Networking

Throughout the entire career search process, you should focus some of your efforts on networking.  

The single best source for new positions is "word-of-mouth."  A startling number of legal positions are never posted (about 80%), because a qualified candidate learned of the position by talking to the right people at the right time, and the position was filled without any formal advertisement.  Employers frequently hire through contacts because they prefer to hire someone they know.  If they receive a recommendation of a good candidate, they can feel confident in their new employee while saving time and money as compared to the traditional job posting methods.  Hiring through contacts bypasses the need to advertise a position, read countless resumes, and interview many candidates.  With this in mind, you can see how it is beneficial for employers and job candidates alike to be networking!

The term "Networking" may bring to mind visions of cold calling, and talking with strangers about uninteresting subjects.  Fortunately, networking can be as easy as talking to your friends and neighbors!  Everyone that you meet in life should be considered a future resource.  Take a minute to consider the people in your informal contact list:

• Professors

• Career Services Office

• Friends

• Friends of the family

• Co-workers

• CULS Alumni

• Neighbors

• Church Members

• Members of your softball team

• The person sitting next to you at a holiday dinner party

The idea is that everyone you meet is a potential lead.  If you continually tell these people what field you hope to enter, or what type of job you are seeking, any one of these people may have an acquaintance who offers exactly what you seek.

Additionally, once you have determined a field of interest, be sure to talk with professors in that field.  Faculty members are a good source of advice and information and frequently maintain contacts in the legal community.  Be sure to use their expertise.

Networking at Events

Throughout your career, you will be asked to attend various events.  These events can be at Bar Association functions, holiday parties, foundation dinners, and many more.  You should attend these events with a goal to meet at least one person (it's best to avoid the goal of meeting as many people as possible becasue the "meeting" may be insignificant).  More importantly, approach these events as an opportunity to simply connect with others who in the future may be of assistance. 

Join the Local Bar Association

Bar Associations have committees that meet regularly to discuss current issues in the law that pertain to the members of the committee.  You get up-to-date and interesting information about this potential area of practice.  And you get to meet the people who do what you want to do, thus opening the door to movers and shakers in the bar. 

Do Informational Interviewing

Informational interviewing is a great way to meet and to expand your network of individuals.  The approach to informational interviewing is to meet people you have researched and wish to find out more about.  Using such resources as Martindale-Hubbell is a great pace to find individuals.  Try using your status as a Capital alum to get your foot in the door.

Resources

• Cynthia Chin-Lee, It's Who You Know Career Strategies for Making Effective Personal Contacts (1991, 1993).

• Diane Carling, The Networking Survival Guide (2003).

• L. Michelle Tullier, Ph.D., Networking for Job Search and Career Success 2nd ed. (2004).

• Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon, Smart Networking How to Turn Contacts Inter Cash, Clients, & Career Success (1997).

• Susan RoAne, How to Work a Room The Ultimate Guide to Savvy Socializing in Person and Online (2000).

• Frederica J. Balzano, Ph.D., Why Should Extroverts Make All the Money?  Networking Made Easy for the Introvert (1999).