Besides reading the employee manual and paying as much attention as possible during training (and praying to God you do a good job! ;)), here are three other tips to set you up for success right from the beginning of your new job or internship.
1. Set goals for what you want to get out of your time there.
If you don’t set goals for what you want from your experience, it is very possible that you could end up spending your time doing other things that don’t help you reach your goals. Some examples of goals you may have for a new job or internship is to get a good writing sample, get a certain type of experience in a particular field, or get a letter of recommendation. By knowing what you want from the beginning, you can make sure you take strategic steps to make it happen!
2. Keep track of every assignment you do and write down the results.
This will come in handy for writing an epic resume that shows that you are not only competent, but excellent. Details and results, not just having done the job, is what separates you from the pack. Keep an Excel sheet (or something else that works for you!) tracking your assignments, what you did to complete them, and what the results were (for example, if the research you conducted to write a memo for the assigning attorney was used in a motion filed in court and the judge ruled favorably on it). It is best to do this as you go along instead of waiting until the last minute so you can capture what it took to get the results you achieved! 🙂
3. Build relationships and find yourself a mentor and/or sponsor.
These types of relationships take time to develop but you should have this goal in your mind from the beginning. There is a difference between a mentor and sponsor, though they can be the same person serving in both roles. This helpful information sheet compiled by the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory offers one definition of a mentor as someone who “support mentees through formal or informal discussions about how to build skills, qualities and confidence for career advancement,” and a definition of a sponsor as someone who “promote[s] protégés directly, using their influence and networks to connect them to high-profile assignments, people, pay increases and promotions.” Take a look at the info sheet and see how it applies to your situation.
I hope you find these tips helpful! If so, let me know inside Grace for the Grind™!
Grace for the Grind™ Career Mastermind is a FREE private online community for Christian women lawyers, law students, pre-law students and young professionals who want less stress and more of God’s grace for the professional grind. You can learn more about Grace for the Grind™ and join for free at https://app.graceforthegrind.com!
