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So how should one prepare for for this job?

I ask this question because
i.e.
1. what do law offices use microsoft excel for? i ask this in case i need to refresh my knowledge, because i havent had to use it in a while.

anything else would be great. i just dont want to be caught off guard or unprepared.

thanks

How good are you at ducking?

I interned for the DA in my state's largest county. Some lessons learned:

1. You will feel like an idiot, more than once. Learn from it and try not to make the same mistake twice.
2. Always do your assignments immediately. Sounds common-sensical, yes, but don't even wait 2 minutes to finish some dumb project. Drop the dumb project and start your assignment.
3. Don't be shy. Everyone knows you're the new lowly assistant- embrace the role. Be confident in meeting everyone, and try to make conservation (this does not include reciting your knowledge of the dissenting opinion in the Slaughterhouse Cases). People will love you if you do your job well but can also be friendly.
4. Remember that networking is (usually) more valuable than your paycheck. You won't be making big money, so rub shoulders with important people and get your name out there.
4.1 There is always at least one hot secretary in the firm. Find her.

As for any legal software, ask the secretary what the firm uses if you haven't started. Do some research on that particular software so you have a leg up. Also, know how to do the basics (faxing, using a xerox quickly, etc.). I had several embarrassing moments on both the fax and copy machine. PM me if you have any particulars

FloridaCoastalorbust wrote:I interned for the DA in my state's largest county. Some lessons learned:

1. You will feel like an idiot, more than once. Learn from it and try not to make the same mistake twice.
2. Always do your assignments immediately. Sounds common-sensical, yes, but don't even wait 2 minutes to finish some dumb project. Drop the dumb project and start your assignment.
3. Don't be shy. Everyone knows you're the new lowly assistant- embrace the role. Be confident in meeting everyone, and try to make conservation (this does not include reciting your knowledge of the dissenting opinion in the Slaughterhouse Cases). People will love you if you do your job well but can also be friendly.
4. Remember that networking is (usually) more valuable than your paycheck. You won't be making big money, so rub shoulders with important people and get your name out there.
4.1 There is always at least one hot secretary in the firm. Find her.

As for any legal software, ask the secretary what the firm uses if you haven't started. Do some research on that particular software so you have a leg up. Also, know how to do the basics (faxing, using a xerox quickly, etc.). I had several embarrassing moments on both the fax and copy machine. PM me if you have any particulars

thank you SO much this is exactly the type of answer i was looking for.

Don't take things personally. In my experience, an attorney can be cursing you and throwing staplers one minute, and moments later become the nicest person you've ever met.

And don't be too stiff either. Do your work efficiently and professionally, but don't be afraid to engage people in conversation.

does anyone know what kinds of funky crazy stuff ill probably need to know or utilize for
microsoft excel or outlook?

sangr wrote:So how should one prepare for for this job?

I ask this question because
i.e.
1. what do law offices use microsoft excel for? i ask this in case i need to refresh my knowledge, because i havent had to use it in a while.

anything else would be great. i just dont want to be caught off guard or unprepared.

thanks

Always be prepared, or at least always appear prepared. I worked as an assistant once and was lambasted for not bringing a notepad and pen into a partner's office when he called me in on a whim. I might have just caught him in a bad mood, but be attuned to the habits/personalities of who you work with most, and anticipate their preferences/moods. This is something that sort of just sinks in, but be aware.

sangr wrote:does anyone know what kinds of funky crazy stuff ill probably need to know or utilize for
microsoft excel or outlook?

What does this is even mean

sangr wrote:does anyone know what kinds of funky crazy stuff ill probably need to know or utilize for
microsoft excel or outlook?

How to type.

There are some pretty amazing things you can do with excel with enough knowledge of it, but I doubt you'll be expected to know any of this. Everything you'll need is very learnable as you go.

Also- If you have a couple bucks to blow and want to up your technical proficiency just in case, Linda.com is amazing. I'm not affiliated with this site, I just used it during my internship at an Insurance company and found it to be addictive.

rman1201 wrote:

sangr wrote:does anyone know what kinds of funky crazy stuff ill probably need to know or utilize for
microsoft excel or outlook?

How to type.

There are some pretty amazing things you can do with excel with enough knowledge of it, but I doubt you'll be expected to know any of this. Everything you'll need is very learnable as you go.

Also- If you have a couple bucks to blow and want to up your technical proficiency just in case, Linda.com is amazing. I'm not affiliated with this site, I just used it during my internship at an Insurance company and found it to be addictive.

You've just outed yourself as a shameless shill.

rman1201 wrote:

sangr wrote:does anyone know what kinds of funky crazy stuff ill probably need to know or utilize for
microsoft excel or outlook?

How to type.

There are some pretty amazing things you can do with excel with enough knowledge of it, but I doubt you'll be expected to know any of this. Everything you'll need is very learnable as you go.

thanks...i dont have too much extensive use of it and the last time i formally learned it was 3 years ago in a classroom setting, never to use it again. i also have extremely little experience with outlook
im going all over researching crap but i guess i can learn as i go.

ill keep the pen and notepad comment in mind also.

thanks.

Just do shit fast thats all anyone really wants out of an admin asst, most of the tasks you'll be given will most likely be rather straight forward

FalafelWaffle wrote:

rman1201 wrote:

sangr wrote:does anyone know what kinds of funky crazy stuff ill probably need to know or utilize for
microsoft excel or outlook?

How to type.

There are some pretty amazing things you can do with excel with enough knowledge of it, but I doubt you'll be expected to know any of this. Everything you'll need is very learnable as you go.

Also- If you have a couple bucks to blow and want to up your technical proficiency just in case, Linda.com is amazing. I'm not affiliated with this site, I just used it during my internship at an Insurance company and found it to be addictive.

You've just outed yourself as a shameless shill.

That site is the shit man. It got me into programming - they have video lessons on Actionscript programming for flash and it sort of went from there.

sangr wrote:does anyone know what kinds of funky crazy stuff ill probably need to know or utilize for
microsoft excel or outlook?

Um, nothing. I have worked/interned in three different law offices and never used Excel or Outlook for "crazy stuff." What exactly are you asking?

aspire2more wrote:

sangr wrote:does anyone know what kinds of funky crazy stuff ill probably need to know or utilize for
microsoft excel or outlook?

Um, nothing. I have worked/interned in three different law offices and never used Excel or Outlook for "crazy stuff." What exactly are you asking?

To add to this - you do realize Outlook is just email, right?

i guess i have im thinking of "crazy stuff" because the only experience i have with excel is through a stats class i had way back in undergrad and that involved so much different shit. I understand we wont be doing stats but i felt that maybe they may want us to utilize some of the tools in excel that requires more than elementary knowledge of the program.


In regards to outlook, other than the e-mail, there's the contacts tabs and such. I'm sure they're all easily learnable, but I was just asking because I literally have never used it, other than a short period in which i only checked the e-mail at my internship on rare occasions.

All your Excel and Outlook needs will be self learnable. If not, the nearest secretary should know it back and forth. That person and the maintenance/custodians (aka holder of EVERY key) can make your life heaven or hell. Kiss their ass early and often. Food court/cafeteria workers, too, if applicable. Your lunch break (or more importantly, your boss's lunch) may not come until they are closing.