Hmm.. sorta a WDID kinda thing... advice welcome

[Arimeh]

Sooo... here's the skinny..

I just finished filling in for the conveyancer at work for her holidays today. When she gets back on Monday - there isn't really any work for me to do. I told my boss today that he could put me on as a contractor type thing - I have my own ABN - and he'll pay an hourly rate for me, I'd pay my own tax - and then I would only come in when someone was sick, fill in on holidays etc - plus I can source work from other law firms on the coast.

So I was telling the associate to the firm today - and she said that she wants me to work for her - but basically as a paralegal. Which is a good step up for me - I'm a secretary/conveyancer. You only really get paralegal positions here in Queensland by doing your law degree and working at the same time (or having a bucket load of years experience under your belt - I've been in law for 5 years).

So she thinks I can handle it. My boss thinks I can handle the workload. My problem? I don't think that I CAN do it. I've studied for 2 years at uni - but that was Vic uni and counts for bugger all up here, I started in reception, and worked my way up to where I am now.

So apparently we are having a chat on Monday. I don't know what to do. I know that they have faith in me that I can do it - but I think they think my abilities are better than what they actually are. Plus I'm worried about being bored. Its in litigation/family law. I've been a family law secretary to a partner in a HUGE firm on the coast (the 2nd biggest one up here) and it was sooo much pressure!!!! And pretty damn boring. Like most law..

So I don't know whether to do my idea - advertise myself to other firms as a temp for 3 days work a week - then I get to do lots of different types of law, every week, or go with a firm that I love (and I do love the firm, I love my boss so much, he's my mate) but possibly be in a position that is out of my depth... I don't want to disappoint my boss. Thats a big thing for me, I'd rather him keep thinking I'm intelligent and the world's best secretary.. lol

So... I sent the solicitor a text just before voicing my concerns about my abilities, and she said that she knows that I can do it... I have the brains .. the initiative... blah blah blah...

I don't have as much faith in myself I suppose - maybe cos its cos I know me? lol

[AngelPunks]

I think you've got the brains and I think your boss does to, which is why he offered the position to you.

Maybe ask him if you could do a trial for a month, to see how you both like it - anything less than a month isn't really long enough.

Good luck sweetheart

[Spring Angel]

I'm a solicitor myself and trust me, they wouldn't offer you the job if they didn't think you could do it. I say jump in, give it a go. I think you'll do great!

[Astrid]

I say go for it, even if just for a trial period. I don't know if you have done contract work before, but the whole paperwork side of things is a right PITA. If you can avoid that, then do so. It really is much better to be an employee and have them deal with all complaince isses such as tax, also they will pay your super.

[feeb]

Go for it they have faith in you so tackle it head on!!!!

Good Luck

woo hoo

[Arimeh]

Schaz - awww thanks!!! A months trial sounds ok.... I guess... just don't wanna stuff up or anything thats all.. I HATE making mistakes (which is what makes me a really good conveyancer - I'm pretty.. pedantic...)

Spring - thanks! A solicitor hey.. hmm... you know.. the firm is looking for a part time family lawyer

Astrid - yeah I did think about that... DH does some work on the side and has his own paperwork to deal with, plus all the extra tax stuff... it is a lot of trouble...

Feeb - thanks hon

Gee... I hope I can do this

[sneakysparkle]

of course you can do it Mel! and if you dont give it a go you will always wonder...

[LaDeeDa]

Mel, don't doubt yourself honey they wouldn't have offered you the position if hey hadn't given it a lot of thought.
Just think of it this way if your really pedantic the chances of you making mistaks are pretty small because you'll triple check everything!!!
You'll blow them out of the water honey.

[Indadhanu]

You can do it Mel They wouldn't offer you the job if they thought you couldn't. I say give it a trial, its a great offer and one thats not going to come around every day, and if after the trial you don't like it then at least you won't wonder forever and always what might have happened if you'd taken the job

[Kitt3n]

If one of your kids were posing this question you knwo what you would tell them - GIVE IT A SHOT, GO FOR IT!

so, there you go!!!

[Muppity]

If one of your kids were posing this question you know what you would tell them - GIVE IT A SHOT, GO FOR IT!

so, there you go!!!

This is absolutely right.

Don't talk yourself down. There are way too many other people in the world who are trying to pull others down for you to be doing it for yourself.

Sure, it is a new challenge and it sounds like you are a little scared but if it were me I think I would suck it up and give it a go. There is no way that they would offer it to you if they didn't think you could do it. And as it sounds like it is a newly created position you would have the opportunity to mould it a little into what you want to do with it.

Remember that most family law and litigation is just deadline and process driven (just like conveyancing) so it wouldn't really be much different from what you are doing - just with a more research style role thrown in.

I say go for it - we all know you can do it, they know you can do it, and in then end if it doesn't work out I am sure that they would understand.

[MantaRay]

Mel, this is easy. Stop doubting yourself. You can do it. I know you can do it. Put any negative thoughts out of your head, take a deep breath, and say "yes" then go for it with all your heart. This is a fantastic opportunity and you wouldn't have been offered it if you weren't capable.

Well done hun and enjoy the new job!

[Arimeh]

Hmmm self doubt - yes its easy to live there..

SS - thanks

Dee - thats something I never thought of!!!! Maybe me being pedantic would come in handy...

Leash - thanks

Cat - yeah I know thats what I would say to them.. but I already think they are super intelligent and can handle anything.. lol.. me.. not so much

Muppity - you hit the nail on the head. I am scared. It is nothing like what I have done before - so different being a secretary and being told the majority of what you need to be doing.... its sorta a new position - her old secretary was a solicitor who hadn't been admitted as yet - but she didn't mind doing secretarial stuff - so her old "secretary" was a solicitor!!!! How can I compete with that!?!?!? Her new secretary is our old receptionist at work - who apparently can't handle doing the work that her old secretary could, therefore its just sitting there until the solicitor gets around to doing it.. which is where I step in (and of course I worry about stepping on others toes!!)

MR - thanks

I wish I had the confidence in myself that you guys seem to have in me!!!!!!