Performance / The 6Ps of the BIG 3 Book — 4 comments
02
Jan 12
Happy 2012!! If one of your goals for 2012 is to improve your networking, you might decide to follow what I refer to in my book as the “business card rule.” This rule, simply stated, suggests you connect with people on LinkedIn each time you exchange business cards with new contacts.
LinkedIn’s free CardMunch app for the iPhone helps you execute the business card rule. CardMunch is a business card scanning service which LinkedIn acquired in January 2011. CardMunch is the only business card scanner that syncs with LinkedIn and links scanned cards with the card owners’ LinkedIn profiles. You can then invite the card owner to connect on LinkedIn from the CardMunch application. After downloading the CardMunch app, follow these steps as you collect business cards in the course of networking:
- Go to the CardMunch app and take a picture of the business card collected.
- CardMunch will ask you to confirm the legibility of the scanned card.
- Within minutes, CardMunch transcribes the content on the business card and checks to see if the card owner has a LinkedIn profile. If the card owner has a LinkedIn profile, CardMunch displays information from the LinkedIn profile such as name, title, picture, contact information and mutual connections.
- From the CardMunch app, you can send the card owner an invitation to connect on LinkedIn and a follow-up networking email.
- You can also save the card owner’s contact information in your iPhone address book.
Practice — 1 comment
30
Dec 11
I received an iPad for Christmas and immediately fell in love with the Flipboard app. The app, also available for iPhones (as of Dec. 2011), aggregates all web links shared by your contacts on various social networking sites and displays the content in magazine-like format, as shown below. You flip through the pages of content by sliding your finger across the screen.
Now, I prefer reading social networking updates on Flipboard rather than each social networking site or app for the following reasons:
- Scan updates. Flipboard displays enough content for each web link so you can determine if the link is worth reading (or saving to read later – see #2). If you touch the screen and slide your finger across, you flip to the next page of updates. The magazine-like display and touch to flip function allow you to quickly scan the information shared by your networks rather than scrolling down pages to read updates and clicking on links.
- Save and read later. The Flipboard app syncs with Instapaper and Read It Later. Choose one for your Flipboard account (you can create either account for free) and you can save links to read later.
- Comment, like or share. Finally, you can interact on your social networking sites from the Flipboard app. If you enjoyed an article shared on Facebook, you can “like” the link. You can also comment or share links.
Performance / The 6Ps of the BIG 3 Book — 3 comments
28
Dec 11
One recurring theme in my book is the need for job seekers to take online relationships offline. Now, the free iPhone app LunchMeet facilitates offline meetings with your LinkedIn connections. LunchMeet syncs with your LinkedIn account and identifies connections who are available to meet for lunch, coffee or drinks.
I love the concept of LunchMeet and decided to try it last night. I logged in using my LinkedIn username and password. The app prompted me to set a time slot I was available to meet. After choosing a date and time, I searched to see who was available to meet. None of my 1,028 LinkedIn connections appeared in the search results. The only result was a “Vice President of Information Technology” in the Printing industry (LunchMeet identifies people outside of your LinkedIn network who have indicated they are available to meet, but LunchMeet only reveals the title and industry of the people).
Finally, LunchMeet posted the following update to my LinkedIn profile so my connections who aren’t using LunchMeet will see the note about my availability and (presumably) inquire about LunchMeet.
My initial thoughts about LunchMeet:
- I continue to think LunchMeet is a great concept designed to facilitate offline meetings.
- More people need to use LunchMeet for it to become a powerful networking tool.
- Some professionals might shy away from posting their availability out of fear that “unwanted connections” (e.g., vendors) might take advantage of securing meetings with them.
- I’m not inclined to meet with non-connections such as the Vice President of Information Technology in the search results above. My preference is to use LunchMeet to develop the relationships I’ve already created on LinkedIn.
Have you tried LunchMeet? What are your thoughts?
Performance — 2 comments
27
Dec 11
Nick Ducoff recently tweeted that he spent Sunday morning tagging his LinkedIn connections, and his tweet reminded me that many job seekers are not taking advantage of LinkedIn’s tagging feature. Here are some facts about LinkedIn tags:
- LinkedIn allows you to create up to 200 tags or labels to assign to your connections.
- You can assign more than one tag to each connection.
- The tagging feature is free—you do not need a premium account to tag your connections.
- LinkedIn provides you with five default tags which you may use or delete:
- Partners
- Group members
- Colleagues
- Friends
- Classmates
- When you accept a LinkedIn invitation to connect, the basis for that connection is automatically applied as a default tag. For example, if Ashley Smith invited me to connect on LinkedIn and indicated that we were “friends,” her profile would be tagged as “friends.”
- You can delete the default tags and create your own system or you can use the default tags, plus your own tags. I recommend that job seekers, at a minimum, create tags to better identify their professional connections.
- You can search your LinkedIn connections by tags.
- You can send a message to LinkedIn connections with a specific tag.
To illustrate how a job seeker might use the tags, suppose a 2nd year law student at The University of Texas School of Law is interested in employment law and plans to return to Florida, her home state, after graduation. She might create the following tags for her LinkedIn connections:
- Florida lawyers
- Employment lawyers
- UT Law alumni
- Friends
- Classmates
- Group Members
Before going home for the holidays, this 2L could message her contacts with the “Florida lawyers” tag to schedule meetings/lunches with lawyers in her home state. Finally, note that a UT Law alum who practices employment law in Florida could have three tags: Florida lawyers, Employment lawyers and UT Law alumni.
As you organize your job search for 2012, spend some time this week tagging your own LinkedIn connections and then tapping that network in the new year.
Uncategorized — No comments
29
Nov 11
Once or twice a week, I take a Core Fusion class at Exhale Spa. During one of the classes last weekend, the instructor introduced a new “21 Day Slim Down Challenge” — take 21 classes in 21 days between December 1-21. I began to think about how this concept could apply to other aspects in life, such as job searching.
You’ve probably heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit, so, in theory, taking a core class for 21 consecutive days means a person will subsequently continue the classes several times a week. Note that Exhale introduced the challenge at the end of the year, before most people launch their New Year’s resolutions. Forming a new habit in December 2011 gives people an advantage over those who wait until January 2012. Presumably, you’ll have a new exercise routine in place by January 2012 and can focus on a different resolution in January.
Since most people wait until January to commence a job search, job seekers can gain a similar advantage by focusing on their job search in December. If you aren’t using LinkedIn in your job search, I challenge you to focus on LinkedIn for 21 days. Like exercising, job seekers must use social networking sites consistently over a period of time in order to see results. Consider doing one of the following LinkedIn activities daily between December 1-21.
- Read your LinkedIn news feed daily between December 1-21 and comment on at least one contact’s activity or update. Bonus points if you pick up the phone and call the person with your comment!
- Use the Advanced People Search function to identify alumni of your college and law school who practice law in your target field or market. Connect with one alum each day between December 1-21 and customize your LinkedIn invitation to explain why you are connecting.
- Use the Company Search function to identify 21 law firms in your target market. Follow the firms, see who you know at the firms, and connect with one person at each firm.
- Use the Advanced People Search function to identify lawyers who practice in your target field. Connect with one lawyer each day between December 1-21.
- Participate in a LinkedIn Group each day between December 1-21. Share an article, comment on an update, or ask a question.
Finally, don’t stop using LinkedIn after the 21 day period ends. Continue to use LinkedIn several times a week to see the benefits the site offers.
Profile — No comments
01
Nov 11
If you are a job seeker who speaks multiple languages, make sure your LinkedIn profile reflects each language. Some in-house legal jobs as well as document review positions require a specific language competency. The language field on LinkedIn is also an optional search field for advanced people searches on LinkedIn. Thus, legal recruiters can search LinkedIn to find candidates for these in-house and document review jobs.
To add a language to your LinkedIn profile, complete the following steps:
- From your LinkedIn home page, click on “Profile,” and then “Edit Profile.”
- Below your snapshot box and before your summary section, you’ll see a box that allows you to add sections. Click on “add section,” as shown below.
3. Then, select the “languages” option and add to your profile. You can then list the languages you speak.
Profile — No comments
28
Sep 11
It’s no secret that potential employers and clients search LinkedIn before hiring lawyers. How would a potential employer or client perceive your profile? Which words stand out and brand you? For example, does your LinkedIn profile suggest that you are an employment lawyer or a leading authority on non-compete agreements?
One way to test how others perceive your LinkedIn profile is to create a Wordle of your profile. Copy the text of your LinkedIn profile, go to Wordle.net and paste the text. Here’s my Wordle: 
If you aren’t satisfied with the dominant words in your Wordle, revise your LinkedIn profile as needed so that your desired brand dominates your Wordle.
Profile — No comments
20
Sep 11
I previously shared my thoughts on why job seekers need a profile picture on their social networking profiles. Now, there is psychological proof that having a profile picture may help your job search. According to this Psychology Today article, we absorb about 93% of our information from sight and sound alone. Sight accounts for 55%. Thus, a profile picture could have the greatest influence on employers who view your online profiles.
Here are some guidelines I offer in book for choosing the perfect profile picture:
- Recent (taken in the past five years)
- Quality (avoid blurry pictures)
- Headshot (shoulders up rather than full length picture)
#LawJobChat — 1 comment
30
Jul 11
“Tax law is sexy,” tweeted @kebmurphy while promoting the 13th #LawJobChat which we held on Thursday, July 28, 2011. I discovered during this chat that there is some truth in @kebmurphy’s statement. Our guest tax lawyers (@atexastaxlawyer, @taxgirl, and @SoFlaEstatePlan) and one former tax laywer(@kebmurphy) shared three reasons why tax law is so “excitingly appealing” and “glamorous.”
- Tax lawyers have control over their practices. If you want to work in BigLaw, the tax group is probably a good choice if you want to maintain some balance and avoid all-nighters and emergencies. If you decide you don’t like working for someone else, tax law is also an area in which a lawyer can practice in a solo or small firm setting. Many tax lawyers in a solo or small firm setting continue to work on hot matters such as offshore compliance.
- Most tax lawyers are not pure tax geeks. Many tax lawyers keep their practices exciting by touching on a variety of transactional practices, such as real estate, business transactions, cross-border transactions and estate planning, rather than focusing on one specific aspect such as state and local tax. You tend to see the pure tax geeks who focus on one specialty in the larger firms.
- Inexperienced tax lawyers may increase their demand with LLM or CPA. An LLM may help market new tax lawyers who don’t have an accounting or finance background. But, an LLM is not as helpful if you have significant experience. A CPA may help tax lawyers who handle significant compliance matters.
How can you enter the field of tax law? Our guests shared the following ideas:
- If you are still in law school, take every tax course offered in law school.
- Network with tax lawyers through bar associations and alumni groups.
- Volunteer with VITA.
- Show a genuine interest in tax law. Your interest is more important than your experience. Don’t ask academic questions, but share details that show your interest in tax law.
- Read the following blogs:
Finally, click here to read the entire transcript of #LawJobChat No. 13.
#LawJobChat — No comments
27
Jul 11
Several law students have tweeted questions over the last few months about careers in tax law, so our July 2011 #LawJobChat will focus on this career path. Join #LawJobChat this Thursday, July 28, at 9pm EDT as we explore the various roles of tax lawyers, such as representing clients before state and local taxing authorities, advising corporations or partnerships, representing high net-worth individuals, and more. In addition to participants’ questions, we’ll explore the following:
- Do you need an LL.M? C.P.A?
- How easy/difficult it is to switch practice areas as a lateral associate and enter the tax field?
- Where can you work in this field if you don’t want to work in a law firm setting?
- How easy/difficult is it to work in a corporate legal department?
- Is prior accounting or business experience helpful?
- Recommended resources/blogs for students interested in this practice area
- Recommended courses in law school
- Recommended summer clerkship/internship
- Are there certain sub-specialties of tax law that are better for lawyers interested in a flexible schedule?
Our guest co-hosts for this chat have worked in a variety of settings ranging from positions at the IRS to corporate legal departments to solo practice. Our guests include:
Click here for details on how to participate in a Twitter Chat. As always, I’ll post the #LawJobChat transcript following the live chat.