Paralegal Interview/Salary

[isha]

I have no idea how much response I will get in time as I found this forum a bit late but here goes;

For a bit of background, as I am new to the forum, I graduated with LLB (Hons) 2:1 in 2006. During uni I had a really rough time with a course change and a psychopathic housemate (tantrums, plate throwing, racism, unfounded violence, police involved until she was kicked out )and became a bit disillusioned with my degree as a whole, hence plodding onwards but not getting any legal work experience or applying for LPC/Training Contracts.

Finally in Semester 2 of my second year I came across an inspirational tutor and fell in love with studying law again, I found the direction I wanted to go in and a careful choice of options and an optional dissertation on my chosen area brought me back round. I felt I wasn't ready for the LPC, plus I hadn't even applied for training contracts. My tutor alerted me to an MA that he had done on year sabbatical, taught at the other uni in the city I studied at. I initally ended up at my uni (Sheffield Hallam) as they were one of the few to offer the LLB/Maitrise (Law and French Law with 2 years in France). However the course had fallen apart around me and and I changed to the straight LLB. With no disrespect to ex-polys or anyone who goes there; I would have gone to better regarded uni for a straight LLB; but as I did not change until the end of my first year, sticking with Hallam seemed my best option.

So after graduating I went to the University of Sheffield to do an MA in Biotechnological Law and Ethics, which I finished three weeks ago and am waiting (well until November ) for my results. I chose the MA as I felt unready for the LPC, academically and financially, and because I felt it would 'bring up' my degree from Hallam as well as being a highly specialised area which I am extremely interested in.

So that brings me to now; I still want to work within the legal sector, I eventually (within 5 years or so) want to do the LPC although hopefully with a training contract and then work in an area related to my MA (medical or environmental law for example).

I am currently applying for jobs and have been stuck in the wormhole of no experience, no job...no job, no experience. Initially I need something that pays, even if it's non-law; purely to cover the rent although I will in the long run look for unpaid experience.

Anyway, I have managed to get an interview for an industrial disease paralegal here in Sheffield. It is for a small-medium firm, which specialises in four areas including Industrial Disease and also has one other office in the UK.

I have extensive office and admin experience in finance and trusts and probate but in a banking setting rather than legal and a lot of general admin experience.

However I am looking for interview tips; any help with regard to what I may be asked and key dos and don'ts.

My other big question is ??salary??... the post is advertised without a salary. I have researched other similar roles advertised in the area and they seem to be appointing at around £16k, some require experience, one required experience but only GCSEs, some ask for LLB and so on.

I know they are going to ask and it's that age old dread of asking too high or pencilling myself in too low. As a response I was thinking of something along the lines of "Having looked at the job market right now and as you are asking specifically for a graduate, I would expect the salary for the role to be in the region of £15-20k. With my admin experience and degree but lack of specific legal experience I would narrow this down to £15-17k as my salary requirements with room for progression and review"

Does anyone have any knowledge of salaries in the Yorkshire area for such a role or any input they can give in general?

Thanks in advance

[carpediem]

I work for a medium high street firm in sheffield with 2 offices and the pay is 13500 I know of jobs that go as low as 9800, the higher paid paralegal jobs tend to be aimed at career paralegals with years of experience, most firms will know that ur using it as a springboard to getting a T.C and will pay accordingly

Good Luck

[isha]

Thanks for your replies; interview yesterday at 9.30 and they called and offered the job before 3pm!

The salary isn't great; I had no idea what to expect and very little to go on before your replies.

I could earn upwards of £15-16k on long term admin temping with my experience (turned down 2 such jobs last week) but they offer me no worthwhile experience or anything of future merit. Plus I would be bored senseless and getting nowhere.

The job is paying £12k, then a 3 month review and all being well it goes upto £13k. My debts aren't too bad and I have cheap rent (£64 pw) so it's plenty for me to live off.

The company seem to be very happy to work with people who have potential without being elitist in any way. Hoping I will be happy there and in the event I am not I will stick it out for 6months or so to get that all important experience which will help me to get another paralegal role with a view to returning to do my LPC in a few years; hopefully with a training contract based on my experience and specialist MA

ps Carpediem I am now intrigued as to which firm it is...or if it's the same one even