you’re finished for the day, and even taking time to exercise and participate in social activities that bring joy to your life.
If you have important deadlines coming up, try to stay on top of your projects and organize your work ahead of time. Being organized will help you avoid rushing and feeling the pressure with deadlines looming. Try to keep a clean desk while you work to avoid clutter and other distractions. Being organized will help increase the efficiency with which you do your work, which further keeps you calm and positive as you work on completing important projects.
No one expects you to be at your desk 24/7. In fact, sitting for long periods of time has proven to be unhealthy for your body. Allow yourself to take a walk during lunch or simply a little relaxing break from the screen every now and then. Additionally, use your vacation days and do something enjoyable on your weekends or while you’re off work.
Having a good support system that you trust is extremely beneficial during stressful times. Reach out to coworkers, friends, and family members and let them in on how you’re feeling. Talking to a loved one can help make you feel better and come out with some advice that can help you manage your work stress. Additionally, take advantage of company programs that provide assistance regarding work stress. If things get really rough, it could also be a good idea to reach out to a professional who can guide you through tough times.
If things are getting tough at work, try talking to your mentor or supervisor. Your supervisor is there to help and wants you to succeed and may have insight or be able to help you come up with ways to manage your workload and navigate the situation. Make sure the conversation is productive and void of too many complaints as you are there to understand how you can manage your stress at work.
Whether it’s yoga, cardio, meditation or boxing, finding a healthy way to release your stress will truly boost your mood and help you relax after a stressful day. Avoid running towards unhealthy responses like alcohol and junk food that can often be a temporary distraction. Instead, focus on healthy ways that will calm you down and help your mood in the long run.
It’s normal to feel pressured or stressed every once in a while. However, it’s important to be able to manage these stressors and focus on how you can relax and manage your stress so that it doesn’t start to impact your life in a negative way.
Looking for top legal talent? Remote, hybrid or onsite, we can help. Contact one of our Adams and Martin Group recruiters today!
The events of 2020 fundamentally changed just about every industry. Some changes have become more permanent such as flexible work schedules and locations. Many industries, especially the legal industry, had to adapt to changes brought upon the pandemic causing firms to shift their policies to evolve with the times.
The legal profession is known for being conservative and resistant to change, but the global events of the past two years have forced law firms and legal departments to change with the times and adapt to a new working environment. We dig into the top trends facing the legal industry in 2022 and what firms can expect in the new year.
Here are some of the top trends legal professionals will be facing in the new year.
It comes as no surprise that investment in technology will increase, especially when it comes to streamlining and increasing productivity of workflow. Legal professionals will see an increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) for certain processes, with more methods going digital. Firms will need to have an updated online presence and be easily reachable through the web. This also means that there will be an increase in automation that will lower expenses and increase efficiency of tasks.
Deloitte predicts that 100,000 legal roles will be automated by 2036. Things such as manual record-keeping and other administrative projects that can be automated will be part of the switch.
As we see more consumers switching to digital, law firms will follow suit to attract clients. According to Clio’s 2021 Legal Trends Report, “In 2018, only 23% of consumers were open to working with a lawyer remotely. Now, as uncovered in this year’s report, 79% of consumers see the ability to work remotely with a lawyer as a key factor in choosing who to work with and 67% said they would look for a lawyer offering both remote and in-person options when searching for an attorney.”
This means that changes need to be made going from in-person to digital or any other way to make it as easy to communicate with the client. Additionally, clients’ interests in sustainability, diversity and inclusion will also play a big role in how firms conduct business moving forward.
The 2021 Report on the State of the Legal Market revealed that pre-pandemic, only 37% of lawyers wanted to work remotely. Now three out of every four lawyers prefer working from home. The 2020 pandemic changed people’s perspectives and priorities. Additionally, with increased digitization and connectivity across firms, we should see more of a shift toward a hybrid and flexible working schedule to allow professionals to have more of a work-life balance moving forward.
So much communication and collaboration with projects can be done remotely today. Furthermore, more remote employees result in lower expenses when it comes to office space, which is something firms will want to take advantage of.
Employees are any firm’s biggest asset and protecting their health should always be a priority. The legal field is known to be demanding and competitive, which can lead to high stress and burnout. Since the pandemic, there has been a shift toward focusing on employees’ mental wellness – and that shift is here to stay.
Focusing on legal professionals’ wellness is not only the right thing to do but will also lead to happier and more productive employees in the long run.
As we talk about digitization of records, this includes sensitive information that is now digitized and moved on cloud-based or remote software. As firms continue to move important data online, it’s imperative that they take cybersecurity seriously and follow protocols to tighten the security of confidential information.
Looking for top legal talent? Remote, hybrid or onsite, we can help. Contact one of our Adams and Martin Group recruiters today!
Whether you’re thinking about applying to law school, considering a career as a paralegal or legal assistance, or have already committed to this career path, you’re on your way to a challenging yet fulfilling career ahead of you. The legal industry can be demanding, and you will need to be ready to give a lot of your time and brain power toward the projects given to you. As you focus on the opportunities that come your way, feel inspired by these 5 things to know before starting your legal career.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times – especially as you’re trying to juggle your new career path with your personal life. But take it one step at a time, and the legal industry will greet you with all kinds of people, cases, surprises and changes. Embrace what’s to come and be open to any advice that comes your way.
You’ll have lots to learn and experience, but here are some pointers for you to take advantage of as you get into the thick of your legal career.
Between criminal defense, litigation, corporate law, environmental practices or tax law, there are many different avenues that you can choose. You need to find one that works for you and that will keep you interested in pursuing. Take the time to learn about the different practice areas you can engage in, but ultimately you will want to find the area that engages you and that fits your personality.
You will be writing – a lot. The legal field comes with memos, briefs, contracts, letters, emails and many more written projects. While you will be up to speed with your writing capability in school, it’s post-law school that you truly need to continue to practice your writing. Your writing needs to be sharp, clear, and careful, and without typos and grammatical errors. Being able to communicate clearly through your writing is a crucial part of your job.
Networking is an opportunity welcomed in every industry, including the legal field. Keep up with your current professional groups and alumni law school group for any opportunities that may come your way. Take the time to connect with people in your field and don’t be shy about asking for insight into your career path. It could also be a good idea to find a mentor to help you navigate law school and the legal field. Your mentor should be someone who can give you good advice and someone you can trust will support you as you start out in the legal field.
With writing comes a lot of reading. You will also constantly be buried in reading about cases and backgrounds along with the memos and briefs that will come to your office. You will learn about past cases, how they were handled, and about all the laws and regulations that you will need to know to focus on your practice. Reading will keep you up to speed and will help you find things to solve cases.
You may have prior experience in eCommerce, medical care, or other industries, especially if moving into the legal industry is a career change for you. Use this experience as leverage when you are pursuing opportunities. Your eCommerce experience can help you work as a legal consultant for startups, or your medical experience can open a door to practice law in the medical industry. Your experience can help you build a niche area that can open a ton of opportunities for you to pursue.
Times might be tough, work-life balance might be askew, but it’s important to stay confident and work through the challenges that come your way. If you need help, ask for it. If you make a mistake, learn from it. You will only become stronger and be well on your way toward a successful legal career.
The beginning of a new year brings a lot of promises, changes, and new opportunities. As we kick off 2022 with fresh eyes, it’s time to reflect on what we want to achieve and what our professional goals might be this year. Continue reading
According to a LinkedIn study, 89% of bad hires typically lack soft skills such as creativity, persuasion, teamwork, collaboration, adaptability, and time management. Communication, empathy, teamwork, worth ethic and leadership are some of the necessary skills to advance in your career. These skills go beyond the technical skills needed for a job but enhance career success. Continue reading
Thinking about switching careers? You’re not alone. Sometimes these thoughts can trickle in when you’re not happy with your job or sometimes you just want to see what else is out there. Continue reading
