This month's column is inspired by CareerBuilder's Super Bowl ad. Cue a woman keyboarding away with a bored look on her face. Then we are treated to an image of the woman's heart tearing itself out of her chest, marching into the boss' office, and resigning. The tagline, of course: Follow your heart. I loved it.

We get resumes every day from dissatisfied and disillusioned attorneys. Those are usually the people we cannot place. So, my first reaction to the ad was to verbalize my cynicism. I announced to my friends around the chip and dip bowls, “there is no Santa Claus, you are not going to win the Lotto and there is no such thing as a “dream” job. Well, at least not for you lawyers.”

Most of my friends are lawyers, and because most attorneys like to play devil's advocate, I found myself listening to multiple claims of job satisfaction. Ironically, most of the debaters were attorneys who privately implore me to call them whenever my firm takes a new in-house search assignment.

Yes, I do know happy attorneys. Happy lawyers tend to fit one of two categories. They are either law firm partners with a book of business who have learned how to delegate and regain some personal life, or in-house attorneys who have built good working relationships with business unit leaders and feel valued as an important team member. Unless you are seeking an alternate path such as academia or a position on the bench, you really should shoot for one of these two “dream job” situations.

But the best way to get there is to follow your head and definitely not your heart. Following your heart in the context of one's career usually translates into, “I should be happy at work and I should move if I'm not.” Getting to a dream attorney job includes, unfortunately, paying your dues. Following your heart tends to turn into an excuse for job hopping, and moving frequently won't short circuit the dues-paying reality.

So, here is my advice. Envision yourself as a wealthy, rainmaking star at a law firm, or as the general counsel of a company. If neither prospect gets you excited, then make like that heart in the CareerBuilder ad and get out. Otherwise, put your head in charge, grind when necessary, learn how to network, challenge yourself to improve, set specific goals and don't quit. And put some money in the bank along the way, so you will have the economic freedom to walk away on your terms when the time is right. Your heart may really appreciate early retirement.

Evers Legal Search recruits attorneys for corporations throughout the country. To reach Evers, please call (888) 324-0154 or visit www.everslegal.com.

.