Networking

Perhaps no other term is more misunderstood than "networking." Networking is not schmoozing. Networking is research. For every public job posting on USA Jobs, Simplicity, or even OCI bidding, there are at least 10 individuals who have the inside track to that job. Thus, when you see a public job posting, assume there are 10 people behind it.

A strong professional network not only helps you get a specific job, but can keep you informed about other, non-public opportunties and postings.  A strong professional network provides a much needed inside track and can keep you informed about the evolving market and help you land the job of your dreams.

So, we know networking is just another form of researching. Great. So, how does one go about it? Below is our general guide to networking where we will discuss how to build and maintainyour network, and how to use your network to your advantage.  Keep in mind, it is very important to start networking early in your law school career. Building a strong network takes time, so invest in your network as early as possible.

Building Your Professional Network - Amass Contacts

Building a list of Contacts is the central goal of early networking efforts. Who or Where the contacts come from is not as important as just having a wide variety. Sometime, you simply cannot know who knows who, which is the magic of networking. By keeping a large and diverse list of contacts, you increase your chances that a particular contact will know someone who can help you out (and they become yet another contact).