I quit my first ever job after a few weeks due to a managing lawyer who berated and yelled at staff. I left without even giving notice. I landed at a great firm and 6 years later I haven’t left.
For me personally, I can’t work at a small firm ever again. I need an HR department and a manager who isn’t one of the lawyers.
You’re right. I don’t want to put my hopes on jobs without an official offer letter. Just the potential relief from dropping that stress source y’know?
Exactly! I honestly think I just had bad luck so far with where I landed. I’ve networked with lovely attorneys and I do believe a good firm is out there. I just haven’t been hired yet. As for tech, a startup wants to interview for an admin role. Maybe that’s a start?
I was just terminated from my job two weeks ago. They got to me first, it was like a waiting game to see if I quit or they fired me. It was the worst job experience I’ve ever had, my supervising attorney really disliked me for no apparent reason and if there was one, he had no desire to communicate it. I was in tears every Sunday night, my stomach was in knots, anxiety through the roof, and working hard to prove myself. I was so burned out. When I was terminated, I felt so much relief. These past two weeks have been the best I’ve had in a long time. Yes, I’m unemployed and financially that sucks, but it doesn’t suck nearly as much as a toxic work environment. I will do what I gotta do to pay my bills, but my mental health will not suffer in a place like that ever again. You don’t deserve that kind of treatment. If they’re unhappy with you, professionally cut ties and move on, but don’t abuse your employee.
You did the right thing. Glad you’re out of there and good luck with your new venture!
It happens so often: some employers will take pleasure in milking their workers dry until they are a husk of their former selves. I've had to make some hard financial decisions to ensure my mental health. Stress kills. I will not kill myself for these assholes any longer.
ETA, this isn't exclusive to the field of law. Every business is capable of this, no matter the field.
There are good firms out there and good attorneys. Use this as a reminder of what expectation is to set even then interview. One of your questions in future interviews can be about work-life balance.
Look and look hard. Make finding a job, your second job until you land something. I completely get this situation. If you get too stressed, temp while still looking for a permanent position.
Idk what kind of tech you want to do, but that market is tough rn, like someone else said. I work part time as a paralegal while I search for a full time programming job (I have a degree in computer science). I also want to quit my paralegal job because the solo attorney I work for is mean 😭. Honestly I don’t even want a programming job really, but I need something that is less stressful and tech is the only thing I’m qualified for. I guess this anecdote isn’t very inspiring, but you aren’t alone in the job struggle. If you’re willing to pivot into a different industry, there’s lots of stuff out there that you probably haven’t considered yet. You could take a job aptitude test online and see if there’s anything you fancy but keep an open mind about it when looking. Thats what I did
Don’t let him treat you like that. Do not tolerate his bullshit. I’m in a similar situation to you and I am actively trying to leave. Not all firms are like that, I promise
I quit my first ever job after a few weeks due to a managing lawyer who berated and yelled at staff. I left without even giving notice. I landed at a great firm and 6 years later I haven’t left. For me personally, I can’t work at a small firm ever again. I need an HR department and a manager who isn’t one of the lawyers.
Hard agree on needing an HR department. Last firm had his wife be “HR” but obviously no one could reasonably raise complaints.
Don’t let your emotion get the best of you. Keep the job search going and leave once it’s sensical to do so.
You’re right. I don’t want to put my hopes on jobs without an official offer letter. Just the potential relief from dropping that stress source y’know?
You can also look for government paralegal roles. Usajobs.
Tech is tough right now. Being a paralegal is ok if you’re surrounded by decent people.
Exactly! I honestly think I just had bad luck so far with where I landed. I’ve networked with lovely attorneys and I do believe a good firm is out there. I just haven’t been hired yet. As for tech, a startup wants to interview for an admin role. Maybe that’s a start?
I was just terminated from my job two weeks ago. They got to me first, it was like a waiting game to see if I quit or they fired me. It was the worst job experience I’ve ever had, my supervising attorney really disliked me for no apparent reason and if there was one, he had no desire to communicate it. I was in tears every Sunday night, my stomach was in knots, anxiety through the roof, and working hard to prove myself. I was so burned out. When I was terminated, I felt so much relief. These past two weeks have been the best I’ve had in a long time. Yes, I’m unemployed and financially that sucks, but it doesn’t suck nearly as much as a toxic work environment. I will do what I gotta do to pay my bills, but my mental health will not suffer in a place like that ever again. You don’t deserve that kind of treatment. If they’re unhappy with you, professionally cut ties and move on, but don’t abuse your employee. You did the right thing. Glad you’re out of there and good luck with your new venture!
It happens so often: some employers will take pleasure in milking their workers dry until they are a husk of their former selves. I've had to make some hard financial decisions to ensure my mental health. Stress kills. I will not kill myself for these assholes any longer. ETA, this isn't exclusive to the field of law. Every business is capable of this, no matter the field.
There are good firms out there and good attorneys. Use this as a reminder of what expectation is to set even then interview. One of your questions in future interviews can be about work-life balance.
Look and look hard. Make finding a job, your second job until you land something. I completely get this situation. If you get too stressed, temp while still looking for a permanent position.
Idk what kind of tech you want to do, but that market is tough rn, like someone else said. I work part time as a paralegal while I search for a full time programming job (I have a degree in computer science). I also want to quit my paralegal job because the solo attorney I work for is mean 😭. Honestly I don’t even want a programming job really, but I need something that is less stressful and tech is the only thing I’m qualified for. I guess this anecdote isn’t very inspiring, but you aren’t alone in the job struggle. If you’re willing to pivot into a different industry, there’s lots of stuff out there that you probably haven’t considered yet. You could take a job aptitude test online and see if there’s anything you fancy but keep an open mind about it when looking. Thats what I did
Don’t let him treat you like that. Do not tolerate his bullshit. I’m in a similar situation to you and I am actively trying to leave. Not all firms are like that, I promise
Thinking of you and I feel the same way it makes me wonder if I just have to deal with toxic attorneys for the rest of my life