It is a fairly simple question. You are a partner or sole principal of a legal aid firm. You have a skivvy level paralegal post to offer.
Why (oh why) do you advertise it as paralegal slash trainee post? Why do you then interview people already earning a couple of k more than you will pay? As clearly stated on the CV? Who state bluntly they are looking for a traineeship in their application? Whose CV is better than you have any right to expect for the post that it turns out you have in mind?
Why, in interview, do you then try to convince the now pissed off interviewee that 6 months down the line, when your firm has (of course it will) taken on another couple of areas, there could be a traineeship, maybe, albeit still paying less than the interviewee is already getting?
Why did you even bother interviewing me? I could have had an extra hour in bed.
There is a lot of it about. Some young sucker will fall for it.
Trust me, as I know from experience, if told that the paralegal job could well blossom into a traineeship 6 months or so down the line, don’t believe a word of it unless it is written into your contract. Really. No matter how convincing, sympatico or friendly the interviewer seems.
Usually this line is spouted by nice people who might even believe it when they say it. They will exploit you mercilessly in the name of the cause and then ask for your sympathy when circumstances mean the traineeship wafts away.
Always remember three things (note to self):
1. Nice liberal solicitors apparently mean well but, in the name of the cause, will use your enthusiasm mercilessly, without reward for you or guilt on their part. At least commercial lawyers are open about exploitation.
2. Regardless of whatever your contract lecturer tells you, if it isn’t in writing it ain’t worth a damn. If it is in writing, are you ready to sue over it? I thought not.
3. Never, ever, EVER, believe ‘paralegal/trainee’ ads, or only the part before the slash.
And I wasn’t even offered travel expenses. Bastards.
[Postscript. If any passing law students mention misrepresentation, I strongly suggest they seek an alternative career.]
Nearly Legal offers some advice to people currently looking for training contracts: “Trust me, as I know from experience, if told that the paralegal job could well blossom into a traineeship 6 months or so down the line, don’t believe a word of it unless it is written into your fucking contract. Really. No matter how convincing,
