Today I chuckled when I received a package from “Pink, Inc.”
I met (virtually) Dan Pink after he launched his New York Times bestseller A Whole New Mind. Now, he’s turned out a new–albeit very different–book titled The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need. Gen Y is bound to love the Japanese manga-style cartoons, sprinkled with very sensible career advice. (And, for parent-eschewing youths, what better way to get career advice?)
For those of you who read A Whole New Mind, this book is a surprise. And then again… it’s not. The new book’s format and verbiage show that it’s geared for a much younger audience, and in this way, it’s totally different than its predecessor. Yet, it epitomizes what A Whole New Mind talks about: the need to comprehend and creatively respond to new trends. Dan Pink noticed a hole in the market (for a Gen Y-friendly career guide)–and filled it creatively.
And so, what can we international lawyers learn from Dan Pink’s example? Research and understand market trends; anticipate your clients’ needs; and then adapt your products (and marketing) appropriately. Just so, Dan developed A Whole New Mind for the NY Times bestseller set, and his recent release for the Millennials. Experienced international lawyers do the same thing when they customize client communication to Saudi male oil execs on the one hand, and Chinese female high tech entrepreneurs on the other. International lawyers who fail to customize, limit their own success.
One final lesson from Pink, Inc.: if you happen to have a catchy surname, capture it for your business. Now that’s a lesson that lawyers really understand.
“How can I get my international law dream job?” Lawyers often ask me this question. The truth is, if you were not at the top of your class from a top tier school, your path may be bumpy. Your path may have twists and turns without a dream job clearly in sight.
However, as I am explaining in my upcoming chapter for the new edition of Careers in International Law, if you persevere, network relentlessly, exercise excellent people skills, perform great work, develop expertise, brand yourself effectively, and willingly “zigzag” throughout your career, you will eventually succeed. You may not end up with the job that you originally envisioned, but from my observation, really determined lawyers who aspire to international careers eventually get one. (In fact, nowadays it’s even easier to do so as the number of international law jobs increases. Thanks, Globalization!)
How do these lawyers do it? As mentioned, they position themselves for success. And, they are willing to take a job just to move another rung up the ladder. Perhaps they take a particular job to acquire a needed skill or break into an industry. Or, perhaps they take an otherwise unpalatable job for the resume boost that it offers, knowing that they will eventually zig-zag up to a better position.
This came to mind when I read yesterday’s Wall Street Journal Law Blog post interviewing Cameron Stracher, author of Dinner with Dad. The media lawyer and New York Law School professor dished about a variety of topics. When asked whether he advises his law students to take positions at grueling firms like Sullivan & Cromwell, the author stated, ”And honestly most of the time I tell them that they should because I know that as unhappy as I know they’re going to be, they need that on their resume to go somewhere where they might be happier.”
Bingo. As you zig-zag up the international law career ladder, you might need to accept–albeit temporarily–a job at a prestigious sweat shop because working there will give you instant credibility down the line. Keep your eye on the prize.
The International Law Section of the American Bar Association has invited me to write a chapter for their next edition of Careers in International Law. My chapter will share advice on creative career strategies for international lawyers–both experienced and aspiring. If you have thoughts to share, please email me: Janet@InternationalLawyerCoach.com. My chapter is due in early June, so email those suggestions asap please!
Lawyers wanting to work abroad should take a very quick look at this Guide to Working Overseas for attorneys published by international recruiting company Michael Page Legal. This quick guide shares some very basic facts–like common billable hour requirements–for attorneys working in select jurisdictions like the Cayman Islands and Dubai. Although cursory, it’s also filled with luring photos.
Here is my latest article on lawyers’ career change titled Proactively Reduce Your Stress: Adapt or Change Your Career. You can also access my article (along with others by other authors) through the State Bar of Texas website’s section on stress relief and prevention.
