Jonah Perlin’s Post

Day 24: As a Criminal Justice and Legal Studies major, I’m dedicated to ensuring my college experience fully prepares me for a career in the field. My coursework is providing a solid foundation in the justice system, legal research, and legal writing. Beyond classes, my role as an Associate Justice on the SEU Court and earning a Westlaw certification through my Legal Research & Writing course have given me valuable hands-on experience. To further prepare, I’m actively networking on LinkedIn and seeking connections with professionals in my field. Learning from their experiences not only broadens my understanding of the industry but also keeps me informed about emerging opportunities. Whether I’m developing technical skills or expanding my network, each step brings me closer to my career goals. Fellow students and recent grads—how are you preparing for your future careers?

Pursuing a career that aligns with your passion isn’t just about job satisfaction—it’s about designing a life that you feel fulfilled by every day. The beauty of this quote lies in its simplicity: it reminds us that the path to long-term success starts with embracing what makes us feel alive. When you choose to follow your true calling, you’re not just building a career, you're crafting a life that reflects your purpose. Especially for those of us navigating culturally defined roles, it’s vital to break free from expectations and to trust in the power of your passion. It’s a reminder that your love for what you do can be the strongest foundation for your personal and professional success. What are you passionate about, and how can you bring more of that into your career? If you're ready to take the next steps in your legal career, DM me for a free 30 minute no obligation call to find out how I can support you with your legal career goals.

Lawyers, are you feeling STUCK in your job search (struggling and ready to give up)? What if those struggles and challenges could be your SECRET WEAPON for landing your dream role? Navigating career transitions in the legal profession can be a real headache. And if you let it fester you can end up giving up, staying put and sliding back into dissatisfaction, frustration with yourself and your job, disengagement, overwhelm and burnout. There are lots of vacancies, so many new opportunities and it’s about time you took control of your career. It’s non-negotiable. Yes, there are struggles and there IS a way of overcoming all of them. Here are the top 12 that lawyers face when searching for new roles (from my own experience and lots of great research from colleagues and friends). Remember, every challenge in your job search is a chance to grow,  refine your goals and discover exciting new paths in your legal career. Swipe through for insights that could transform your approach to job hunting for your next exciting role. 👉🏻 Looking forward to hearing all about your new job soon, you lawyer superstar you! 🚀 ♻️ Send to a lawyer friend (or a non-lawyer friend) if you think this will be helpful for them.

What else can you do while looking for a job? Job searching can feel like a full-time job and should be approached with the same diligence, but also use that time to gain additional expertise and contacts. Consider taking a temporary, contract, or even a volunteer position just to get in the door. It sometimes happens that these activities can turn into permanent positions. At the very least, you will have gained good experience and established relationships which may be of use in the future. You never know who you will meet and impress this way. In addition, lecturing and publishing articles in your areas of expertise are highly recommended during the job search process as well as at other times in your career. These activities will set you apart from other job-seekers and afford visibility, thus making you more attractive to potential employers. What are you doing to increase your options? #jobsearching #lawjobs #legaljobs #probono #publicinterestlaw For more insights into job search strategies, the legal industry, and the California legal job market, follow SeltzerFontaine LLC, and connect with me and ring the 🔔 at Valerie Fontaine.

It's hard not to feel disheartened by the job search these days, especially as a seasoned legal professional jumping back into the job search water after 10+ years at one company. I'm excited by new opportunities to expand my legal knowledge and enter a new era in my legal career, but I'm finding it difficult to get past the rejections and "ghosting," especially from jobs where I'm set as a top applicant or great fit. Fellow lawyers and job searchers: how have you turned those rejection frowns upside down and re-energized your job search? I could use some encouragement!

As the year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the journey of job seeking, especially in the legal space. It's been a time filled with both anticipation and anxiety. The legal field, while dynamic and rewarding, also presents its own set of unique challenges, particularly when it comes to finding the right fit. 💼 ⚖️ The uncertainty of waiting for responses, the pressure to stand out in a competitive market, and the desire to find a role that aligns with both professional growth and personal values can feel overwhelming. Add the year-end timing to the mix, and it only intensifies the stress. But this is also a time for resilience. It's important to remember that every step, even the setbacks, bring us closer to the right opportunity 🫴 . To my fellow job seekers in the legal industry, let's continue to support each other, share advice, and keep pushing forward into the new year with hope and determination 🤝. Wishing everyone the best as we close out the year and prepare for new beginnings! #OpenToWork #JobSearch #LegalProfession #LegalIntern #CareerJourney #LegalJobs #EndOfYearReflection #JobSeeker #Resilience #CA

Well-intended people ask: “What industry do you want to work in? What kind of work are you looking for?” Having a clear intention is fanstastic. However, is not having a clear intention bad? Sometimes, we are so caught up on one thing and idealise that it’s the best, when we don’t even know if it is. Often, many opportunities around us get missed along the way. The CV is a boring and narrow-minded way to judge a person. When people talk with each other, that’s when chemistry sparks, and magic starts to happen, even if sometimes not immediate. If you agree with my thoughts, click like or leave a comment. And do yourself a favour: open up to chat with someone new today, you might just learn a thing or two new.

It’s that time of year again when my feed is full of incredible news—congratulations to everyone celebrating promotions and qualifications across the legal sector! 🎊 Seeing so many achievements is inspiring, and it's a perfect moment to think about what comes next in your careers. Whether you're freshly qualified, recently promoted, or considering your next step, here are a few things to keep in mind: 🔹 Reflect on Your Goals: What do you want to achieve in the next few years? Whether it’s gaining more experience in a specific practice area or moving towards a leadership role, it’s important to set clear, actionable goals. Speaking to a recruiter can certainly help if you're unsure what's next! 🔹 Invest in Your Development: Promotions and qualifications are milestones, but the learning never stops. Seek out new challenges, pursue further education or certifications, and find mentors who can help guide you. 🔹 Build Your Network: Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you. Attend events, join legal communities, and don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with others in the field. 🔹 Think Long-Term: Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time to consider where you want to be in the long run, and make choices that align with your vision for the future! ♻ Repost if you found this useful ----------------------------- 👋 Hi, I'm Ella, a Legal Recruiter at LHH, connecting top talent to top law firms across the South & East Coast. Want a confidential chat about the next step in your career? Let's chat! 📨 [email protected]

How do you tell people bad news? Honestly, and directly. Throughout my career, I’ve had to tell a lot of people terrible news, and answer questions with a truth that will be devastating. Be honest, do not equivocate, and don’t use “soft” words. I was fortunate enough to get some brief training on this early in my career, and the more experience I’ve had, the more these simple rules hold true. People experiencing horrible times need direct answers. Beating around the bush might unintentionally create false hopes or misdirect their focus. That doesn’t mean you need to be a jerk, but you have to give them the right answers in a manner that can’t be misinterpreted. It’s not easy. It’s really quite uncomfortable; we don’t want to feel like we’re causing unnecessary pain. But more often than not, being honest and direct is the compassionate thing to do, so that they can begin to process their pain and decide their next steps with their eyes open.

If you’ve been considering making a career move in the near future, now is the time to do so. Q2 is typically the best time to make a change, as historically we’ve seen the highest number of open positions during this time of year. This year is no different- so far in Q1 there have been 2,418 lateral moves in DC alone, counting just attorneys going from one law firm to another law firm. That number is growing daily- we are working with a number of firms seeking to add associates to their teams in all areas. If you’re interested in exploring the market, let me know. We can talk about the open roles available right now, what I do to uncover more, and how to best position yourself as a strong candidate (services are always free).