Tips for networking

Tips for networking

When it comes to making long lasting and crucial connections and relationships in the field of law, there will be many different ways that this can occur. From career days all the way through to LinkedIn and other professional online media outlets. However, the main outlet throughout your degree and beyond will be networking events. These events capsulate many different events from cocktail evenings to mock interviews with the said law firm. Many people when starting a law degree feel that this is the biggest obstacle to them gaining vital connections.

I will look to in this part of our blog put all your minds at rest and try and break some of the myths and taboos that some people may feel surround law networking with professionals.

Many people when they picture a lawyer, they picture a very tough and hard person to speak to but this just not the case. Most of the lawyers and barristers you will come across in your degree and work are lovely people and are just like me and you. These lawyers are actively looking to recruit young and talented people for their company and so are normally always welcoming and understanding which a great help to people who may be nervous about the situation.

A great tip for networking is to talk to everyone you can find. It may seem like these professionals will forget you soon after you have spoken to them. However, this is simply not true many of the professionals you will speak to will remember you for sure if you look interested and have a genuine wish to enter the field. Many times, I have heard of people remembering in interviews from networking events, giving them a great advantage when it came to interviews.

Another useful tip is that no matter the event dress to impress. Dressing in a smart manner will show the lawyers and the law firm that you are serious about becoming a lawyer/barrister and that you are taking the event seriously. Not only this but it also allows you yourself to get in the right frame of mind to be able to show your abilities as best as you can.

When networking it is key that you look interested and tentative on the topics you are talking about. It can be quite difficult to talk about areas that you aren’t experienced in and that’s ok. Most people at networking events are there to inform and using the knowledge of these professions can really help not only with networking. but with your professional profile when looking for jobs and partaking in interviews. a great skill to have when networking is being able to ask questions. Don’t feel like asking questions will make you look stupid or that you don’t know what you’re talking about. These professionals are here to help you understand their role and one day how you could do the same.  

Networking is a very crucial skill to have and when mastered can give you a very good basis to make crucial professional connections. Networking really isn’t as scary as it may seem and in most cases,  it is a very comfortable experience that allows you to show your knowledge and enthusiasm for your own future career.

If you have any of your own experiences or tips for networking, we would really appreciate a message or comment. 

-WH