Strategic & Smart: Leverage Social Media to Manage Your Law Career

I met Tara at the Equal Justice Works Conference in Washington, D.C. this past October during her presentation: "Social Media Tools for Public Interest Law Professionals. Her presentation was excellent and I've asked her to write this blog piece on using Social Media. I'm glad she did!

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Everyone looks for a job – at least once – and it can be frustrating! Lately, new tools and technology have changed the look and feel of job search. Nevertheless, whether you have searched in this century or the last one, the fundamentals of job search remain the same:

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•            Tell a compelling story – résumé and positioning statements are just the start

•           Fit with the organization’s culture – if it isn’t right, it isn’t right!

•           Interact with and engage with others – real people take decisions, not technology

That said, social media offers new – and potentially, very powerful – tools for managing your law career. It’s also an opportunity for employers to learn more about you, perhaps in ways you never intended. For some, that means rethinking how you use social media. For others, it means rethinking how you manage your career.

How? Be strategic. Be smart.

Be Strategic:

There are many online tools to support your job search. Some are akin to job boards – essentially, online classified ads that let you search for specific opportunities (e.g. Monster, Indeed.com, CareerBuilder). Other tools emphasize interactive or social connections (e.g. YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+); these can also be incredibly useful for job search – but only if you use them strategically:

•          Choose what you use – Which site is best for your preferred career?

•           Know why you are using it – What’s your objective? How will you leverage this tool?

•           Stay on message – What do your profile and interactions say about your qualifications?

LinkedIn is the number 1 networking site for professionals. For law professionals, it’s a great tool to learn more about how others use their law degrees and what types of careers they build on that foundation. And of course, you can identify specific people and opportunities.  So,…

Be Smart:

In any job search, be proactive rather than waiting for jobs to come to you. That requires connecting with real people. During a job search, how and why you connect also matters. With social media, your choices become far more visible to prospective employers. It also creates opportunities to show your interest and highlight your expertise. Five steps to connect with others effectively, particularly on LinkedIn:

 
    Be mindful of the image you present above the fold (Click ‘Profile’ to edit or view)

·         Ensure your tag line, the information in the grey box, and summary reflect your positioning statement

·         Update your status at least weekly – be professional and target your audience

·         Worry less about chronology – be truthful, but your LinkedIn profile must be more than an online resume

·         Adjust sections to highlight your most important attributes – for your next job

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    Identify and follow organizations (Click ‘Companies’ to search)

·         Be alerted to news

·         Learn about opportunities, services, programs, careers

·         Show your interest in the firm   

 Find people – Network! (Search ‘People’ at the top right)

·         Search by firm name to discover who works there (today or previously)

·         Review how you are connected to them – and with whom they are connected

·         Identify who can help you navigate the organization – then ask!

·         Check who’s viewed your profile – Are they a good connection for you?

4         Participate in groups (Click ‘Groups’ and add a keyword)

·         Demonstrate your expertise via references to articles, insight, etc.

·         Help others, using your knowledge or connections

·         Expand your network of possible connections

·         Join your alumni groups. You already have a shared interest; leverage it.

5      Source new opportunities (Click ‘Jobs’ or ‘More’ to search)

·         Search for jobs

·         Identify titles, positions, or roles that may interest you

·         Review profiles of the people in those positions – What career path did they follow? What firms have they worked for? Would any of those suit you?

·         Determine what qualifications are required for the type of law you want to practice

Above all, remember that your online presence matters. Many litigators and other law professionals are in the public eye; thus, what you say and do in your leisure time becomes that much more important to your career. It stays with you. And, it reflects your personal brand; just as social media has grown, so has the need to manage your own brand actively, throughout your career.

Bottom line: Social media benefits both employers and job seekers. Whether you simply wade in or jump head first into the deep end, be smart – and strategic!

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 Tara Rethore works with mid-sized business leaders and organizations to solve complex problems. That means ensuring the right decisions and steps are taken to go where they want to go. She’s adept at breaking down complex concepts into a few, critical themes to shift thinking and deliver results. When coaching individuals, Tara provides leadership approaches to support improved business results and effectiveness, and to manage career transitions. She knows what it takes to succeed, to execute a strategy, and to go from vision to reality. Tara can also be found commenting on business strategy, execution, and results as a regular blogger for Women Grow Business and on Twitter: @TRethore.