In today’s dog eat dog legal world it’s difficult to stand out. No amount of loyalty, walking the walk or eager looks guarantees becoming top dog.
You may be an eager young pup, snapping at the heels of those leading the pack, but how do you show you’re ready for promotion and no mere lap dog?
Here are six super suggestions for raising your profile.
1. Do more than just your job
Embrace any opportunity that comes your way. Consider volunteering for projects outside your remit, such as helping set up presentations or speaking at events. Don’t be the office ‘sook’ but carefully pick your tasks to increase your value to the business.
2. Don’t be a wallflower
Be visible at office events, such as away days. These are opportunities to mix with colleagues in a more relaxed setting – and the surreal experience of successfully building a raft with your boss on a team-building exercise might be what stops your career from treading water.
3. Develop business skills
The bottom line is a law firm is a business and it needs go-getters who can provide competitive and cost-effective services.
Equally, you must show you recognise the need for clients to get value for money, good communication, greater efficiency and transparency in billing.
Not everyone can get that balance right – if you do, you’re going to be singled out as a star operator.
4. Build good relationships
You’re dealing with a range of people and personalities on a daily basis, from colleagues to legal professionals and clients. This means being able to adapt your approach to each.
You don’t have to do an Al Pacino acting masterclass but knowing how to make the subtle changes needed for every scenario shows you’re willing to invest time and effort.
5. Network
It’s never too early to start making connections, whether through law school friends, law firm alumni or other specialists in your field. Who knows when they may bear fruit with client or career opportunities?
6. Find a mentor
Coaches can offer valuable career guidance as well as advocating your skills and abilities. Many firms have coaching and mentoring programmes but if yours doesn’t connect with a senior colleague who can boost your personal development.
Finally, keep your eyes posted to s1jobs for Legal vacancies that really are the dog’s doodahs!