Caught in the Downturn

Editor's Note: On February 1, 2010, Frank Kimball, of Kimball Professional Management, will be presenting Strategies for Succes in the Winter & Spring Legal Job Market at UCLA. Frank was a panelist at Ms. JD's annual conference, Avenues to Advancement, November 20-21 in Chicago. These are six tips from the Caught in the Downturn panel at that conference.

People often enter the legal profession believing the job to be recession proof.  The last year and a half has proven that calling any job recession proof is equivalent to counting your chickens before they have hatched.  So what does this economic downturn mean for lawyers and what should you do if you’ve been caught in the downturn? The panelists each laid out a possible game plan for how to approach this downturn.  Below are the themes that came up the most during the panel:

1. Keep your resume up to date

Make sure that you stay current with necessary skills and keep track of new developments within your practice area.  If you have a long period of unemployment, find ways to fill your time.  Try volunteering, getting involved with your bar association or doing online webinars. 

2. Network, Network, Network!

Make a list of all your contacts – include everyone you know.  Physically write the list out on paper.  Then categorize each contact into one of four categories: close relationship, acquaintance, alumni group or decision maker.  Look at the list and figure out not how these people can help you, but also about how you can help them.  Remember, networking is all about relationships. 

3. Be flexible

Be flexible, not just with your time or your interests, but with your expectations as well.  Be willing to volunteer, do pro bono work or intern.  Also look for ways to meet people, even if it won’t end in a job, such as informational interviewing, where you meet with someone in your practice area to discuss the industry.

4.  Get a handle on your finances

Look at your fixed and discretionary expenses and cut out anything you don’t need.  If you have loan payments, look for ways to decrease your minimum payment.  Check out the Institute for Financial Literacy, which may be able to help you gain control over your finances. 

5. Find someone to keep you accountable

Find a third party to keep you motivated and accountable for your work.  Make sure that person is willing and able to ask you every day or every week how you are progressing. Also be certain that you are willing to listen to him or her if you are not following through.

6.  Stay positive

Yes, it’s difficult to be positive when you’re out of work, but your attitude will come across to others.  Project a confident, competent image and others will see you that way.  Remember not to judge yourself. Just keep exploring your options and take some time out to refuel yourself. Often, the things that fill your tank can lead you to meeting more people, so find time to have fun! 

Moderator:  Hannah Stotland, Assoc. Director, Northwestern Center for Career Strategy & Advancement; Nancy Gibson, Founder and Owner, Career Consulting for Lawyers; Tonya Wilkes Moore, Principal, Benefits Compliance Group; Beth Woods, Chicago Office Managing Director, Major, Lindsey & Africa; Lane Vanderslice, Director of Mentorship Academy, Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms