9: Plan to Develop Near-Term and Long-Term Advantages
If you want to have a better chance of a successful career, start your strategic planning on day one. What can you give on day one that will set you apart? And what will you need to succeed long term?
Here is an outline of a plan of attack to think strategically in the early days of your career.
Note these are things that people with little experience, but effort and gumption, can all do. This isn't about talent. This is about hard work and determination.1. Work Ethic and Effort. Show you are serious about your new profession and don't have a sense of entitlement.
2. Body Language and Attitude. Attitude is everything. To clients and bosses, they want to work with people who are positive, not negative. Think about smiling when you are meeting with a partner or client.
3. Energy, Passion, and Enthusiasm. Similar to attitude, bring positivity to your work, colleagues, and clients.
4. Be on Time. In a profession that bills for it, treat everyone's time as valuable. Always be on time. As a junior person, being early is even better. Strive for perfection on this one.
5. Look for Singles and Doubles. Don't look to hit a home run out of the park early. Small wins lead to bigger ones. Look for small ways to improve the lives of your bosses and clients. Just don't strike out.
6. No-Mistake Drafting. You don't need to go to law school to be a good proofreader and not make mistakes. Be that junior person who always has clean documents. At this point, feel free to laugh at us if you have found typos in our book.
7. Research. When you research, don't just look at the issue you are working on, but also the bigger picture and use it as a method to train yourself. You won't bill that time to the client, but it will help you see the bigger picture from a senior level view.
8. Project Management. Make sure you keep on top of all deadlines and deliverables.
Let nothing fall through the cracks. Be prepared. Always.9. Technology. You are probably younger than many of your coworkers and clients. Make sure you understand the latest technology in your field. You probably have a leg up because you were born in the digital age.
10. Past Experiences. Don't forget about your past. Whatever it is, leverage what you learned there in your new job.
11. Energy and Hours. For those of you at law firms, this might be the most important one. The easiest way to get ahead and distinguish yourself early on is to work harder, longer, and with a cheery attitude (even if you are faking it). You might not want to hear this, but it's true and can really get you in a good place with senior people at your firm. Do extra.
So, what should you be thinking about looking ahead? What advantages should you consider as you mature in your profession?
1. Hit for Power. Now you are looking for wins. You are looking to be the problem solver and come up with the solutions that work.
2. Pattern Recognition. At this point in your career, things should start looking similar. Pattern recognition should be one of your strengths, but don't fall into the lazy trap of only using this skill and assess each situation as new.
3. Client Development. You bring more work in from the same clients who now love you. You foster relationships with potential new clients and maybe you even bring them into the fold.
4. Expertise. You should start to become an expert in your field along with any other fields you find interesting. Other people inside your employer start asking you questions.
5. Social Capital/Network. You build a network of people who augment your professional life. Maybe these are other lawyers, civic leaders, etc. You might join the board of a local nonprofit.
6. Beside Manner. You are calm, reassuring, assertive when you need it and practice empathy.
7. Professionalism. People look at you as a true professional. You are respected in the ways you conduct yourself both professionally and personally.