Have You Gone For Your Annual Career Checkup?

Granted, along the way you will need to pay your dues; but even when you get to a place in your career where things seem to be going well, you owe it to yourself to periodically evaluate whether there is anything you can improve upon.

If you take the time for self-reflection on a regular basis, you will be less likely to hit a career crisis and you will have time to initiate change gradually when the early signs of dissatisfaction begin to show.


Put another way, achieving career satisfaction takes ongoing work. For one, your needs and interests will evolve as you move through different phases in life.

In your late 20s, your focus may be proving yourself at work, while in your late 30s, you may be trying to balance work with the needs of a young family.

Furthermore, in the economy of the 21st century, expect the unexpected. What is working well today may not exist tomorrow. The law firm environment you have come to appreciate may be merged out of existence. The clients you enjoy working with may run out of cash. Partners you like may leave. Your practice area may experience a significant slowdown.

There are many ways to be reflective. To get you started, I have devised a simple list of questions that you can get through with minimal effort; however, getting out of your office and speaking with more seasoned attorneys is an important next step.

Thinking you would like to pursue a new practice area may be a well-reasoned conclusion. But it is a good idea to do a reality check and find out more from those who practice in this area (i.e., to see if your perceptions about the new practice area are correct and to gauge whether or not the new area holds some promise).

20 Questions To Help Evaluate Your Potential Need For Change
 

• Does your work provide you with enough intellectual challenge? Too much?
• Do you enjoy your work?
  
  In a law firm, even the most senior partner has to put up with things he does not like doing. But it is reasonable to want to enjoy what you do 75 percent of the time.
• Do you find your work meaningful?
• Is your work consistent with your values?
  
  Do you value a quality work product? Bottom line results for clients? How employees are treated? Is integrity high on your list of values? How about serving the needs of others? Being part of a mission protecting the environment, providing legal services to the poor, promoting civil rights, etc.? Efficiency? Getting paid top dollar for your skills? Having a lot of free time available for personal interests/family? How does your current job measure up against these values? (e.g., If producing a high-quality work product is an important value to you, you will probably be unhappy in a work environment where you are rewarded for moving a high volume of cases as quickly as possible.)
• Is work that is more consistent with your interests available at your firm? Have you asked for it?
• If you have asked for more challenging, enjoyable or meaningful work and you have not been given this work, is the work likely to get more challenging, interesting or meaningful as you get more senior? Can you tolerate the you are doing until this happens?
• Can you find more meaning in your work by supplementing your regular caseload with pro bono work or work from fee-paying clients who cannot afford the regular firm rate? Can you spend some of your time on marketing so that down the road you will have the kind of work/clients you want?
• If the work is not likely to improve, is your current position worth sticking with because it is a stepping stone to the job that you do want?
• Is the job worth sticking with because the salary you are earning will help pay off your debt and give you more career flexibility in a shorter period of time?
• If you do not have time for volunteer/pro bono work, can you get satisfaction by providing financial support to the causes that interest you?
• Are you satisfied with the hours that you work? With the predictability of these hours?
• Does the firm allow you to work part time and/or telecommute? Have other associates or partners in your department had a positive experience working in this capacity?
• Are you happy with the level of collegiality in your firm? Do you like the partners and associates with whom you work? Is it possible to avoid the partners you do not like working with?
• Do you receive constructive criticism on your work and sufficient career guidance from colleagues? Can you ask for more?
• Are you given ample opportunity to attend internal and/or external CLE programs?
• Are you happy with the level of professionalism in your organization?
• Would you have more career satisfaction doing the same work in a different environment? Does such a workplace exist?
• Would you be happy if you could do the same work for fewer hours? Is it possible to do this kind of work in fewer hours?
• Do you like the firm's clients? Can you avoid working with the clients whom you do not like?
• Are you satisfied with your compensation? Could you find a comparable work situation that pays more?

There is some overlap in the questions that have been posed and there are many other questions that you can ask yourself. If you are in a career crisis, you may want to consider getting some career counseling with a trained specialist.

Just don't expect miraculous epiphanies or instant results, though. Real career happiness takes a lot of work to achieve and continuous work to maintain. But the payoff with respect to your emotional health is large.

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.