Dana Hill is a large law firm attorney who is transitioning to an alternative legal career. Dana has practiced for 10 years and has been in transition since early 2009.
Upon finding myself on the job market, I quickly realized that I was going to need professional help in focusing my search. I was fortunate to receive outplacement services from my employer. While my assigned job coach was knowledgeable generally, she was not a lawyer and did not have any expertise in the legal market. I turned to a private career counselor. Though pricey, I thought the investment was worth it.
My coach helped me narrow the types of legal jobs that I would find fulfilling. She also provided me with a concrete strategy for finding job opportunities through conducting informational interviews. By identifying the jobs and companies that I was pursuing and then meeting with people in those roles, I was able to learn how to better present myself to potential employers and hear about job openings from inside sources. In some instances, my coach provided me with referrals to her contacts for informational interviews. Once I applied for jobs and got interviews, we practiced interviewing skills. Her feedback provided guidance on how to handle tough questions and helped me control my distracting mannerisms.
Overall, my coach’s expertise and reassurance gave me confidence. I felt motivated to accomplish tasks before our next meeting. More generally, our sessions provided me with a sense that I was doing something – a key factor early on when I felt a little lost and overwhelmed.
A job coach provides support, but I would not recommend using one to bemoan your situation. A coach is best used for looking forward, not at the past.
If you can’t afford a private job coach, then the career office at your law school or undergraduate university is a great resource. The alumni counselor at my law school career office provided me with both practical advice and emotional support.
Attorneys in Transition Event on May 8, 2009
