Hunting for Attention: a guide to networking

In today’s workforce, it’s increasingly more difficult for new and more inexperienced attorneys to find employment. Especially if either of the following are true:

1. It’s the middle of the coronavirus; or
2. You decided to move away from the area where you attended law school. 

Trust me, I get it. Spoiler Alert: I did exactly that AND it was really, really hard. 

Two days after graduating law school, I packed-up and moved some 2700 miles away from home, the law school that I attended and all of my connections. I arrived in Philadelphia with a suitcase, laptop, determination and absolutely no way to pay for anything. #jobless.

Now, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared half to death. I had no job, no interviews lined up, and a very small network on this side of the country. I had been applying to jobs, but could hardly get a call back, let alone an interview. I wanted to panic. Until one day it dawned on me – networking. I had just spent the last three years networking my ass off. Sure, 98 percent of it pertained to the pacific NorthWest, but I had cast a few lines out this direction, and I just needed one to bite. 

For all of this to make sense, we need to take it back to my first year of law school where I was told grades were everything and that protecting my GPA., was of the utmost importance. I even heard, “If you’re not in the top ⅓ you might as well drop out.”

Yeah, that last one kind of hurt — because Spoiler alert No. 2, I certainly was not in the top ⅓. 

I busted my ass for months. Barely slept, gained weight, ate shit pizza and then first-semester grades posted.

I. Wanted. To. Cry. 

I was in the top ½, but not the top ⅓. I was middle of the pack and it was heartbreaking.

Cue words of wisdom from Mom:

“You’re middle of the pack in a group of people who have never been average at anything. You’re still there. Find a way to make it work.”

She was right. 

Once I accepted the fact that I wouldn’t be getting an offer from a big firm based on my grades – I turned to the next best option: my Grade A f*cking personality. Kidding! Kidding!

But in all honesty, I had to pivot. I knew I couldn’t rely solely on my GPA, so I networked. Everywhere, with everyone, all the time. It was uncomfortable (at first) and it was exhausting – But, it was one of the smartest and most beneficial things I have ever done. Networking not only got me into some pretty cool dinner parties and happy hour events, but it also got me my first job. 

Below are the key takeaways from what I learned about networking.

Move it or lose it, Sister. 

You can’t network with someone from the couch – well, I suppose you can, but if your house guests are anything like mine (two little fur terrorists) I’m seriously concerned about your prospects at this juncture. As obnoxious as it is, you have to get out there and meet other attorneys face-to-face.  Trust me, it gets easier with practice! Besides, I’ve yet to attend a lawyer function that didn’t have a bar. If it takes a glass of wine to calm the nerves, then have one.

Just be careful to not get carried away. You want to be remembered by your name, not “that kid who threw-up the shrimp cocktail.” 

Get creative.

The coronavirus has us all stuck at home, but that is no excuse to skimp on networking. Many organizations are hosting virtual networking events that range from happy hour quizzo, to virtual fitness classes. These are great opportunities to meet people especially if you are a little more introverted.

Members only, Ma’am.

Join the local bar associations, but be strategic! Start with the bar association located within the county or township that you live or practice within – for example, Philadelphia County (Philadelphia Bar Association). As a new lawyer, you should* qualify for a reduced membership fee. Then join the sections that you practice or are interested in. Once you become a member of a specialized section (family law, criminal law etc.,) you will receive invites to happy hour events, committee meetings, and fundraisers, all of which are hosted or attended by attorneys who practice the area of law that you want to practice in. 

Genius, am I right?

Zip it, chatty Cathy.

Sure, it’s polite (and necessary) to engage in some small talk, but remember: no-one cares about the weather when sizing you up for a potential job. Instead of endless small talk, ask questions about their practice, like where they file the majority of their cases, or how they balance work and home life. Questions that are relevant and practical show that you are interested in their practice area, and that you are thinking ahead about how a job with them, could fit into your life.

Get that cardstock.

Don’t walk away without a business card. You just put in all that effort, so don’t throw it all away by forgetting to get a card. If neither of you have a card to swap, suggest connecting on LinkedIn.  This is a trick that I use to help me remember names. I can remember a face from 3 years ago, but I am terrible with names. Having a linkedIn connection solves a lot of these problems because it’s basically a resume with a photo at your fingertips.

Send a follow-up – but don’t be creepy (you know, like the dude who calls three times as soon as you leave the bar. Don’t be that guy).

This is a no-brainer. At this point, you’ve mingled your way into a business card, made the initial connection, NOW FOLLOW-UP. The follow-up is essential to establishing a lasting connection. It’s a good reminder to the person you just met and it allows for the opportunity to set up a coffee meeting without seeming desperate or out of the blue. The follow-up can occur in a variety of ways. It can come in the form of an email, a phone call or even a handwritten note — but don’t be too hasty. Wait until the next day and then send a follow-up. I happen to be a big fan of the handwritten note (blame it on the roots), but I will opt for an email if the attorney is closer to my age.

Follow-up again.

You don’t become best friends by meeting up for coffee one time. It takes time, patience and persistence. After the initial coffee-date, wait a few weeks or so and reach out again. Re-establishing the connection is key. Face the facts, you are not the only person who passed the bar exam and is looking for a job – and it’s easy to get lost in a sea of applications, resumes and business cards. Re-establishing the connection is essential to being remembered. Make your name stick, and you never know when you will come up in conversation (generally, that’s good!)

With confidence, (almost) anything is possible.

This should have been at the top of the list (purely for logical reasons – like selecting something to wear BEFORE you leave your apartment) but I fear that too much emphasis is put on women to look a certain way. That said, how you present yourself is important.

Confidence is the most valuable and beautiful item in your closet, so you should wear that shit like a badge of honor. Wearing a pink summer suit with a peplum waist and you’re not from the South? Do it. Just don’t forget to bring your A-game.

Personally, I use accessories to break the ice. I love a bold necklace or flashy earrings. It makes it easy for others to start the conversation by offering a compliment (or question) and once the ball is rolling, you can easily transition into other topics. 

The absolute most important takeaway is to be comfortable and confident with who you are and what you’re doing. Trust me, we have all been passengers on the USS Unemployed (as it was sinking) and desperate to find something. But remember: at the end of the day, you don’t want to work for just anyone. You want to work for someone who shares your same values and who wants to see you grow and succeed. This profession is hard, don’t make it harder by working for people you don’t vibe with.

Photo by andres chaparro from Pexels