Say “Thank You” to Stand Out

By Roy S. Ginsburg |

I always emphasize the importance of remaining optimistic when coaching lawyers on the topic of job hunting. And, lawyers being lawyers, I always need to provide some reason why they should remain upbeat. I have a simple answer: The job market is actually much less competitive than you think when you consider that so many other job-seekers make fundamental mistakes.

Mistake One: Failing to Thank Your Network. Most new jobs are the result of networking, yet many job candidates make the basic mistake of failing to say “thank you” to those who take the time to help them. Although networking might be “free” to the job-seeker, it is a valuable donation of time by the person who agrees to network with you.

I am frequently asked to network with job-hunters and, schedule permitting, I’m happy to meet them for coffee and share what I know about opportunities in the legal job market. When we’re finished, most people will orally thank me for my time. Less than half, however, will set themselves apart from other job-seekers by thanking me again in some other way. While not necessarily looking to add to my collection of Starbucks gift cards, I do expect a follow-up email or a written note. After all, if I have taken 30 or 60 minutes out of my schedule for them, that person should be able to take a few minutes to show appreciation. Those who do so can count on my help in the future. Those who neglect their manners won’t be so lucky. I’m not the only one who feels this way. People are predisposed to help those who express gratitude.

Keep in mind that networking efforts do not stop with the conclusion of your first meeting. Ideally, people in your network will continue to think of ways to help you find a job and pass on leads. Saying “thank you” and demonstrating appreciation is the cheapest, least time-consuming and most-effective way to ensure that you stay top-of-mind. It’s simple: Those who say “thank you” get more leads than those who do not.

Mistake Two: Failing to Thank Those Who Actually Interview You. The importance of extending thanks to everyone you meet throughout the interview process may seem fundamental. Despite this, my experience suggests that not all job candidates follow this basic protocol. The underlying rationale for extending thanks in the interview setting is a bit different than in the networking setting. Interviewers are not giving away their time; they are doing their job to make sure they are hiring the best person. In this case, a “thank you” gesture reminds interviewers that you are a quality candidate.

The Etiquette of Saying Thanks. When asked whether a “thank you” should be sent by email or snail mail, I advise both. When you use email, your thanks can be delivered almost immediately. When you use snail mail, you impress those who still appreciate the old-fashioned missive. And no, it is neither overkill nor duplicative to send both.

• In a networking situation, the email should be very brief: “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.” The follow-up note should repeat this statement, tell the person why you appreciated his or her time, and remind them you are willing to help them as well. Networking, after all, is about mutual assistance.
• In an interview situation, the email should briefly state: “I enjoyed meeting you and am very excited about the opportunity.” The follow-up note should repeat those sentiments with the addition of a few sentences indicating why you are the best person for the position.

Even in a crowded job market, many lawyers arrogantly or negligently forget some of the basics of job hunting. That’s reason enough for optimism! A simple “thank you” can set you apart from the competition and increase your chances of finding a truly optimal position.

http://www.attorneyatwork.com/articles/say-thank-you-to-stand-out

Career Fairs 101

By: Heather Trulock

Whether you are just starting your quarter or are in the middle of your semester, all college students have one thing in common– they are all in the midst of career fair season. As such, I wanted to share some tips for making the most of your career fair experience.

Before the Career Fair

• Research companies and positions. Know what organizations will be attending, what they do, and what types of positions they will be hiring for. You don’t want to be the student who sticks their foot in their mouth because they have nothing to say once they get face-to-face with a recruiter at a career fair.

• Prepare your resume. A strong resume is essential. Have your resume reviewed by your college’s career services office to ensure it is error free with strong action verbs and applicable content. Remember to bring multiple copies of your resume to the fair.
• Perfect your elevator pitch. After waiting in line to speak with a company, you finally get to the recruiter…now what? This is where the elevator pitch comes into play. Craft an authentic introduction that tells the recruiter about yourself and why you are interested/a good fit for their company.
• Practice and prepare questions. Even though this is not an interview, be prepared to be asked questions by the recruiter. Conversely, make sure you have a few questions for them that demonstrate your knowledge of the company while learning more about the position.

During the Career Fair

• Dress to impress. First impressions matter. If you are attending a career fair, business professional dress is expected (unless otherwise noted).
• Develop a plan of “attack.” Career Fairs can be overwhelming, sometimes housing hundreds of employers in a convention hall. Many of these larger-scale fairs have maps of the venue. Take a few minutes before entering the fair to map out your visit to company booths.
• Meet and network with employers. Once you have established your plan of attack, start visiting employer booths. While you should always follow the recruiters lead, most recruiter-student interactions at career fairs start with a firm handshake, move to the elevator pitch and/or small discussion, transition to a brief Q&A, and then end with the student expressing interest in the company/position. Remember to ask for their business card and close with a firm handshake.
• Lost? Ask Career Services! College Career Advisors usually have some form of Q&A booth and/or table at career fairs to assist you in navigating the fair, learning more about a particular employer…pretty much anything you need assistance with. Take advantage!

After the Career Fair

• Reflect on your experience. What companies stood out? Are there organizations you are no longer interested in after meeting with them? Take the time after the career fair, while things are fresh in your mind, to jot down some notes about your experience. It will help you determine the next steps in your job and/or internship search.
• Follow-up with employers. Make sure you send a thank-you note to employers you are interested in working for. Reference something particular about your interaction at the career fair in order to differentiate yourself from the rest of the candidates.

Your first career fair can be a bit overwhelming, but with practice and preparation you will be able to develop some meaningful connections with recruiters, hopefully leading to an interview for that job or internship you have your sights on.

http://studentbranding.com/career-fairs-101/

Your References Are More Important Than You Think

By: Lesley Mitler

When the company you’ve been interviewing with asks for your references, you can already see the finish line. After this small hurdle, a job offer is sure to follow.

Far too many people think reference checks are just a perfunctory step–merely checking off another box in the process. After all, would any candidate really give a reference that might endanger her or his candidacy?

Believe it or not, some references don’t shower praise on their former employee, and just because the company has asked for your references doesn’t mean it’s not checking references for several other candidates too. The reference checks can help distinguish between finalists and provide clarity on which would be the best fit for the job.

When you are asked to provide references, here’s the four-step process you should consider following:

1. Contact the people you’d like to use as references.

You should do this before you hand over their names and contact information.

2. Make sure you obtain current and accurate contact information.

There can be nothing more frustrating for a hiring manager than missed communications in the reference-checking process. When you talk to your references, ask for an email address they check regularly, a phone number they answer during business hours, and the best times to reach them. Also, ensure you have references’ correct titles and company information, and that you are clear on the capacity in which you worked for them. You also ought to give them the name of the company representative who will be contacting them, as well as the person’s email address, so your references will expect the email and check their spam folders if necessary. It’s also best to ask them to alert you after they’ve spoken with your potential employer.

3. Provide your reference with a copy of the job description and your current resume.

It’s much easier for your references to speak about you if they can tell your potential employer how your skills and experiences are relevant to the job in question and if they can provide specific examples from their experience working with you to support a decision to hire. The current resume will help them to be more precise in discussing job titles, education, previous experiences, and work dates.

4. Make sure they can give you a strong recommendation.

You read that right. Ask your references if they can provide a strong recommendation for you to be hired. If they can’t, move on and find someone else. Specifically, ask them if they can respond positively to questions like: “How did you see this individual succeed when they worked with you?”; “What makes you think that this person can do the job?”; “Based on what you know about this person, would you hire them today for the same role?”; and “Can you comment on their strengths? Weaknesses?”

There is one other issue that can be tricky–using someone you currently work with as a reference. Sometimes, a potential employer will insist on this. If you don’t have total confidence that this person will be discreet (since you have not announced your departure), I would recommend the following: tell the new employer that they can check your other references and they can call your current reference after you have accepted the position. You want to be in control of when and how you announce your resignation.

http://studentbranding.com/your-references-are-more-important-than-you-think/

Interviewing Clients: Tips for Law Students & Legal Services Professionals

by Kristen Pavón

If you are a staff attorney/law clerk/intern for a legal services organization or public interest law firm, you know that interviewing clients is an important part of what you do. It’s a critical skill that can always use honing.

I came across a great interviewing tip sheet focused on interviewing low-income clients in my inbox and thought it could be helpful for you!

Here are a few of the highlights:

1. Be Prepared
Have copies of all forms your client may need to fill out or take home with them. Find out ahead of time whether they anticipate coming to the office with anyone and make adjustments (ex. kids, relatives). If there are special parking arrangements, make sure you let the client know.

2. Introductions
Start with small talk. This may be the first time your client is in a law office and a) may be nervous and b) may not know what’s going to happen next. Also, depending on your practice area, the client’s issues may be emotionally trying for them — so ease them into it.

3. Lay out the Agenda
First, explain your role in his or her case (direct representation, no relationship just yet, intern, etc.). Next, give the client a roadmap of how the meeting will go so they know what to expect — you’ll ask them to tell you why he or she came in, explain that you’ll occasionally jot down notes, you’ll interrupt him or her with more specific questions, etc. Also, talk about confidentiality.

4. Start with open-ended questions.
This allows you to get a lot of information right at the beginning and you can choose what issues to focus on next.

5. Listen!
Actively listen. Give the clients nonverbal and verbal cues that you’re listening and you understand what they’re saying.

6. Follow-up.
Make sure you clarify any lingering issues. You want a full picture of what’s going on.

7. Summarize.
Before you let the client go, summarize the information they’ve given you to make sure you’ve gotten the whole story.

8. Is there anything else?
Ask this question. Always. You never know.

9. Future Communication
Talk to the client about how you will communicate with them — email, phone, work phone, etc. Also, set up your next date, time and place for next contact.

For more helpful tips about interviewing, check out this great slideshow from the Legal Aid Association of California.

http://pslawnet.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/interviewing-clients-tips-for-legal-services-professionals/

 

Landing the Job: Rock that Phone Interview

 

by Kristen Pavón

http://pslawnet.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/landing-the-job-rock-that-phone-interview/

It’s pretty common for hiring managers to conduct initial screening interviews via phone these days because it saves on time and money for both the interviewer and interviewee.

This is your first opportunity to make a good impression and to get one step closer to landing the job. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.

1. Get serious.
Treat this interview as seriously as you would an in-person interview. You need to be just as prepared — research the organization, read some bios, do a google news search for the organization (more on this in a second).

2. Get dressed.
Sure, you’ll probably be in your house/apartment/room, but you’ll feel (and then act) the part if you get out of your PJs and into some business casual wear.

3. Find a Space.
Pick a place where you know your cell phone gets strong signal (unless you still have a landline phone) and create your space. Lay out your notepad, laptop, resume and anything else you might need for the interview. Also, make sure alarms are off, silence your phone once your interview has started, and the dogs are far, far away.

4. Get to Googling.
Don’t skip the Google search. Learn from my mistake. In an interview for a public service position, one of the interviewers asked me what news I had read about the agency recently. Although I had searched the website and read some press releases from the site, I did not google news search the agency!

5. Bring a Cheat Sheet.
Here’s one upside to having a phone interview — you can bring notes. Because a lot of employers like to ask questions based on your past experiences, I make notes on my resume about each of my previous positions. I note anyone I supervised, special projects that I handled that demonstrate leadership or any client work that was memorable. Also, I write the phonetic spelling of my interviewer — just in case.

Note: the Law School does have some rooms set up where we can arrange for you to do your phone interviews. If you'd like to do this, contact MariLee Allred, On Campus Recruiting Manager.

7 Tips to Prevent Turning Off a Professional Contact

http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Annoy-Professional-Contact-19073609

Emily Co / September 14, 2011

When you're trying to establish a professional relationship with someone, it's very easy to turn a stranger off with professional no-nos. You can get away with a lot more once you develop a deeper relationship with the person and when you get a better feel of how that person works. Take heed of these rules when you're communicating with someone professionally:

• Try not to contact them after work hours unless it's asked of you: If the other party did not suggest a time to talk after work hours, don't call them or email them after 6 or 7 p.m. unless it's an emergency or if the nature of your job requires you to contact them at night. There's nothing more frustrating than getting a 10 p.m. call to talk about work when it isn't urgent. Many of us like to clock out when work ends, so talking about job-related items can bring back unwanted memories of the daily grind.
• Leave their personal accounts alone: Don't contact them about work through their personal email, cell phone, Facebook, or chat when they haven't given you leave to do so. Most people don't like to mix their personal and professional lives, so don't corner them into doing it. However, if they engage you first through these accounts, it is OK to reply to them.
• Keep the punctuations and smiley faces to a minimum: When you don't know someone, it's a bit odd to add five exclamation marks at the end of the sentence and say things like "thank you a million times!" Don't overwhelm people before getting to know them. Being overenthusiastic can also come off as being insincere. Ease them into it.
• Give them time to reply: If you haven't heard back from someone, don't start bombarding them with emails, texts, and voicemail messages all in one day. Give them a little leeway and wait for them to reply you and try again the next day or even the next week if you have the time to wait.
• If they say no, don't push it: If they decline you, don't rephrase the same question and ask it again. The answer is no! Instead give them time to mull it over, present the issue again at a later date, and change the terms to better suit them. The more you push them, the more they'll withdraw. Remember, you can't badger someone into agreeing.
• Don't backtrack: Plan what you're going to say and offer carefully. Don't say something, then backtrack and change your words. It's always better to start the relationship off slow because you can then decide how you want to progress based on the results you're seeing.
• Remember that their time is precious: Their time is very valuable, so carefully pick what kind of communication works best. Emails are generally less disruptive so if you can convey your message via email, opt for that form of communication first.