When you’re conducting your job search on your own…

Lately I have had to turn away many extremely well-credentialed associate candidates, due to the restraints of this difficult market.  If you find yourself recently laid off and are unable to find a reputable recruiter to assist you in your search- here are some suggestions on how to kickstart your job search on your own.

1. Contact your law school’s career center and ask to speak to a career counselor.  Your counselor can hopefully help you get your resume in good shape and identify job openings.  Furthermore, law schools sometimes have job openings that are “exclusive” to its graduates- so you may be able to gain access to opportunities that the general public cannot access.

2. Network, network, network.  Now is the time to dust off your suit from OCIP and go to as many legal networking functions as possible.  With each person you meet, you are increasing the probability of finding a new position.  If you can, try to arrange informational interviews with the partners you meet at these functions (who work at firms that may be of interest to you).  Many a job hunter has found out useful insider information during these types of informal interviews, and some have even garnered job offers as a result of these types of meetings.

3. Use your online contacts.  In this difficult market, now is not the time to be shy.  Utilize your online contacts (e.g. LinkedIn, alumni groups, bar associations, etc.) to the best of your abilities.  Let people know that you are looking for a job and ask if they can help you.  Personal referrals are a great way to get your foot in the door with a new firm.

4. Contact firms you are interested in (regardless of whether or not they are advertising an opening).  The needs of firms change all the time.  Thus, it is in your best interest to contact as many firms that you could realistically see yourself working with.  The worst that will happen is that you will get a rejection form letter.  The best that could happen is that you could get an interview and an offer, from your efforts.  In this market, it is worth a shot.

5. Stay positive and be consistent.  Attitude goes a long way when you are unemployed.  If you are overcome with feelings of despair or negativity, this will permeate in your job efforts.  Try to stay focused on the good things in your life and realize that this tough time will pass.  Consistently commit yourself to looking for a new job every single day, and treat it as a job unto itself.  With this type of regular effort, you will hopefully be presented with various job opportunities soon.

Keeping it in perspective

I ran into an acquaintance the other day in an elevator.  Now this is a person I don’t know very well, but who I would say “Hi” to, occasionally while passing by.  That day, we chatted about random things like the weather and other “small talk” topics of conversation.  I asked her how her dogs were doing, as I knew she was a dog owner.  She told me that they were doing well and were enjoying their new house.

Now I thought this was a happy move, but I soon learned that it wasn’t.  Within a span of 7 minutes, I had learned that 1) this person had been forced to leave her home and rent a house in a faraway city, 2) this person’s significant other had deserted her, 22 months ago, and 3) that her salary had been reduced by 60%.  I was blown away by the number of unfortunate events that she experienced in such a short span of time.  Before I could empathize with her, she simply stated that she felt lucky despite everything- because she still had a job.

I was really impressed by this person’s strength and positive thinking.  With so many things that had gone wrong in the past year or two, she was still resilient, moving forward, and looking for the silver linings.  I think it is important for all of us to keep things in perspective during this economic recession.  One can easily become consumed with dread and fear by simply reading the news.  In times of crisis, it becomes really important to remember to be grateful for the many things you are blessed with.  Having a positive attitude and focus will help you get through many tough times, whether it be stress from work or even unemployment.  As hard as it is to hear and believe sometimes, every obstacle we face is an opportunity for growth or an improvement in the quality of our lives.  So when life gets rough, try to keep things in perspective and move forward- one step at a time.

Resume Referrals, How to Choose Wisely

With regards to resume referrals, candidates often ask me if it is better to use a recruiter or to ask an acquaintance/friend to pass along their resume to a law firm.  My answer is that, it depends.  Personal referrals can be successful, but candidates should try to verify a few things before handing their resume off to someone.  Here are a few things to consider:

1. Do you feel that your contact will be able to represent your candidacy strongly and zealously?

2. Are you confident that the contact you want to use is respected and has a good reputation at the firm?  In addition, are you sure that your contact is not in danger of being laid off or fired in the immediate future?

3. Are you sure that your contact likes you and in fact wants to work with you in the future, should you receive an offer at the firm?

4. Do you trust that your contact will follow up with the firm and its partners, on your behalf?

5. Does your contact know enough about you and your professionalism to act as an informal reference for you?

If you have answered in the affirmative to the above-mentioned inquiries, it may be a great idea to ask a qualified personal contact to submit your resume to a firm, on your behalf.  If you are unsure about some of the above questions, however, it may be better to utilize a recruiter for your law firm search.  If you a find a diligent and well-connected recruiter, this person will be able to strongly represent and market you to the firm of your choice.  Additionally, you can be confident that you are on the “same team” as your recruiter, as you both of you have the same end-goal in mind.

Thus, if you find yourself choosing between utilizing the services of a recruiter or a casual friend/contact at a firm, think things through and choose wisely!

Some Reminders Regarding References

References are kind of like the frosting on a cupcake.  They are one of the final touches that go into making your job search successful and sweet.  Many people overlook the importance of offering good references to prospective employers.   Here is a short checklist of some reminders regarding professional references in a law firm setting.

1. You generally need 2-3 partner references from your current and/or previous firm(s).  References are generally never attorneys who are more junior than you.

2. Make sure you choose references that really know you and can sing your praises.  Don’t feel shy about confirming with your references whether or not they feel comfortable giving you a positive character and professional reference.

3. Ask your references if they have a preference in how they would like to be contacted by prospective employers.  Since they are doing you a favor, try to be accommodating to their time and busy schedules.

4. If you are currently employed by a firm and are asked to provide references from your current employer- wait until you have signed a written offer letter by your new employer, before asking for references from your current firm.

5. After prospective employers have checked your references, be sure to send a thank you note and a small gift of appreciation to your references.  This is a thoughtful gesture to let your references know that you are grateful for their kind words and time.

The Power of the Handshake

I was recently at a networking event and met someone with a handshake that was memorable- but not in a good way. Upon introducing himself, this person proceeded to crush my hand with a death grip and a brash smile. Immediately, this colored the way I perceived him and my impression of him. My thoughts went to “hmmm… this person seems to be overly aggressive and maybe a bit insecure.”

Now, don’t get me wrong- I am all for a firm handshake that exudes confidence and professionalism. The handshake I encountered however, led me to think that this person was a bit obnoxious and full of himself. After talking with him for a while, I struggled to keep an open mind about this person and his representation of himself. I consider myself to be a pretty non-judgmental person in general, but I must admit that this first impression did stay with me for the rest of the time I was in this person’s presence.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are those folks who have the limp handshake upon meeting someone new. I wince at these types of handshakes as well. When meeting someone new, you want to avoid the feeling that you are shaking hands with a lifeless being. I can’t be alone in this feeling.

Therefore, it is important to remember that eye contact and a firm (yet friendly) handshake can give many positive cues to the person on the opposite side of your handshake. Like most things in life, a good handshake is something that is best executed in the happy medium spectrum of things. An approachable smile and non-clammy hands don’t hurt either.

Interview tip of the day: Leave yourself a little wiggle room.

I once worked with a candidate who received four offers, all from outstanding firms. The one firm where he wanted an offer though, decided to pass. In retrospect, I believe this fifth firm passed on this candidate because during the interview- he volunteered that he was very passionate about corporate finance law and that he wanted to get more exposure to it. Unfortunately, this particular firm did not have a corporate finance practice in the office he was interviewing with. Thus, this mistake likely cost him the potential offer there.

The unfortunate thing about this situation is that this candidate would have been open to doing general corporate work as well. Therefore, unless you are completely set on only doing a particular area of law that is more specialized- keep your options open by being flexible (when asked what practice areas you are interested in). Leaving yourself some wiggle room in this regard will hopefully result in additional employment offers, where you are the one making the final decision regarding your candidacy with a firm.

Listen to your instincts.

When I am preparing a candidate for an interview, I generally always ask them to do something directly after the interview is finished. Immediately after exiting an interview, I ask my candidates to find a quiet place and mentally record how they are feeling at that exact moment. Are they feeling positive, upbeat, or are they feeling anxious and worried?

The first reaction to an interview is generally the most accurate. If you try to figure out how you are feeling directly after you have met with a firm, you probably won’t have enough time to “talk yourself” into liking the firm or justifying different negative aspects of the firm that are usually deal breakers for you.

I always like to speak to candidates directly after an interview so I can gauge their energy and tone. If they are feeling energized and optimistic, it usually means this firm will be a great fit for them. If a candidate sounds anxious or unsure however, it is normally because that particular firm will ultimately not be the best fit for them.

Thus, a little tip for assessing whether or not you really like a firm is to speak to someone you trust, directly after an interview. Ask them to give you an assessment of how you sound and write down your immediate reactions to the firm. Hopefully being in tune with your gut reaction will help you make a sound decision. In this market, it can be tempting to take any offer that comes your way. Try not to accept a job offer from a place of panic or dread, instead try to analyze your true feelings about a firm and let your instincts lead you down the right path.

The Power of Writing Down Your Goals

Michael Phelps has done it. He holds the illustrious title of being the only person ever to win 8 gold medals in one Olympic Games competition. See this article from Time magazine for further details on Phelps: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1833462,00.html?imw=Y.

Through his talent, hard-work, and determination, Michael has fulfilled his Olympic destiny. Another thing that very likely contributed to Michael’s historic Olympic triumph, is that he visualized his success by writing down his Olympic goals. This is something that all of us can do to help us focus in on what is really important to us, career-wise or in our personal lives. There is something powerful about writing down your goals and desires, and keeping evidence of them. Seeing your goals on paper takes them from the “dream” stage to an undeniable reality that is clear for anyone to see.

Thus, regardless of if your long-term goals are to make partner, start your own firm, go into public interest law, or any other career-related achievement- try taking the time to write down your goals and the steps you need to achieve them. Getting focused and honest about your goals is the first step to success and hopefully you will be on your way to something great.

Put down that PDA!

For those of you addicted to checking emails on your phones or PDAs, this post is for you. When going to an interview, avoid temptation and leave your PDA in the car. During an interview, your attention should be 100% on the person or persons in front of you, whether they be partners, associates, or firm administrators. Incessantly checking your PDA while speaking to someone is not only rude, but comes off as extremely arrogant and unprofessional. You are basically telling the person on the other end of the conversation, that they are only worth a small portion of your attention.

While speaking with a recruiting coordinator of one of our Southern California firm clients, I received some interesting anecdotes regarding this subject. She related two stories regarding improper PDA usage that really boiled her blood. The first involved an interviewer who while riding in an elevator with her, did not take his eyes off of his PDA. This lack of eye contact and respect, left a horrible impression on her- which definitely factored into his interview feedback. She also recounted a story of two summer associates who constantly texted each other during an event dinner, where the firm had purchased a table. This type of immature behavior enraged the other present members of the firm, as they were extremely embarrassed by the behavior of these two summer interns.

Thus, whether you are a seasoned lateral attorney meeting with a firm for a first round interview or are a summer associate trying to get his/her first real job offer- don’t blow it by using bad manners. In short, put down that PDA and start engaging people the old fashioned way- by using eye contact and your excellent communication skills. This will work wonders for you and your poor carpal tunnel suffering wrist.

Wooing Your Prospective Firm

Me: Unfortunately the firm decided to pass on you today.

Candidate: Why? I thought the interview went well.

Me: They said you showed a lack of interest in the firm and that you didn’t seem excited to be there.

Candidate: What?? That’s crazy, I was totally excited about the firm. It was my first choice…
—-

I’ve always said that interviewing is a lot like dating. You need to show enough interest so that the other party is receptive to you, but you also don’t want to come off as desperate. Some of my candidates have encountered difficulty in displaying enough interest in a firm during an interview. On a couple of occasions, I’ve had firms say to me that they passed on someone specifically because the candidate appeared indifferent to the firm.

Interviews are not the time to play hard to get. Now I am not suggesting that candidates change their personality or feel pressured to act like someone they are not. Rather, I think it is important for attorneys to be direct about their interest in a firm. In your mind, you may feel that you are extremely interested in a firm and excited to be there. If these feelings are not communicated clearly to the firm, they will have no way of knowing how you really feel. Understanding doesn’t occur just because you say something, it evolves from communication that makes an impact on the other party.

Thus, for those of you who are a bit more reserved, make it a point to directly tell your interviewers that you are excited about this potential professional opportunity and why you like their firm. Even the most jaded of interviewers enjoy meeting with positive people who are enthusiastic about the prospect of joining their firm. Being too shy or reticent can easily be mistaken for being snobby or uninterested. Showing genuine interest in a friendly and confident manner, will take you far in an interview. Good luck out there!