June 06, 2017 | The Recorder
Job Hopping to Pay Off Loans Not Necessarily Bad for Your CareerYou're in a tough spot. Given that you were unable to secure a permanent position out of law school, you've had to make some hard choices in order to honor your law school loan obligations. I commend you for "making it work" in this legal market. That's not easy. But lemonade can be made from these lemons if you are strategic. If you are not, I'm afraid your career will be like a buoy in the ocean: aimless and nowhere to go.
By Julie Brush
3 minute read
June 01, 2017 | The Recorder
When Is It Inappropriate to Ask for Recommendations?It is not appropriate for a lawyer (or any professional) to contact someone she barely knows in an organization and ask for an endorsement for a job. If the requesting professional hasn't worked with their "contact" and/or has not built extensive relationship equity with this person, there is no solid or credible foundation to receive such an endorsement.
By Julie Brush
8 minute read
May 23, 2017 | The Recorder
Can a Lame Job Stint Compromise an Entire Career?Sometimes we have to do things we don't want or like in order to achieve a greater goal. And "making ends meet" is a hefty requirement that seems to sit a little heavier on the shoulders of the unemployed professional. The fact that you joined a bad personal injury firm to pay your bills is not the end of the world, nor is it the end of your career. It can be a blip on the screen if you handle it properly.
By Julie Brush
11 minute read
May 09, 2017 | The Recorder
How Much Does a Startup General Counsel in Silicon Valley Make?A company will often hire its first General Counsel in the mid to late stage of its life, so for a General Counsel in a mid-sized, later/mid stage, private venture-backed technology company in the San Francisco Bay Area, “market” compensation is as follows.
By Julie Brush
8 minute read
April 10, 2017 | The Recorder
Addressing Large Employment Gaps on Your ResumeTaking time off or choosing an alternative role is no longer a career death wish.
By Julie Brush
6 minute read
March 14, 2017 | The Recorder
Are Lawyers With Foreign Law Degrees at a Disadvantage in the U.S. Market?U.S. trained lawyers still dominate the legal landscape and competition is fierce. But the environment is now a bit kinder for diverse profiles.
By Julie Brush
6 minute read
March 01, 2017 | The Recorder
How to Get Off to a Good Start With Your New BossWhen a new sheriff comes to town, it creates an air of mystery as well as anxiety among the town's inhabitants. Who is this person? What kind of manager is this person? What is s/he like? Will I like my new boss? Will s/he like me? What will I need to do to succeed?
By Julie Brush
10 minute read
February 22, 2017 | The Recorder
Should I let My First-Choice Employer Know About Another Job Offer?I'm interviewing for two different jobs and just got an offer for my second choice. Should I just take the offer or tell the first-choice employer about it to expedite their process?
By Julie Brush
15 minute read
February 15, 2017 | The Recorder
How to Explain Your Resignation in an InterviewI refused to report to a person who made me feel uncomfortable. As a result, I was put on a performance plan. I just resigned with a severance, but am totally devastated. How do I address the circumstances of my departure in an interview?
By Julie Brush
9 minute read
February 01, 2017 | The Recorder
How to Exclude Your Current Boss From Your Reference ListSometimes two people are just oil and water. It may not be anyone's fault … necessarily; it may be that you just don't really click–or see eye to eye on one thing or another. When that other “eye” happens to be your boss's, it can make for not only a rocky employment period, but the relationship can become a liability come reference-checking time–as a lukewarm or negative review from a former boss will frequently spike a candidacy. So how does a candidate navigate this situation without compromising his/her candidacy?
By Julie Brush
9 minute read