Interview

First Round Interviews Are Usually Phone Screens (not In-Person)

  • On September 28, 2019
I agree with this recent Forbes post that first round interviews are now phone calls, either with the hiring manager or with HR, instead of an in-person. Employers prefer phone interviews because they can fit candidates into their schedules and cull them faster. The hard part for candidates is showing enthusiasm over the phone and gauging […]
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Interview, Uncategorized

What Behavioral Questions Do Top Companies Ask?

  • On September 15, 2019
I like this recent Inc. article listing common behavioral questions asked by top companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Dropbox. I recommend reviewing the questions and my guidelines below on how to respond so you can comprehensively prepare for any interview, even if it’s not with one of these companies because smaller companies often follow […]
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Reference

Is it a Red Flag that an Interviewer Back-Channeled Me?

  • On September 6, 2019
I enjoyed this Inc. Q&A column about an interviewer back-channeling an interviewee. The question was whether a prospective employer’s contacting someone not offered as a reference is a common practice or a red flag. The answer according to the columnist is it’s common practice. I agree; I see it all the time. Inc. explained “off-list […]
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Career Tips, Move

5 Questions if You Should Quit Your Job

  • On September 2, 2019
Before any recession hits, make sure you like your job so you are not stuck with it in the long run! I like this recent Inc. article, which provides a five question checklist on whether to stay or go: Are you often filled with dread? If you are consistently having bad days versus one-offs, then […]
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Career Management, Career Tips, Interview

Interviewing When Overqualified

  • On August 23, 2019
I recently posted on ageism.  A related phenomenon is when employers reject applicants for being “overqualified.” Studies show, when presented with two good candidates, managers often prefer the one with less experience. The Wall Street Journal explains why. Hiring managers assume the candidate with the more impressive resume won’t be as committed to the company, stay […]
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Uncategorized

ABA Releases Data on Lawyers (Spoiler: Silicon Valley Lawyers Paid #1 in Nation)

  • On August 18, 2019
The American Bar Association just released its 2019 profile of the legal profession. Some interesting stats: Compensation. The average national salary for lawyers is $144,230. The highest average for a region belongs to San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, the heart of Silicon Valley, at $207,950. The second highest metro region is San Francisco/Oakland at $183,070. Southern California […]
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Interview, Presentation

5 Ways to Combat Ageism in an Interview!

  • On August 10, 2019
Most companies want to hire attorneys in the five to ten year range because that’s the most common entry level position. But what to do if you are beyond that range and encounter ageism? I like this recent Harvard Business Review article on how to respond to this bias in an interview. My top takeaways: […]
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Career Tips

Market is Hot Now, But How to Tell When It Will Turn!

  • On August 2, 2019
The job market is red hot now (especially for lawyers), but economists are keeping an eye out for the next recession (what goes up must come down!). It will be obvious for lawyers when the legal downturn will be — lawyers are laid off after business people. The lag is due to our being a […]
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Cover Letter

Take Advantage of Summer & Get Your Cover Letter in Order!

  • On July 27, 2019
Summer is the perfect time to think about where you want to work and what you have to offer. Once you have that down, get in order your LinkedIn page and your resume. Next you should create your basic cover letter. Crafting one is easy since you have already thought through what skills you offer to […]
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