07/28/2008 09:38:54 AM EST
Ways to Stand Out at Your Firm
Although you probably aren’t the only smart, talented, hard-working summer associate at your firm—and hiring trends have moderated—you can take steps to stand out and maximize your chances of securing an offer. Firms recommend that you focus on producing solid work and also show the strong fit your personality has with the firm’s culture.
Helpful Tips*
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Seek assignments that interest you, but accept what you receive. Talk with your supervisor or the recruiting department if you are looking for a particular type of work―but be willing to work hard at what you are assigned even if it isn’t in your area of interest.
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Put quality first. Even if you are asked for a rough draft, your work should demonstrate quality, accuracy and attention to detail. It’s better to complete high-quality work on a smaller number of assignments than take on too much and do only average work. At some point you may need to skip a less important social function or attend just briefly so that you can deliver high-quality work on an assignment. On the other hand, you may want to complete the work thoroughly on the weekend so that you don’t miss key social functions.
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Participate in social events, training and pro bono opportunities. This will demonstrate your interest in the firm, show hiring attorneys how you interact with other people, and help you discover whether the firm is the right fit for you. Although you need to conduct yourself appropriately, also relax and let your personality shine. Get to know people well enough to ask questions―from what the firm expects to what the work environment is like year-round.
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Manage your time well. If you realize an assignment will take longer than expected, let your assigning attorney know and explain why. Learn efficient and cost-effective ways to draft documents, conduct research and perform other tasks.
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Consolidate your questions, and ask them! Find out how the partner you are working with prefers to receive communication―via e-mail, by voice mail or in person―and try to present a number of related questions at once to show you are thinking everything through and you respect the partner’s time.
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Be Ready for the Next Step
While the firm is evaluating you, be sure to evaluate how well the firm matches your strengths and aspirations. Find out which departments are highly regarded and growing. Consider whether you would want to develop in those areas of law.
Also talk to associates who are in their first, second and third year at the firm. Ask what kinds of assignments they are receiving, and find out how much mentoring and teaching they received along the way. Consider whether you can adapt your learning style to the culture of the firm.
Then, if you receive a permanent offer, you will have a sense of whether to accept it. And if you don’t receive an offer or you choose not to accept, you will be ready to request references and actively participate in your law school’s on-campus interview program.
*Sources:
From Finals to the Firm: The Top Ten Things New Law Firm Associates Should Know, by Calvin Gladney, Esq., and Raymond Millien, Esq., published by Matthew Bender & Company, Copyright 2003.
“Firm Attorneys Offer Tips for Summer Associates,” reported byM. Wood, posted April 14, 2004, University of Virginia, www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2004_spr/summer_tips.htm