Using The Power Of LinkedIn In Your Attorney Job Search

Most savvy legal professionals realize the importance of using all the job networking sites at their disposal in their search for attorney jobs. One of the most popular sites is LinkedIn, which allows users to build a network of connections that can be hundreds or even thousands of people deep. Even if you’re not directly linked to someone, chances are that one of your contacts is linked to the person you want to connect with, and can facilitate that connection.
Once a person puts his or her profile on LinkedIn, however, he may think that there’s nothing more to do, that recruiters or those with job opportunities will seek him out and be instantly dazzled by his wealth of experience. This is far from the truth, and job seekers can and should take a much more proactive role when it comes to not only connecting with other, but also in terms of establishing a LinkedIn presence.
In order to establish some kind of presence that will make others take notice, one good step beyond simply having a complete and updated profile is to seek out the groups that are relevant to your particular area of professional interest. These may range from groups that cater to Ivy League alumni, to those specific to the legal profession, such as Legal NYC or even those catering to a niche audience, such as Legal Marketing or Legal IT. There are many avenues to explore in the world of LinkedIn groups, and they’re worth taking note of.
For one, these groups have discussion boards that offer a range of topics, with generally a separate section devoted to job opportunities. Here, those in the group post jobs available with their companies, and anyone who is part of the group can either respond to that person directly via LinkedIn mail, or can ask questions and start a discussion about the job on that particular thread.
Another way to have an impact is to start discussion threads yourself. If you think you’re an expert on something in your particular field or have an especially broad knowledge base on a particular topic, let those in your group know it. Not only will you be imparting useful information to others in your peer group, but you’ll also be positioning yourself as a subject matter expert, and thus someone who would be an asset to a company looking for people to hire.
Finally, don’t get so wrapped up in groups and discussion boards that you overlook the obvious! This includes not just keeping your profile up-to-date, but also reaching out to connections that work for the companies that you’re specifically targeting. If you can bypass HR and talk to those who may know about the specific needs in their department or firm, you’re already ahead of the game.
Join the Lawmatch Legal Job Search Network on LinkedIn!