Before Seeking a New Job...

In my previous post I discussed a few general thoughts to consider before searching for a new job. In this post I am asking you to pause before you explore new positions and determine if there is any manner to “fix” the issues you have at your current position.

The first step is to write down the main reasons you are unhappy at your current job. This may include the following:

• The work you are performing is not what was advertised

• Lack of professional growth

• Limited mentorship

• Lack of business development support as promised

• Group of attorneys left

• Workload diminished

• Main client left

• Poor firm culture

• Poor relationship with supervising attorney

• Lack of raise and/or bonus

Depending on the firm and issues some may have remedies and some may not. If you do attempt to address issues please be confident you will not be terminated. If you are concerned this may happen then it appears you are not in the right place anyway and it is best to not address and move on soon.

If you are comfortable addressing your concerns then set up a time and place at the firm (not a bar or over drinks) and address it in a professional manner. Select a few essential items to discuss. Approach it as you would like some help to grow as an attorney rather than a demand.

If a solution is not forthcoming then I suggest you keep your head down and work hard while privately seeking a position with another employer. I do not recommend that you quit your job until you secure a new position (that includes passing conflicts, background and reference checks).

Happy 2019!

Mark

So...You Are Seeking a New Job...

We all have been there. You know it is time to leave your job but it seems very challenging to actually do it. This will be the first of a series of articles that I hope will provide you with the steps needed to move in a forward direction.

First, let's look backwards in time.

Why did I even pick this job? Don't be too hard on yourself. Most likely you selected your position for a number of good reasons at the time you chose your position. Take pen to paper and write out at least 5 main reasons you selected this position at the time you accepted their offer. Looking back, you will notice that you had good reasons; faulty reasons; or maybe reasons that were valid at the time, but that no longer apply. That is okay.

For instance: One good reason is you were correct that you had significant client contact. One faulty reason is you accepted your current employer's offer instead of a competing offer because it had a higher initial salary. What you overlooked at the time was it had a poor record of moving employees forward in their career.

Take away: Learn from your mistakes and try not to repeat them next time. Seems simple but many candidates repeat the same mistakes over and over as they move from job to job. Also, repeat what you did right.

Next Time: Can you fix what's "wrong" with your job instead of leaving?