JOB QUEST FOR LAWYERS
Sheila Nielsen MSS, JD
Luck
How Luck Gets Created in Life
Job Search Luck
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Interaction
Optimism
Pragmatism
Intuitive Judgment
Tenacity
Opportunism
Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind
Know If You’ve Got Graphene
Avoid the “J” Word
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In the beginning of your
quest
Don’t ask “Do you know
of any jobs or
opportunities?”
It feels like begging
People will avoid you
You are asking people
to be your recruiter
Conversations are too
short
You
You
Me
Map
of the
Quest
Ogres: Don’t Let Them Stop You
How to Start Your Quest
Be Prepared
Find Your Career Sweet Spot
Aptitude/interest
+
Skills
+
Market need
Workflow- Stay in Deep Water
Formula for Getting Hired
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1. Skill set matches or close enough
2. Workflow
3. Culture fit likely
4. You come to the attention of the
workplace through a trusted contact
(Ideally with an endorsement)
Trust Transfers
The Starter Conversation
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Introduce yourself and say your connection:
(person or experience in common)
Say why you are calling: (Crossroads)
Describe your background (Your resume)
Describe the castles and knights and wizards
you seek to learn more about
Ask for gossip, rumors, on-the-ground
information
Meet in person if you can!!!!!!!
The Voice Test
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The voice of the natural counselor goes up.
(Knights/Wizards)
The voice of the ogre goes down
More Magic Happens in Person
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People care about you more
You can read the body language
People tell you more
You can create trust relationship
People need to percolate to recall
IT’S AN INTERVIEW!!!
What Should Happen in an In
Person Meeting?
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Create a zone of comfort
Biography
Tell your dream and dilemma
Gossip about people and places
Be an investigative reporter
Know how to create a job opportunity
Give back to your knights and wizards
Friendship Lite
Gifts of :
Information
Promotion
Connection
Listening
Small tangible gift
The Treasure Chest Concept
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You never know
who is a treasure
chest
What opens the box
is telling a natural
counselor your
dream and dilemma
The Tipping Point
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You know of good
castles
You heard they are
busy, active,
growing
Similar backgrounds
Trusted contact
could connect you
Campaign to be Hired
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An Endorsement:
Person knows you, likes you, knows
your work
Person knows someone in the castle
Possible job there
If the person does not think to ask- ask
that person
What a Job Quest Does for You
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Fastest way to find a job
Positive buzz in legal neighborhood
Friends send you business
Your network could save you in the
future
None of your effort is wasted time
Create More Luck
Credits
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Copyrights:
Wizard of Oz: MGM
Star Wars: Lucasfilm