Self-Promote at Least a Little

On February 9, 2014

Rule #3: Self-promote … at least a little. Self-promotion, horrible as it may sound, is a necessary skill. If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around, did it make a sound? Similarly, if you did something great, but no one knows, does it count? Some things to think about: One way to […]

Presentation

How to Take Compliments

On February 2, 2014

Rule #2 on how to present yourself professionally: Take compliments well! Part of showing confidence is to understand your value, so learn to accept well-wishes and admiration with grace. Do not disagree with the compliment giver. Now is not the time to undermine yourself (not that there ever is a good time!). Show gratitude for the […]

Interview, Presentation

How to Present Yourself Professionally.

On January 26, 2014

Rule #1: Don’t over-apologize! Successful lawyers inspire confidence and carry themselves with assurance at all times. If you don’t seem to value yourself, why should anyone else? An interesting piece in the New York Times by an Asian American woman professional who learned to suppress her apology reflex: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/19/jobs/how-to-suppress-the-apology-reflex.html.

Career Management, New Job

How to Hit the Ground Running with Your New Job

On January 19, 2014

Congrats! You got a new job. Now what? When leaving your current employer, do not burn bridges. The legal and business community is very small. Now is not the time to vent, but to leave gracefully with all connections intact. Before you start your job, meet with friends (and friends of friends) at the new […]

Career Management, Job Search, New Job

Time to Get a New Job! What to Do Starting Now

On January 12, 2014

Act on your New Year’s resolution to get a new job: Assess your skills and target your new employer. Set aside one hour per week (such a low bar!) to research target companies and see who you know there to facilitate introductions. Get your pitch ready! Show your expertise, e.g., by writing articles or leading […]

Career Management, Move

Presenting a Compelling Career Arc Even with Multiple Moves

On January 2, 2014

Your career arc needs to be clean and compelling, but what if you made some moves? Some ways to make the narrative clear in your resume: If your firm merged, list only the current (and usually better known) name under the employer/work experience section, and simply add “(f/k/a [old firm])” next to it. If you […]

Career Management, Job Search, Resume

What to do if you don’t have the perfect resume?

On December 8, 2013

Some ways to show you can do the job even if you don’t have the ideal resume (addressed in my Dec. 1 blog): It’s always helpful to show academic excellence, e.g., you graduated in the top of your class/with honors, you were the top-ranked student for a particular class, or you served on law review (not […]

Career Management, Inhouse, Move

Who is most likely going to get an in-house job in the Bay Area?

On December 1, 2013

The odds of going in-house increase with the number of items a candidate can check off: Excellent law school. Grads from the leading schools are at the top of the heap, especially when combined with #2 (training at an AmLaw firm). Top law firm. If you didn’t go to the best law school, employers may […]

Interview

5 Things Your Interviewer Is Evaluating You On

On November 23, 2013

Do you have the right skills to do the job? Read the job description for the requisite skills. Learn everything you can about the interviewer, and consider what he/she cares about. Then tailor and practice your pitch, which should include the top 3 things you have identified to get across. Do you show passion for […]

Career Management, Move

If I leave the Bay Area, will I be able to get a job back here?

On November 14, 2013

It’s not impossible, but let’s consider the factors: Preference of employers. Bay Area employers always prefer local candidates. They don’t want to move you if they can find someone here already with the same skills, which is often the case. Even if you are willing to move yourself, employers don’t want to deal with the […]

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