Job Search

Advanced Search Techniques

  • On January 31, 2016
You’ve polished your resume, scoured the web, and applied online or through friends without success. Now what? Here are some advanced search tips: Monitor movement of people in your industry. Scan LinkedIn and legal/business publications for who is moving where. You could network with people you know, spot trends, and get ideas (e.g., of who […]
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Interview, Networking

Key First Impressions

  • On January 24, 2016
People form their first impressions of you in seconds. Professor Amy Cuddy (of the power pose fame) found that the first two traits assessed upon meeting are warmth/trustworthiness and then competence. The order of these traits matters. People must first like you; otherwise they won’t bother to find out how good you are. Remember this when you are interviewing or wooing […]
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Interview

3 Interview Essentials, No Matter the Role or Your Experience

  • On January 17, 2016
All lawyers have the basic skills to interview well. You are used to anticipating questions, assessing risk, and working hard. Now apply them to yourself – these top 3 work for lawyers of any level for any role:  Assess yourself objectively like a case you are working up. There are good facts to emphasize and […]
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Offer

How Much Time Off Can You Ask For Before Starting?

  • On January 10, 2016
Candidates often ask me how much time they can ask to take off before starting a new role. The minimum is 2 weeks since that’s the standard notice period. You can easily ask for 3 weeks without pushing the envelope. If you are asking for 4, it won’t raise eyebrows, though I suggest you give a […]
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Recruiter

How to Optimize Your Chances with a Recruiter

  • On December 27, 2015
Yes, it’s a crowded field. This article summarizes what piques my interest when employers (from unicorn startups to Fortune 500) ask me to find the best lawyer for them: Your LinkedIn profile is updated, has a photo, and summarizes your experience and skills. Your resume is clean, clear, and concise. You come referred by someone I trust. That definitely gets my […]
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Job Search

Why You Should Job Hunt Through the Holidays

  • On December 13, 2015
Yes, recruiting slows to a trickle between Christmas and New Year, but here are 3 reasons to keep at it:  You have time! Lawyers notoriously put down their heads and claim they have no time to think about their career. Well, now is the season to self-assess. See where you are versus where you want to […]
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Interview

​​How to Answer Hypotheticals

  • On December 6, 2015
Now that you what interviewers are evaluating you on when they ask you about hypos (your subject matter expertise, analytical reasoning, and presentation skills), here are 5 ways to excel in answering the hypo:  Lay out your reasoning systematically. Even if your answer doesn’t end up to be absolutely correct (or if there is no clear-cut […]
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Interview

3 Things Interviewers Are Evaluating You On in Hypotheticals

  • On November 29, 2015
Interviewers frequently ask hypotheticals on how you would handle a particular situation. To ace this part of the interview, you need to know where the interviewers are coming from. They are evaluating:  our mastery of the subject matter. Sometimes interviewers ask you to explain something from your current job, for example. In that case, make […]
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Compensation, Recruiter

Take the Call, Even if You’re Happy

  • On November 15, 2015
If you’re happily employed, you’re the ideal candidate (because, really, who wants disgruntled employees trying to leave their current job?). So, you probably get a lot of unsolicited calls about other opportunities in a strong economy.  Here are 3 reasons why you should take that call, even if you are satisfied with where you are: […]
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Change

How to Change Industries or Practice Areas

  • On November 1, 2015
Take advantage of the hot labor market to switch industries or practice areas now! When faced with a shortage, employers are more willing to consider candidates looking to transition, provided their value is clear. Tips on how to pitch a transition:  Get the necessary skills before applying. Volunteer if necessary, and pass any tests (USPTO, CIPP, etc.). Make […]
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