How can I gain experience to be a paralegal?

How am I suppose to gain experience for a job when i can't get a job since I have no experience?

• I'm 17 years old and I'm currently looking for a job (preferably in retail) however, since I have no previous experience, my applications keep getting declined. I'm not sure whether my age is an issue either. I've applied for all the local jobs which have been advertised and I have also been handing out my CV in local stores but I still haven't had any luck. Basically I'm wondering how I'm supposed to gain experience in order to get a job when all the jobs advertised require experience.

• Answer:

  Use your imagination. You are running a business (There are people running businesses at less than your age). What would you be looking for in return for the salary you would pay them? Think about this seriously.How would you decide which people to meet for interview? Would you look for experience, skills, knowledge, personality strengths, motivation., self awareness- someone you can imagine working with , that would give their all to making your business successful? Are you bothered about their age, as long as they can make a strong contribution to what you have in mind for your business? You are at a disadvantage if you've reached the age of 17 and have not yet worked, but I am wondering if you are making the most of the experience you have had so far, in terms of how you can prove your team work, communication, problem-solving and planning/organisational skills. Perhaps your CV is not demonstrating these attractive skills? And don't forget that if you are lacking in work experience and employee references, volunteering is a great way to make your offer more competitive- especially when tackling the Catch 22 experience issue.Your competitors are doing this..