example, note the client's industry, nature of dispute, dollar amount at stake, successful results, etc. This document will become your resume addendum when you apply and interview for positions throughout your career. You must update this document regularly. •
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LinkedIn InMail. Click here to read how to accept InMail on LinkedIn. You must accept InMail if you want recruiters and potential employers to find and communicate with you on LinkedIn. Reporters also use the InMail feature to obtain information from attorneys for articles. Reading List. Mike Maslanka, the managing partner of Ford & Harrison in Dallas, wrote an interesting Facebook status update this summer about publications new associates should read as part of their business/professional development. He suggested the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Harvard Business Review. I agree with Mike's suggestions, and I would also add Fast Company, a suggestion by a partner at my first law firm and a publication I continue to read today. At a minimum, follow these publications on Twitter. You can skim the tweets for articles and topics even if you don't have time to read the publications from cover to cover. The publications' Twitter handles include: 1. 2. 3. 4.
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@nytimes @wsj @HarvardBiz @FastCompany
Writing Sample. You will be asked to provide writing samples throughout your professional career. Publishing articles is one way to build a portfolio you can share with potential employers or clients. Click here to read about where you can publish, what to write and how to fit publishing into your schedule. Leadership. Assume a leadership role in a professional or civic organization. Lead a committee or volunteer to plan an event. Choose some level of leadership that allows you to work with others. Leading others in a group effort is one of the best ways to get to know people, and connections you make can serve as referrals for new clients or future jobs. Mentor. While many firms assign mentors to new associates, I encourage you to find at least one mentor outside your firm as well. You can find mentors in your existing professional network or you may find a mentor by connecting with new legal professionals on social networking sites like Twitter.
Finally, I leave you with this New York Times editorial by John Grisham regarding his career path. Remember that your first position is a stepping stone along your career path. Embrace the opportunities that exist in the position and allow them to guide you.
Amanda C. Ellis, Esq. is an accomplished legal recruiter based in Dallas, Texas, and the author of The 6Ps of the BIG 3™ for Job-Seeking JDs, which outlines over 60 ways lawyers and law students can get hired using social networking. For more information, please visit www.6psbig3.com. 13