Work your way up the career ladder

Career progression can be easy to achieve if you put your mind to it and have the right attitude. You need to ensure you stand out from the crowd and are recognised for your worth.

Ensure you’re noticed and credited for work you’ve done

First and foremost, make sure that you take the credit for any great work you have achieved.  Don’t be shy or humble in this respect, or let others take the glory. Unfortunately, there are sometimes people who are standing by who will do exactly that! Bring your accomplishments to the attention of your bosses and claim that credit in your next appraisal. Show your boss that you actually go above and beyond your standard job description; however, be careful to find the right balance here. No-one likes overtly ambitious employees, as this can come across as arrogance when it is not sufficiently contained.

Advance your knowledge and skills

If you feel as though you are destined to remain at the same type of level in your career for many years to come, it is time to become more proactive and takes steps to change it. . This is where taking the time to further your knowledge with additional study could be very helpful. While employed as a Legal Secretary, it is most likely that you will work in one area of law more regularly than any other. Therefore, why not investigate the possibility of studying an advanced level course and become more of an expert in your field. See the courses listed below offered by ILSPA:

• Civil Litigation
• Corporate and Commercial Law
• Criminal Law
• Family Law
• Land Law and Conveyancing
• Wills, Probate and Administration

An advanced level course will provide you with excellent knowledge of the particular area of law, and your employer will be impressed by your keen initiative to further your skills. Your new skills and knowledge will allow you to take on more responsibilities and enable your boss to have more time for other areas of work. ILSPA’s Single Subject Legal courses are great value for money compared with other educational institutions – and there is even a possibility that your employer may be able to pay your course fee for you.   

No matter what, an advanced level course should prove to be invaluable in your career progression as a Legal Secretary. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of law helping you to work your way up the ladder; whether it’s within your current company, or whether you want to apply for a more experienced role in another firm.

Higher level courses

If your ambitions lie beyond the role of a Legal Secretary, we highly recommend that you contact the National Association of Licensed Paralegals. NALP can offer you excellent guidance on what steps you can take to progress in your career and provide Paralegal courses from Level 4 and up. Their Level 4 Diploma in Paralegal Studies is suitable for Legal Secretary Diploma graduates and allows them to progress with their careers. You can find further information on NALP’s website: www.nationalparalegals.co.uk.

Take the initiative

When you know you want to advance your career, the responsibility is on you alone to take action and do something about it. Life is too short to sit back and wait. Take the initiative and carefully plan how you are going to prove yourself to those who matter and start to ascend those rungs of the ladder. Show your employers that you are competent in your work and able to take on extra tasks, and shine as a member of the team whom others trust and can turn to for help and guidance.  If the possibility of career progression is not available to you in your current position, start looking for a new role where you can show your worth and take the next step up.

About ILSPA

The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs (ILSPA) is a professional body who are dedicated to your career every step of the way. Whether you would like to become a Legal Secretary or you would like to advance your Legal Secretary career, they are there to support you through your journey.  For more information visit www.institutelegalsecretaries.com.