Employment - California

[bec_goe 4]

So I've worked as a Legal Secretary / PA since 1998 so I've got a few years behind me. I also type at around 90WPM.

I'm slightly nervous looking for employment in LA - with my background, do you think I'm going to have a huge amount of problems looking for work?

I'm coming from a $70k paying job so no doubt there's going to be a big pay cut! ?

[perfect 39]

I work for one of the biggest law firms in California as an Assistant (we have 14 offices around the world)!

I don't think you will have any problem finding employment, actually, or have to take a huge pay cut if you land a large firm.

Good luck - will keep my eyes and ears open and let you know if I hear of anything coming up.

Cooley is currently looking for a Legal Secretary in LA - http://selfapply.xapps.cooley.com/cooleyvi/CooleyVI_S.aspx

Crowell is looking for a litigation Assistant - https://careers.crowell.com/viRecruitSelfApply/ReDefault.aspx?Tag=D471085B81084B25971C485FAD2ABB01

Edited December 10, 2015 by perfect

[bec_goe 4]

Hiya!

Thanks so much. ?

I see that you are originally from the UK - did you have any problems in finding employment in the USA? I have a lot of experience in Australia but no experience with USA law. However I know legal terminology, I'm a fast typist etc etc so fingers crossed.

[perfect 39]

Rather than committing to a company when I first received my EAD, because I wasn't sure where my skillset, personality would best fit the US job market, I decided to temp for agencies for the first 6 months. That helped a lot actually in deciding what kind of job I wanted. More than one of those positions wanted to convert me to an employee, but I declined because I had figured out that wasn't what I wanted to do.

I had no problem whatsoever getting temp jobs for the whole 6 months and thereafter have had 2 full-time permanent positions in 10 years! (both of which paid over $55000). My first job I was a PA/EA to a CEO/corporate legal department and from there within the same company I was promoted with a $10000 pay rise then laid off after almost 5 years when the company went under. I currently work a 37½ hour week and earn more than $70000 in a law firm. Worst thing about California from my experience is that you may have to commute a pretty long time. not necessarily far, but in South Orange County at least, the traffic or horrendous! oh....and lack of vacation time! Hate that.....

I have actually found that being English-speaking but with a "different" accent than American, has significantly been to my advantage! People also have been impressed by my commitment and "courage" in giving up everything back home to move here for "love"!

Edited December 10, 2015 by perfect

[bec_goe 4]

It would seem that the salary is pretty much on par with the salary here in Sydney. Well, the US$ is certainly better than the AUD$! Plus Australia is one of the most expensive cities to live in.

I have absolutely no problem in commuting - I have worked for the same firm here in North Sydney for the nearly 4 years and that's an hour and a half travel from door to door. But the traffic, I am not looking to that! lol

My husband told me that in relation to the accent; that I shouldn't have any problems picking up work. You are right there - moving to another country does show a lot of commitment and courage.

It's great speaking to you btw. It's great to hear from someone in the same boat and who also works in the same field. It's not so daunting now! Can I ask, what area in LA do you reside? My husband lives in Van Nuys in the Valley. I'm coming back out there in 2 weeks time for Christmas and NYE.

[perfect 39]

I actually live in South Orange County - that's about 70 miles from you in VN - my husband is currently commuting ½-3 hours each way from south county to Santa Monica!

Happy to help anytime!

When do you anticipate coming for good? Hope you have a lovely couple of weeks over Xmas and New Year!

[bec_goe 4]

Oh nice! One of my best friends lives in Orange which isn't too far from you?

I am hoping by August next year as that is when school starts up - my 10yo daughter will be coming with me.

[perfect 39]

Yep - Orange is very close to us!

Hope your daughter is excited! My son was 16 when he came ten years ago.

[Yalda 54]

It would seem that the salary is pretty much on par with the salary here in Sydney. Well, the US$ is certainly better than the AUD$! Plus Australia is one of the most expensive cities to live in.

I have absolutely no problem in commuting - I have worked for the same firm here in North Sydney for the nearly 4 years and that's an hour and a half travel from door to door. But the traffic, I am not looking to that! lol

My husband told me that in relation to the accent; that I shouldn't have any problems picking up work. You are right there - moving to another country does show a lot of commitment and courage.

It's great speaking to you btw. It's great to hear from someone in the same boat and who also works in the same field. It's not so daunting now! Can I ask, what area in LA do you reside? My husband lives in Van Nuys in the Valley. I'm coming back out there in 2 weeks time for Christmas and NYE.

Hi,

I am in the same boat as you both as I am an executive assistant, i have actually always worked in that field, i am french and i currently live in Montreal, Canada since 4 years before that I was working in Paris but I also lived 2 years in Los Angeles and worked as an assistant. I hope that all my experiences as an assistant and the fact that i speak both french and english will help me find a good job with a good pay as i know that the cost of living in Los Angeles is crazy high. What do you think? Do you haveany advices for me?

[tocca2015 24]

Hi,

I am in the same boat as you both as I am an executive assistant, i have actually always worked in that field, i am french and i currently live in Montreal, Canada since 4 years before that I was working in Paris but I also lived 2 years in Los Angeles and worked as an assistant. I hope that all my experiences as an assistant and the fact that i speak both french and english will help me find a good job with a good pay as i know that the cost of living in Los Angeles is crazy high. What do you think? Do you haveany advices for me?

There are a lot of jobs for executive/admin assistants in large US cities, including L.A. so I would not worry about that.

However, since you asked for advice, I would be sure to polish off your written English grammar. It is really important when you have to write letters and such on behalf of high level executives. Not sure anyone needs French skills per se in the Los Angeles area, but it could be useful, you never know! Knowing a foreign language is always a plus.

Executive/admin assistant jobs are a dime a dozen in the US...Not like in Montreal... We can never seem to find as many admins as we need at my corporate office.

[Yalda 54]

There are a lot of jobs for executive/admin assistants in large US cities, including L.A. so I would not worry about that.

However, since you asked for advice, I would be sure to polish off your written English grammar. It is really important when you have to write letters and such on behalf of high level executives. Not sure anyone needs French skills per se in the Los Angeles area, but it could be useful, you never know! Knowing a foreign language is always a plus.

Executive/admin assistant jobs are a dime a dozen in the US...Not like in Montreal... We can never seem to find as many admins as we need at my corporate office.

Thanks for your feedback and advice.

Although I didn't get your last statement, do you mean that there are too many adm. jobs for few applicants of the opposite?

Edited February 16, 2016 by Yalda