Pop Quiz on Etiquette

Can you answer these 8 Questions on Business and Dining Etiquette? Lisa Orrell challenges you to cosider not the simple answer, or even the quick answer, but also the various facets of etiquette. Is there something you've inadvertently been leaving out? Take a few minutes to brush up!

Reframing & Co-Mentoring

Reading this article made me think about how much reframing can really make things seem so much more interesting. Reframing is just the advice that our elders gave us constantly growing up -- putting yourself in someone else's shoes. It also goes to a saying my grandmother used, "If you can't say something nice, don't say it at all." After all, how can you see the wisdom someone has to share with you if you focus on what initially is perceived as an annoyance? I also liked the idea of co-mentoring, which is really the very basic part that all of us should be doing with networking -- creating that mutually beneficial relationship.

Some Chicago Legal Blogs & RSS Feeds

The Law Bulletin Publishing Company's blogs have been busy! Have you been following their latest updates? We've been using Google Reader to keep track of the latest in the blogosphere -- this is also a handy tool for keeping an eye on breaking tweets.

• Around the Water Cooler
• LexTek Report
  
• Attorneys in Transition

Also, did you know that the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin also offers an RSS feed? Or that Law Career Services and the Law Library receive these publications? Stop by to check out the latest articles!

Connecting to Supervisors

As your summer position, whether paid or volunteer, comes to a close, make some time to take your supervising attorney out for lunch or a cup of coffee. This will give you the opportunity to gain additional feedback on your performance and make sure that this important ally knows your future goals and create a lasting impression of your professionalism. The legal profession is a small place, and with most jobs being gained from referrals, you need to take the time to grow and continually cultivate your networking contacts. If you haven't already, create a LinkedIn account and a networking plan (can simply be a contact sheet you create in Excel). Then not only plan, but execute, on your follow-up!

LinkedIn Job Search Tips

I do a lot of reading, writing, and presenting on LinkedIn, which ties to networking, personal branding, and professional development. From my perusal of twitterverse/blogosphere I wanted to share two great articles on LinkedIn. The first, Top 10 LinkedIn Job Search Tips, gives all the conventional advice, but the one I think many job seekers miss is to follow the LinkedIn blog. This is so important so that you can show employers that you know how to use the latest tools not only to benefit your own professional image, but also those with whom you associate (employers, bar associations, professional groups, alumni or other affinity groups). The second, while coming from a negative angle, really gets at my mantra of how to use my 3 Ps (professional, proactive, and positive) of online behavior. LinkedIn Strategies That Keep You Unemployed also helps you focus on when a message or discussion might be proactive and even professional, but is it really positive?