Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Put The Brakes On Your Summer Job Search 

With the year half over, summer is an ideal time for you to begin looking back on achievements you made within the first six months.

hiring hired handshake job offer job searchSummer is here, and while the weather is heating up, you might be thinking of pausing your job search until the fall hiring season. Contrary to popular belief, summer is the perfect time to increase your social networking and seek out new opportunities in a very hot job market. Companies and firms are known for a more relaxed atmosphere in the summer, which makes it timely for you to leverage building your relationships, create a targeted list of companies and firms, and pursue informational interviews with key decision-makers at those targeted companies and firms.

Update Your Resume And LinkedIn Profile First

Before you begin reaching out to targeted companies or firms, make sure your resume and LinkedIn are updated. Look back through your performance over Q1 and track your metrics. Did you increase business development and revenue for the firm? Did you participate in a major deal or transaction? Did you increase your responsibility or leadership at the firm or company?

Remember, the key is to think about the important results and contributions you’ve effectuated and include those in your resume. Consider reviewing emails from clients and business partners or midyear performance reviews too. I always recommend having a “brag book” (a notepad or journal book) that’s easily accessible at your desk where you can note the projects you’re working on as well. Always keep a file of positive feedback about your work on a specific project or deal.

While your resume cannot and will not include every single exciting project or leadership facet you’ve undertaken, the key is to paint a snapshot of your trajectory and skill set in specific competency areas (e.g., corporate governance, compliance, litigation, intellectual property) for a legal recruiter or hiring executive to understand.

When it comes to updating your LinkedIn profile, consider the power that LinkedIn has in connecting you with over 800 million users — from general counsels at tech companies you’re targeting to Biglaw partners that might specialize in an emerging area you’re pursuing (e.g., blockchain). The key is to get clear on your goals for your next career move, then pursue your targeted persons of interest.

Schedule Those Summer Informational Interviews And Coffee Chats

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Summer is also ideal for making time in your calendar to catch up with old colleagues, friends, and networking contacts. I highly recommend setting up informational interviews and coffee chats with prospective job contacts. Remember, the bigger your network, the more opportunities you have to put those contacts in your corner. Here’s a helpful list of people you should be connecting with and adding to your network:

  • Former co-workers and high-ranking executives at prior companies or firms
  • Business and legal executives who run the companies you’re targeting
  • Attorneys and corporate counsels in roles you want to be in five, 10, or 15 years from now
  • Legal recruiters located nationwide and in your geographic area (or targeted geographic area)
  • Leaders and members of associations and organizations you’re affiliated with (e.g., Association of Corporate Counsel, National Association of Women Lawyers)
  • College and law school alumni
  • Board-certified lawyers or those with certifications in your niche area (e.g., data privacy, cryptocurrency)

Don’t forget to follow companies on LinkedIn that you’re interested in as they’ll often share new position openings. Find out who the key players are at those companies that are active on social media and follow them.

Increase Your Subject-Matter Knowledge 

I often encourage clients to invest summer hours in their own professional development and advancement, especially in areas they might need to ramp up their skills in, such as SEC compliance or ESG. If you’re desiring a move into data privacy, consider signing up for the CIPP/US certification. If you’re interested in a new and emerging practice area, consider signing up for relevant CLEs and targeting two or three attorneys who specialize in that practice area. You may wish to seek out a conference that’s happening during the summer, giving you ample opportunity to not only increase your subject matter knowledge but also engage in networking opportunities.

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Support Your Local Legal Community 

Summer is a great time to refresh your own internal energy and volunteer in community-sponsored events with one of the local bar associations. Whether it’s a local beach cleanup or clothing drive, getting involved can be a great ice breaker for meeting other local lawyers. There’s lots to do during the summer, and you never know if your next networking contact will be at one of those local community events partnering with you to do something great and memorable for the city you live in.

Evaluate Your Year-End Goals

With the year half over, summer is an ideal time for you to begin looking back on achievements you made within the first six months, and what you have on your bucket list for the remaining portion of the year. The last half of the year moves fast, but time is still on your side.

Refocus your energy and decide how you will move forward in your goals. Brainstorm ideas, make a targeted plan, and act on those goals.


Wendi Weiner is an attorney, career expert, and founder of The Writing Guru, an award-winning executive resume writing services company. Wendi creates powerful career and personal brands for attorneys, executives, and C-suite/Board leaders for their job search and digital footprint. She also writes for major publications about alternative careers for lawyers, personal branding, LinkedIn storytelling, career strategy, and the job search process. You can reach her by email at wendi@writingguru.net, connect with her on LinkedIn, and follow her on Twitter @thewritingguru.