From What Company Do Startups and Bay Area Companies Most Value Experience?

On November 24, 2019
In Career Management

I work with leading companies, from startups to international companies, all looking for top lawyers. Where is the #1 place they like to see experience from? It’s Amazon. Lawyers from this company are likely to have grown a new business from scratch; so, they can navigate the regulatory and competitive landscape for their products. They […]

On October 20, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, Timing

The hot job market and the increasing societal acceptance of sabbaticals make gaps between legal jobs not as big a deal as in the past. The WSJ recently reported that nowadays you can step out of the workforce for up to two years, whereas ten years ago a gap of six months could be “deadly.” […]

On October 13, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, Mentors

Careers take long and winding roads. To figure out what to do and how to improve yourself means getting the input of others. How do you best do that? This Harvard Business Review article says to use the word “advice” rather than “feedback” when you ask for help! Multiple studies have found asking for “feedback” […]

On August 23, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, Interview

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 […]

On June 23, 2019
In Career Management

I recently attended a fantastic talk sponsored by APABA-SV featuring Linda Lee, Manager of Career Development at Wilson Sonsini. A Stanford Law grad and former WSGR associate herself, she has coached over 200 associates at the firm. She explained what coaches do: coaches help clients set and achieve professional goals after understanding their values, strengths, […]

On May 27, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, Inhouse

Companies all are looking to hire lawyers who can immediately add value. Employers want someone who understands the industry, has done the job, and can manage the clients. That’s why they prefer in-house lawyers doing that exact job now. But what should you do if you aren’t already in-house? Here are five ways to pitch […]

On May 3, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips

Hundreds of successful lawyers have told me that their careers zigzagged and that there is no straight line to the top. How you deal with inevitable rejection can set you apart. Do you get beaten down, or do you figure out what you do best and who has a need for that? Wharton professor Adam […]

On April 21, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, GC, Inhouse

The Recorder sat down with top Bay Area GCs to find out how they landed that #1 job. A distillation below: Impress your clients. Airbus Silicon Valley Robert Keele got the job after serving as outside counsel. (In my opinion, joining a client is the easiest way to go in-house. You know the company, and […]

On March 1, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, Mentors

Whenever I meet a lawyer, I hear how they got to where they are. Superstars? They always have a great backer (sponsor), who advised them, championed for them, and smoothed the way. How do you get sponsors? I like this article from Fast Company. The main points: Identify who could be your sponsor. Carla Harris […]

On January 3, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, Compensation, Presentation

Happy new year! It’s time to take stock of your career. At a minimum, these five essential items should be in your toolbox (as set forth in this recent Forbes article): Strong base resume. The article notes it’s hard to build an effective resume at a moment’s notice. All lawyers should have a base resume […]

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From What Company Do Startups and Bay Area Companies Most Value Experience?

Are Gaps Between Jobs a Big Deal?

Ask for Advice, Not Feedback, to Get Ahead

Interviewing When Overqualified

Executive Coaching for Lawyers: 5 Take-Aways

How to Pitch Yourself for In-House Jobs When You’ve Never Held One

How to Handle Rejection

5 Ways to Get that Top GC Job!

Getting Sponsors (Who Will Change Your Career)

5 Things You Should Have Ready in Your Career Toolkit at All Times!