Paralegals Need These Personality Traits – Part 2

Paralegals Need These Personality Traits – Part 2

In Part 1 of You Need These Personality Traits,   eleven important personality traits paralegals should possess were identified and explained.

The traits listed in Part 1 included: Adaptable, Anticipative, Confident, Conscientious, Decisive; Disciplined; Discreet; Efficient; Ethical; Flexible; Focused; and Hardworking. If you missed that article, follow this link to access it.

Time now for Part 2 and twelve additional positive traits paralegals need to build a career that can be sustained for the long haul:

Honest. Your character must be beyond reproach. Be good and truthful; never lie, steal or cheat. When you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it and move on. Never deny making the mistake or blame someone else. 

Incorruptible. Refuse to do something you know is wrong. Follow ethics rules, as well as the law. Never sign the attorney’s name to document and never notarize a document if you don’t it signed. Understand rules regarding Trust Accounts. 

Independent. Be a self-starter. Do tasks on your own. Establish systems and checklists so you know what needs to be done next and you are not asking the same questions over and over again or interrupting people to help you. 

Logical: Using the knowledge you possess, reach reasonable, sensible conclusions. Do your work in a sequence that will increase productivity. 

Loyal: Be faithful, trustworthy, and devoted. Be a loyal employee and do not criticize your employer, even if your employment has ended. Do not be the person who provokes others in the office to be unhappy with working conditions. 

Organized. Look at the work you have to do and plan how you will get it done. Look ahead and plan to meet deadlines. Arrange your office so that papers and files do not get lost. 

Perfectionist. Attempting to do a project without fault is important. Pay constant attention to detail. Always check for grammar and typographical errors. However, remember it is your effort that counts. You need to know when what you have done is good enough and you can stop working on it. 

Persistent. Be unrelenting, consistent and determined. Do not quit until the goal is reached or the work is completed. 

Punctual. Be prompt for work and for meetings. Arrive on time. Do what you say you will do when you say you will do it. Get your work done on time. 

Responsible. Be accountable, dependable, and sensible. You should be a person who can be trusted to do the right thing.  

Thorough. Again, pay attention to detail. Do everything you are supposed to do and leave nothing out. Plan for the unexpected. Always have a Plan B…and perhaps a Plan C and D

While there are many other traits that could be on this list, these will see you through on your path to career success. Which traits do you possess? Which do you need to work on?  What traits would you add to this list? Leave your comments below.
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© 2013 Vicki Voisin, Inc.  Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? Please contact Vicki Voisin. She will contact Stephanie for her approval.

Vicki Voisin, “The Paralegal Mentor”, delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She is the co-author of The Professional Paralegal: A Guide to Finding a Job and Career Success. Vicki publishes Paralegal Strategies, a weekly e-newsletter for paralegals, and hosts The Paralegal Voice, a monthly podcast pr oduced by Legal Talk Network.

More information is available at paralegalmentor.com where subscribers receive Vicki’s 151 Tips for Your Career Success.