Employment Trends

We all can relate to being the new employee.  It’s awkward, we’re never sure where we fit in and if you’re a lawyer, you might walk into your new office on that first day and within thirty seconds, be handed your first case.  Add overwhelming to those emotions.  A. Harrison Barnes, lawyer and founder of LawCrossing.com says if possible, other more experienced lawyers in the office might consider mentoring the new kid.  “It’s truly one of the kindest courtesies you can offer a new lawyer, especially if he’s also a recent law school grad”, says Barnes.

Too many times, mentoring is equated to having someone follow you around all day, always in your presence and even sometimes an annoying presence, but that’s not the case at all, says the LawCrossing.com founder.  In fact, mentoring can be nothing more than approaching the young attorney, introducing your self and saying, “I’m at extension 5900 if you need anything”.   Interviewing a new client?  Ask the new lawyer if she’d like to sit in.  It’s a great way for her to get an idea of how the intricacies work within the office and it’ll make her feel as though she’s being accepted.  Afterwards, it’s an ideal time for a quick Q&A as you make your way back to your respective offices.  Ask her what she thought, how she would approach a situation or anything else that allows her to open up a bit.

Another easy way to mentor, says A. Harrison Barnes, is to ask the new lawyer to lunch.  This is a relaxed setting away from the office and you can easily discern a lot in terms of what his legal passions are, where he hopes to be in a few years and what drew him to your law firm.  These are all good conversations for both of you – you never know when his appreciation for contract law will come in handy and he knows there’s someone he can turn to for everything from who he can ask to type a memo to where he files an expense report.

Mentoring is good too in that it builds confidence and makes it that much easier for the new associate to settle in.  He was hired for a reason and the sooner he’s able to shine, the better it is for the firm in general.  Who knows?  Your kindness extended just might be returned ten years from now when your own son comes on board – as the new kid on the block with his brand new law degree and in search of someone he can turn to for help with finding a secretary to write the brief.  “It’s about give and take”, says Barnes – especially in fast moving and competitive law firms.

If you have big dreams about the beautiful and sunny state of Florida, along with its huge real estate potential, and thought this would be a great place to build a law firm as you set out on your career, you might want to rethink it. In May 2010, the Florida Supreme Court has ruled banks no longer need an attorney during loan and mortgage closings.

LawCrossing.com founder A. Harrison Barnes says what initially began as a lawsuit claiming banks were practicing law illegally each time they closed a loan without an attorney present to handle the documents has now become an interesting legal quagmire. Some say the ruling is good for homeowners since legal fees are no longer considered part of the closing costs. But is it really benefitting homeowners? The LawCrossing.com founder says there are legitimate reasons legal representation is important in mortgage closings. For one thing, the title searches associated with ensuring land and property is free of encumbrances protects the buyer. When lawyers are a part of the closing process, the odds of potential problems is minimized too, says Barnes. “Often, bankers and loan officers are busy focusing on the financial aspects and they’re not experienced in the legalities associated with closings; or at least, not to the extent an attorney is”. Attorneys provide invaluable support for both parties. The legalities of the contract itself, the appraisals and even home inspections are often reviewed by an attorney prior to the closing. “Lawyers are the ideal people to have around so that non-biased advice can be given during the contract signings”. This will likely be a move that captures the attention of other states, too, says A. Harrison Barnes. Especially with the major mortgage meltdown of less than five years ago, covering the bases now is more important than ever.

Most in the Sunshine State have accepted the ruling, but many loan officers, mortgage companies and banks must now ensure they’re in state compliance and it may be they’re doing so without the benefit of an attorney. A. Harrison Barnes points, “It’s important to keep in mind, too, that just because legal representation isn’t necessary during loan closings, there remains an important role for legal minds whose specialties are in real estate law.

For now, it doesn’t look like the ruling will not be appealed; however, it’s also just recently been ruled on, so anything can happen. Right now, homeowners are more than happy with having fewer dollars in closing costs; it could be that some will realize the absence of an attorney will cost much more than legal fees at the time of closing.

For the latest in legal jobs throughout the state of Florida, whether it’s in real estate law or family law, be sure to visit LawCrossing.com. Here you’ll find thousands of jobs for attorneys, paralegals, court reporters and other roles filled throughout the legal profession, as well as articles and even help with your resume.

A. Harrison Barnes is the founder and CEO of CareerMission, the parent company of more than 90 job-search websites, employment services, recruiting firms and student loan companies. CareerMission (originally Juriscape) employs several hundred employees in 14 offices throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. These companies were literally started from Harrison’s garage several years ago after Harrison quit his job.

Prosecutors re-indicted former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich February 5th. Some of the initial charges, it turns out, may possibly be deemed unconstitutional. Specifically, the honest services fraud charges are now being challenged U.S. Supreme Court. A. Harrison Barnes, who worked at one time for the U.S. Department of Justice and is the founder of LegalAuthority.com, says prosecutors wanted to eliminate the distractions these charges would result in the ongoing case. Waiting for the Justices to rule on the constitutionality could take a considerable amount of time. Blagojevich was indicted and removed from office due to accusations that included his attempting to bribe candidates for the vacancy in the Senate. This vacancy, of course, was due to President Obama’s successful bid for the U.S. Presidency.

This new indictment includes twenty four counts, including racketeering. Before his arrest for political corruption in 2008, Blagojevich had an impressive career as an attorney and politician. He worked for a while as Cook County’s assistant state’s attorney, elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996 and was elected twice as the state’s governor. January, 2009 saw him being successfully impeached from office. U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called the governor’s alleged actions “a political corruption crime spree” and that “his conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave”.

While these charges are serious and if convicted, Blagojevich stands to spend a good majority of the rest of his life in a federal prison. He is accused of trying to sell state jobs and contracts as well attempting to have journalists with several Illinois newspapers fired. A. Harrison Barnes explains the federal wiretaps will be damning in the trial that’s sure to come. He can be heard saying he had no intention of “giving away” the vacancy and that he was considering appointing himself to the Senate position after realizing he was “stuck” in his role as Illinois governor.

Barnes, who also is a career coach for his LegalAuthority.com site, says his family has suffered as a result of his irresponsible actions. Even if he is found not guilty, he has placed an incredibly heavy burden on his children and others who had faith in him and stood by him. His actions are irresponsible at best and at worst, he has eroded the trust in the law profession as a whole and placed government employees who worked for him into awkward situations. In a major media blitz, Blagojevich assures his followers that once he’s found innocent, he will run for the very office he tried to sell.

For now, Blagojevich remains committed to helping his criminal lawyers build a case that will prove beyond a reasonable doubt of his innocence and is likely looking for new job opportunities. He is now in his mid-50s and admits he’s lost the financial wealth he and his family enjoyed for so long. His family, including his children, continues to make sacrifices as they stand by their father, husband, son and brother as he battles a far more formidable opponent than a Republican who is looking to be elected as the Illinois governor.

If you are a working professional, there is every possibility of you making common career mistakes. You are not alone in committing those mistakes as there are millions who are ignorant about those. Mistakes are nothing but an unorganized way of continuing with your career. A person can only be successful in his life if he is well-aware about what is right and what is wrong when it comes to career advancement. A. Harrison Barnes discusses some common job search mistakes made by most. His tips or advice will definitely benefit you because he has years of experience under his belt. He is the owner of EmploymentCrossing.com, the well known recruiting firm in the job market.

The most important thing in your life is to find a good job for yourself; a job that you really want to do, where your actual interest lies. For this, you have to prepare a proper plan and work accordingly. The plan should consist of various steps to follow in your job search. This soul searching should ideally happen when you are about to enter college. You need to analyze yourself, which means you have to know yourself better. Examine the passions, skills and interests you have. This will help you know the best field to work in. Once the test is over and you have decided on the area of work you want to take up as your career focus on enrolling for the right course.

As you are pursuing your course, you must be well aware of what is happening in the job market as far as your career field is concerned. You must also make useful contacts. Another mistake is not having a good network. Network of contact is equally important for both job-hunting and maintaining a successful career. You need to keep in mind that many jobs are not available on any job board, not even at the employer’s website. Those positions are filled up through references made by their reliable contacts. These jobs can only be accessed if you have a good network of contacts. You may be a highly talented person but it will be of no use until you have a list of potential people in your network. The one thing that can help you get success is active networking. You can increase your contacts by being part of any professional development event or trade show or even workshops. Networking events will also turn to be very helpful, believes A. Harrison Barnes.

A. Harrison Barnes also recommends you to take the help of a reputable job board like EmploymentCrossing.com. The services offered by them will be advantageous for your career. They not only present you with information on various job openings at different locations all around the world but also assist you to prepare an eye catching resume along with interview tips and assistance in choosing the right job for yourself. There are also some common career mistakes made by almost everyone. A. Harrison Barnes discusses with you on how to avoid these errors and give your career a bright future. In the job seeking process, continuing a good career requires proper planning. The most common mistake is to select any job that comes your way. There are many like you who do not think before choosing a job. They do not even give a thought whether the job will benefit them in any way – will it help them achieve any short term or long term goal.

You have to analyze whether the job you are thinking to get in is helping you achieve the short and long term ambitions you have set for yourself. Your success in attaining the short term goals will determine if you can even achieve your long term objective. Sometimes people don’t analyze where their career is going they just keep continuing for years without realizing that they can get better opportunities if they are self motivated and proactive.

There are many employees who do not pay any attention to balancing their work and personal life. Personal life needs equal attention as does your career. You have to learn to maintain a sense of stability between them. Being career oriented is no harm but you have to understand that you cannot work for 24 hours at a stretch as it is impossible. You require time to relax as well as pay attention to other areas of life that includes members of your family. Proper relaxation is required to get recharged for the following day. A. Harrison Barnes also believes that good sleep allows you to perform better at work.

Are you someone who has been going to your career counselor for career advice? Are you interested in making a big career change? If you want to make a big career change, you will find that one way to meet the goals that you are interested in is to make sure that you are going to be able to get into graduate school. Getting a master’s degree or even a doctorate can make a huge difference when you are looking to change fields, and though this course is not for everyone, you will find that any good career counselor can show you how to get what you need from this course of action.

Whether you are thinking of taking the GRE, the LSAT, the GMAT or the MCAT, you will find that you need to get a minimum score that will be acceptable to the institution to which you are applying. When you are looking to get started with your graduate school, you will find that getting the testing out of the way is ideal. Take some time and make sure that you are getting the results that you need and remember that doing a little bit of research now can help you move forward with what you need to do later.

When you are thinking about going to graduate school, make sure that you know what you want to do. The graduate programs that you are applying for look for a lot of decisiveness in their candidates; and you have to be certain that you are looking at something that you really want and are willing to work for you. Typically, a master’s program will take two years, while a doctorate can take at least another two. This is a large chunk of time and you have to be willing to devote your time and your energy to it. Getting into the program that you want can mean that you are in a place where you are going to be able to move forward much more quickly with your life goals.

Preparing for the exam is something that can be quite arduous, but remember that it is finite and that there are techniques that you can use to do it. Take some time and make sure that you are studying wisely as well as often. Too many people think that cramming is a good idea and because of this, they do not end up absorbing all of the information that they need. When absorption and application of knowledge is the goal, inefficient studying can be a real problem. Consider how you are going to be able to move forward, and make sure that you only study for twenty minutes at a time. Then a quick break is going to be ideal. If you keep your studying short, you will be able to move forward much more quickly and you will also be able to absorb much more information.

Take some time and consider what your options are going to be and how you can get the results that you need. Studying for these tests can take a lot of time, so remember to get started early.

When searching for employment, there are many routes a job seeker can follow. Vacancies are advertised online, in newspapers and on job boards for you to browse. It is also useful signing up to recruitment agencies, who will help you match your skills for suitable positions of employment. One way of finding employment is to visit a career fair.

A career fair is an event that allows job candidates to meet prospective employers. Companies have stands, manned by representatives who can tell you all about the current job vacancies within the business. Apart from being a useful way to know where is recruiting, a career fair offers you the unique opportunity to discuss specific careers in detail, face to face, with possible employers.

To make the most of a career fair you must decide your objective. Many people, especially graduates, take the opportunity to visit a career fair but don’t aim to come away with anything more than information, inspiration and perhaps a couple of application forms. Career fairs are not just about securing an interview or even a contract of employment. They are sources of information and experience for job seekers. You might be interested in knowing what kind of roles you would be successful in applying for with your qualifications, or the first steps to take on a career ladder of your choice.

Ask plenty of questions. The representatives at a career fair are interested in talking to you and finding out about your qualifications, aspirations and expectations of a job. It’s a good idea to think ahead and know what answers you really want to find out. For example, would taking further qualifications add to your candidacy or is an employer more interested in experience? Maybe the company you would like to work for is looking for a motivated, keen-to-learn approach rather than previous experience. Find out what training is provided by the company, employee benefit packages, the company ethics and day to day tasks.

Be open to new ideas. Knowing what you want to do is a good start. However, it is always important to keep an open mind. Perhaps a career fair will place opportunities in your path that you didn’t expect but are better suited to you. Listen to what prospective employers have to say. They are the ones who will decide your future. Take away their advice and take praise as well as constructive criticism; both will help you in your career.

Practice your interview skills. Once you have registered your interest in a vacancy or promotion, the interview is where you need to prove you have what it takes to do the job. Career fairs are perfect for practicing your answers. The prospective employers at the fair may well ask you similar questions, such as “Why are you interested in working for this company?” You will quickly learn to edit your answers into a concise reply that gives all the right information.

Finally, use career fairs as an opportunity to network. The vacancies on offer might not suit your current skills or be practical for you to consider. However, in the future, new qualifications, grown flexibility or new vacancies in a more relevant department could mean things change. Take business cards and sign up to appropriate mailing lists. Being the first to hear about a vacancy can often be an advantage.

Career fairs offer the opportunity for job seekers and prospective employers to meet one another face to face and discuss vacancies and careers within their companies. Make the most of this opportunity by gathering information and experience and move a step closer to your dream career.

Joining the Family Business or Working for a Friend

Accepting a job offer from a friend or family member is a difficult decision for some and an exciting opportunity for others. If you are lucky enough to be helped out of unemployment by a business-owning friend or a family business, being grateful is undoubtedly in order. Still, there are some rules to abide by and ideas to contemplate before getting professionally involved with people from your personal life.

Be Sure You Want Their Business

If you didn’t ask for a position in your family or friend’s business, carefully consider whether or not you want to work for this person and their particular business. Do you have the skills and education to successfully take on the position that has been extended to you? Is their business the kind that you would be interested in under normal circumstances and apply to? Don’t feel pressured, either by your lack of employment or by your friend or family member, to accept an offer you don’t really want. A polite, gracious refusal will be best for you both, if this is the case.

Remember Your Roles of Employer and Employee

Upon accepting a job offer, make sure that your friend or family member puts you through the process towards your position the same as any employee. If you are interviewed, it is sure to be the most relaxed interview you’ve ever gone to; unless there is a second interviewer present, in which case you will need to prove yourself to them and show them what it is you have to offer to the business (surely, your friend or family member has put in some good words for you, so this should be a relatively easy task). Ensure that all of your paperwork is signed and that the necessary background information is on file as well. If anything were to go awry, you want to have the same rights as other employees, so safeguard yourself from the start.

Have a Clear Job Description

Many jobs now offer a job description statement on paper. When dealing with friends and family businesses it’s easy for all parties involved to overlook the importance of contracts and paperwork and some are simply uncomfortable with discussing expectations in detail. However, you should know what is expected of you so that you aren’t taken advantage of – purposely or without intent to do so – by friends or family members who assume that you will do more for less simply because of your personal relationship with one another.

A Job is a Job

Speaking of taking advantage, it is just as easy for someone who is employed by a family business or a friend to forget that a job is a job. Whether you mean to or not, you may find yourself acting out in ways you wouldn’t normally. Don’t expect your friend or family member to be anything more than your employer when it comes to their business and your position in it. They may be more flexible and understanding, but don’t expect to be treated differently from other employees. Be punctual, professional in the presence of others, and do your job!

Working for a friend or family business can be fun and beneficial when you play by the rules. Remember the worst thing that could happen isn’t the loss of your job, but the loss of a meaningful personal relationship.

When you are in a job hunt, everything takes a new degree of urgency. There are many people who are looking for the right job or career now, and everyone knows that the market is more competitive than ever. What can you do to make sure that you are going to be able to move forward and to get the kind of work that you need? When there are so many job seekers out there and when there are so many people out there who are well qualified, you might wonder what you can do stand out. The truth of the matter is that you want to make sure that they notice you, and every little bit helps. Consider what your options are going to be and how you are going to get the results that you need.

If you are in a place where you are looking at getting the results that you are after, you will find that you need to look into how you appear online. Do a quick Google search for your name. How do you turn up and what are your options when it comes to getting started? Remember that you should think about how you present and what your options are going to work out. Take some time and look into what kind of work you are doing and make sure that you are easy to find. Having your own professional web page and being able to move forward; and to make sure that you can get the kind of work that you are interested in will help a great deal.

Also, make sure that you are not trying to be too aggressive. There is a fine line between being confident and being arrogant. This is not to say that you are arrogant, but in your quest to stand out, you might come across as such take some time and look into what your options are and make sure that you think about how you are coming off. Are you ready to move forward and do you love the idea of being about to get the right kind of work available to you? There are so many different options when it comes to presenting yourself and unless you are willing to get the right kind of attention, you are going to be putting yourself at a disadvantage.

If you are in a place where you want to improve your hireability, there are definitely things that you can do. The worst disservice you can do for yourself is to succumb to despair, so see what your needs are and make sure that you are going to be able to meet them. Remember that there are people hiring out there, and in many cases, they are looking for you. This is something that too many people forget.

When you want to get work, it is far from hopeless. Let them know where you are, and you can bet that they are going to be interested. That’s really all it takes, so relax and be ready when your chance comes.

Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is still considered one of the most significant problems for many workers in this country. Despite the passage of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, legal firms across the country continue to report clients who approach them for help in resolving problems with their employers due to their pregnancies. A. Harrison Barnes, founder of Law Crossing and author of “The Importance of Fitting In” says discrimination is not something anyone in the workforce should have to “deal with” in order to fit in. Discrimination of any kind is illegal and employees do have legal recourse. In fact, many of the law firms that are a part of the Law Crossing family handle discrimination cases on a daily basis. The number of new lawyers just entering the legal field reveals the importance of eradicating discrimination as a whole in the workforce.

Another problem A. Harrison Barnes says makes the problem even more difficult is so many workers simply don’t know what defines pregnancy discrimination.

Federal guidelines define pregnancy discrimination as:

(1) During an interview, the employer asks a female applicant how many children she has and if she intends to get pregnant again. If she reveals she is currently pregnant, the employer tells her to come back “after she’s had the baby”.

(2) A female worker reveals to her employer she is currently pregnant and then is fired, even if she can continue to work.

(2) A pregnant worker asks management if someone else can lift heavy boxes only to be told her job duties will not change, even if other workers are given additional help for medical reasons.

(3) A pregnant worker is declined when asking for time off for prenatal care such as doctor’s appointments.

Pregnancy discrimination also includes the refusal to hire a pregnant applicant because of the pregnancy, discharging or demoting a pregnant employee, refusal to allow a woman to return to her job after having given birth and unfair treatment during pregnancy when other employees are allowed certain liberties during temporary disabilities.

With so many recently graduated lawyers focusing their talents and education on ensuring the rights of employees, the hope is one day, discrimination of any kind will be a thing of the past. Some of the busiest law firms, unfortunately, in this country are the ones who handle discrimination cases, and each day, Law Crossing puts these lawyers in touch with the law firms that will allow them to move forward in an effort to take on employers who justify discrimination on any level. In an ideal world, discrimination – whether it’s sexual, pregnancy or even racial – simply would not exist; however, reality tells a far different story. This country’s best defense against unfair and illegal treatment is with our educated legal minds who work on a daily basis to eradicate this social problem.