We often start off the New Year with a host of resolutions which, though well-intentioned, in practice, may hardly outlast the winter snows. This year, however, the economic news has given both jobseekers and the nervous employed added incentive. Like Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life or one of Dickens’ ghosts, the news has led us to contemplate the future — and it is a scary sight. The economic picture has never looked so dreary for those of us in the current working-age population. Layoffs continue apace, some law firms appear shaky and even the most profitable are looking to freeze salaries and trim bonuses.
Despite this glum news, there is much that job seekers can do. New Year’s paired symbols of Father Time and the New Year’s baby remind us of the swift passage of time. We must slough off the lethargy of too much holiday cheer and get moving. Here are ten New Year’s resolutions to get you started whether you are in the market or want to be prepared for an uncertain economic future.
1. Be persistent. 2009 may be the year of the follow-up. This resolution is like going to the gym. The benefits of the gym are not gained by trying to run an hour on the treadmill in the first week but by showing up regularly. You cannot simply send out a hundred or even a thousand cover letters and resumes and hit the La-Z-Boy. Follow up within a week or two on each letter sent. Follow up with any networking contacts who gave you leads. Keep them posted. Write that article for the local bar journal. Join a lunchtime meeting in your current or future practice area. Find that business card that your Uncle Mort passed along at the pre-holiday family gathering from one of his clients who knows a lot of lawyers. Follow-up with that client, mention your uncle, let her know your situation. Tell her that you are actively involved in your job search and are looking for any information, advice or leads. Then follow-up with the lawyers the client passes on. Then close the loop by letting Mort know that you followed up on his suggestion and about the contacts that have resulted. Do not give up. All of your networking connections will be very busy, so polite persistence will go a long way to making sure these bear fruit. Do a little bit each day.
2. Be creative. This one is like signing up for that improv, art or cooking class you’ve always wanted to take. Try expanding your horizons — pay attention to those thoughts that come to you in the shower or while riding a bike. Maybe it’s remembering a class with a specific professor from law school that you particularly enjoyed. (Follow up with the professor, even if it has been a while.) Brainstorming is key. Your friends may be able to help. Barbara Sher’s Wishcraft also has some excellent advice on stimulating creativity. If you feel you’ve run out of ideas at any point, contact your safety net — your law school career center. Be creative, too, about how to market your skills. Excellent writing and researching abilities can open more doors than you might think. One employer from an IP boutique called recently to say they still had a spot for a 2L. When I asked about technical background, he said “We have the technical folks but we really need someone who can write!”
3. Be optimistic. “But the economy is terrible and there are no jobs so why bother?” Acknowledge your frustration and move on. Friends again can be helpful. Like going to the gym, having a companion along the way in the job search to share the inevitable ups and downs can be effective in keeping things in perspective. There are reasons for hope. For one, President-elect Obama’s stimulus package could mean more jobs. For another, you have great set of marketable skills. Try not to think of this as the “bad” economy, think of it as the “new” economy.
4. Be patient. Job opportunities take time to develop. The end result may not come for some time but do not delay in taking the steps to get there.
5. Be flexible. Can you consider other geographical locations? Would some jobs be worth a move? If you are more or less set in one place, can you extend your geographical limitations via a slightly longer commute or public transportation? In terms of practice area, have you done regulatory work or can you transition to the regulatory aspect of your current practice area? With the incoming President, we will undoubtedly enter a new regulatory era. Health care, bankruptcy, restructuring, tax, and alternative energy will all be strong in 2009. Think about practice areas as broadly as possible. To some extent, litigation is litigation. Check out Lisa Abrams’ extremely useful book, The Official Guide to Legal Specialties.
6. Be a good listener. If a friend gives you the name of someone to contact and that person agrees to meet with you, bring a list of questions. It is okay to take notes, and pay close attention to the answers. Informational interviews are a great source of knowledge that you can put to practical use later on, especially where your practice area has slowed and you are readjusting your skill set. For a job in non-profit development for example, you could ask: “What changes have you had to make in how you approach potential donors in the downturn? ” You can then use these answers when you get an interview.
7. Help others with (non-legal) issues in their lives. Volunteer at a local no-kill animal shelter, church or hospital, or join that group dedicated to cleaning up the community. If you need help getting started, www.volunteermatch.org is a good resource for opportunities. In addition to doing good, this will help your optimism level and put you in touch with others.
8. Use your analytical problem-solving skills. These are your innate strengths as a lawyer and they can come to your aid now. You need a plan and a strategy. Examine both the short- and long-term. Your law school career counselor can help guide you through this process.
9. Establish and maintain connections. Have lunch or coffee with that friend you didn’t see all last year. An email is the easiest but often not the best way to make a connection. The most effective communication is still face-to face or at least voice to voice. Make a list of college and law school friends, professors, relatives, former employers, former co-workers and neighbors. Use connections you’ve made through online professional groups such as Linked-In. Reach out in a positive way, talk about work when the topic comes up. Tell them it has been way too long since you touched base. Ask about their holidays. Ask whether they might have time for lunch or coffee in the next couple of weeks. In other words, really mean it. Do not simply ask for a job or whether they know anyone who is hiring. They will gladly share information they have when they realize that you care about them as well as getting the job. In an odd kind of way, while getting a job does take focus on you and your skills, it is also about what you start in motion through meaningful connections.
10. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, take care of yourself.
Wishing you success in the year ahead!
William A. Chamberlain is assistant dean, Law Career Strategy and Advancement, Northwestern University School of Law.
