Tag Archives: legal career

Interview tips for lawyers — part 2

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For our second installment, we give you all a few more tips about how to interview like a pro.  Of course, you’ve probably got some tips, as well.  Please share!  We’re looking forward to hearing how you landed your dream job thanks to a great interview.

5)  Discuss your long term goals. Make it clear that you LIKE what you do and that you are looking for a firm to commit to for the long haul where you can continue to develop your own book of business.  Firms are skittish about associates jumping ship; assuage these fears even though the question will not be asked directly.

6)  When it’s your turn to ask questions, pursue one line of questioning in particular: work distribution. How is the work distributed; how are associates matched up with partners; how much work is generated in that particular office and how much of it comes from sister offices? By asking these questions, you will get an idea if this firm can give you what you want, and, they will get a glimmer what it would be like to have you as someone they can assign work to.

If you are speaking with an associate, ask them what they like best about the firm.  Ask them how long they have been with this firm and if they enjoy their position.  Keep it positive.

Be prepared for different types of interviewers.  Some attorneys you will meet with will be prepared for you and will be great at interviewing.  Let them lead the way.

Others will have glanced at your resume 2 minutes before the receptionist leads you to their door and they will be slightly panicked at the thought of spending the next 30 minutes with a stranger. Make it easy on them.  Lead the interview by addressing  1 – 6, above, and allow them to interrupt if something you have said intrigues them.

7)  Have fun! So much of interviews are about chemistry.  Clearly, you have the right credentials and they are very serious about you or else they would not have invited you in for an interview.  Now they want to see if you are someone that they would want to work with on a daily basis and get to know better.  Are you a good face for their firm?  Are you trustworthy?  Would clients like you?  Be professional but also don’t hesitate to laugh and engage.

8)  A few “don’ts”. Don’t ask about salary, billable hours, or flex-time options at your first interview.  Don’t criticize your current firm, current boss, colleagues, etc.  Don’t check your blackberry or cell before or during (this HAS happened) your interview.  Don’t exaggerate your expertise and/or experience.  Stick to your resume and cover letter.

9)  A few “do’s”. Do dress professionally – this means a dark suit and slacks or skirt for the ladies.  Do have your business card.  Do be warm and friendly with the receptionist and HR coordinator.  Do come prepared:  research recent press about the firm; know their biggest deals/ wins; know what practice groups they have and what cities they have offices in; demonstrate an understanding of their clientele.  The more prepared you are, the more relaxed you will be and the more confident you will appear!

If you have more tips or more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We’re attorneys, too; and we’ve all been through the interview process.  It can be stressful, or it can be the beginning to a wonderful career!

What am I going to do with a box of 1,000 business cards?

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The question we’ve all asked at one point in time.  You know the drill.  You get a new job, a new office and desk and begin working with a new secretary.  About two weeks into the routine, a large rectangle ends up on your desk with a business card taped to the top.  Another 1,000 business cards just for you.  When you left your last job, you had approximately 900 of the cards remaining in the rectangle box and now you’re starting all over.

As impossible as it seems, those 1,000 business cards should be gone in about 6-9 months!  It’s a crazy notion, but it works.  Business cards are actually the cheapest way to generate revenue for the firm.  The only catch is that you have to give them to people.

As attorneys, building a book of business isn’t typically one of our core strengths.  No one wants to market themselves for fear that they will look like a used car salesman.  I’ve heard the complaints a million times.  However, I’m here to tell you that no one views a business card as a form of sales.  Most people simply view the card as a way to contact you should they ever need your services.  This is exactly what you want them to do!

So, don’t be afraid to hand out business cards.  You should have at least five cards in your purse or wallet at all times.  Hand them out generously.  They cost somewhere in the ballpark of $.02 each, so go crazy!  Leave one on your table at a restaurant.  Give one to your brother-in-law at the family holiday party.  Give one to every attorney you meet.  Chances are they he or she will come across a case in your practice area at some point, and now the attorney can contact you to handle the matter.  (Referral business is the best!)

Business cards are really an old-fashioned piece of marketing that works.  So, don’t let them linger in your bottom drawer – get them out into the world and see what happens.  My guess is that within a few months of passing out the cards, you’ll start receiving more phone calls and emails about potential cases.  In addition, you’ll be building awareness about your practice area and your firm.  All this for just $.02!

Need more advice about how to jump start your legal career?  Contact us!  We’re attorneys helping attorneys, and we’re ready to help you.

Where are you going?

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Where are you headed in your career?  What are the things you want to achieve?  What does “success” mean to you?   These are the things you should know without even thinking.  Unfortunately, many attorneys get so caught up in the day-to-day stresses of our jobs that we don’t think about our careers.  The good news?  It’s not too late to really plan where you want to go in the next year, the next five years and beyond.

The first step in figuring out where you want to go is to sit down and think.  Pick a quiet time and a quiet place in your house.  (Don’t do this at work – you know it isn’t quiet there.)  Spend an hour writing down your goals.  Make a list of all of the things that are important to you.  What do you need to be fulfilled in your career?  What type of lifestyle do you want?  Do you want to maintain the lifestyle you have or do you want to step it up?  What does “success” mean for you?

Once you have a list – leave it for at least 48 hours.  Come back to the list and review it.  Does your list surprise you?  Did you write things that you didn’t realize you wanted?  This is very typical!  Now, think about your current career with each of the items you listed.  How many of the items on your list will be achieved in your current position?  If you’re looking at a list that will never happen in your current career, it’s time to start thinking about a move.  If most of the things on your list can (and will) be achieved, you’re in the right place.  Congratulations!

If you are one of the many who may not be at the position of your dreams, it’s time to start thinking about what will help you meet your goals.  Do you need to work fewer hours or bring more business to the firm?  Maybe you need to move to a partner position or go to a work-from-home arrangement.  Maybe you need to switch firms or switch practice areas.  Don’t take anything off the table.  Explore your options!  You are not stuck.  You have the power to make changes in your career.

Choosing your career (instead of having your career choose you) is within your power and is easier than you think.  Just completing this exercise is a step in the right direction!  Need more help?  Contact us.  We’re attorneys helping attorneys, and we’d be happy to answer any questions you have.

Marketing yourself, generating revenue and increasing your value wrap-up

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You’ve worked hard for weeks on generating revenue for the firm.   It’s certainly difficult balancing your regular work and bringing business, but you’ve managed to find the balance.  If you can keep up this work in the future, you will see all of your hard work pay off.  You now have all of the tools you need to continue on your journey. You’ve learned how to network and how often to network.  Most importantly, you’ve learned that everything you need to be successful at bringing business can be done in an hour (or so) a day.  This week, we recap everything that you need to do to generate revenue.  All you need to do is to continue networking!

Make face time. It’s so important to get out among the people.  Do whatever you can to meet people each and every week.  If you have a family or a long commute, maybe you’ll want to go to breakfast or lunch meetings.  Find a charity group or a practice area, or a local bar group or anything else that interests you.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be related to the legal field, it just has to be an event where you can talk and meet others.

Social media is your friend. When it comes to quick networking, social media is the best!  You never have to leave your desk, and you can communicate with other people quickly and easily.  Make sure that you check in with your social media accounts as often as possible to update your status and comment on the status of others.  Remember, social media only works with two-way communication.  You can’t simply state what you’re doing and not comment on others’ progress or answer questions they may have.  “Introduce” yourself to people on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook and start communicating!

You can be a blogger, too! Even though it may be something you never thought possible, you can be a blogger.  Blogging is nothing more than providing information through a modified website.  Create a blog about your practice area.  Answer questions that people ask every day.  (If one person asks, there are at least 10 others with the same question.)  Build yourself up to be the expert within your legal space.  People will continue to come back to you with questions, and with time, you may earn their business.

Business cards mean business. Even though you may not think that the guy in the elevator or the person behind you in line at the coffee shop need your business card, give it to them anyway.  I’ve met many attorneys who get business this way.  It’s simple, it doesn’t take any time out of your day and it works!  Be sure to give them your “elevator pitch” as well.  They should know what you do and how they may be able to use your services.  Be sure that you listen to what they do, as well.  You may need their services someday!

Follow up with everyone. Any time you meet someone or get a business card, an email, or a question on LinkedIn you should follow up with the person via email or with a phone call.  You should also make sure that the person and their contact information is in your online address book.  You never know when this information may come in handy.  The more people you know and know you, the more chances your services will be needed.

Persistence is key. Even if you haven’t generated revenue yet (which will be most of you), don’t give up!  Sometimes it takes awhile to bring business, particularly when you’re new to the game.  However, don’t worry about the time.  Your efforts will pay off eventually.  Stick with the tips we’ve given, and eventually you will be viewed as one of the most valuable attorneys at the firm!

Now you’re ready!  You have all the tools you need.  If you have any questions, or if you need some inspiration along your path to generating revenue, be sure to contact us.  We’ve all been there, and we know this can be a difficult journey.   Whatever you do, keep going.  Good luck!

More partner and associate opportunities from Swan Legal Search!

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It’s that time again.  We’ve got some new legal opportunities for partners and associates throughout California.  If you’re a lawyer looking for the perfect career move, we encourage you to check back regularly.  We’ll be updating the new partner and associate opportunities frequently.  Don’t see something that works for you?  There are plenty more opportunities coming through our office every week.  Please contact us and let us know about your dream position. We’d love to help!

This week’s featured partner opportunity is located in Los Angeles.  The international firm is looking for someone with a substantial book of business in intellectual property.  Like what you see?  Read more about this position on our website.  Contact us for even more information.

Looking for an associate position?  Our featured legal career opportunity for associates is in the Bay Area.  The law firm is looking for an associate with experience in construction law.  See our site for more information on this position.  Could this be your dream position?

Good luck in your search.  Let us know how we can be of more assistance in your hunt for the perfect legal opportunity.