When should I 'network' for a job? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Let's say that my brother was a close friend of a member of a firm that I wanted to work at. I know that this friend will go to bat for me—to some degree.
I'm a 1L now and the firm does OCI at my school (CCN), but I would not regularly have any real shot with them (mostly due to grades). I know that even with this connection, my chances are still quite tenuous, but I have nothing to lose.
The question is, if I want to pursue a 2L summer job with this firm, when is the best time to ask the friend to work on this? If I ask too late, obviously, there will be no open positions, yet if I ask too early, he may forget about me and I can't pester him too much about it.
Any suggestions?

[nealric]

I would contact him early, and then follow up (but not so often you are pestering him).

Don't just contact him and say "can I haz job?". You can tell him you are interested in the work the firm does, ask a few questions, start a dialog.

[underdawg]

i'd plant the seed now-ish to set it up later, when you jizz all over his face (i can haz job?)

[nycparalegal]

It's the ABC - Always Be Closing. You should always be networking. You're going to be an attorney, and everyone is a potential client.

[jlnoa0915]

It's the ABC - Always Be Closing. You should always be networking. You're going to be an attorney, and everyone is a potential client.

TITCR

[nealric]

It's the ABC - Always Be Closing.

Lol.

That reminds me of the movie "The Boiler Room"

Either you slangin the crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot... and I ain't got a wicked jump shot. So I did the white boy version of slangin crack rock. I became a lawyer.

[Anonymous User]

This is the OP.
Thanks for the advice, guys. I want to clarify a bit more based on the dynamic I have with this guy. I know that when I say "Get me a job," he will go for it, however, I will likely only have one time to speak to him, so the question is: When?
In other words, would it be best right before the summer, right before OCI, right after OCI or some other time?

[nealric]

I will likely only have one time to speak to him

He doesn't use email?

Even if he is already willing to go to bat for you, it sounds like he isn't personally your intimate friend. The more he knows about you directly, the more he can articulate why you should be hired to the people who matter.

Also, not trying to crush your hopes, but unless he is in a real position of power (huge rainmaker or the hiring partner), his influence won't be all that strong. You may get a callback when you otherwise wouldn't, but it certainly won't seal the deal by itself.

[Herb Watchfell]

i'd plant the seed now-ish to set it up later, when you jizz all over his face (i can haz job?)

Exquisite. 180.

[A'nold]

I will likely only have one time to speak to him

He doesn't use email?

Even if he is already willing to go to bat for you, it sounds like he isn't personally your intimate friend. The more he knows about you directly, the more he can articulate why you should be hired to the people who matter.

Also, not trying to crush your hopes, but unless he is in a real position of power (huge rainmaker or the hiring partner), his influence won't be all that strong. You may get a callback when you otherwise wouldn't, but it certainly won't seal the deal by itself.

That's what she said.

Anyway, how do you guys recommend networking, especially for people who hate crap like that (i.e., never put themselves out there).

[WhiskeyGuy]

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[mhernton]

It's the ABC - Always Be Closing.

Lol.

That reminds me of the movie "The Boiler Room"

Either you slangin the crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot... and I ain't got a wicked jump shot. So I did the white boy version of slangin crack rock. I became a lawyer.

That line is from "Glen Gary Glen Ross." "Boiler Room" was a less-than-great re-creation of "Glen Gary," and Ben Affleck was a poor remake of Alec Baldwin.

Finally, someone with a little culture....

[BetterCallSaul]

I will likely only have one time to speak to him.

oh dear. you're thinking about networking all wrong.

A connection is not something you hoard until the right moment when you cash it in for a job. It doesn't work like that. This lawyer you know is clearly successful and probably has all kinds of insights for you--you should be cultivating this relationship, and if you can't do that, it isn't worth much to you.

Ask him about all kinds of law and career related things. Ask for advice on selecting a firm and even interviewing. Ask what things he wishes he knew when he was a law student and a first year associate. Find out what his interests are. Find a reason to have a short conversation with him once a month. His plug for you will be worth a lot more if he feels invested in you--and even if it doesn't work out with his firm you'll end up with a bit of a mentor.

I mean it less cynically than Glen Gary Glen Ross, but it's true: Always Be Closing.

[Posner]

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