3 Steps for the Job of Your Dreams (& 3 Things You Can Skip)

I read a lot of career articles so you don’t have to. Here’s a great thread on how to land your dream job by Sahil Bloom, an Altamont Capital advisor.

I agree with his top 3 points:

1. Get your foot in the door. To do that, get a warm intro and reference, the “holy grail of a competitive hiring process.” And even better if it comes from an existing employee. Also reach out to people in similar roles to get the scoop. Tailor your resume and pitch to the company and job.
2. Nail the interview. Start by researching the company. Spend a few hours so you know the company’s mission, current news, and the background of key leaders and your interviewer. During the interview, be yourself, but your best self – a kind, genuine team player, someone the interviewer can imagine sitting next to on a plane or working alongside late. Connect with your interviewer – that’s your job, so you should prep by going through their background looking for common ground ahead of time. Do these interview basics: sit up straight, make eye contact/smile, show passion/energy, and have good lighting in a video call. Prep for tricky questions, e.g., what are your weaknesses, why you want to leave your job, and why you are interested in this job. Think about what sets you apart, and give good examples of what makes you unique/gives you a competitive advantage.
3. Close the deal. Ask them questions to ensure a good fit! Ask yourself if you will be growing and if the job is in the area you want and are good at.

And here are 3 things I wouldn’t do:

1. Bloom suggests creating a mockup, surveying customers, or writing a memo to show your value. For lawyers I wouldn’t show value through a mockup etc., but instead through effectively communicating a comprehensive framework to address their legal issues. Explain your experience dealing with relevant matters in the interview, not in writing.
2. Bloom says it’s ok to say “I don’t know.” I agree with that, but in a legal interview, you must follow up with laying out the key issues/factors and how you would get to the answer. Lots of things in law are not black and white. Your job is to understand the issue and guide the client to the best solution.
3. Bloom says to send a thank you note after the interview, but I would say the vast majority of legal interviewers do not expect one. If you want to go the extra mile, go for it. In that case, make clear why you’re a good fit and make sure you include an interesting detail from the interview so it doesn’t look like you are writing the same thing to everyone.