Law Students

Networking Advice for Law Students Part III: Follow-Up (Even on Business Cards) No Matter How Awkward

By jessie

Ahh, the awkward follow-up. We all dread it. That?s no excuse. Now as I?ve argued previously, this is easier if you?ve made a connection with someone that goes beyond a basic introduction and actually gotten into some shared interests. But even if you?ve got a business card in passing from someone you barely met, let no opportunity go underexploited. In fact use it to your advantage, i.e. ?I wish we?d had more time to talk. I?m interested in your experience working as a trusts and estates associate at Lawyers 'R Us. Would you be willing to meet for coffee sometime and tell me a little bit more about how you?ve developed your practice??

Of course the better option is to have something more. If I can I?ll jot down notes on the cards I get right after I get them. Like at the end of an evening I?ll make a note of something someone I met said that I thought was funny, interesting, etc. If you?re going to follow-up right away this may not be as important. But even one day after meeting someone I can have trouble remembering exactly what we talked about. You can assume that?s probably mutual and that the person you met might also have trouble remembering you. It?s nice to have something to trigger both your memories. For example, I was following up with someone I met at a panel presentation and included my favorite comment of hers from the discussion in my email to her after the event.

Keep reading for lessons from my dating history, a story about the spider goat, and more concrete tips.

read more

Full post as published by Ms. JD on September 21, 2009 (boomark / email).