As appeared in June 2023 on LinkedIn.
With the new round of associate layoffs reported by The American Lawyer, Law360 and other publications around the world, I’ve been thinking about what associates who have been let go might do to redefine their careers or to think about their next steps.
I hope that by sprinkling a few ideas into LinkedInland, others will join the conversation and add their own advice so that as a community we can help one another.
Some ideas to offer:
💡 Think about what makes you unique from an experience perspective. What is it that you worked on or who you worked with that makes you different? Is there something special about your training (such as government service) that has helped inform your work? Is that information highlighted in your CV and LinkedInprofile?
💡 Consider the above work as part of your personal branding or personal positioning. Be comfortable with (and practice) explaining your unique selling proposition (USP).
💡 Take time to think about what you enjoyed most about your previous job: Who were the clients, what was the practice area, and what types of matters clicked for you? Think about how those passions overlap with what is profitable or where there is a need in the market. The intersection of those two things may give you a good idea of where you can build a successful career.
💡 Which brings me back to LinkedIn: According to the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Report, as many as 87% of US lawyers maintain a LinkedIn presence. With that in mind you’ll want to be sure to use LinkedIn in three ways:
(1) improve your profile and maximize the newest features
(2) reach out and connect to those people you know, or have known in the past
(3) post helpful information on the platform that reflects your USP and your interests.
💡 Think about the firms or companies you may want to work at. Make a list of them and think about who you know or who you know who may know someone there. Follow those companies on LinkedIn and set up Google alerts to see the news impacting them. Consider how best to approach them and keep that shortlist in mind when you speak to recruiters.
