Law firms need associates who blend well with their and their clients’ culture.  Where will you blend with the culture?

• Often where you grew up or lived for a length of time.
• Enables you to relate more easily to office staff, other attorneys, and clients.
• Makes you more likely to share the same value system as others in the organization.

You are most marketable where you have roots and connections since employers look for candidates that are likely to remain long term.  To determine where you have roots and connections, consider:

• Where does your immediate family live?
• Where does your extended family live?
• Where did you grow up?
• Where did you attend college?
• Where is your spouse or significant other from?

In deciding where you want to practice, it is important to consider where legal employers are HIRING.   To research the issue, examine the following:

• Is there a law school nearby?
• What is the average starting salary compared to other locales?
• What is the state of the local economy?

Also, talk with local practitioners to find out what practice areas are growing and which nearby legal communities are busiest.

Unsure where you should practice?  There are three factors you should consider in making this decision.

1. Where are legal employers HIRING?
2. Where do I have ROOTS and CONNECTIONS?
3. Where will I blend with the CULTURE?

Make an appointment with a Career Services Counselor today to discuss where you should practice!

Although resumes are important, they don’t convey critical information, such as:

• How likeable you are.
• How well you fit with the team.
• Whether you share the same values as the organization.

Networking allows you to demonstrate these qualities by building professional relationships apart from your professional achievements.

All businesses are made up of PEOPLE. 

The PEOPLE within these businesses have to work with the PEOPLE around them every day. 

So, the PEOPLE they hire must be a good fit for the culture and value system of the organization.

It’s all about RELATIONSHIPS.

1.  Step out of your comfort zone while being true to yourself.

2.  Be prepared to invest significant time in building relationships.

3.  Be willing to hear the word “no” without fear of rejection.  You only need one “yes.”

4.  Look for people with whom you naturally have a rapport.

5.  Be sincere in your communications.