Etiquette tip of the week: Happy Medium

When out on business, whether at a cocktail party or meal, keep the rule, “All things in moderation.”

Order something not too expensive.

Do not reach for a second roll out of the bread basket.

There is no such thing as “all you can eat” in a business meal.

Do not order your steak rare. (What might be delicious to you, might be an unappetizing bloody sight for others.)

Go easy on the seasoning. (Taste your food first. Season once, not between every bite.)
Do not over-imbibe.  (Better yet, avoid alcohol to keep a clear head.)

Do not pile up appetizers on your plate at a cocktail party.

Remember, you are there to do business first and eat second.

Retweet The Etiquette Tip of the Week on Twitter: @MannersThatMove

 

Finals are Upon Us: Time to Buckle Down, NOT Under!

OK, Finals are here.  How will you handle the pressure?  Even if you’re prepared, tests can be stressful.  Don’t let anxiety have a negative impact on your test performance.   Here are our Top 10 Tips to keep stress at bay, so you can focus on what matters – acing those tests!

1. Get Enough Sleep – It sounds so simple, but students are notorious for sacrificing sleep to study.  At less than 6 hours of sleep, you are considered sleep-deprived, and operating at a distinct disadvantage.  Mentally, you are not as sharp.  So, stop studying at a reasonable time and get a full night of sleep before each exam. If needed, take a power nap to recharge your mental battery.
2. Study Smarter – Be organized with your studies.  Make a list of all the things you need to learn and do, and estimate how long each will take you.  Compare that with the amount of time you have available, and determine a schedule for each.  Then, stick to it.  Also, choose an uncluttered, soothing space to study, as that reduces stress, as well.  Finally, make sure your study group is helping, not hindering, your test success.  Choose people who are as responsible and committed as you, to studying effectively and not wasting time.
3. Take a Break – Actually, take a few!  Part of “studying smarter” includes taking well-needed, regularly scheduled breaks throughout the day. If not, you will burn-out, and your brain will not work at optimum capacity.  That would be stressful.  Take a walk, get some fresh air, do a mindless activity; then, your study session will be more productive.
4. Visualize Success – This really works!  As you fall asleep each night, or at any quiet time during the day, visualize yourself taking the tests, including detailed information about facts you need to remember, and doing great.  By picturing yourself performing as you would like to, you are actually practicing success, which will help you perform better.
5. Exercise – This is one the healthiest ways to blow off steam and de-stress. You can easily work activities such as biking, walking or yoga into your schedule, either first thing in the morning or as a break during the day.  You can also plan to exercise with a friend while you study something together.
6. Breathing Exercises – Shown to reduce stress anxiety in minutes, these can be done almost anywhere. Take deep breaths, expanding your belly on the inhale, and let all the stress come out on the exhale.  This will help your body calm down so you can think clearly again.
7. Music – They say it calms the savage beast! Depending on your taste and need, you can calm yourself down or stimulate your mind by listening to the right music.
8. Eat Healthy – Although you may feel the need to eat fast, this is not the time for fast-food.  Your diet can boost your brain power or sap your mental energy.  Choose wisely!  Remember that energy drinks, and products loaded with caffeine, can give you a temporary jolt, but can cause you to crash later, leaving you to feel exhausted, with possible headaches and palpitations. This will add to your stress in the long run!
9. Be Prepared – If you’re planning on “cramming”, think again!  Although some people believe they work “better under pressure”, common sense dictates that this can only add stress to an already tense situation.  Don’t wait for the last minute to prepare for exams.  By pacing yourself and using all the time you’ve been given, you will take your exams with a feeling of confidence, not chaos.
10. Think Positive – Did you know that optimists create better circumstances in their lives, including better grades?  It’s true!  Through positive thinking and self-talk, you can increase your level of success. Don’t focus on what’s at stake or what you don’t know for each exam.  Focus on what you do know, and affirm your ability to do well.  What you think can make the difference in what you get!

 

What’s the Best Way to Start an Effective Job Search?

Networking! The mere mention of the word strikes fear in the heart of even the most out-going law student. Personal contact is, however, the single most effective way to get a job. A high percentage of jobs are unadvertised, so networking is one of the best ways to find out about available positions. The skills you develop networking as a law student are the same skills you will need as a lawyer to develop business. Thus, investing in networking is an investment in your future.

Very often students fear networking because they are afraid to be perceived as “using someone”. It’s important to remember, though, that networking is not about manipulation, it is about information. The goal of a networking event, and networking in general, is to gather information about others while also allowing them an opportunity to gather information about you.

To capitalize on your networking experiences, you will want to keep a card file and calendar on hand. Immediately upon exchanging cards with someone, make sure to note where you met the person, the topic of conversation, and any other personal or interesting information you learned up about the contact. Later, it’s a great idea to attach the business card to a larger index card, where you can easily document all relevant information. And, If you promised to follow-up or complete something by a certain date, make sure you set that date on your calendar so you do not forget.

Although the results of networking are not instantaneous, 10 personal conversations will do more for you than sending 200 unsolicited letters to prospective employers, any day. So, start building those relationships — in school, at bar association meetings and events, or volunteering your time on a project. Your next job may, literally, be only one conversation away!

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Learn to Eat Neat!

Purse or pocketbook should be off the table during a meal. Either place the purse on your lap under your napkin, or if it is one of those giant saddle bags that you are hauling around like a piece of luggage, place it on the floor either between or touching your feet. Do not sling the purse over the back of your chair, where it might hinder traffic and it is an easy target for pick-pockets. Well, that and it is really embarrassing when you stand up and the chair falls backwards.

Gentlemen, if you are reading this and saying, “I am feeling a little cheated, because I don’t have a purse…or a man bag.” Here’s one for you: Do not flip your tie over your shoulder during a meal. Learn to eat neat.

Republished with permission from the Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com/.

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Interview Park and Flight

A woman who works for a trucking company told me she watches interview candidates all the way out to the parking lot. “I want to see what their cars look like,” she said. “Because if we are going to trust them with a $120,000 vehicle, we want to see if they take care of their personal vehicle. Is it clean?  Does it have scrapes and dents?  Bumper stickers?”

A lot of people in human resources are looking out the windows.  And their stories are great: candidates parking in the handicapped parking without qualifying tags, stripping down into something more comfortable before they drive away, hanging out on their cell phones like they are on a stake out of next candidate (Inside the building, they are asking, “Is he/she still there?”) and my personal favorite, making out with the person who drove them.

The interview is not over with the final handshake or when the front door closes behind you. Do not linger and make sure your impression outside the business is professional.

Republished with permission from the Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com/.

Fall Recruiting Season is here. What does this mean for YOU?

Fall 2011 Recruiting Program

The Fall Recruiting Season has officially begun!  Many of you may be asking: “What is fall recruiting?”

“What does it entail?  Who should participate?  What do I need to do to maximize my chances of successfully gaining summer employment?“  Below are the answers to these questions, along with the Office of Career and Professional Development’s (CPD) top ten tips for successfully navigating the Fall Recruiting Program.

WHAT:  Fall Recruiting refers to the process used by employers to conduct interviews of select students (usually 2Ls) for the purpose of hiring “Summer Associates” for the following summer.  Some employers come on campus and conduct a series of interviews in one day.  These are referred to as “On Campus Interviewing (OCI) employers.”  Other employers utilize the CPD to collect and forward resumes of select students who are invited to come to their offices for an interview.  These are referred to as “Resume Forwarding employers.”  Both types of Fall Recruiting employers utilize our Symplicity online system to organize the Fall Recruiting process.

OCI:  OCI Employers establish criteria regarding class rank, activities, etc. necessary for students to be eligible to “bid” for an interview with their firm.  These criteria, along with the date a law firm representative will be visiting our campus, are announced on Symplicity.  Students use Symplicity to “bid” on (i.e. apply to) participating employers prior to an established bidding deadline.  The employers then select the students they will interview on campus at the Law Center, on a specified date.

Resume Forward:  As is the case with OCI Employers, Resume Forwarding Employers similarly establish criteria regarding class rank, activities, etc. necessary for students to be eligible to “bid” for an interview with their firm.  These criteria are announced on Symplicity.  Just as they do for OCI Employers, Students use Symplicity to “bid” on (i.e. apply for) interviews with participating Resume Forwarding Employers prior to an established bidding deadline.  The CPD forwards student resumes to each employer.  The employers then contact students directly, and schedule interviews in their offices.

WHO:  Fall Recruiting is primarily for second year law students seeking summer associate positions at large or mid-sized law firms, and for third and fourth year law students seeking permanent positions with governmental agencies, such as the public defender or state attorney offices.

WHEN:   The Fall Recruiting Season begins in early August and continues through the end of October.

 Top 10 Tips for a Successful Fall Recruiting Season

Calendar important dates and deadlines.  Don’t miss out on applying to a firm of interest because you missed a deadline!

1. Make sure all of your career documents (e.g., resume, cover letter, writing sample, transcripts) are up to date and uploaded onto Symplicity.  So, when it’s time apply for an opportunity, it will just take a few quick clicks!
2. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply.  If you have issues logging into Symplicity, or with your computer, you may be unable to resolve them prior to the deadline.
3. Invest in a sharp power suit for your interviews.  Please do not wear anything but a suit for any interviews, whether on campus or at an employer’s office.
4. Research the firms to which you have applied, prior to your interview, and research the interviewer, as well.
5. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer (e.g. about his/her experience at the firm and expectations for summer associates).
6. Participate in a mock interview, either during the Mock Interview Marathon Program, or individually with a career counselor.  The feedback is invaluable!
7. DON’T lose heart if you are not chosen for an interview during Fall Recruiting.  There are other ways to successfully obtain summer employment.
8. Review the CPD’s handout on interview preparation.   It will help you prepare for answers to the most likely interview questions, and provide many other useful strategies.
9. Remember that the Office of Career and Professional Development is here to help.  If you have questions throughout this Fall Recruiting Season and beyond, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.