Career Management

Tips from a Judge Apply Beyond the Courtroom

  • On September 5, 2016
Although interviewing isn’t the same as appearing before the court, I see many parallels. You have to present a story with themes, highlight strengths of your case, and minimize weaknesses. Judge Angela Bradstreet in a recent interview with The Recorder gives a host of good tips for attorneys appearing before her that would apply equally to interview situations. These tips seem obvious, […]
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Interview

Top 5 Job Interview Tips (Culled from a Huge List!)

  • On August 28, 2016
Get ready for employers to awake from summer slumber to focus on hiring again! The post 12 Surprising Job Interview Tips breaks down interviewing and includes helpful sample language over what it calls a 12 minute read. I’ll help you busy lawyers by summarizing the 5 best ones below. I’ve skipped the ones that don’t apply to […]
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Interview

What are Interviewers Thinking? A Quick Explanation

  • On August 21, 2016
Interviewers generally ask candidates the same questions. What are they thinking? Here’s the thought process behind these basic questions.  Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Interviewers want to know you will stay awhile. I have seen candidates answer that the role would be a good stepping stone. That would be an answer to stay away […]
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Career Management, Interview, Networking

What Does Senior Management Want?

  • On August 16, 2016
Understanding what senior management wants is key to moving ahead. I like this New York Times interview with Liz Rodbell, the president of a major retailer, because she shares these insights:  Show appreciation. An early leadership lesson she learned was to thank people: “The behavior seems so simple, but it’s the importance of saying ‘thank you,’ and taking the […]
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Networking

5 Painless Ways to Network

  • On August 15, 2016
Networking is no one’s idea of fun, but here are 5 things you can easily do without feeling like a fake: Write an article or post on an interesting development in your area of expertise. It doesn’t have to go into a client alert or formal publication. You can post it on LinkedIn, for example, […]
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Resume

The Easiest Way to Give Your Resume Impact!

  • On August 6, 2016
Your resume is one of the few parts of the job search that’s squarely within your control. It is a representation of yourself, so don’t treat it like a boring record. Add not only metrics, but also strong verbs. As discussed in the insightful post here, action verbs (i) capture the attention of readers, (ii) enable them […]
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Career Management

Can I get a job applying online? (How important is networking really?)

  • On August 1, 2016
Applying online for a job is easy and painless, compared to the time-consuming (and vague) process of networking. However, the New York Times career column The Workologist agrees with my advice of targeting and pursuing specific companies/positions, instead of merely applying online. Some key takeaways:  If you apply online, find someone at the company to get your resume […]
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Inhouse

How to Go In-House without Being In-House Already (the Chicken and Egg Problem

  • On July 25, 2016
When companies want to hire in-house counsel, they usually want attorneys with prior in-house experience. So how do you go in-house without first being in-house? Here are 4 ways. Do a secondment through your firm. Employers presume that by sitting with a client, you have learned how to advise business people effectively. That way when you go in-house, […]
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LinkedIn

Do I Really Need a Picture on My LinkedIn Profile?

  • On July 17, 2016
Yes, you do need to complete your LinkedIn profile with a photo!  Here are 3 compelling reasons why, and only 1 valid excuse not to do it. Your profile is likely making the first impression for you. Prospective clients and employers may have your pitch/resume and, wanting to know more about you, check out your […]
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Job Search

Best Online Resources for Legal Job Search

  • On July 10, 2016
Because summer is slow in the job search cycle, spend the time to research potential employers. Below are some great links to (often free!) information. Job search engines. My top 2 picks are Indeed.com and LinkedIn. If you have time, it’s probably worth checking out GoInHouse and ACC’s career page. Look at GlassDoor for reviews too. Public company research. Look at the company’s quarterly […]
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