Applying to law opportunities can be competitive and it can sometimes feel difficult to know how to get ahead and make yourself stand out. Luckily, Baker McKenzie has given us some exclusive insight into what they value when looking through applications. Hear what they have to say below...
Your CV can tell us a lot about your academics and professional experience. But in the world of commercial law, we need to know much more about you than what can fit on two A4 sides of paper.
Personal branding is the practice of marketing yourself and your career as a brand. When you first meet someone you make a lasting first impression within 7 seconds! Therefore it's really important to ensure that you establish a positive, professional impression that persists in organisational settings.
So, how do you want to be perceived? And what can you do to make sure you achieve this?
1. Identify your Uniqueness and your Strengths
We look for interesting individuals - people with stories and skills that make the Baker McKenzie workforce the most engaging team of people to work with.
Some of the best applications are those from people who can bring something novel to the table. Instead of telling us about something any other applicant could tell us, we want to know what makes you different. We believe one of the best ways to elevate yourself above other candidates is to highlight how you are different, and be able to articulate it effectively.
A good place to start is to make a list of all your key strengths, accomplishments, and obstacles you have overcome. Also ensure that you master the 'interesting fact about you' question. You need to know what separates you from other applicants in order for recruiters to see this too.
2. Network
Creating a personal brand is useless if no one knows who you are. We recommend that you apply for conferences, go to events, attend law fairs, and importantly, when you're there, introduce yourself to the right people. Research before the event can help you identify who you want to target.
After the event, don't be afraid to add people on LinkedIn and send them a message thanking them for a thought provoking conversation. A mention or shout-out to certain people in a post can do wonders for your personal brand and put you on other peoples radars. The process will also help you stay up to date with the industry, boosting your career advancement opportunities.
3. Clean up your online presence
Your personal brand doesn't only exist face-to-face. Nowadays, your personal brand very much persists into online space. The pictures you post, the opinions you tweet, and the conversations you have all influence how people form impressions of you.
We suggest that you are mindful of what you partake in online and how you present yourself, as employers may use this information to form a real-world impression. So when liking a post or commenting on an article, make sure it is consistent with your mission statement.
Once you've done this…
Integrate them into your applications, CV, and LinkedIn profile. Consistently demonstrate these strengths and core values, and this will help pave the way towards a positive first impression and a strong personal brand!
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Interested in what Baker McKenzie can offer you? Find out more about their opportunities here.