Welcome to the second part of our two-part series on Effective Online Networking, where we'll focus on building connections and making meaningful interactions. If you missed part one, I highly recommend reading it here first, as it guides you through establishing a strong online presence and using effective email templates for networking. Now, let's dive into the process of finding connections and conducting genuine conversations online.
Seeking Connections: To initiate conversations easily, it's best to connect with lawyers who share something in common with you. Begin by identifying lawyers practicing in your area of interest. However, if you can find additional points of connection, such as sharing the same law school or being internationally trained, that can deepen your relationship. Platforms like LinkedIn, including your school's Alumni group, and law firm websites are excellent places to discover such connections.
Before reaching out, take the time to research these connections just as you would research a firm. Study their LinkedIn profiles and firm profiles to gain a deeper understanding of their work and career path. If possible, look into cases they've handled, and come up with intelligent questions based on your findings. Express your genuine intrigue about their work or career path and inquire about specific aspects of their practice or experiences. If you're interested in working at their firm, you can ask about firm-specific topics like work culture, specializations, and more.
Initiating Contact: Don't hesitate to connect with lawyers you feel you have the most in common with, regardless of their rank. A genuine conversation is more valuable than just focusing on high-ranking partners. Associates can provide different perspectives that enrich your networking experience.
If your goal is to secure a summer associate or partner position at a specific firm, consider having a conversation with the firm's Student Recruiter or a member of the hiring committee. Before reaching out to them, ensure you have thoroughly read any student application information available on the firm's website. This way, you can avoid asking basic questions that are already covered on their site.
Managing Contacts: As you identify individuals you wish to connect with, consider organizing them into a spreadsheet or an online database (e.g., using Monday.com). This centralized system will help you keep track of each connection's contact information, communication history, follow-ups, and notes from your conversations. It streamlines your networking efforts and facilitates nurturing those connections over time.
Starting Genuine Conversations: In our previous post, we recommended having templated emails ready for networking purposes. However, it's essential to personalize these templates for each connection. Add a line or two explaining why you're reaching out to them specifically and what aspects of their work interest you. Avoid sending generic emails or directly asking for a job or forwarding of your resume. Instead, express your genuine interest in learning about their work and engaging in a meaningful conversation.
During your initial conversation, focus on learning from them. As the conversation progresses, you can inquire about career progression or potential opportunities at their firm. If they guide you to the standard summer associate or articling recruitment process, you may request permission to mention your discussion with them in your cover letter.
Friendly Follow-Ups: Following up with contacts can feel awkward, but it's a crucial part of networking. Remember these key points while calibrating your follow-up strategy:
Don't Assume Rejection: Lack of response doesn't necessarily mean they are ignoring you. Lawyers are busy, and a follow-up can serve as a friendly reminder.
Don't Assume Annoyance: As long as you're polite and courteous, your follow-up emails are unlikely to annoy anyone.
Create a Timeline: Plan your follow-ups in a structured manner, allowing a few weeks between each follow-up.
Use Life Events: If you find it awkward to follow up, you can use life events or progress updates as an anchor for your email.
Beware of Black-out Dates: Some firms have black-out dates around yearly student recruiting, so network early to avoid these restrictions.
In the current pandemic situation, things might move slower, and lawyers may be busier juggling work from home and childcare. Be patient, persistent, and always maintain a friendly tone in your follow-up messages. Avoid passive-aggressive wording and opt for open and positive statements.
Happy Networking!
Comments
Post a Comment