New York Law Journal: Law Schools, April 27 2009

The Rankings

a great fit for you and why you are a great fit for them. Remember not to be overly aggressive, but do not walk away before you ask for their business cards so that you can follow up with them by e-mail. That e-mail should mention a part of your conversation, but be brief and let them know that you would welcome another opportunity to meet with them.

Keep in mind that most people are willing to help and may even put you in contact with someone else who may be able to better help you in meeting your career goals. Even if a connection you make doesn’t materialize into an opportunity right now, it will facilitate the process of future job searches as the economy recovers… if you are smart enough to maintain those relationships!

Update your address
book regularly to keep
your list of contacts
current, and add
reminders to prompt
you to reach out.

What Frims Want

Stay on their radar. You may even develop an informal mentoring relationship. Update your address book regularly to ensure that your contact list remains current. Add reminders to your calendar to prompt you to reach

out to your contacts.

Social networking Web sites also can be valuable, as they continue to increase in popularity and are a simple way to access information about organizations and individuals while expanding your so-

cial and professional network. Creating a profile on such a site is an easy way to stay connected with alumni groups and members of other associations in any city.

However, as you transition from law student to legal professional, be savvy and learn to manage your image. Design a professional profile on Web sites like LinkedIn. com that are used solely for career networking.

Consider restricting access to your profile on sites such as Facebook. com or MySpace.com to only close friends and family, as legal employers may search for your profile on these sites. Decide whether what is posted may be perceived as unprofessional by a potential employer. Consider adding information about yourself that will appeal to potential employers

who may stumble across your Facebook page.

As you Twitter and post photos online, do not forget how accessible this information is to the public, and be cognizant that people will identify you with what is posted, so keep it professional and tasteful.

Creative and strategic networking as a law student will benefit you as you focus on your business development as an attorney, and will position you to be effective in your client and business relationships.

If you remain proactive, it will minimize your stress and help you overcome your fear of not finding a job.

Networking will become easier the more you do it. If you keep these pointers in mind to market yourself appropriately and strategically, you’ll be

successful. If networking doesn’t lead to an immediate opportunity, don’t be discouraged. You may discover good opportunities that you may not have realized existed, and you may be pleasantly surprised one day when your phone rings with an unexpected one.