Is Your Networking Working

I receive numerous inquiries from attorneys who do not meet these criteria. Many seem like very talented lawyers who haven't had big firm training or did not attend a prestigious law school. Others are associates with top credentials who are looking for in-house or non-legal positions (we can help a small percentage of these candidates to the extent that we have in-house listings that mesh with their interests and experience.) But for the majority of those who inquire, all we can do is offer words of encouragement and suggest that the job seeker do a lot of "networking".

For me, this is the hardest part about the legal recruiting business. The more that someone needs my placement services, the less likely it is that I can place them. In the spirit of trying to help those who are unlikely to find work through a recruiter, I have put together some thoughts on how to effectively network.


Career professionals have touted the importance of networking for two decades. A lot has also been written on the subject. I know many professionals who have used networking effectively to find a great job or cultivate more clients. However, most of the attorneys that I come in contact with are at sea when it comes to networking. That's because networking is a learned skill that is not taught in law school.

Networking Is About Building A Community

The objective of networking is to build a community of contacts that will be there to help you when you have a need. In reality, most of us do not start networking until we do need something (e.g. a job). But effective networking does not mean asking a lot of employers to hire you (even if that is your objective). Rather it is a process of information gathering.

When you network, you are asking for career advice. You are learning what it is like to practice in a certain area of the law. You are getting an assessment of your credentials from someone who knows your practice area. You are seeking advice on how to get your foot in the door somewhere; and last, but not least, you are asking the contact to suggest anyone else who might be worth speaking to (e.g. someone who might have need of your services-or who might know someone who might have a need).

At the same time, you are immersing yourself in a community of contacts who may hear about job openings from time to time and who do some hiring as well. It is an interesting paradox. If you approach someone who has no current hiring needs and you say you are looking for a job, they will be unlikely to spend much time with you. But if you approach the same person and indicate that you would like their advice, they are more likely to meet with you regardless of their staffing needs.

Networking is a powerful tool that can be hard work, but also a lot of fun. If you are an inquisitive person, you will learn a lot if you listen carefully. In order to help you, the following are some suggestions that have worked for me.

1 - Be Realistic
Networking is a process of building relationships. If you are trying to build a community for yourself, you can't expect it to happen overnight. Furthermore, the more senior you are in your career, the longer it will take to find what you seek. At the more junior level, finding a "hidden" job could take several months. At a more senior level, networking can take longer. I recently learned about an assistant general counsel who spent 2 ½ years cultivating relationships that led to a great in-house job. When he started the networking process, he was already a partner at major downtown Boston law firm.

2- Keep In Touch With Contacts Over Time And Take The Time To Thank Them
Personal relationships build over time. In the same vein, professional relationships need to be nurtured over time. Don't expect success from your first meeting with a good contact. They hardly know you and probably feel a limited commitment to your success. This can grow over time but the key point is that time is necessary. So understand that an initial conversation is only the first step. You need to come back to your contacts every few months.

Personally, I find this to be the hardest part about networking. If you meet with someone in September, what do you say to him or her in mid-January when you are still looking for a new job? And what if you are still looking in May? The answer is actually simple. First, make sure to send a brief thank you note within 48 hours of your first meeting. If you promised to send something at that first meeting (e.g. a magazine article or a piece of information that is useful to them) make sure to enclose this with the thank you letter.

Several months later, you can drop them a quick note saying that you are still looking. In the note, ask them if they've heard of anyone who may have need of your services. Another tactic is to send them a copy of an article that you think may be of interest to them. Or you can call them on the phone and in a very brief conversation, ask if they've heard of anything. In short, if there's not much to talk about then it is fine to keep it short. The point is to keep reminding them that you exist.

Even when you successfully find a job through networking, do not stop. The next time you "need" something, you will not be starting from scratch (i.e. your network will already be established). A good place to start is when you have landed a new job. You should take the opportunity to thank all of your contacts once again and let them know where you have ended up. I have received letters like this and I can say from personal experience that they make a big impression. I can also say from personal experience that failing to thank someone can really hurt your reputation. I was recently at a function for in-house counsel and ran into someone who never communicated with me after our initial conversation. I found out that this person had done the same to several others in the room and we all left the meeting with a very bad impression of this attorney.

3-Looking For Work In All The Wrong Places
Reading the classified ads in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and reviewing job listings on the Internet can be comforting. It provides you with concrete evidence that someone is hiring lawyers. Similarly, dropping letters in a mailbox gives you a sense of accomplishment. But responding to ads is probably the number one reason why networking can fail.

Perusing the classifieds can be part of your job search strategy. If your credentials match closely with the requirements posted in an ad and the job interests you, do take the time to follow-up. But if the ad calls for three to five years of litigation experience and you have 15, then you are probably wasting your time. If the ad calls for experience in closing commercial real estate loans and your experience is purely residential, then it is unlikely that your resume will rise to the top of the pile. In today's legal job market, when an employer places and ad for someone with "x" experience, if this experience is not on the resume, then the resume will end up in the trash.

In short, there are only so many hours in the day. If you spend a lot of your time on activities that have little likelihood of bearing fruit (i.e. like responding to ads when you are unlikely to get an interview), you'll have less time for activities that afford you a much higher probability of success.

4-Be Persistent And Respectful
Perhaps it is already evident to you, but lawyers are very busy and may not return your phone calls right away. Perseverance can really pay off in the busy world we live in. I can think of instances where it took me 20 phone calls to finally connect with a professional who I wanted to meet. Try to find out from the contact's secretary a good time of day to reach the individual. You may even want to try calling before or after hours when secretaries are not in the office.

In being persistent, however, it is important to respect the needs of the potential contact. It is not a good idea to leave ten messages for someone in one day. In fact you may want to try calling on several different days without leaving a message before resorting to voicemail. If you do reach someone on the phone, ask him or her if it is a good time to speak or try to set up a time when he or she can meet with you in person. If you got their name from another contact, start the conversation with something like "John Smith suggested I give you a call".

If you feel more comfortable doing so, send a brief letter of introduction to the potential contact. DO NOT ENCLOSE YOUR RESUME! (Remember, you are not asking them for a job.) Also, do not be surprised if the contact does not remember your letter when you speak to them on the phone. Continue the conversation as you would if you had not sent them anything.

5-Know When To Cut Bait
An equally inefficient way of networking is being overly persistent. In the above example I cited 20 phone calls before I was able to connect with a particular contact. But in that instance, the contact had already begun calling me back. If in the course of a two-week period you leave five messages for someone and they fail to call you back, it is probably time to stop trying. It's easy to fall into the trap of deciding that there is someone who you must reach. Certainly there are some lawyers who can be very influential in helping your career. But it is also important to realize that someone's willingness to help is just as important as his or her ability to help.

6-Anyone Can Build A Network From Scratch
When I finished law school and began working at MCLE, I had very few contacts in the Massachusetts bar. When I left MCLE 8 years later, I was able to put together a mailing list of over 2000 leading attorneys in Massachusetts. Initially, I was introduced to some of the leading attorneys and judges. But after a while, I began to cultivate relationships on my own largely through cold calling.

Attorneys who are not well connected have the misperception that you need to be related to a Rockefeller in order to be successful at networking. Of course if you are a Rockefeller, you have a good head start on the rest of us. But anyone can build a network from the ground up. You just need to be a little creative in how you try to connect with people.

The best opening line is always "[so and so] suggested that I give you a call". If you do not have a name to mention, you can try calling alumni from your law school or undergraduate institution. Sometimes your law professors can put you in contact with the right people. One of my favorite cold calling techniques is to read an article that someone has written and call the author (and remember that compliments can go a long way-- if they are sincere.)

You can also make connections by approaching a speaker at a CLE program or a bar association meeting. Try not take too much of their time at the session. Simply find out if it is okay to call them in their office. You can also call a lawyer who has been mentioned in the legal or popular press ("I was reading Lawyers Weekly this week and noticed that you recently prevailed in a very interesting case involving eminent domain…"). Getting involved in a high profile bar association committee is another way to develop contacts. Make sure to focus on the needs of the committee as you begin to cultivate relationships (i.e. do not focus on your need for a new job).

7 -- Keep Your Volume Of Contacts High
It is hard to appreciate how time-consuming networking can be. It is also hard to realize how many contacts you really need to make an order to be successful. There are stories of attorneys who find a new position in a matter of weeks. But these success stories are far from the norm. If you really want to reach a critical mass that is likely to bring you success, you should be thinking about making 5 to 10 contacts week. Of these 5 to 10 contacts, perhaps you'll only meet with one or two of them in person. The rest of these contacts will be by phone or by mail (setting up future meetings, checking in on contacts with whom you have not spoken several months, forwarding an article that you thought might be of interest to someone on your contact list, making cold calls, etc.)

8 -- Ask Not What Your Contacts Can Do For You; Ask What You Can Do For Your Contacts
It is easy see networking as a one-way street. After all, you are the one doing the networking. You are the one who needs a job or wants to make a lateral move. But by making small talk and by being a good listener, you may discover that there is some way that you can be of assistance to the person with whom you are networking. For example, if they have a son who is interested in the music business and you have a friend who produces records for local bands, you can offer to hook the son up with your friend. Or maybe you know a lot about computer software, and the contact is trying to select a new database program to manage the firm's docket. Or in the course of your discussion, you mention an article that you have read and he or she seems interested in seeing a copy.

Being helpful to others is not a bad way to run your life in general, but it is also a good way to cement relationships. It is human nature to want to help someone who has helped you. If helping the person involves some kind follow-up, doing the follow-up is also a way to demonstrate that you are a conscientious individual.

Conclusion
There is no single way to find a job through networking. You have to use an approach that is consistent with your personality and that feels comfortable to you. But if you take the time to cultivate relationships and you do your best to be a resource to others, you will find what you seek. You may not get there in one step, but along the way you will minimize the volume of rejection letters that end up in your mailbox, keep your pride intact and have a skill that will be helpful to you many times during your career.


About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

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.