Recruiter

5 Secrets to Working with Recruiters

  • On November 4, 2017
I recently attended a private reception at the NAPABA conference in DC, where GCs and rising stars asked leading recruiters about how we work. Here are 5 takeaways you might not know: We record how you treat us and how you present yourself in a file that lives forever. Clients expressly ask for our written […]
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Networking

Top 4 Things to Do Before a Conference!     

  • On October 30, 2017
If you are bothering to take time to attend a conference or mixer, get the most out of it with these 4 easy tips. (And for those of you attending the NAPABA conference in DC this week, find me on Friday!) Before you attend, research attendees so you come ready to make effortless conversation and […]
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Interview

5-Point Checklist for Interviewers to Assess Candidates

  • On October 15, 2017
Interviewers, here’s a 5-point checklist covering the essentials when interviewing candidates: What relevant experience does the job seeker have? It’s obvious, but make sure you get the breadth and depth of their experience. Find out who they report to, what teams they work with, who their opposing parties are, and how their deals/matters turn out. […]
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Career Tips, Networking, Presentation

Top 5 Bay Area Etiquette Rules for Law/Business

  • On October 8, 2017
The Bay Area legal and business community values brevity, responsiveness, and cooperation. An international diplomat/entrepreneur who now works in Silicon Valley posted a great piece on rules he observed here. Five in particular are worth reviewing: Be on time (and in fact be 3-4 minutes early). If you aren’t on time, you signal disorganization, disrespect, […]
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Career Tips, Presentation

7 Steps to Executive Presence

  • On October 1, 2017
Employers regularly ask me to find them people with executive presence. This trait is essential because senior lawyers need to persuade clients and present to the executive team. I agree with this pre-eminent career coach’s checklist of confident leaders with executive presence, who are “immediately effective, highly regarded, and heeded”. The good news is it’s […]
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Departure

Recognizing Burnout & What To Do if It Hits! Sept. 24, 2017

  • On September 22, 2017
The legal profession is truly one of the most stressful jobs out there. I read this recent New York Times article covering burnout, and out of a long list of common stressors leading to burnout, lawyers are subject to them all (except physical labor): unrealistic deadlines, frequent conflicts/interruptions, unpredictable schedules, added responsibility without extra compensation, […]
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Career Tips, Interview, Process

No Such Thing as “Wasting Someone’s Time”!

  • On September 15, 2017
I work with great employers and contact a lot of candidates about roles. I often get this head-scratching response from them, “I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.” Here are 3 reasons why there is no such thing as wasting anyone’s time in that context: If you have already been identified as someone with the […]
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Recruiter

How to Turn Down a Recruiter

  • On September 9, 2017
I like this recent Business Insider post on how to turn down a recruiter if you are not interested in a job. Respond briefly but gracefully. Let the recruiter know if you are not interested and why, for example timing is not right but to check again in X months, or you’d like a job more […]
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Networking

Painless Networking (Tip: Do a Good Job, and People Will Come to You)

  • On September 3, 2017
People often hate networking because they feel awkward, like they are selling something that’s unwanted. Wharton professor Adam Grant recently wrote how to build a network without being a great networker. Sponsors, mentors, investors, and collaborators will come to you if: You have a track record of success. Some interesting stats: each patent issued by […]
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