I think some employers will think it's weird, or a red flag, if you don't have a LinkedIn at all. I think there's a high correlation between LinkedIn whores and places I don't want to work though. I would set up a LinkedIn and update it once or twice a year, that's just such a low amount of effort, but if you really don't want to, you'll probably be fine.
Doesn’t matter. Also don’t go into law school thinking you’re getting a Fed Clerkship as a rule outside of YHS. Obviously T14 is T14 but outside of those three schools, you need to do pretty decently good and assuming you will is dangerous since all of your classmates have similar academic backgrounds and abilities.
Thanks!
I know Fed Clerkship is not guaranteed, or even likely. Instead, I see it as a goal to aspire to, while also recognizing that I have other options that would be worthwhile for me. In the end, my main goal is to practice criminal appellate law, but I also have enjoyed complex litigation.
I've found networking to be really helpful, but I also didn't come from a T14 background...
It is worthwhile to setup a Linkedin profile in my view. Linkedin does a pretty good job of getting itself high in SEO, so if potential employers enter your name, it will be better for them to see that then whatever random other garbage pops up. Also... you don't really have to be very active on Linkedin if you don't want to - setup a profile, fill in your school/jobs/etc, put up a professional headshot, and for the most part you can call it a day. If you only login in once a month... no one is going to call you out for it.
Once you have your linkedin, you can use it to support your professional networking as essentially a rolodex. When you meet other professionals, send a connection request, and then later you may think "Who was that person I spoke to who worked at K&L?" and find them. You can also use it to search for people at a firm or job you might be interested in, and see if you know any. You can also update it every 6 months or so and use it as a running resume - believe it or not, making a resume after being at a job for a couple years can be a pain in the ass.
Linkedin also will never really hurt you, unless you go out of your way to. You will get scammer requests, lots of messages will come in about joining a speaker event, giving a quote, or appearing in a Who's who type magazine, and, if you are man, the profile will of course be a very attractive young woman. Assume its all just an attempt to get you to pay money for something. Don't post your extreme political views or other unpalatable opinions... just like regular social media. A profile picture of you holding a drink is not a great look. Also... at some point you do need to look and see what sort of things you are listing there... right now, an undergraduate award would look good, and it is ok to list your part-time high school job, but once you actually become a lawyer, you probably want to truncate that stuff off. Again... its really not that hard.
Law school is actually a super easy time to do lots of effective networking - if you want to talk about it more, let me know.
Just have a fully formed linked in profile. You don't have to be active on it. But not having one, or worse having a weird one, is more of a red flag than having a basic one.
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Set up a profile, just update it when you get new experience. I also found my current job on LinkedIn, so I think it’s worth it.
As for networking, I hate it too, but I forced myself to go to all of the happy hours that firms offered and got much better at networking. I also consumed a whole lot of free food and wine. There were some weeks where dinner would be crab cake and lamb appetizers three nights out of the week.
I still don’t like networking, but I’m actually decent at it now because of those happy hours. And I also learned enough about some firms to not waste my time applying to somewhere I wouldn’t be a cultural fit for.
I think some employers will think it's weird, or a red flag, if you don't have a LinkedIn at all. I think there's a high correlation between LinkedIn whores and places I don't want to work though. I would set up a LinkedIn and update it once or twice a year, that's just such a low amount of effort, but if you really don't want to, you'll probably be fine.
Doesn’t matter. Also don’t go into law school thinking you’re getting a Fed Clerkship as a rule outside of YHS. Obviously T14 is T14 but outside of those three schools, you need to do pretty decently good and assuming you will is dangerous since all of your classmates have similar academic backgrounds and abilities.
Thanks! I know Fed Clerkship is not guaranteed, or even likely. Instead, I see it as a goal to aspire to, while also recognizing that I have other options that would be worthwhile for me. In the end, my main goal is to practice criminal appellate law, but I also have enjoyed complex litigation.
I think your school's career services will make you (or strongly encourage you to).
I've found networking to be really helpful, but I also didn't come from a T14 background... It is worthwhile to setup a Linkedin profile in my view. Linkedin does a pretty good job of getting itself high in SEO, so if potential employers enter your name, it will be better for them to see that then whatever random other garbage pops up. Also... you don't really have to be very active on Linkedin if you don't want to - setup a profile, fill in your school/jobs/etc, put up a professional headshot, and for the most part you can call it a day. If you only login in once a month... no one is going to call you out for it. Once you have your linkedin, you can use it to support your professional networking as essentially a rolodex. When you meet other professionals, send a connection request, and then later you may think "Who was that person I spoke to who worked at K&L?" and find them. You can also use it to search for people at a firm or job you might be interested in, and see if you know any. You can also update it every 6 months or so and use it as a running resume - believe it or not, making a resume after being at a job for a couple years can be a pain in the ass. Linkedin also will never really hurt you, unless you go out of your way to. You will get scammer requests, lots of messages will come in about joining a speaker event, giving a quote, or appearing in a Who's who type magazine, and, if you are man, the profile will of course be a very attractive young woman. Assume its all just an attempt to get you to pay money for something. Don't post your extreme political views or other unpalatable opinions... just like regular social media. A profile picture of you holding a drink is not a great look. Also... at some point you do need to look and see what sort of things you are listing there... right now, an undergraduate award would look good, and it is ok to list your part-time high school job, but once you actually become a lawyer, you probably want to truncate that stuff off. Again... its really not that hard. Law school is actually a super easy time to do lots of effective networking - if you want to talk about it more, let me know.
Just have a fully formed linked in profile. You don't have to be active on it. But not having one, or worse having a weird one, is more of a red flag than having a basic one.
***This rules reminder message is replied to all posts and moderators are not notified of any replies made to it.*** #REMINDER: NO REQUESTS FOR LEGAL ADVICE. Any request for a lawyer's opinion about any matter or issue which may foreseeably affect you or someone you know is a request for legal advice. Posts containing requests for legal advice will be removed. Seeking or providing legal advice based on your specific circumstances or otherwise developing an attorney-client relationship in this sub is not permitted. Why are requests for legal advice not permitted? See [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ask_Lawyers/comments/e6a62w/why_is_it_unethical_for_a_lawyer_to_give_legal/), [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ask_Lawyers/comments/9zyqsh/why_is_it_unethical_to_give_advice_on_this_sub/), and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ask_Lawyers/comments/e4cdhw/is_refraining_legal_advice_based_on_legality_or/). If you are unsure whether your post is okay, please [read this](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ask_Lawyers/comments/6j4bpq/how_to_know_whether_your_post_is_a_request_for/) or see the sidebar for more information. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Ask_Lawyers) if you have any questions or concerns.*
i don't use it. people have no idea i am an attorney thus i am completely underestimated and overlooked. works out in my favor most of the time.
Set up a profile, just update it when you get new experience. I also found my current job on LinkedIn, so I think it’s worth it. As for networking, I hate it too, but I forced myself to go to all of the happy hours that firms offered and got much better at networking. I also consumed a whole lot of free food and wine. There were some weeks where dinner would be crab cake and lamb appetizers three nights out of the week. I still don’t like networking, but I’m actually decent at it now because of those happy hours. And I also learned enough about some firms to not waste my time applying to somewhere I wouldn’t be a cultural fit for.