7 Circles to Contact in a Job Search

If you are hunting for a job, you may feel like you are in the seventh circle of hell. Reach out to these seven circles of people for help instead:

1. Friends. You must tell your friends, both close and distant, that you are looking. That way, you are on their mind when they see a job that could be right for you.
2. Family. They may not be in law or a sector you think could help, but they can ask around different circles. Loose connections are invaluable in a job search and broaden your network.
3. Alums. They may remember how hard it was for them to break into a space and may want to help others like them.
4. Former colleagues. Reach out to clients you previously helped out of a jam. They may need your services at their current employer, and with a good word from someone internal, you stand out in a pile of applicants.
5. Law firms. To keep a client’s business, partners want to fill openings with counsel they know.
6. VCs have influence on hires at their portfolio companies.
7. Entrepreneurs. The first lawyers at companies are often directly hired by the founders. Network with the startup community and offer up help.