You really only have one chance at making a positive first impression, as most people will judge you within the first few minutes of meeting you and their opinion will likely never change. So put your best foot forward and portray yourself as a team player, someone who will get along with and work well with co-workers and as someone who is just an all-around good worker to have on staff. Doing all of this can be challenging, but there are a few tips that can help you achieve a lasting impression.

Have a goal in mind. This is especially important before any kind of big event where you would be meeting a lot of new people. Think about what kind of people you want to meet and what kind of interactions you want to have. This allows you to strategically focus on what kind of energy you want to have for your event or meeting.

Polish your presentation. Let’s face it; people will make initial judgments about you based on your clothing, accessories and how well you are put together. Many men do not realize that their watch can say a lot about them. For women, purses and large earrings or jewelry can be distracting or send the wrong message. Make sure that what you are wearing and how you do your hair or make-up says what you want it to say to the people you are meeting for the first time. You want people to remember you for your intellect and personality and not for your shiny pink pumps.

Consider your body language. Be conscious of your posture, how you carry yourself, and the way you’re positioning your body. Simply being aware of your body language can result in immediate improvements. Subconscious cues to keep in mind include noticing where you point your feet, the position of your shoulders, and the way you shake hands with others.

Leave negativity at the door. If you are feeling angry, sad or anxious, others will pick up on this from your facial expressions, comments and body language. If you’re having a bad day find a way to snap yourself out of your bad mood.

And finally, when meeting people for the first time approach them with genuine interest. This is often contagious and results in great conversations, deeper connections, and will have positive impact on other’s perception of you.

The client is looking for a candidate with exceptionally strong organizational and time management skills. The role calls for someone who thrives in an environment where they need to take initiative and work independently on a daily basis.

Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Management and coordination of administrative matters for multiple senior level administrative personnel.
- Communication and liaising between lawyers and other senior level members of the firm.
- Continuing professional development programs for one or more of the firm’s offices.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years administrative experience in a role that has required them to take on a wide variety of administrative functions, including working with senior level personnel. In addition to the administrative experience, the successful candidate will need to have advanced knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Outlook. Precision and a strong attention to detail are a must for this role.

To apply, please send all resumes attention to Richard at: legal@rjohnsoncorp.com, while quoting the job title in the subject line.

While we thank all those who apply for their time, only those who are short-listed will be contacted due to the high volume of resumes received.

Thank you for considering R.JOHNSON in your job search.

The successful candidate will have a minimum 5 years of experience in a Defense or Plaintiff practice, even though the firm works exclusively with PPI.

To apply, please send all resumes attention to Richard at: legal@rjohnsoncorp.com, while quoting the job title in the subject line.

While we thank all those who apply for their time, only those who are short-listed will be contacted due to the high volume of resumes received.

Thank you for considering R.JOHNSON in your job search.

Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Document production.
• Generating and maintaining program statistics.
• General administrative functions such as photocopying, filing, word processing of documents, drafting of memos, letters etc.
• Providing administrative support to the department as needed.

The successful applicant will have 3-5 years of experience in a legal office or similar setting, and hold a LAA or Administrative Assistant certification. Strong customer service and interpersonal skills are a must for this particular opportunity.

To apply, please send all resumes attention to Richard at: legal@rjohnsoncorp.com, while quoting the job title in the subject line.

While we thank all those who apply for their time, only those who are short-listed will be contacted due to the high volume of resumes received.

Thank you for considering R.JOHNSON in your job search.

The firm is known for their supportive work environment, as well as, being an organization that houses an exceptional team of established professionals. Multitasking skills, and an exemplary work ethic are must for this opportunity.

To apply, please send all resumes attention to Richard at: legal@rjohnsoncorp.com while quoting the job title in the heading of the email.

While we thank all those who apply for their time, we will only respond to those who have been short listed due to the high volume of resumes that are received.

Thank you for considering R.JOHNSON in your job search.

The successful applicant will have previous experience with team management, and have strong collaborative skills. In addition, the successful applicant will also need to be someone who excels within a fast-paced environment.

Duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Preparation of all year end statements and working documents
• Preparation of tax statements
• Work with external accountants
• Budget preparation
• Review financial statements
• Create supplements schedules
• Oversee monthly account reconciliations
• Manage cash flow projections
• Oversee A/R
• Management of all accounting staff including hiring, firing, and training.

A CGA, CA, or CMA designation is considered a strong asset.

To apply, please send all resumes attention to Richard at: admin@rjohnsoncorp.com, while quoting the job title in the subject line.

While we thank all those who apply for their time, only those who are short-listed will be contacted due to the high volume of resumes received.

Thank you for considering R.JOHNSON in your job search.

The client will consider a wide range of experience levels for this particular opportunity. The ideal candidate could be someone with 2 years of experience who is eager to learn and develop within their career, or someone with senior level experience who is looking to settle into their career with a firm that has an excellent corporate culture.

To apply, please send all resumes attention to Richard at: legal@rjohnsoncorp.com, while quoting the job title in the subject line.

While we thank all those apply for their time, only those who are short-listed will be contacted due to the high volume of resumes received.

Thank you for considering R.JOHNSON in your job search.

Assisting a partner and an associate this is an excellent opportunity to grow your career and gain EA experience. This position will help your career grow and allow you to continue to develop your legal and EA experience.

The practices are focused on Competition/Anti-trust and transportation, primarily railway rate and service negotiations, regulatory proceedings (before the Canadian Transportation Agency), project management and corporate and commercial transactions.

The ideal candidate for this position will have at least 5 years experience in a Corporate/Commercial practice, some EA experience would be an asset but isn’t necessary. An interest in taking on more EA responsibilities is key as is a pleasant and positive outlook and proactive work approach.

To apply please send all resumes attention to Richard at: legal@rjohnsoncorp.com, while quoting the job title in the subject line.

While we thank all those who apply for their time, only those who are short-listed will be contacted due to the high volume of resumes received.

Thank you for considering R.JOHNSON in your job search.

It is important to recognize that it is impossible to escape from pressure at work altogether as there will always be certain pressures on you in the workplace. The key to dealing with stress is how you manage the pressures that you face. The ability to manage stress in the workplace can improve your physical and emotional health, and can also make the difference between success and failure on the job.

Deal with problems as soon as possible. Putting off dealing with a problem will prevent you from getting on with other tasks efficiently, and could potentially lead to a build-up of other problems — which will only cause you more anxiety.

Manage your time effectively. Prioritize your tasks, delegate work when possible, and make sure you don’t take on more than you can handle. Completing one task before going on to the next one will allow you to forget about the task you’ve completed and move onto the next thing with a clearer, focused mind.

Take a time out. Taking frequent breaks will help you to focus better. Use these short breaks to do some simple stretching exercises to prevent your muscles from getting tired. Also, going for a short walk at lunchtime, for example, can help take your mind off work. Some people make the mistake when under pressure at work of skipping breaks because they’re trying to catch up — when in fact simply having a break would be of more benefit.

Seek help. Asking for help can be hard. But if you don’t ask then people may not realize the amount of stress you are under. Seeking help can range from getting practical help in the workplace from another colleague to discussing problems or concerns with your employer. Confiding in trusted work colleagues, friends and relatives is a useful way of ridding yourself of stressful feelings. Other people can give you a different perspective on problems and help you to find potential solutions.

Consider changes to your lifestyle. Not only can stress cause insomnia, but a lack of sleep can leave you vulnerable to even more stress. When you’re well rested, it’s much easier to keep your emotional balance. Be sure to make smart food choices that keep you going strong. Low blood sugar can make you feel anxious and irritable, while eating too much can make you lethargic. By eating small but frequent meals throughout the day, you can help your body maintain an even level of blood sugar and avoid these swings in mood. Also, keep active with aerobic exercise. Activity that raises your heart rate and makes you sweat is an effective way to lift your mood, increase energy, sharpen focus, and relax both the mind and body.

Celebrate your achievements. Avoid spending too much time thinking about what you didn’t get done today and what you have to do in the future. Instead, think about all those things that you did achieve and give yourself a pat on the back. Take each working day as it comes and celebrate the good things that you are responsible for doing and achieving.

Image Credit: Briody Fitness Health

They have a rare opening for a PART TIME Paralegal to cover a maternity leave.

This is a one year contract commencing late February 2012. You will work as a key member of the litigation team with great people in a comfortable and relaxed working environment. This role is ideal for someone who wants to work 4 days per week.

The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years experience at a Paralegal level in a litigation practice area and will have had exposure to Summation.

Positions like these don’t come up every day; this one is certainly worth exploring!

To apply, please forward your resume to Ruth and quote the job title in the subject line. Please send your resume to jobs@rjohnsoncorp.com.

While we thank everyone who applies for their time and interest we will only be able to respond to short-listed candidates due to the volume of resumes we receive daily.

Thank you for considering R. Johnson in your job search.