Social Networking Sites -

Ten years ago no one could have envisioned the array of electronic tools and toys that exist today. And I doubt if any of us can imagine what lurks over the horizon in 2015-2025. Today students and professionals spend a lot of time on social networking sites like FaceBook. They are  fun and useful tool for making, enhancing, and developing personal connections on many different levels with new and old friends from all corners of your life.

            However, I strongly recommend that you scrub your Facebook profile of anything that could possibly be embarrassing to you personally or professionally. That party with the hookah or bong pipe? Erased. The all brand beer party in Acapulco. Gone. Those photos at Karen’s wedding where your blood alcohol level appears to be higher than your I.Q. Delete. Willing to play bet your career?  I didn’t think so. Don’t worry I’ll still be your Facebook friend.

Does this violate your first amendment rights?  I have no idea. And I don’t care. What I do care about is the impression you make on your senior colleagues and the clients of your law firm who may find such behavior juvenile, immature, inappropriate, or offensive.

            Ahh  - since I am not your Facebook friend you believe your privacy settings can save you? Not so fast Sparky, I’ll bet you a Zingerman’s sandwich from Ann Arbor or nice bottle of Pinot Noir that I can break through that wall easily and completely. Maybe with my phony log in name that causes you to accept my friend request. Maybe there are other ways. Are you willing to play Bet Your Career?  Didn’t think so.

This is the 9th installment by Frank Kimball for law students.  Click on the author's name to view all of his previous posts.

Working with a legal recruiter should be treated with care.  There are certain habits and behaviors that can almost guarantee a positive experience with a legal recruiter and there are certain behaviors that will almost guarantee that the relationship is doomed from the start.  Below we take a look at five things that can damage your relationship with a recruiter:

1. A sloppy, inaccurate or inappropriate resume.  Take the time to create a resume that is appropriate for the positions for which you’re applying and take care that there are no errors.  Avoid exaggerating the truth by fudging employment dates and titles. Also, resist the temptation to inflate your prior salary.
2. Unprofessional voicemail.  While having the latest pop song on your voicemail is acceptable when only your friends and family are calling, doing so when you’re searching for work can hurt your chances.  Remove informal greetings and pop music from your voicemail and replace it with a simple, brief and professional greeting.
3. Demanding to know exact salary information immediately.  Resist the temptation to demand to know exact salary information when you call a recruiter about a job.  The salary you’re offered will depend on many factors and can’t be determined before you’ve at least interviewed with the company.  Although, the recruiter may be able to give you a ballpark salary figure, he/she can’t offer anything concrete. 
4. Failing to do what you promised to do.  If a legal recruiter schedules you for an interview do your best to show up on time. If something happens that will cause you to be late or miss the interview, please let the recruiter and/or the employer know immediately.
5. Failing to be transparent about your independent job search.  A common problem many legal recruiters experience is when candidates fail to be transparent about their independent job search or their work with other recruiters.  This can often cause double submissions which can end in commission disputes or more likely the candidate not getting the job.  Let your legal recruiter know if you or another recruiter has already submitted your resume to a company so they can avoid submitting you twice.