It’s a well-known truism that a person has just a matter of 7 or so seconds to make a good first impression, and this is certainly the case for anyone in legal jobs. Regardless of whether it’s your first legal job after qualifying or you’ve moved to a different department or firm, there’s only one opportunity for you to portray the right image once you start.
However, it’s just as important to strike a balance between being keen and overzealous. While you need to prove yourself as an asset to a firm, you also need to ensure your peers see you as one of the team.
- Introduce yourself
Law firms are busy environments and like many offices throughout the globe, it can be all too easy to lose the personal touch. In an age where people sit behind their computers or on the end of a phone all day, there’s a chance you may not ever really get to know your colleagues.
Use your first few days as an opportunity to meet people face to face. The next time you send an email or pick up the phone, your colleague will know exactly who they’re interacting with.
- Adopt a positive attitude
A new job means a new start, so why not get it off on the right foot with a positive mental attitude? If you have a can-do approach then you should find your day-to-day tasks that little bit easier, and it will reflect well among your peers.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Nobody is going to expect you to know everything on your first day, week or even month on the job, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help. People will be more than willing to lend a hand, plus they’ll feel good about being asked for advice.