Two (often forgotten) basics of looking for a job

In better markets, many lawyers secured their jobs on the basis of strong academic qualifications rather than, necessarily, their interviewing skills. In the current market, interviewing skills can (in fact, will) make all the difference. Since many talented professionals are now in the market for jobs they would otherwise not have pursued, the competition is still tougher, and you can’t assume that you’ll be chosen on the basis of your credentials or intelligence alone. Instead, you need to show why you are genuinely interested in the position, how your skills and experience would add value to the firm, and what assets you bring above and beyond the competition. In essence, you need to work on your interview skills.

Secondly, don’t just scuttle behind your computer, applying for opportunities on-line. This strategy almost never works – least of all because many of those positions don’t even exist. Most jobs – statistics cite over 80% – are awarded through networking. So, my second piece of advice is to get out there, make connections, and build a network. 

You never know where a referral, helpful suggestion, or even an interview might come from . . . often from a very unlikely place!

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Changing bad habits

The other day I met up with a long-time friend of mine, who as always, was late. I asked her why this was the case and she replied, “It’s just a bad habit.”

My response? “How about creating a new and better habit of being on time?”

It made me think about how each of us is the sum of our good and bad habits.

What bad habits would you like to change?

• Being late (like my friend)?

• Eating too much?

• Not exercising?

• Staying up too late and not getting enough sleep?

• Being unproductive, or otherwise not effectively managing your time?

Well, if you really want to change any one of these habits, here’s how:

1. You must first make a 100% commitment to your new habit.

2. Set out a plan with specific steps of how you will lose the old habit and adopt a better and healthier one. (Don’t expect instant improvement: we’re all human!)

3. Write whatever it is you want to improve on down on a card that you keep in a place where you’ll read it several times a day—or use a post-it note bang-slap on your computer where you can’t miss it. You could make it a part of your daily visualization.

4. Enlist the help of someone who will help you be accountable to your commitment.

5. Recognize and acknowledge situations that encourage your old habits, and take steps to make appropriate adjustments.

As for my friend, being late isn’t a disaster—there are more harmful, less healthy faults out there—but being routinely late gives a bad impression, especially in business!

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