What are the main components of paralegal compensation? What are ...

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What are the main components of paralegal compensation? What are some of the factors affecting paralegal compensation?
 
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Question 2

Discuss the pros and cons of submitting your rsum to a firm by e-mail.
 
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Answer to Question 1

The main components of paralegal compensation are salary (which may include bonus or overtime pay) and benefits (which may include paid holidays, sick leave, group insurance coverage for medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, pension plans, and other benefits).
Paralegal compensation is affected by a number of factors, including the size of the firm or legal department and the specialty area in which the paralegal practices. Another income-determining factor is the paralegal's years of experience. Typically, more experienced paralegals enjoy higher rates of compensation. This is particularly noticeable when a paralegal has worked for the same employer for a long period of time. Another major factor that affects paralegal compensation is geographical location. Currently, paralegals who work in the West enjoy higher levels of compensation than paralegals in other regions of the country. However, salary figures represent averages and can therefore be deceptive. For example, a paralegal working in a rural area of Washington State may not earn as much as a paralegal who works in Chicago. Also, salary statistics do not tell the whole story. Although paralegals earn more in California than in Nebraska, the cost of living is higher in California than in Nebraska. This means that a paralegal's real incomethe amount that can be purchased with a particular salarymay, in fact, be the same in both states despite the differences in salary.

Answer to Question 2

Student answers might include the following:

PROS: E-mail is faster than regular mail or express delivery services and can be immediately available to the firm.
CONS: E-mail resumes do not look as nice as hard copy resumes, and some firms are not used to receiving submissions via e-mail. Attorneys generally prefer traditional resumes. If an advertisement lists an e-mail address, it is best to submit the application via e-mail and follow up with a printed copy of the letter and resume as well.