Let’s Chat… Your Post-Work Day!

Welcome back from the weekend, everyone! Last week, we chatted about the possibilities that are waiting for you and your morning routine. However, when thinking about the ‘5-9’ lifestyle (aka the hours OUTSIDE of the corporate schedule between 5:00 PM and 9:00 AM), we couldn’t leave out the importance of nighttime fun after leaving the office. So, if you’re itching for a new activity, keep reading below to find out some fun ways to spend your after-work time.

Post-Work Activities…

  • Sports Game: No matter where you live, you’re likely within a few dozen (or fewer!) miles of your team’s sports arena. This might look like hockey, football, basketball, baseball, soccer, or more, but finding a friend and attending a professional sports game is a great treat regardless of which sport you prefer. You can often find tickets as soon as a few minutes before and at a discounted price! So, if you’re looking to hype up your week and get your energy levels flowing, this is a perfect activity to get you started.
  • Cooking Class: In the interest of expanding skill sets, we encourage you to locate your nearest cooking class, or even a free YouTube video to learn a new recipe tonight. As simple as a soup and as complex as a steak dinner, there are millions of resources across social media platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, sitting at your fingertips to help train you on new cooking methods and skills. And if you’re looking to indulge even more, find a cooking class near you and learn live, in person from a true expert.
  • Painting Class: If you’re interested in channeling your creative side, a painting class is a great way to kick off a new hobby. Grab a friend, coworker, mentor, partner, or roommate, or connect with someone you haven’t seen in a while over painting/crafting so as to get involved in an activity while spending quality time with someone you enjoy.
  • Concert, Open Mike Night, Comedy Show: These three activities are great venues to bring many friends. Many comedy shows are relatively inexpensive, and it’s easier than you’d think to track down a smaller concert venue (sometimes even within a regular bar!), especially on weeknights to check out a new artist or comedian.
  • Walks! Walking opportunities are endless – whether you walk home from the office, find your way to a nearby outdoor path or lake, or find a new friend to get to know over a leisure exercise, this is an invaluable activity to increase overall mental health, physical health, and a great way to pack socialization into the work day.
  • Picnic Dinner: Especially during the final few weeks of warmth and summertime, one of our favorite activities is as simple as grabbing a blanket and finding your nearest park, lake shore, field, or outdoor spot to hunker down for a casual dinner.
  • Intramural Leagues: Many major cities offer intramural leagues for just about anyone looking to get involved and meet new people – check out Chicago Sport & Social Club and sign up for a new league as soon as TODAY! They offer (but aren’t limited to!) pickleball, volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, bowling, kickball, softball, and MORE!

Especially for those of us in climates with temperatures dropping soon over the next few weeks and months, we highly encourage you to take advantage of many of these outdoor opportunities while they’re still available and accessible!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Your Pre-Work Morning!

Welcome back! Have you ever heard the term crafting a ‘5-9’ schedule? This trendy topic seemed to take the world by storm this summer as many new full-time employees, seasoned professionals, and in-between individuals are seeking to fulfill their lives outside of work. Not only is it crucial to remember that we work to live (instead of the other way around), but it’s a key indicator of sustaining happiness. So, what happens for YOU before you start your work day? How can you optimize and create a meaningful pre-work morning? Find out everything you need to know below!

Pre-work Morning Routines

  • Ditch Your Phone: That’s right, we’re starting off strong and we know it’s a hard one. However, we encourage you to challenge yourself as soon as tomorrow morning, and, when you feel the urge to grab your cell upon opening your eyes, focus your attention elsewhere. Take in the morning light, listen to your uninterrupted thoughts, breathe in, and acknowledge the space that you’re in. Remember, your phone (and its notifications) will always be ready and waiting for you, but the sacred few moments that you have to yourself each morning can remain solely yours by waking up intentionally and off-screen.
  • Meditation: Above all, achieving a clear mental headspace ahead of initiating work obligations is key to setting you up for professional and personal success. Meditation does not have to look like hard work and can be as simple as 5 minutes of your day! Remember, listing attributes of your life that you’re grateful for, clearing your mind, engaging in breathing, and any other form of mindfulness counts! It’s all about figuring out what works for YOU! And, if you’re not sure where to start, make sure to check out the plethora of websites, apps, and free resources at your fingertips to learn more.
  • Substantial Breakfast: Let’s be honest, we know that when many people say they’ve “had breakfast” it often means grabbing a cup of coffee and maybe a banana or granola bar on the way out the door. However, by waking up just a bit earlier and creating a few extra minutes for yourself in the morning, you can create a breakfast that will fill not only your tummy but your mind with delight. Transforming this component of your morning into one that brings you peace and happiness will change the way you view morning food! We encourage you to make some eggs, avocado toast, an omelet, a fruit bowl with yogurt or oatmeal, granola or cereal, or any other “substantial” meal that will prove more nutritious than before!
  • Exercise or Stretching: That’s right, we’re hammering in our encouragement of exercise as we often do. Exercising may look like a morning walk, a short run, an elliptical, a strength-focused online video, a yoga routine, or a stretching sequence! The world of exercise is at our fingertips with just a quick online search, so make sure to incorporate some time for this highly rewarding experience into your morning! Not only with your body prove better off, but you’ll also feel a higher sense of energy, focus, and productivity as a result.
  • Daily Preparation: Finally, allowing yourself to relax and sit down for a few extra moments each morning will help provide you extra time and space to prepare for the day ahead. This may look like a Google calendar, a physical planner, a quick sticky note to-do list, or any other form of “scheduling” – Regardless of the form it takes, planning out your day will create a sense of accountability and organization all at once!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Heading Back to School!

Welcome back, everyone, and CONGRATS to our students heading back to school! Whether you’re entering college, higher education, high school, or even middle school… this article is for you. Keep reading to learn about our best strategies for preparing for your first day and nailing your first week back into this new routine. Keep in mind, heading back to school may come with a large feeling of change compared to your summer… so ease in by following along with the below.

First Day of School Prep

  • School Shopping Starts… Now! In order to truly get on top of several different courses, we encourage you to purchase the appropriate materials before your first day. Whether this means binders, folders, pens, pencils, headphones, a driving pass, or whatever it may be, setting yourself up for success is a great way to get ahead. We also encourage you to define your materials by class; for example, coordinate a blue notebook with econ, and a red notebook with psychology. That way, you won’t be scrambling on your first day and will decrease your chance of accidentally compiling notes across varying topics all in one space, and potentially losing track. If able, try swapping out your books and notepads on a regular basis so that you only bring relevant materials with you for the classes you have each day!
  • Prioritize Your Routine: We know it can be easy to fall out of a regular routine throughout summer when most of our tasks are pushed to the side. However, during the school season, adhering to a structured routine is your best way to avoid missing projects or deadlines, and also to continue feeling your best.
    • Extra Tip: To stay on track with all of your assignments and due dates, we encourage you to incorporate any of the following into your daily plan: an alarm clock, morning mindfulness, meditation or stretching, making your bed, taking a walk and getting some fresh air, or eating breakfast! We know that nobody is perfect, but trying to achieve at least a few of the above tasks is a phenomenal way to create a sense of accomplishment, productivity, and motivation ahead of any day.
  • Practice Your Routes: Similarly to preparing class materials, we encourage you to set aside some time in the days leading up to walk around campus and get a feel for your daily routes. What we mean is… which way will you be heading to class? How much time should you give yourself to get to each building? Are your classes close together, or do you have time to head back to a dorm, library, or lunch in between? Getting a feel for the flow of your day, and mitigating the risk of getting lost during the first week, is an amazing opportunity to create confidence about your schedule… and excitement!
  • Rest: Above all, we know that when your body is telling you to take a break, it’s because you’ve pushed yourself to the max. Make sure to afford yourself a minimum of 7 hours of sleep each night to jumpstart your next day and maintain optimal energy and health. Especially during the first few weeks when there is a ton of new information and topics coming at you, making sure that you’re rejuvenated and refreshed for each coming day is your best bet toward maintaining energy for retention, comprehension, and success.

Once You Start Receiving Assignments…

  • Task Prioritization: Between assignments, presentations, projects, and exams, it’s crucial to prioritize assignments based on their due date and impact on your overall grade. Make sure to avoid spreading yourself too thin across multiple projects; to prevent this, pace your study schedule out across days and a variety of times, and incorporate breaks so that you won’t be left with cramming for hours on end in the days leading up to due dates. By prioritizing obligations, you will find yourself on a healthy track toward success!
    • Measurable Goals: A great way to set measurable priorities is to include goals for each assignment or study habit. Whether this means a one-hour goal of studying per exam each day, or a one-page goal per report or essay to be completed every other day, SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) will assist you in actually tracking progress and spanning obligations over a time period instead of cramming at the last moment.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Professionalism at Work Events!

Welcome back, everyone! Were excited to dive into a super timely and relevant article today as we know that many of you have engaged in pre, post, or during work-hour events where drinking is involved and coworkers are mingling! If you’re in the process of navigating these new waters, if this is a key part of your industry, or if you’re itching to get into a corporate event-filled space, keep reading below! We’ll detail what to expect from these events, expectations, and the best way to prepare yourself for ultimate professionalism and success!

Professionalism ‘Off the Clock’

The main focus of the below is guidance surrounding drinking behaviors in work environments. You may not be sitting in the office, but remember that you are still with coworkers and leadership, and should behave as if you were in a corporate setting. The key to these types of events is engaging with your limitations and making sure to have fun! So, identify your balance below and ensure that you won’t have to ever feel ‘work scaries’.

  • Mandatory? The begging question is, are these events mandatory?! The short answer is yes, and the long answer is no. Realistically, you cannot be forced to attend an event that occurs outside of your work obligations and hours. However, you should always prioritize engagement and participation in company events when able. These are special times, outside of work hours, when you are afforded to get to know your teammates and management on a personal level and avoid just work-related topics. So, when able, always try to go! However, if family, doctor, appointments, religious, or other obligations are getting in the way of a particular day or time, make sure to inform your management of the reason why you cannot attend and know that it will be accommodated.
  • Typical Duration/Length: You can expect to spend, on average, approximately 2-3 hours at work happy hours or after-hours corporate events. It takes at least 30 minutes to get situated in a new space, especially if you are leaving the office and venturing into a new environment. The next hour and so after is often unstructured and casual. So, if you’re engaging with a teammate or enjoying yourself, stay for longer! If you have plans after, are tired, or are struggling to maintain your social battery, make sure to stay for an appropriate amount of time, and then understand that you can leave. After all, you are dedicating additional hours to ‘work’ even if it doesn’t feel like it, and leadership knows that you have a personal life to get back to afterward.
  • Pairing Drinks with Food and Water! We’re all adults here, but it’s always worth reading the reminder that mixing a cocktail with an app and a glass of water is key to offsetting the effects of alcohol. You never want to find yourself in a situation where you are overly intoxicated around work peers, so balancing alcohol is crucial to your engagement and self-awareness at happy hours and events. If there isn’t going to be food at the event, make sure to pack a snack or eat a larger lunch. Additionally, while there is almost always water wherever you’ll be, packing an extra bottle never hurts! A 1:1 ratio of a drink and either a snack or glass of water is a great way to create balance and hold yourself accountable.
  • Steer Clear of Shots! On the same note, we highly encourage you to steer clear of shots and even ‘hard liquor’ when able. These types of drinks will undoubtedly have a more rapid and intense effect on your awareness and alcohol levels, so be super mindful of ingesting these types of drinks as well as the impact they have on you specifically.
  • Positive Chat Only! Finally, we know that ‘loose’ feeling that comes with a few drinks. However, we encourage you to avoid ANY gossiping with coworkers or management! Remember that you are held to what you say and how you behave in and outside of the office, so ensuring that there are only ever positive things that people have to say about you will pay off in the long run as it relates to your professional reputation. So, even if you are pulled for a chat and to share the ‘tea’, zip those lips!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s… Jump into a Productive Monday!

Welcome back and Happy Monday everyone! Today, we’re here to regroup on a topic we like to continuously remind ourselves of… jumping into a productive week. This is the article for you if you’re chasing that well-organized, motivated feeling to take you into a successful work week. Keep reading HERE to find out how to best set yourself up for success!

Productive Monday Habits:

  • Plan Ahead: What are your top priorities? What meals will you cook this week? Are there any appointments that need to be scheduled? Take some time on Monday to write down or type out what you need to get a handle on this week in order to shape your inside and outside of work priorities. There are MANY ways to organize this and we’ve covered several in previous organizational series – check out our posts on time batching, creating schedules, A/B work strategies, and more.
  • Schedule Relaxation Time: Instead of binge-watching your favorite TV show, or falling into the all-too-addicting ‘doom scrolling’, try and schedule some time for a bit of non-screen related relaxation each week. If you are struggling to carve out specific time, layer ‘fun’ into your to-do list. For example, while you clean your room or fold laundry, throw on some of your favorite music or a podcast to help you stay focused and continue powering through the week.
  • Dress for Work No Matter Where! While many employees often start the work week from home on a Monday, we encourage you to treat your outfit as you would if it were a day in the office. Putting on a pair of jeans or casual business attire is a great way to differentiate your space from feeling simply like time for bed! So, dress for success by tossing on some work clothes to present yourself with during virtual meetings.
  • Hydrate, Hydrate…Hydrate! Find your favorite water bottle and make sure to schedule drinking water into your day. Whether this means purchasing a water bottle with timestamps as reminders or setting alarms on your phone, ensuring hydration is a great way to sustain the energy for a productive day both during and after work.
    • Extra Tip: Pay attention to nutrients! Balancing the indulgence that often comes during the weekends by ‘getting back on track’ by preparing nutritious meals is a great way to boost your energy any day, any time. Following helpful ‘food-fluencers’, looking up online recipes, and even meal prepping is a great way to ensure you’ll stay on track with healthy habits this week.
  • Get Moving: Whenever you can carve out even just 10 minutes, we highly encourage you to take a step outside for some fresh air and movement! Especially during the summer, many of us are living in cities with walking paths, parks, lakefronts, and various opportunities to get outside. Even just a quick walk will help you clear your mind, keep up positive energy, and regroup to dive into work obligations after a much-needed break.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Professional Exams!

Welcome back, everyone! Yet ANOTHER speedy summer week has almost flown by and I spent this one primarily studying for the Illinois Insurance exam requirements. Have YOU ever considered joining a professional requiring examinations for licensing requirements? Are YOU in the process of studying? Keep reading here to learn about the top tips and tricks I picked up over the last few weeks as I geared up to prepare for the General and State, Property, and Casualty, exams!

Professional Certifications or Examinations…

Quick Example:

If you have no idea what I’m talking about then I’ll quickly queue you in don’t the exams I was required to take to obtain my Illinois Insurance Producer license. Not only will you be required to take four total exams: 2 General/State for Property, and 2 General/State for Casualty, but also complete 20 hours of pre-examination education for each line you enroll in. While I only pursued casualty and property, I could’ve tagged on life and health too! If you are considering or in the process of obtaining licensing for a career change, follow along to tap into my best practices:

  • Flashcards: Arguably one of the oldest strategies in the books, if you’re opting to memorize a group of concepts or words for an upcoming test, creating flashcards and continuously testing yourself on each concept is a great way to get familiar with a large group of concepts in an effective way. Even transcribing your previously written notes onto a new format (flashcards) will help you commit the ideas to memory before entering that self-test phase of preparation. If this seems like the right route for you, make sure to start ahead of time to ensure ample time dedicated solely to hammering in concepts through self-testing.
    • Quizlets: Quizlet is a phenomenal online platform for creating study guides, transforming study sets into online flashcards, and otherwise storing critical concepts in one organized place to refer back to as you continue to study. If you’re drawn to an online study format, this might be the best place for you!
  • Note Compilation: My favorite strategy, deemed “note compilation” will enable you to piece through a significant quantity of notes by slowly deriving the most important concepts, and compiling them all into a new, separate document. Whether you’re doing this by hand or typing into a new document, I find that doing so helps me to refresh my brain on past concepts, reignite an understanding of key points, and ultimately create a guide to read over several times that contains what will likely be on the exam! Doing so also helps me to recognize concepts or terms that have been heavily repeated throughout the course, and therefore hold notable value.
    • Extra Tip: Take the insurance prep courses for example… we were specifically told to highlight and circle certain terms that were ‘guaranteed’ to pop up at least once on the exam. Compiling those key terms and differentiating them from the larger scope of information to intentionally nail them into memory is a smart and intentional way to spend studying time, prioritize key concepts, and get started ASAP.
  • Written Memorization: As it relates to compiling your notes, writing down the most important key terms over and over to instill a repetition-focused memory is another strategy for memorizing key terms from concepts loaded with extensive vocabulary, types of policies, or ones that are linked but differentiated based on super specific/minor details. Again, start ahead!
  • Conversation: Once you’re in the final stages of studying, and often a night or two before the exam, I encourage you to sit down with a study mate, or even a friend or parent and talk through the concepts you’ve been working on mastering. Gaining a new perspective from a classmate, or even showcasing your understanding of a concept to someone unfamiliar with the subject is a great method to test your true understanding of the material.

Searching for a new position? Read through our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat … Beyond Onboarding, how can YOU set Other Employees up for Success?

Welcome back, everyone! Today, we wanted to build on our previous article that touched on how to help out new hires through onboarding and training. If you missed it, make sure to click here to catch up!

On the topic of new hires and the training that comes with it, we find it incredibly important to build on how to provide new employees with tools to achieve intangible success. What do we mean by this? Everything that comes beyond the output of work deliverables… networking! ERGs! Volunteering! And all of the ways to make a difference and create a robust professional brand at work beyond the scope of your role. So, keep reading to find out how to be an advocate and a resource for these types of skills, HERE!

Spreading the Success!

  • Free Up Space on Your Calendar! As we mentioned last week, try your best to free up your calendar when and where you can. Simply stating to the new teammate “Find some time on my cal!” will not suffice in being welcoming and engaging. Make sure to suggest optimal times to chat live in person or via video; if you’re tasked with specifically training another individual, we recommend you schedule recurring meetings with them to kick off on a positive note as soon as the first day they join the team. During these meetings, we encourage you to set aside the last 5 or so minutes to touch on ‘non-work topics that can help the employee integrate into the company culture at large. Not sure what to chat about? Keep reading!
  • Introduce ERGs and Volunteering Opportunities: Almost all corporate organizations are developing employee resource groups and volunteering opportunities to offer to employees (and sometimes even during work hours!). For example, the company I worked for offered ‘ERGs’ focused specifically on helping develop and connect young professionals, women, latinX, PRIDE, Asia-Pacific, and MANY more! So, it’s likely that at least one ERG will not only be aligned with the new teammates’ identity but could also be a fantastic opportunity to become an ally for another like-minded group. Remind the person you’re training that ERGs and volunteering events within the company are a phenomenal way to build professional relationships with coworkers outside of your immediate scope of work. And as we know, building a strong network is almost always the underlying key to success, future promotions, and your personal legacy at an organization.
  • Connect with Other Employees and Potential Mentors! Spread the networking success to the newbies! Are there specific employees that you have strong relationships with that you can connect this person to? Do you know of senior employees seeking out a mentee? Who did YOU connect with throughout the first few weeks/months on the job? Think about those employees you find particularly friendly, open to new connections, or even just useful to know as it relates to the scope of your work. We encourage you to go so far as compile a shortlist of emails, names, and associated roles to share with the new employee to help kick off their individual networking endeavor. And always remember to remind them to keep asking for MORE during these conversations! If they’re feeling a connection with an employee during a coffee chat, it’s completely appropriate to inquire about additional employees they’d recommend connecting with.
  • Invite Them to Lunch! While it may seem obvious and is often even coordinated immediately during a new hire’s first week, we encourage you to CONTINUE including the employee with notable intent when it comes to lunch. While you likely feel super comfortable and acclimated to your company’s environment and culture, it’s easy to overlook the imposter syndrome that your new teammate may be feeling. Going above and beyond, and continuing to extend invites even when it may seem ‘obvious’, is a great way to take the extra mile to create an inclusive atmosphere.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs!

Let’s Chat…Onboarding and New Hire Training!

Welcome back, everyone! Today, we’re here to discuss a topic that almost every single one of you will encounter at some point in your career. As we transition into new roles or companies, it’s guaranteed that others will do the same! And with that, comes new teammates, leadership, mentors, and more. If you’re in a ‘senior’ position on your team, have the longest tenure, or otherwise possess a ‘specialty’ skill in an area at work, you will likely be tasked with at least part of another employee’s onboarding experience. So, learn how to prep, provide a meaningful training experience, and get started… HERE!

Onboarding and New Hire Training

  • Create Standard Work: Where applicable, I highly recommend creating step-by-step guides on how to complete blanket tasks that your entire team is responsible for knowing. Whether this is a request for access to company software platforms, a request to join a cross-functional team’s working station or ‘board’ (on platforms like Miro!), recurring submissions within commonly used software/platforms, etc., it will not only help them but also YOU to have a reference guide! Often, the more “mundane” tasks that you’ve become used to are those that are most ambiguous to a new employee, so make sure to be mindful of all inputs that you execute daily.
    • Extra Tip: We also encourage you to get ahead of the curve on this one! Joining a new team? Anticipating an upcoming rotation? If this sounds like you, start to brainstorm ways that you can create standard work while onboarding to save time and effort in the future when you inevitably pursue a new role.
  • Document Best Practices: On the same note, create best practices or include them within standard work resources! Whether this means a certain way of titling projects, general naming convention, descriptions, communicating as a team (on platforms like Microsoft Teams!), meeting cadences for weekly team connects, fonts/formats/layouts utilized in presentations or documents, and more, there is likely a quicker avenue to the finish line that’s guided by knowing your best practice. Especially as it relates to the preferences of the cross-functional teams you work with, assisting someone new on the ins and outs of the way you work is key to their onboarding success.
  • Track In-flight Projects: If you’re in the position of leaving a team, it’s also super important to have written documentation of projects or tasks that are incomplete upon your departure. Documenting project components (ex: employee dependencies across the org.), who tasks are assigned to, inputs and individual status, and any relevant documentation will ease your team’s ability to take over where you left off.
  • Free Up Space on Your Calendar! Free up your calendar when and where you can. Simply stating to the new teammate “Find some time on my cal!” will not suffice in being welcoming and engaging. Make sure to suggest optimal times to chat live in person or via video; if you’re tasked with specifically training another individual, we recommend you schedule recurring meetings with them to kick off on a positive note as soon as the first day they join the team.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs!

Let’s Chat… Your Personal Brand OUTSIDE of Work!

Welcome back, everyone! As we wrap up the month of July, we wanted to build on a concept that we introduced to you last week: your professional brand at work. Many of us are consistently thinking about who we hope to become, how we want to be viewed, and the aspects that make up our identities within our roles and company. However, who are you OUTSIDE of the hours of 9-5? How do you spend your free time? What makes you, YOU in your personal life? Keep reading here to find out!

Your Personal Brand…

  • Morals and Values: Who you are and what you value are still the building blocks of your personal brand. In the same way that we posed this question in a professional format… is your career your first priority? Building a family? Playing an instrument? Spending time with friends or a significant other? Moving somewhere new? Traveling? Whatever is in your mind will guide your brand, conversations, opinions, and daily discussions. So, writing down a list of values and figuring out what is most important to you is a great place to start.
  • Unique Identity: In the same way that each employee possesses a unique skill set that they bring to work to help shape their corporate identity, we each possess unique skills outside of our companies too! Think about it like this, how would your friends describe you? What are your specific strengths that differentiate who you are? What legacy do you want to leave after graduating? After moving? In life overall? Think about the way you’re perceived and those attributes that hold the highest value in your mind…
  • Motivations: A super key factor in identifying your personal brand is understanding your greatest motivations. Not only will this drive you toward your career path and goals, but will help you to schedule activities and events that bring you fulfillment and joy. Are you motivated by giving back to your community? What charities resonate with your values? Are you motivated by compensation, work-life balance, or benefits? Or a mix? The blend of your personal motivations, driven by the way you find fulfillment, helps shape the unique way that you create a life for yourself in and outside of work.
  • Goals: Your current goals are a fantastic reflection of ‘where’ you’re heading in life; whether this looks like a home base, a location to move to, a career advancement, a relationship next step, or any other monumental moment, this ‘north star’ drives you to succeed and work hard every day! Identifying goals is also a great way to adapt or change your personal brand to fit who you want to be. For example, if you want to be viewed as a talented artist, your goal may be to enroll in a painting class that meets weekly over the next 6 months to cultivate this skill set. If you hope to be viewed as a charitable and generous individual, donating a few hours each week to an intentional charity is an amazing step to dive into. Aligning your goals with the qualities through which you hope to be viewed is a largely success strategy for perfecting your personal brand.

Remember, our personal brands are continuously evolving as we learn more about the world and grow! Checking in with yourself to ensure that you’re on the right track is a valuable skill to execute. It’s never too late to get started – so find a pen, and notebook paper, and start jotting down some answers to the above as soon as TODAY!

If you’re looking for a job… Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Your Professional Brand at Work

Welcome back, everyone! Today, we’re going to dig into a concept that will highly contribute to your career long-term – your professional brand! While it’s true that you’ll work for an organization and, in turn, contribute to the way that the company is perceived, you also make up your individual brand. So, keep reading here to find out the attributes that make you, YOU in the workplace!

Your Professional Brand Identity…

  • Values: Who you are and what you value are the building blocks of your brand. Is your career your first priority? Building a family? Finding a significant other? Starting new friendships? Moving somewhere new? Whatever is at the forefront of your mind will guide your personal brand, conversations, goals, professional relationships, and daily discussions. So, writing down a list of values and figuring out what is most important to you is a great place to start. Digging even deeper to ensure that your values are aligned with those of your organization is a key trait in ensuring longevity at work and personal alignment too.
  • Unique Identity: Beyond the values that contribute to your decision-making and perspective, what are the unique traits that make up your personality? When you enter a room, what do you bring to the table that no one else possesses? In other words, what are your ‘super powers’? Figuring out the unique strengths that contribute to your identity is another component of your professional brand. If you’re not sure of the answer to these questions, taking online identity and personality assessments is a great way to begin understanding your strengths and the special qualities that you hold too!
  • Your Role: Undoubtedly, your role is a huge factor in how you’re perceived at your organization and who you work with along the way. What function do you bring to your company? What is your organization able to achieve as a result of your work? What other teams or teammates rely on you to be able to complete their work? Figuring out how you fit into the enormous puzzle that your entire organization represents is equally valuable to understanding your corporate identity at work. And remember, make sure that you are frequently checking in with yourself, and your goals, to ensure that you are fulfilled and inspired by the role that you’re in! With an intrinsic desire to succeed, fueled by the work that you’re doing, you’re on a great track to achieving optimal results.
  • Connections! Finally, we’ll leave you with this idea: build on your personal brand by connecting it with others! If you share identity traits, look into employee resource groups that will help you gather with other like-minded individuals! If you are interested in certain sports or hobbies, check out if your company offers intramural leagues! If you are seeking to improve the way you’re viewed as a leader, find a mentee! Building your network, strengthening these traits by bonding them with other coworkers, and expanding the reach in the way your interests are recognized are all amazing ways to build your professional brand.

Remember, it’s not only important to have a professional brand for yourself, but it is a key factor in promotional opportunities too. Think about the positions you hope to step into one day… what key traits do they require? How is leadership perceived at your company? What do you look up to in your own leaders and management? Working towards the attributes that are circling your mind is a great place to start while you continue to build your professional brand.

And if you’re looking for a job… Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Mid-Year Reviews!

Welcome back, everyone! We hope you enjoyed this past weekend and are ready to embrace a new week and all of the fresh motivation that it has to offer. If you’re located in one of the many states (like Illinois) that are scheduled to endure immense heat this week, we’d like to remind you to stay safe and indoors whenever possible! When traveling to any location (near or far), stay equipped with water, sunscreen, and any other materials you need to provide comfort and protection from the sun.

Today, we’re here to chat through a meeting that you’re likely anticipating as we speak… mid-year reviews! If you have this type of conversation scheduled soon, keep reading below to learn about everything you can expect from a mid-year check-in conversation!

Mid-Year Review Conversations…

  • Stay Aligned with Your Goals: If you work for a corporation, you’ve liked engaged in the goal-setting process. What this means is that we use online platforms to input different types of goals (professional, cultural, behavioral, etc.) so that we can create a measure of accountability on a bi-annual basis. So, before engaging in the conversation with your manager, review the goals you set for the year so that you can evaluate where you measure up to where you should be tracking!
  • Create a Comfortable Atmosphere: Remember, you will get out of the conversation precisely what you give! Put meaningful effort into evaluating how you’ve met goals, made progress towards goals, turned in unanticipated directions, adapted goals, or even fallen short. It’s okay to learn and to grow! Goals are fluid and not fixed, so they can change to adapt to how your role ebbs and flows throughout the year. On that same note, we encourage you to jot down a few notes and document your ideas of how to adapt those goals in your internal HR system so that they are reflective of the rest of your year! Showcasing your own preparation will not only provide your manager with the tools to conduct a meaningful conversation but will benefit you long-term too.
  • Call out Your Own Constructive Criticism: Before entering into the conversation, identify areas that you could personally see a need for growth or that you anticipate a person in leadership may call out. That way, you’ll avoid ever coming across as arrogant or unaware of yourself. I specifically measured the metrics in my goals against my performance (ex: aim for 5 meetings with various company leaders – did you have 3? 6? How are you measuring up?), and in doing so, was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to seek out my own areas of improvement.
  • Say Thank You: While you should always thank someone else for taking the time to engage with you no matter what the topic, it’s especially important to thank your manager for feedback and not express any animosity depending on the result. Getting constructive criticism is a part of life, and a vital skill to success is being able to channel those types of messages with action and appreciation.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Office Materials and What to Expect

Welcome back, everyone! Today, we’re here to walk you through a bit more of what you can expect from starting a new job, at a new organization. If you’re transitioning internally, you can likely expect to maintain your same office setup and materials. However, when transitioning into a totally new company, you can typically expect to be provided with some extent of office supplies through which to create your at-home space (in addition to at work!).

Office Materials Provided to You…

  • Laptop: Above anything else, it is almost guaranteed that you’ll need a laptop in any corporate setting in order to be able to perform your role. So, you will be provided with a laptop on or before your first day to get started! For our interns or rotational candidates, we recommend you ask about any restrictions around your temporary laptop – can you bring it home? Can you access the internet?
  • Monitor (or Two!): A bit up in the air, you may be provided a monitor, you may be provided a discount through a corporate-affiliated website, or this may be an expense that’s left up to your own responsibility. So, make sure to scan through your offer letter or discuss this with your next employer so that you can be prepared with upcoming personal expenses associated with the transition.
  • Docking Stations, HDMI cords, etc.: Somewhat like laptop ‘add-ons’, these will also likely be provided to you in the same sense that the laptop is. In order to operate, and maintain access and Wifi connection to your VPN or network, these additives are super crucial to daily ease and success.
  • Mouse and/or Keyboard: More add-ons that aren’t crucial to your job function but are nice to have! Keep these in mind if you’re someone who prefers to type and click so that you can ensure your optimal setup for productivity.
  • General Stipends: On the other hand, some companies may not actually purchase these materials for you, but instead provide you with a stipend so that you can do so on your own. These stipends may relate to general expenses (ex: headphones or other accessories) or to monitor and functional materials themselves. So, if you don’t see an outline of office materials provided for you, make sure to inquire about a supplementary stipend if that’s something you’re cautious about purchasing!
  • Extra Note… Merch! Yep, you heard that right! Companies are also in tune with their ‘branding’, in the sense of providing employees with t-shirts, sweatshirts, laptop sleeves, water bottles, mugs, pens, and more. You may be provided with a celebratory package in which there will be a whole bunch of corporate merch to embrace and, in some cases, bring and wear to the office!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat…Nailing your First Day

Welcome back, everyone! Today, we’re here to add some color and a bit more context to our previous article: ‘Let’s Chat… Off-boarding!’ If you tuned in last week, we taught you about the importance of eloquently communicating the news that you’re leaving, as well as preparing your team to be well-suited and ready for your departure from any given job. So, what happens next? Well, today, we’re here to walk you through our best tips and tricks for nailing your first day of work at any company or within a new role! Keep reading here to find out how…

First Day Impressions

Starting the Night Before!

That’s right, your first day of work prep doesn’t begin on your first day, but often quite a bit before! We highly encourage you to spend time prepping for a smooth transition by thinking through some questions (jotting them down on notebook paper) and collecting the materials you need for the day. Do you have a water bottle? Notebook? Working pens? Blue-light glasses? Ensure that you’ll be as comfortable as possible by gathering all applicable and desired ‘gear’ for your new job.

If time allows, we also recommend that you practice your commute or map it out the night before. Specifically using the Maps feature to anticipate traffic at the exact time and day you’re leaving will help you be well-suited to arrive early and settle in before starting.

Finally, make sure to get a solid night’s rest before. Sleeping an ample amount to provide yourself with energy to sustain through the day is equally key to success and retention of information as any other preparatory activity!

During the Day!

Come in with an open mind! We know that it seems pretty obvious, but you’ll undoubtedly be learning a TON of new information on this first day. So, make sure to study company tools, information, software platforms, or any preliminary information as you become acclimated to your new environment. We often refer to being a ‘sponge’ when entering into a new organization or role, so make sure to soak up as much information as you can.

Next, as you may anticipate, you’ll be meeting and getting to know a whole bunch of new teammates and management throughout your first few weeks. Remember, first impressions are crucial for ‘setting the scene’ and professional relationship longevity. So, make sure to practice your ‘why’, professional story, and oftentimes what we refer to as your elevator pitch. These employees will likely have a bunch of questions for you, your transition, and what you’re hoping to achieve from this new position or career move. So, come prepared to answer, showcase a positive attitude, and be mindful of your tone, eye contact, body language, and physical aspects of positive first impressions.

  • Extra Tip: Make sure you’re reciprocating by asking questions and showing interest in your new teammates! Being an active listener is also a great way to ensure you nail a first impression.

As the Day Concludes…

Remember, this day is the first of many! Be easy on yourself and remember that it’s only day 1, and you have a plethora of more knowledge to learn at your fingertips. However, something you CAN do immediately is sharing gratitude to your team for their patience! Sending quick ‘pings’, emails, or even writing a few handwritten notes is an amazing way to differentiate yourself and ensure your team sees your gratitude for their patience.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Off-boarding!

Welcome back, everyone! As we gear up into the weekend and into the back half of summer, we recognize that some of you may be experiencing departures from your companies or transitions into new roles. Whether joining a new team or organization overall, it’s super crucial to nail your off-boarding procedures to ensure you maintain positive relationships with colleagues and an open door if you ever want to return to a role. So, how do you leave a team in a prepared position for your departure? Find out everything you need to know below!

Off-boarding from a Role or Company:

  • Preparation: Above all, preparing to leave your future “replacement”, or team in general, in a beneficial spot is the most courteous way to create a smooth transition. After all, you aren’t expected to stay in one role your whole life, so leaving on good terms with any company, team, or manager will likely revolve around how you leave things. If you have any outstanding projects, due dates, emails to get back to, etc., put in the extra time over your last few weeks to complete everything so that the next employee can start FRESH! This might also look like extending your departure date out to 3 or 4 weeks depending on your position and next role’s urgency. If able, inform your team earlier than 2 weeks (or 2 weeks at a minimum) of your next step so as to set expectations up front and as early as possible.
  • Create Guides or Manuals: Almost every single role across each business industry comes with specific software, operations, logistics, templates, etc. Be mindful of systems or processes that you may have unique knowledge about; creating standard work guides, best practice resources, or other training materials is a great way to not only mitigate the need for you to continue helping the team after leaving but will set your team up for sustainable success after you’re gone.
    • Extra tips: Think through the technology or platforms that you use on a daily basis to complete your given role. How can you create a resource (most likely an online document) that will assist the next employee with completing their tasks? Where did you learn the platform? Which teammates helped you to train? Thinking through the inputs you utilized to become a pro in your role is part of going the extra mile to showcase your care for your transition and commitment to any company. This does not need to be a novel… a few pages may suffice! Just make sure all login information is converted, platforms are explained, directions are given… and you’ll be set to leave!
  • Transfer Contact Information: This may be best situated within a resource document, but we encourage you to write down any applicable contract information that will help the future team member. Whether this means other team members, Microsoft Teams groups, your manager, or any other employee “resources,” documenting these people’s contact info. is guaranteed to save this person time when they run into a question! Also, if you’re able to, make sure to add your replacement to any relevant distribution lists so that they can hop onto email chains even before joining your team.
    • Extra Tip: Where able, also transfer your ownership out of project in certain systems! We also recommend you review the email chains and previous documentation that you were included on – can you forward important info. out so that it doesn’t become stuck in your inbox? Thinking through these small details are the key that helps you go above and beyond in preparing your team to be effective even when you’re gone.
  • Act as an Ongoing Resource! Finally, we highly encourage you to offer ongoing assistance, at least over the first few weeks when the new person takes their role if you are staying within your internal company. While they may be feeling flustered, guiding someone through a task you’ve likely done for years will take minimal time out of your day! Being a resource to this person is not only great “karma” for you but an awesome way to continue showing your company that you care.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Healthy Exercise Habits in the Summer!

Welcome back, everyone! As the summer heat continues to wave over many cities across the U.S., we thought it would be the perfect time to offer up a few ideas for how you can optimize your health and exercise today. Keep reading below to find out our favorite tips and tricks for staying active in the summer and taking advantage of seasonal workouts!

Let’s Engage in Summer Workouts…

Self-Guided

Above all, getting to the gym and rotating around a few different machines is a traditional, basic, and effective way to get your body moving. Whether this means the elliptical, treadmill, weight machines, stair climber, bench, or any other material you have as a resource, get on there and get going! The hardest part about working out is getting to the gym, and remembering that every other person is there for the same reason that you are is a great way to decrease the nerves and start increasing your confidence. So, if you’re someone who may be prone to over-heating during outdoor workout activities, hitting the gym might be the perfect option for you… year round!

Bicycling Outside

No matter where you live, we can almost guarantee that there are forest preserves, hiking routes, or outdoor bike paths near you. This may look like a few miles or a few hours.. anything works! Just get on, and get moving. Bicycling is a fantastic lifetime sport that does not require the same cardio exertion as would a treadmill or outdoor run. Not only is this sport maintainable and a great way to burn some calories, but is a super-inclusive activity for any aged person looking to get riding.

Find a Hill

Cardio lovers… this one is for YOU! If you live in relatively close distance to a hill (at parks, near schools, at a neighborhood recreation center, etc.), this is a cost-free and highly effective workout for individuals seeking a cardio-heavy experience. Taking the side stairs or running up the face of the hill will provide equally exhausting and rewarding exercise experiences at your leisure and at a self-guided pace. Remember, getting there is the hardest part! Whether you run, jog, or walk, moving your body is a success in and of itself… and there’s always room to continually improve! Working out is a lifestyle above all else, so take it slow and steady to optimize your health.

Pickleball, Tennis, or Golf

A few more lifetime sports for your leisure… try out pickleball, tennis, or golf this summer! While you may be a beginner, many of the sports are super approachable and accessible for all ages and athletic levels. For example, there are many golf simulation opportunities or spots like Top Golf where you can simply try out driving ranges instead of a full course. Alternatively, many pickleball courts and tennis spots are open for free admission depending on time or day! So, make sure to rent some rackets or clubs, and try out a new skill today.

Online Classes and Videos

We’re sure just about every single one of you has heard of a friend, family member, or have even found yourself engaging with online fitness content. YouTube, IGTV, live videos, and almost every social platform have taken to fitness classes taught through the screen. If you’re like me, and 91-degree weather means staying inside and away from the heat of the sun, this is a great alternative to maintain movement! Even more, many fitness classes require no added equipment or materials to participate… so all you need is you. 

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Making Intern Relationships Matter!

Welcome back, everyone! We hope that you enjoyed the start of the holiday weekend. If you’re working today, we wish you a safe and FUN Fourth of July celebration tomorrow. If you have today (or even the whole week!) off, then we hope you enjoy some serious R&R time that is well deserved and placed at the perfect middle-of-summer moment.

Today, we are focusing on a topic that could be easily overlooked as a result of crunched time … intern relationships! While internships often only last between 9 and 12 weeks, there is still ample time to grow your network and build professional relationships to last throughout your entire career. So, keep reading to find out how to derive the most value out of these experiences HERE!

Building Intern Relationships…

Establishing Opportunities to Connect:

  • Create ‘Teams’ chats (or Slack, Zoom, etc.): The first step is becoming vulnerable and reaching out to others! Whether this means tracking down a cell number, emailing another coworker, chatting with peers from an online platform like Microsoft Teams, or wherever you can connect… use it! Odds are if you’re struggling to connect with others, so are they, and we know that tackling an internship or other work-life challenges with buddies is better than navigating alone. So, remind yourself that even though you might feel a bit nervous or uncomfortable, the benefit of putting yourself out there will far outweigh that “cost.” Always display an excited tone and a bit of an introduction about yourself to pass the stranger barrier (name, hometown, year, major, etc.)! Being the ‘leader’ and creating chats in these types of environments not only benefits you in the sense of building connections but also establishes your leadership skills to a broader audience.
  • Coordinate after-work events like volunteering or happy hours: In the same sense of leadership, we encourage you to pave the way and coordinate the first post-work event amongst your peers. Whether this looks like a volunteering opportunity, happy hour, comedy show, dinner, concert, art class, or any other type of activity, getting together outside of the four walls of the office is the perfect first step toward building lasting friendships.
  • Schedule recurring coffee chats or lunches in the office: On the other hand, it’s equally valuable to solidify time for you and your intern peers to connect while working. Something that helped our group immensely was to coordinate recurring coffee chats, lunches at the cafeteria, and meetings that were scheduled into our days. It’s super easy to intend to make a plan and have it fall to the back burner as a result of busy, and differing, schedules. So, get ahead of this by sending an invite and nailing down a true plan to get together! Making an agenda for the first few connects to ensure there’s no ‘awkward silence’ is also an easy way to guarantee a successful, enjoyable meeting.
  • Take advantage of ERGs! Almost all companies have developed meaningful employee resource groups (ERGs) specifically for your benefit. Reach out to your fellow peers and encourage involvement at a program level. As you already share a piece of identity through involvement, creating these connections will prove easier than any other. In today’s age, most organizations even have online profiles on groups like Facebook or Yammer, so we encourage you to start a master post and make some connections today.
    • Pro tip: There are often ‘Young Professional’ types of groups specifically intended to help guide entry-level professionals through the first few years of their career. Keep an eye out for this type of group as it’s the perfect fit for interns!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Happy Fourth of July (and Festivities)!

Welcome back, everyone! We hope that you are on the way to your holiday weekend, spending time with friends and family, getting outside, watching fireworks, and otherwise just RELAXING and enjoying the peak days of summer! While this day symbolizes many important messages for our country, today we’re here to hone in on a few fun festivities that will help shape your next few days with potential activities Keep reading here to find out our favorite ways to spend the Fourth of July weekend!

Fourth of July Festivities…

  1. BBQ and Grilling! While I’m sure that’s already where your mind was headed, we encourage you to find a reason to cook and make your dinner outdoors through a grilling gathering. Whether this looks like hot dogs, burgers, corn on the cob, vegetables, kabobs, or any other dish, grilling hits its peak in the summer. BBQ food is not only there for our comfort, but is an affordable activity that doesn’t require you to leave your home, but will undoubtedly place you in surroundings with those who you love the most.
  2. Watching the Fireworks: No matter where you’re located, we can almost guarantee that you’re within a few dozen miles of your nearest firework celebration. So, grab a lawn chair, gather a friend group, and make your way over to your community center to observe the beauty of a firework show. Often taking place on the night of the fourth and only for around an hour, this spectacular site is a key pillar that represents this weekend.
  3. Boating and Water Activities: If you are near a body of water (for example, Lake Michigan), this is the PERFECT weekend to track down your nearest boat tour, rent a boat/sailboat/canoe/kayak/paddle board/and more, or simply hop into the lake from a nearby pier. Submerging in a body of water is not only a fantastic way to jumpstart your day and productivity, but is a perfect activities for the heat that July brings our way.
  4. Gratitude and Loved Ones: Ultimately, there is no better time than a summertime holiday weekend to intentionally surround yourself with family, friends, and those that mean the most to you. It’s not so often that we can all ensure our PTO is aligned into one holiday, and creating those core moments during these relaxing days often turn into the memories that last you a lifetime. Even if its a few hour drive away, remember to schedule and coordinate quality time with the people that mean the most to you when you have down time!
  5. A Reminder to UNPLUG! Finally, before we go, we’ll leave you with this: while it’s easy to ‘doom scroll’ and glue ourselves to our couches indoors, this is a fabulous weekend to begin implementing systems and goals that will lead you to unplug, and embrace the outdoors. We encourage you to leave your phone at home, tuck it away into a bag, and otherwise unplug from screens to soak up all of the value that being outside and with others can bring.

Check out our open jobs list!

Let’s Chat… Planning your Summer PTO!

Good morning, everyone! We hope that you’re enjoying the summer HEAT, staying sun-screened, and spending time outdoors. As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, and summer is in full swing, we anticipate that many of you may be OOO over the next few weeks. If you’re scheduling upcoming PTO, especially as a new employee to a company or a recent graduate entering the workforce, keep reading below to ensure you do so in the most smooth and seamless way possible.

Summer and Holiday PTO!

  • Planning Ahead: Planning ahead so that you are able to mitigate leaving a high workload to your team and coworkers is the best way to execute PTO smoothly. Whether a popular holiday weekend, tax season, campaign launch, end of the year, the beginning of the year, or any other seasonal overload, it is best to avoid leaving the office when the rest of your team and workforce is pushing over time. With the less work left at home, the greater the amount of time you will be able to spend relaxing and unplugging from electronics!
  • Coordination: The most important aspect of leaving your office for a significant period of time (anything more than one week) is keeping everyone up to date with your plans and setting expectations. Make sure to coordinate your deligations far in advance to ensure your team, managers, mentors, and all employees are made well aware of your departure before it happens (we recommend at least one month in advance!).
  • Open Conversation: We hope that this doesn’t come around too often, but be sure to be transparent about your intent to take a few days off with your coworkers. Sneaking the days or otherwise trying to keep it on the “DL” may result in your teammates being given work that they didn’t have the chance to account time for. Keeping an open approach and flexibility about your PTO is the best way to keep everyone in the loop and happy!
  • Tie Up Loose Ends: If you’re leaving a project open, make sure that it is on a track to success. If you’re running into a blocker, waiting on a deliverable from another employee, or otherwise held back from bringing the project forward – voice it and resolve it before leaving! Imagine stepping into another employee’s shoes only to realize that their project is in ‘firedrill’ mode – we know that that wouldn’t make for a happy teammate! So, vocalize blockers, follow-up where needed, and ensure that your due dates have the green light on the path toward a successful completion.
  • Across Time or Bundled: If you run yourself to burnout by avoiding taking PTO, you may end up resenting the office, your teammates, or your role. Remember, you are afforded this benefit for a reason… use it! Regardless of the way you distribute these days, affording yourself a three day weekend, a week off, holiday break, or any sum of time throughout the year is a lovely way to recharge, relax, and reprive yourself of your usual routine.

Check out our open jobs list!

New Roles! Securing Business Development and Marketing Positions at Law Firms

Welcome back, everyone! If you’ve tuned into our open job postings, you’ve undoubtedly encountered a ‘Business Development and Marketing’ position at one of our globally recognized law firms. We do a TON of business with fantastic firms across the United States, and many are seeking out candidates for this exact role! So, if this is something you’re interested in pursuing, make sure to keep reading to find out the best tips about how to secure this type of role!

Thank you to Scott, our President, and CEO, for supplying us with the content!

“In today’s dynamic legal landscape, law firms are increasingly recognizing the need for robust business development and marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge. These firms are looking for professionals who can drive growth, cultivate client relationships, and promote their services on a global scale.

  1. Understand the Role: Before embarking on your quest to find a business development and marketing position in a global law firm, it’s crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role. This multifaceted position typically involves developing strategic initiatives, identifying new business opportunities, managing client relationships, and creating and implementing marketing campaigns. Familiarize yourself with the specific skills, knowledge, and experiences sought after by law firms to tailor your approach accordingly.
  2. Leverage Your Legal Background: Having a legal background can be a valuable asset when seeking business development and marketing roles in law firms. Your legal knowledge enables you to comprehend the intricacies of legal services, understand the target audience, and effectively communicate with attorneys and clients. Highlight your legal education and experience, as it demonstrates your ability to bridge the gap between legal expertise and business development/marketing strategies.
  3. Build a Strong Professional Network: Networking plays a pivotal role in landing a position in a global law firm. Attend legal industry conferences, seminars, and networking events to connect with professionals in the field. Join legal and marketing associations to gain insights and access to job opportunities. Engage with individuals working in business development and marketing roles in law firms to learn about their experiences and seek guidance. Cultivating a strong network can help you tap into the hidden job market and gain valuable referrals.
  4. Showcase Your Skills and Expertise: Demonstrate your proficiency in areas relevant to business development and marketing in law firms. Highlight your ability to create compelling marketing content, develop strategic plans, conduct market research, and manage client relationships. Emphasize your understanding of legal ethics, regulations, and the unique challenges faced by the legal industry. Use your resume, cover letter, and online platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your skills and expertise effectively.
  5. Research Global Law Firms: Thoroughly research global law firms that align with your career goals and values. Explore their websites, social media platforms, and press releases to gain insights into their business development and marketing initiatives. Identify the specific areas of focus, industries served, and geographic regions the firm operates in. Tailor your application materials to demonstrate your knowledge of the firm’s brand and how you can contribute to its growth and success.
  6. Gain Relevant Experience: Securing relevant experience can significantly enhance your chances of landing a business development and marketing position in a global law firm. Seek internships, part-time roles, or projects within legal organizations or marketing departments to gain practical exposure. Consider volunteering your services to legal nonprofits or pro bono initiatives, as this demonstrates your commitment to the legal profession and community. Building a strong track record of accomplishments will make you a more attractive candidate.
  7. Develop a Personal Brand: In today’s digital age, building a personal brand can set you apart from the competition. Establish an online presence by creating a professional website, maintaining an active and professional social media presence, and sharing industry insights through blogging or contributing to legal publications. Curate your online presence to reflect your expertise and passion for business development and marketing in the legal field.

Securing a business development and marketing position in a global law firm requires a strategic approach, perseverance, and a unique blend of legal and marketing skills. By understanding the role, leveraging your legal background, networking effectively, showcasing your skills, conducting thorough research, gaining relevant experience, and developing a personal brand, you can position yourself as a strong candidate in this exciting field. Embrace the journey, stay proactive, and embrace opportunities that come your way as you embark on this rewarding career path. Good luck!”

Check out our open jobs list!

Part 6: Creating SMART Goals Post-Grad!

Welcome back to another touchpoint in our series – post-graduate tips for navigating this era of time! Today, we’re here to provide you support in beginning to identify and move toward your goals. While goals are not the ‘end all be all’ of success, and it is the road that takes you toward that goal where you experience the most significant growth, they are a good driving force for your next step. Is your goal to secure a full-time role? Identify a new city to move to? Make 5 new friends in a new place? Become a runner? Join an intramural league? Pick up an instrument? Find a hobby? Whatever it is you’re looking to accomplish, we encourage you to follow along below to learn about how SMART goals can benefit YOU!

What are SMART Goals?

The SMART Goal Definition and its synonyms:

  • Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
  • Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
  • Achievable (agreed, attainable).
  • Relevant (reasonable, realistic, resourced, results-based).
  • Timely (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive). (from “MindTools”).

SMART Goal Application…

So, let’s start off with grabbing your closest notebook, planner, Google document, or another form of paper and writing down some goals. Are you focusing on your health? If so, maybe stating the number of times you plan to go to the gym, for a set amount of time to build muscle and achieve an increase in weights, is an excellent place to start. Suppose you’re seeking a job promotion in the next few months. In that case, setting a goal to spend x amount of minutes extra completing additional work, asking for feedback x amount of times per week, or aiming to achieve the placement in 6 months are measurable ways to hold your goal accountable! One last example, if your priority for the year is to find a new position, network with x amount of new people per week, engage in x amount of coffee chats or informational interviews, or otherwise work to apply to x amount of jobs per week to achieve a new position by x date are great ways to start compiling a timeline to keep up with.

For those of you that are starting fresh on your job search, then tracking your skills and finding an area of career interest is the perfect next step for you. LinkedIn, for example, provides dozens and dozens of courses through which you can build new skill sets to differentiate yourself from other candidates! These are all great resources to explore new skills without committing to them in a full-time role. Make sure to also take advantage of online assessments to identify and be able to speak to your strengths and areas of opportunity – many of these translate well into different roles even within one industry! Take marketing for example, someone who excels creatively would thrive in an agency developing campaign creatives. However, someone who is highly skilled in analytics could benefit from analyzing that same campaign from a results standpoint.

The most important aspect of goal creation is that it is a unique and individual journey for any person. Your goals will not be the same as those next to you, last year or next year.. and that’s okay! Creating and transcribing your goals at the beginning of this year is a great way to map out your next few months, create a measure of accountability, and get excited about what’s to come.

And if you’re looking for a job… Check out our open jobs list!