A recent article in the ABA’s Law Practice webzine offers some suggestions on how to have a successful first year on the job.
The tips for success include:
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Getting to Know Your Colleagues - It’s important to build relationships across the entire firm, not just with those inside your practice area. You must market your skills and work habits internally to be in a position to market them to potential clients.
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Managing Your Performance and Review - If you make a mistake, do what you can to rectify the error as quickly as possible. Do not avoid your supervisor - that can make it appear that you lack the confidence necessary to receive constructive criticism. At the same time, you want to highlight your successes, especially during the performance review process.
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Earning Extra Credit - Pursue opportunities to observe more seasoned lawyers in action and partner with them on projects, even if the activities are outside of your expected workload. Try to develop your interpersonal skills and the kind of emotional intelligence that will help you navigate the politics of office life and build good client relationships.
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Tending Relationships with Staff - Treat administrative and support staff with respect and foster good relationships with them. They can be very helpful in providing you with information about how lawyers in the firm want their work done, and their support, or lack of it, will be instrumental in your development as well.
For more, go to the full article.
