Guest Post:Social Media in Legal Recruitment

According to the American Bar Association, over 56 percent of all attorneys now incorporate social media into their daily business practices. Out of the 50 million users on LinkedIn, over one million of them are attorneys. Lawyers are clearly seeing the benefits of networking with other members of the legal profession through social media.

 

For attorneys who are looking for employment, using social media can be vital in the job search. Having a Twitter account allows a lawyer to instantly learn about job opportunities that may be in his or her local area. Some attorneys are also willing to lend a helping hand to a new attorney who needs to find work. It is not uncommon for lawyers to reach out to one another on Twitter to refer them to new job opportunities. Twitter can also be used by a lawyer to show his or her interests. A lawyer may have a Twitter account that is dedicated solely to movie reviews, and this can be a fun conversation piece to use in a job interview.

Social media can also be used for sharing tips with other lawyers. On LinkedIn, there are a variety of specific legal groups that attorneys can join. On the message boards for these groups, one can find all sorts of useful information. One may learn how to run a solo practice or file documents with the court by checking out these message boards. You can also keep an eye on the message boards and contribute when you have valuable input. As you gain credibility on the message boards for LinkedIn, you may have clients referred to you from other attorneys. As you continue to post helpful information, you will become a leading resource that other lawyers depend on. Joining up to 10 groups will allow you to get your name out there and become well-known by other attorneys.

Being on multiple social media platforms makes you more effective as a potential job candidate. As you use Twitter and LinkedIn, you will notice that you can build synergy between the two. Attorneys who know you from LinkedIn may want to check out your Twitter account to find additional information. People may add you as a friend on Facebook. You will be able to thrive when you take full advantage of the social media opportunities that await you.

Also, it is becoming more common for legal recruiters to research potential job candidates and use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Using these social media tools can give a legal recruiter a fast way to review the credentials of a job candidate. A legal recruiter can also get a feel for how others perceive the person on the Internet. Legal recruiters want to see that attorneys are able to sell themselves, and a person's appearance on social media websites can be a good indicator of his or her marketing skills. It is vital to maintain an image of professionalism on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook. By maintaining this appearance, legal recruiters will be more likely to reach out to you.

You should block out time to update your social media websites every week. You should make a conscious effort to create quality posts that will be read by the rest of the world. Some new lawyers make the mistake of quickly posting irrelevant information or information that makes them look unprofessional. Take the time to carefully craft helpful posts that other people will appreciate. This will help you as you continue to build your success on the Internet. You will also be more likely to gain job referrals in the future.

Michael Scott

About the Guest Author:
Michael Scott is a partner at a national law firm and specialises in resolving complex High Court disputes. Michael also works as a consultant for law firms on the topics of management, practice development and business strategy, as well as writing articles on legal recruitment for BCL Legal.