Strategies for Success in your First Job

Select a practice wisely. Particularly if you anticipate transitioning out of your organization in the near future, make as informed a decision as possible about the type of practice that will most likely enable you to transition successfully into the work you wish to do down the road.
Excel at the basics. Whether you remain at your organization for the long term, or transition to a new position at some point, it will serve you well to excel at your job. Provide excellent work product and work ethic, meet all deadlines, respond promptly, seek and accept feedback, be eager to pitch in to get the work done, and demonstrate respect for everyone with whom you work. Learn the criteria for becoming a leader within your organization – by knowing what is expected, you will be able to demonstrate the qualities needed to succeed.
Understand how your work fits into the organization’s larger purpose. Know how the work you are tasked with impacts the work of other attorneys on your team and helps to achieve your client’s goals. In law firm practice, understand how your role helps the firm generate revenue – and where it costs them money.
Cultivate mentors/sponsors. Go beyond formal mentor programs to cultivate relationships with senior attorneys with interests similar to yours and with the ability to assist you in advancing your career. Maintain mentor relationships you’ve developed in other settings as well, including law school and prior work experiences. In developing sponsorship relationships, be the type of person that others want to work with and support: competent, kind, and coachable.
Learn to manage yourself and to manage up. Know when/how to ask questions but also when it is expected that you operate independently. Anticipate the needs of senior attorneys on your team to make their jobs easier. Learn how they prefer to communicate and keep them updated on your status.
Be visible and develop genuine connections with your team members. Avoid the temptation to communicate only through technology. Meet in person with attorneys and clients as often as possible. Attend meetings and events to which you are invited.
Embrace technology and AI. Those who are better equipped to learn new technologies quickly will be better positioned for the future of the legal profession. Stay informed about developments in this space and seek opportunities to build these skills.
Engage within the organization outside of your paid work. Take on pro bono matters, assist with client pitches, author practice group newsletter articles, mentor junior attorneys, and join committees. Taking on these responsibilities will advance your reputation as a team player, will further your personal relationships and enhance your likeability within the firm. Pro bono takes on even greater value if you are in private practice and contemplating a move to the public sector.
Engage outside of the organization. Get involved with community organizations, bar associations, and your schools’ alumni associations. You never know when a connection you make will turn into a client, employer, mentor or colleague.
If you are in large firm practice, avoid the golden handcuffs. Most attorneys who transition out of large firms accept positions for which they earn less (and sometimes significantly less) than their law firm salaries. If you are contemplating a transition out of large firm practice, keep in mind the salary ranges for positions you hope to obtain down the road and manage your money accordingly.
Assess exit opportunities. If you are considering transition opportunities, understand what exit options may be available by observing where attorneys at the organization have transitioned or speaking with headhunters who specialize in your desired practice areas/geographies. Learn about career paths of alumni of your organization. Plan ahead to ensure that you develop skills that will be expected in your desired next role, and ensure that you leave your current organization professionally, providing sufficient notice and appropriately transitioning your open matters to other team members.