LinkedIn

Social media has its pitfalls, to be sure.  But this article shows why using LinkedIn in your job search might be worthwhile.

Marketing Yourself for a Small Firm Position

This post, written from the perspective of a new lawyer who started his own practice, gives good insight into the different approach one might take when applying to smaller firms.

Legal Trends

One thing to consider when charting the course to your future career is looking at what practice areas are "hot" and making yourself more marketable in those fields.  This article discusses some trends in the legal profession right now.

Thinking Through Interviews

Whether you are seeking your first full-time position, plan to participate in OCI, or just know there will be interviews sometime in your future, this article is a good guide for thinking through the whole interviewing process.

My Former Greek Life

You might feel like the days of enjoying frat parties are long gone as you languish in the library, but don't let those undergrad connections go to waste.  This post discusses leveraging your fraternity or sorority experience in your job search.

The Most Dreaded Interview Question

If your greatest weakness is answering the what-is-your-greatest-weakness question, then this article from Vault will provide some helpful insight.

Attributes to Cultivate

There is more to being a successful attorney than knowing the law.  This article discusses what impresses an employer - even though it will never show up on a transcript.

Hindsight is 20/20

On this blog post from Beyond Hearsay attorneys share what they wish they would have known in law school about building their careers.

Cover Letters

People often find cover letters to be the most intimidating part of the application process.  But with these helpful pointers from PSLawNet, you, too, can write a letter that dazzles!

Crowded Rooms

In my mind this does not fall into the category of "professional behavior" but is just plain ol' good behavior.  Here is what the folks at the Culture and Manners Institute have to say about saving seats:

In the crowded gate area in the airline terminal there are few empty seats. A tiny woman with dark hair places her laptop on one seat with her bag in front of it and leaves an empty seat next to it where she plans to sit. Then she moves to another set of seats and sits and chats with two co-workers. An older man comes along toting his luggage and makes for the empty seat. She stops him and says, “Oh no – that’s mine.” The man pauses and looks at her sitting in the other seat, then shuffles on.

No one should be able to hog three seats in a crowded gate.

In adult life, there is no such thing as “I called it!” There is no such thing as “this seat is saved” when the seating area is filled, when the train or bus is filled, when the theater is filled. If your friend or kin has not arrived, that is not the problem of the person who is there and looking for a place to sit down. Your bag, no matter what kind of day it's had in the underbelly of the airplane or going through security, does not warrant a seat of its own.

Make room for others. Place bags on the floor or on your lap. Give up your own seat for those who are elderly, frail, pregnant, juggling small children or anyone who looks like they could really use it. Rather than say, "Do you want this seat?" say, "Please take this seat."

Salary Negotiation

While you might feel you are willing to take a job at any pay level right now, it is good to go into an interview prepared to 'talk turkey.'  This article gives suggestions about negotiating if given a low offer, and we are happy to provide data to support your negotiation.

Firm Fit

After looking through their websites and print materials, how can you determine if that firm is really a good fit for you?  This article has just the question to ask.

Time to Flee the Big City?

This article discusses the advantages of starting your practice in a rural area.

What Not to Wear

You probably think I am too concerned with this topic, but what you wear in the workplace can impact how you are perceived.  This is what the folks at Culture and Manners Institute have to say:

If you could command a higher salary or get promoted by dressing a certain way, would you do it? When it comes to fashion in the workplace, modest is hottest.

If you show too much skin (or undergarments), others will not see the person inside nor hear your ideas. Ladies, if you want to move up in the management ranks, trade in those low necked cotton t-shirts or skimpy spaghetti strapped tops for a collared blouse. Gentlemen, stop wearing clothes that are too tight to show off the guns and pull up your low-hanging drawers. Everybody, save the flip-flops for the beach.

Never let a poorly chosen outfit speak louder than you. If you want to advance in your career, dress so people respect you, not inspect you.

Tips for Social Networking

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites can be great avenues for making connections - potentially even resulting in a new job.  However, they are only effective if used in a professional manner.  Take a look at these tips from NALP for developing your professional online presence.

10 Deadly Sins

This article offers some good perspective on mistakes to avoid as a new associate.

Where the Jobs Are

This site has charts of federal hiring predictions in a number of fields, including legal.

Message from Equal Justice Works

Please join us for a webinar on August 3, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EDT to learn what goes into a strong Equal Justice Works Fellowship application. The webinar will cover:

 

Who is eligible to apply for an Equal Justice Works Fellowship (Candidate, Project, Host Organization)

• The benefits of a Fellowship and the Host Organization’s responsibilities
• How the application process works
• Tips in creating a successful application that include project description, candidate background, and host organization background.

To register for the webinar please follow this link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/429669497

Potential Funding in Texas for 2011 Equal Justice Works Fellowships

The Equal Justice Works Fellowship Program provides financial and other forms of support to lawyers working on innovative legal projects throughout the U.S. The two-year Fellowship offers salary support (up to $39,000 annually), loan repayment assistance, and a national training and leadership development program.

Equal Justice Works recruits law firms, corporations, bar associations, foundations and individuals to fund most of our Fellowships. We refer to these funding partners as "sponsors."

 

This year, we have sponsor interest in Texas.

 

We strongly encourage any candidates interested in working in Texas for two years beginning next fall to consider submitting an application this fall.

  

More information and the 2011 Equal Justice Works Fellowships application is now available at www.equaljusticeworks.org/programs/fellowships/.

The application deadline is September 15, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
If you have any questions, please email fellowships@equaljusticeworks.org or call 202.466.3686 x202.

 

Don’t Miss our Webinar on August 2, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

To register for the webinar please follow this link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/429669497

Please direct any questions or technical issues about the webinar to:
Robert Andreozzi
Equal Justice Works
intern2@equaljusticeworks.org
(202) 466-3686 ext.103

 

Alternatives with a JD

Getting frustrated with the current legal market?  This article discusses some alternatives to a traditional practice that still put your legal training to use.

What floor?

I get weekly etiquette tips e-mailed to me from the Culture and Manners Institute.  I'm not even sure how I got on their list, but I like reviewing the e-mails for any good nuggets.  This week's tip addresses elevator etiquette:

Elevator rules are simple: business etiquette is gender neutral -- in business, the person closest to the door exits the elevator first. All other times, social etiquette dictates that gentlemen stand aside and let the ladies on and off the elevator first and everyone stands aside for the elderly or those needing extra time. If you are waiting to board the elevator, allow those coming off the elevator to exit first.


Hold the door for people trying to board or disembark; do not hold the door to make plans for the evening with someone outside the elevator, while others are waiting. If you are standing next to the control panel, offer to push someone's button (though not in those words). If you are at the back of the elevator, do not try to reach across everyone to hit the button yourself, ask nicely for someone to select your floor. If you are alone in an elevator with big mirrors and you decide to primp, check your teeth or make other adjustments, please keep in mind that you may be doing so for the entertainment of the building security personnel.