Don't Be Shy at a Law School Related Networking Event

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 A law student recently came into my office recently in a little bit of a “funk.” She told me that she had just returned from a CLE event which had included a reception afterwards (I have always preached to law students who may not have sufficient experience in a practice to take as many courses in that particular area of practice as possible, AND then exhibit interest and expertise in that area of practice by taking a CLE and putting it in the “Education” section of their resume).

It seems that this student had followed my advice and had attended a CLE session organized by one of the local county bar associations. She was not depressed because she had attended the session, but because of what had happened afterwards during the “mix and mingle.” It seems that she had trouble making “small talk” and conversing with lawyers during the reception. She had one of those “this is awkward” moments and was now sitting in my office to get my take on how to turn that around the next time was in a lawyer networking event.

Here’s what I suggest to avoid those awkward moments during a networking experience:

HAVE A GAME PLAN

First ask yourself why you have decided to attend the event. If it’s a CLE, is it for the substance? Resume impact? Networking?? … Are you planning to gather business cards? Set up informational interviews? Is there someone at the event that you wish to speak with?

. . . All of the above?

Once you’ve decided what you want out of an event, decide on your “game day” strategy. If networking: are there particular people with whom you wish to speak?  If so, then make sure that you do not leave the event without having, at minimum, engaged in a short conversation and obtained a business card (if you have received a promise to “help in any way I can” from the person(s) you have targeted, then you have hit the proverbial “home run!”).  

Float the room; do not get “stuck” with any particular person. It’s fine to simply say “excuse me, thanks for your time. It was great speaking with you,” then move across the room to someone else that you wish to engage.

Also, please don’t hang around the food or drink table – you might as well put the word “loser” on your forehead (exaggeration to make a point).

COME PREPARED FOR CONVERSATION

One piece of advice that I always give law students as they prepare for the On Campus Interview season, or any interview that they are having during the course of the rest of the year, is to come with good questions (and not anything that could easily be answered by going to the employer’s website!) I would offer the same advice to students who are going to any type of networking function. Work on some general questions that you can tailor, as appropriate, to any person(s) that you wind up speaking to at an event: 1. Tell me about what you do? 2. What’s most exciting about what you do? 3. How did you decide on your area of practice? 4. What is the most challenging part of your work? 5. There is so much talk about the tough job market for young lawyers, do you find that to be the case from where you sit? 6. What was your law school experience like?  7. How did you get your first job out of law school?? . . . Such questions can all be conversation starters.

Remember to be a good listener, as well. The person with whom you are speaking may say something about something that you have in common (a home town, school, food dish, and hobby).  

Have you ever seen a trial lawyer who simply methodically reads from a list of questions he is addressing to the “star” witness and simply misses the answer that can make his/her case because the lawyer was not listening????  . . DO NOT be that person in networking event! If the person with whom you are speaking provides a little “nugget” for you that may, or may not, be law-related, pick it up and run with it! Don’t be afraid to pick up on this and take the conversation away from the law, if appropriate.

            Polish Your “Elevator Speech”

Have your “elevator speech” ready to help you dive into the fray during your introduction at a social event. Remember, that most lawyers are more than willing to assist a law student, or young lawyer. Just take a deep breath, walk up to a person, and dive in. The more that you get used to these social situations, the more relaxed, hence the more comfortable you will be in social situations.

           Be Yourself

Finally, be yourself. Remember that we all can’t be the “life of the party,” the person who enters the room and immediately takes command of the situation and “works the room” with charisma and style. Do not compare yourself with anyone and come up short!

We can only be ourselves and live in our own skins. If you are better “one on one,” then look for those situations. If you can sit at a table and are comfortable talking to a group of people, then don’t shy away from those situations. Remember that ONE conversation that leads to a job opportunity is way better than having a dozen business cards in your hand when you leave a room.

Relax, go in and mix. I still believe that the best way for a law student to get a job is through the networking process of going to bar association events in law school and meeting practicing attorneys. . . If you want to catch fish, go to a pond where they are plentiful.

Phil Guzman