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.

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Is Success Addictive?

Are you placing too much emphasis on professional achievement in order to derive your own self esteem. That’s a diagnosis offered in today’s WSJ (subscription req.)

While there is nothing wrong with striving for high levels of achievement (and as any parent knows, achievement is the cornerstone of self esteem), the problem arises when professional achievement becomes your principal source of self esteem. In the current economic climate, it is NOT easy to achieve professional success in the short run.  You are therefore not being fair to yourself if your self worth is being measured by the money you have in the bank right now.

If you haven’t been laid off, your workload may be slow. If you are responsible for generating work at your firm, you are probably finding it harder to generate billings (unless you happen to be involved in providing legal services that relate in some way to advising distressed companies or individuals).

In the long run, I think the current economic crisis will force more lawyers to reevaluate their priorities (e.g. why did I go to law school? what do I really want to do with my life? how can I use the added free time to improve my relationships with my friends, children, spouse and family?)

Personally, I’ve rediscovered cooking and my wife and I are eating better. I spend more time with our children, our dog gets more exercise, I’m following up with old friends more frequently and I’m taking care of little annoying car and house related projects that have been on the back burner for a long time.

It’s not that I’m not working hard (in many ways, I’m focusing more energy than ever on identifying business opportunities). But I’m trying to focus more on other parts of my life to derive self esteem.

So what are you doing to build self esteem during these challenging times? Hint: focus on areas of your life where you have more control! If you do focus on the professional, reward yourself for being successful at networking and don’t be too hard on yourself when clients are not ready to spend their legal dollars.

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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.

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Tips for Holiday Networking

There are many networking opportunities during the holiday season! You need to take advantage of these opportunities.

Laura Hill, founder of Careers in Motion and career coach extraordinaire, has put together a quick list of tips for holiday networking:

‘Tis the season to be merry, and even though we may not be feeling as cheerful as usual, it’s still the best time of year to build your professional network. If you’re in a job search, take advantage of this time to build momentum going into the New Year. If you’re not conducting a job search, this is the perfect time to further existing connections and make new ones before you need them.

Here are a few tips for holiday networking which I hope you will find useful.

1. Have your answer to “What do you do?” ready at all times - this is your elevator pitch. Provide your function (human resources, chemical engineering), context (your company name, industry or sub-specialty) and something unique or memorable about what you do. Modify your pitch for the situation and practice it out loud beforehand.
2. If you’re in a job search, tell everyone - and I mean everyone - your dentist, hairstylist, accountant, relatives, and neighbors. Give them your elevator pitch and include “I’m interested in companies such as ABC, XYZ, and DEF.” They may have another client who works at one of your targets!
3. Contact former colleagues and old friends: “How’s your schedule for catching a drink to toast the holidays?” or “With things a little slower due to the holidays, I thought this might be a good time to catch up over lunch.”
4. A holiday greeting card or e-mail letter is a great way to keep your name top-of-mind with your networking contacts. Include recruiters you know who work in your field and your professional network.
5. Arrive on time and stay late at a function to allow ample time to meet as many people as possible. Briefly greet and make plans to follow up with people you already know so you can focus on meeting new people.
6. Volunteer: not-for-profit organizations need more helping hands during the holidays. It’s a great way to meet people outside your usual network and it will lift your spirits.

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