What If Your First Job Isn’t The Right Fit?
By Margann Bennett, Washburn University School of Law, Topeka
Often when I run into alumni and practicing lawyers, I ask how their work is going. More frequently than you would think, new lawyers respond that their first job hasn’t turned out to be the picture of satisfaction they imagined when they accepted it. In fact, I often hear this exact quote, "I don't think I want to be a lawyer anymore." It is always discouraging to hear this, especially from a relatively new attorney. When pressed, it turns out there are many reasons underlying these comments – working longer hours than expected, difficulty working with particular partners or staff, dissatisfying substantive work assignments, limited or no feedback, desire to change geographic locations, or plain old burnout. Whether or not these issues warrant a change depends on each individual and takes some work to determine the correct next step.
First, keep working hard at the job you are in! No matter what happens, you and others must look back on your first job and know that you did the very best you could possibly do. Don't give that grumpy partner any reason to think you "can’t hack it." While it is generally true that it’s easier to find a job when you have a job (so don't quit!), do NOT look for a job while at the office. Do not list your office number or e-mail address on your resume, and try to arrange interviews before or after work hours. Your future employer should see at all times that you are hardworking and respectful to your current employer.
Second, consider and determine the source of your dissatisfaction. You can read a plethora of books to help you make this determination, but I, frankly, prefer a lawyer's best friend – a yellow legal pad. Draw a line down the middle and list the things you like about your current position on one side and the things you don't like about the position on the other. Identify those things you can control and strategize a way to make some changes. This isn't much different than developing a strategy in litigation or a business negotiation. You're a lawyer – put on your lawyer hat! As any good lawyer knows, you must take advantage of all your resources. In addition to hitting the books, talk with a trusted mentor or your law school career counselor. Mentors should include people who have direct knowledge of your work product (within your organization, opposing counsel, judges, court services officers, etc.) and others who know you on a professional level (bar association colleagues, community members, clients, law school contacts, etc.). Visit with these mentors about your frustration, seek their advice, and use their collective wisdom to help guide your next career move.
Third, if you determine that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages and you are limited in your ability to affect change in your current position, a new job may be the best route to your future career success and happiness. It's time to head back to the legal pad. Draw a line down the middle and list the things you enjoy on one side and your legitimate skills on the other. The items on the page need not be limited to the legal context. Further, it doesn't matter whether you excel at the items on your "enjoy" list. All of us have things we enjoy but aren't particular skilled at doing (for me, artistic endeavors), some things we are skilled at doing but don't particularly enjoy (for me, extended research projects), and some skills we truly enjoy (for me, daily interaction with clients). Compare the two lists, highlight the overlap, and you have the beginning of your ideal job description. Your task now is to identify a position that maximizes enjoyment and skills. The research and networking skills you have developed as a lawyer will make this easier than you think.
About the Author:
Margann Bennett is the Director of Professional Development at Washburn University School of Law. Prior to joining Washburn Law, Bennett practiced at Hershberger, Patterson, Jones & Roth, Wichita and at Shook Hardy & Bacon, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Mo. Bennett's degrees are from the University of Kansas: a Bachelor of Art in 1991 and a Juris Doctorate in 1996.
Published on page 3 of the Young Lawyers Forum, Spring 2009
