While giving a talk to a mostly male audience of about 80 people over 80 years-old, I was surprised to find that their biggest etiquette pet peeve was not the rude use of cell phone and texting. They were most irritated by young men who enter restaurants without removing their hats. (They were referring to baseball caps, but it could be any hat.)

Never underestimate a senior person’s ability to note the details. When dealing with the “young at heart” in business or social situations, take care of your appearance. Shine your shoes, press your clothing, button up (you too, ladies), comb your hair and gentlemen, please remove your hats.

And while you are at it, please call your grandparents.

Thanks to the Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com/ for this etiquette tip!

1. Always have business cards. I know some people might disagree on this one, but most people still have some kind of business card. It remains an efficient way to gather information, even if you are inputting that information into another system and disposing of the actual cards within hours (if not minutes) of receiving it. Yet, do not litter the room with your cards. Give out one card, and only give it to people who ask for it. Keep your cards in a business card holder. It’s just gross to pull a wrinkled card out of your back pocket and hand it to someone.
2. Turn off your cell phone: If you have your cell phone on you, make sure it is set on vibrate. No one feels very special when the conversation that they are having with you is interrupted by your wacko ringtone. If you forget to turn it off, do not answer it and apologize profusely for the interruption.
3. Picking up the tab: If you ask someone out for lunch or coffee, you should pay. If they insist on paying their portion, don’t get in a fight over it. Let them pay. But, when in doubt, if you asked for the lunch/coffee/etc., you pay.
4. Handshaking: When you are at an event that involves food, you should always have your right hand free to shake hands. This is why cocktail tables are handy. You can have food OR beverage in your hands, but not both. If someone extends their hand, you don’t want to juggle your food or drink someone is waiting to shake your hand.
5. Moving on: So you have made a new contact, and now it is time to move on. Once the conversation has hit a lull, tell them how nice it was to meet them (or see them again, if you already know them) and move on, saying that there is someone else that you want to catch before they leave (or some other polite reason for excusing yourself.)
6. Name tags: Put your name tag on your left lapel. That way, when people shake your hands, they can also be looking at your name tag.
7. Names: If you don’t catch someone’s name the first time, politely ask for it again rather than embarrassing yourself by calling someone the wrong name.
8. How to dress: There is plenty of advice out there on this, but it’s better to overdress than underdress. Look online for more advice on this, but be mindful of how to wear your suits (how to button/unbutton your jackets, etc.) and what kind of shoes/jewelry/accessories are appropriate. The key is to remember that your appearance is saying something about you, and you want to make sure you are controlling that message.
9. Keep your mouth shut: With or without alcohol, some people just share way too much information. You don’t need to be sharing personal information with anyone except close friends and family. At social events, stick to polite, neutral conversation that makes everyone feel comfortable. Always come armed with a couple of current events to talk about in case conversation stagnates, but don’t digress into what your lactose intolerant body does when you accidentally ingest Gouda cheese. That’s a sure turn-off.
10. Say “please and thank you”: Use the manners that you learned as a child. General politeness never goes out of style.

Thanks to the Lawyerist.com (http://lawyerist.com/etiquette-tips-for-lawyers/) for this post.

I recently answered the question, “What is the difference between Job Postings and OCI in Symplicity” and I thought I’d share my answer in case anyone else is wondering.

Both Job Postings and OCI are found in Symplicity.

Job postings are like the classified ads.  Employers post positions and students apply directly to the employer.  Sometimes the employer wants the applications mailed, sometimes they accept e-mail, and sometimes they accept applications through Symplicity.  You will find application instructions with the information for each job.  The jobs may be post-graduate positions or intern positions (summer or academic year).  During the fall, most of the student job postings are for intern positions that last throughout the school year. 

Access and search job postings by clicking on the “Job Postings” tab in Symplicity (the fourth tab from the left).  Browse the postings or create a search using “Advanced Search”.  You can set up a recurring search agent that allows the system to send you notifications when jobs with certain criteria are posted.

OCI, or “Formal Recruiting,” is a program sponsored by the PDO in which area employers come on campus to interview students for either post-graduate or summer intern positions.  Occasionally, but rarely, employers utilize OCI to hire interns for the academic year.  In the fall, 2Ls and 3Ls participate in OCI.  In the spring, all students are eligible to participate.

Access and search for employers participating in OCI by clicking on the “OCI” tab in Symplicity (third tab from the right).  You will see a box for “Session” in the grey box in the middle of page.  Make sure to browse the employers in each session.  The deadline to apply for all of the employers in a particular session is listed on the right side of the screen under “Important Dates.”  You MUST apply to these firms through Symplicity.  After the deadline passes, the employer will review all applications and select students to interview.  Selected students will receive a message directing them to select an interview time on Symplicity.

If you have questions regarding how to use Symplicity, see http://washburnlaw.edu/career/careermanager/

If you have questions about the OCI process, see http://washburnlaw.edu/career/oci/index.php

Never underestimate the power of a thank you note.  Thank you notes help convey your appreciation to your interviewer for their time; they give you another opportunity to express your interesting in working for the company; and they remind the interviewer who you are.  If you are having trouble writing your thank you note or are not sure where to being here are a few suggestions to get you started.

First, handwritten thank you notes are far better than printed thank you notes, UNLESS your handwriting is atrocious.  Then printing out a thank you note and signing it is a much better option.  The purpose of your thank you note is to thank the interviewer for their time and to reiterate you interest in their company.  If the interview is unable to read your note due to your handwriting then that defeats the purpose of sending the note.

Second, snail mail is good.  We all know e-mail is a fast and convenient way to communicate, but a thank you e-mail is impersonal.  The effort it takes to pick out the paper or the card and to handwrite the thank you note helps make the note more memorable than sending an e-mail. But if a thank you e-mail is your only choice then send the e-mail.  A thank you e-mail is a much better option than sending no thank you note at all.

Lastly, choose the content of your thank you note carefully.  Here are a few things you should include in your thank you note.  First, always thank the potential employer for their time because they did not have to interview you.  Second, your note should reiterate how interested you are to work for that employer.  Third, your note should include something you discussed during the interview.  Finally, your thank you note should be sent promptly, within 24 hours of your interview, with no typos.  Typos in general are bad, but typos in your thank you note are really bad.  Remember your thank you note is also a writing sample to a potential employer.   

Need more information? See Kimm Alayne Walton, Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams, 424-655 (2d ed. Thompson/West 2008) (1995), or stop by the PDO.

To make the best impression with your handshake, reach for the person’s palm, not the fingers.  Use a firm grip, that shows you are confident.  If you give a weak handshake where you don’t really grip the other person’s hand, you appear weak, insecure, non-committal. (Message: “I am a doormat, feel free to walk all over me.”) And let’s be honest, when you are on the receiving end of the “fingers handshake,” it’s kind of a yucky feeling.

When you squeeze the other person’s hand so hard, it hurts, you appear domineering, angry, inconsiderate. (Message: “Please hire me, I want to scare the living daylights out of everyone in your workplace.”) 

Shake a woman’s hand as firmly as a man’s hand.  To give a woman a lighter handshake is an insult.

Thanks to the Culture and Manners Institute for this tip!  http://www.cultureandmanners.com/

Fall Recruiting

The On-Campus Interview (OCI) program is an event that most law schools across the country provide.   Fall OCI occurs during August, September, October.    Legal employers visit law school campuses for the purpose of interviewing second-year students for summer positions and third-year students for post-graduation positions.  The majority of the employers who participate are mid-size to large firms and government agencies that are able to predict their hiring needs several months in advance.  Smaller firms, government agencies and public interest employers may participate as well.

We will use our web-based Symplicity system to administer the on-campus interview program.  You will use Symplicity to upload your cover letter and resume, “bid” or apply for employers and, view your interview schedule.

You should check the employer list carefully and often when determining if OCI is right for you.  It is very important to pay attention to details as you go through the OCI process, as well as researching employers carefully before you submit your materials to them.  It is recommended you target selected employers  based on the skills and experience you provide, geographical preference, and practice area.

Getting Ready

Research Pays Off.  It is extremely important you start to research the employers early.  Please review the employers’ profiles in Symplicity, the employer NALP forms (www.nalpdirectory.com) and employer websites BEFORE submitting your resume through OCI.  Please only apply to those employers with whom you have a “good faith” interest in interviewing.

Uploading Resumes, Cover Letters, and Transcripts

All documents required by the employer must be uploaded to Symplicity before you will be allowed to place a “bid”.  You only need to upload on general resume to Symplicity, but you also may upload specialized resumes if you choose. (ie. Public Interest Resume, California Resume, etc). All documents are uploaded to the “Documents’” tab in your Symplicity account.  Document labels are viewable by employers’ to label them carefully and make certain to select the correct document when you attach it to your bid.  All documents must be uploaded in word format; however, they are saved within the system in both their original format and as a PDF.  Please review the PDF to ensure that it looks like it should.  The PDF will be the version sent to employers, so if you make changes to the original, you must resave the document.  Your initial resume must be reviewed and approved by our office before you can apply.  Once you upload your initial resume, it will be held in the “Pending Documents” until reviewed and approved.  With this in mind, it is best that you not wait until the last minute to upload your resume.

On-Campus Interviews vs. Resume Collection

For employers who cannot interview on campus, we arrange a “Resume Collection”.  The application process is the same as OCI, and you must still submit your “bid “ to these employers.  We will forward requested documents to the employer and any further communication will come directly from the employer. 

Employers Participating in OCI

For a complete list of employers participating, click on the OCI Tab and select the “session”.  The session represents the week the employer will be on campus.  Be sure to view all sessions for a complete list. 

J-section Students Participation in OCI

Students who started in January are eligible to participate in Fall Recruiting. 

When choosing a writing sample, always first consider what your best sample is. If there is a clear winner, use that sample. If you are fortunate to choose between several samples, consider the potential employer. Select a writing sample that illustrates the style of writing you will be using for that employer. For example, if you are applying to a public defender select an Appellate Brief, but if you are applying to an employer that does not practice in the appellate courts, consider a memorandum of law.

Of course, always comply with employer requests. If a potential employer requests a memorandum, provide one. Similarly if an employer requests something other than a law journal article, by all means do NOT submit your Journal article.

Some employers request an “unedited” writing sample. This generally does not exclude final drafts of papers submitted for law school courses, but it does exclude a Journal article, Moot Court brief, and other documents that are heavily and substantively edited by other people.

Finally, some employers request the writing sample be limited to a particular number of pages. In this case, it is appropriate to submit an excerpt of your writing sample if the original version is too long. Simply explain it is an excerpt on the cover page and make sure to include enough of the substance to demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate an argument.

A note regarding cover pages: Consider including a cover page to your writing sample. It should include your name, the type of document you are submitted, and for what purpose it was originally created. It may look like:

Writing Sample of Margann Bennett

Excerpt of
Appellate Brief

Prepared for
Legal Analysis Research & Writing II
Spring 2009

There are sample cover pages on TWEN and in Symplicity.

One of the most frequently asked questions from students preparing for summer internships, and graduates heading off to their new careers is, “What do I wear?” More specifically, “What is ‘business casual’ and when do I wear it?”

Yes, it’s true; the very term “business casual” strikes fear in the hearts of men and women alike. Gone are the days when a lawyer’s only question when shopping for a business wardrobe was “black suit or blue suit?” I am convinced men sailed through life with two good suits, a handful of shirts and conservative ties, and a pair of black shoes. Those of you “senior lawyers” reading this article will remember fondly the eighties uniform for woman lawyers consisting of a dark suit, flouffy-neck-bow blouse, “nude” hose, and rounded-toe pumps. While it may sound boring, there was no concern of offending anyone with a fashion faux pas, and it sure was easy to shop!

With the concept of business casual sweeping the legal profession, shopping for a suitable wardrobe is getting more difficult. Not only are there more choices for business formal attire (i.e. suits), you now need to understand and shop for business casual attire. Firms and legal employers across the state are adopting business casual attire on Fridays and many allow business casual during the summer months. Follow the guidelines below and you should be covered.

Business Formal
For men, the tried-and-true black or blue suit, pointed-collar shirt, conservative tie and black dress shoes remains your safest bet. Two things you should note here: button-down collars are not appropriate with suits, and “conservative tie” does not include cartoons, air-brushed landscapes, playboy bunnies, or holiday motifs. Your tie is not a billboard for political statements; trust me you do NOT want to be “that guy who interviewed in a ‘save the seals’ tie.”

For women, you can’t go wrong in a dark suit with mid-calf length skirt, plain shell-type top, hose that actually are nude, and closed-toe pumps. Usually, a pantsuit is fine. Jewelry should be conservative with visible piercings only in your ears (one per ear). I recommend sticking with hair colors found in nature.

Men and women alike should make sure they are well groomed whether they are going to court in a suit or dressing casual for a day of research in the library. We are in a very detail-oriented profession, and your attention to detail should show in your professional appearance. I hope it goes without saying that your hair is clean and combed, nails are trimmed, breath is fresh, shoes are polished, and clothing is ironed. Men, it’s time to lose the “sexy five o’clock shadow” and come to terms with your razor every morning. Women, leave the inch-long, eye-catching nails at the salon and go for a nice French manicure instead.

Business Casual
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing your business casual attire is to keep the “business” in “business casual.” Too often business casual turns into “ballpark casual,” “night-on-the-town casual,” or just plain “too casual.” If you’re not sure whether a particular outfit is too casual, you should probably go back to the closet. Do you want to be the associate everyone wants to take to the ballpark or the one they want to introduce to clients and take to court? You can be both, just make sure you are dressed for the latter.

For men, the business casual “uniform” consists of khakis and a button-down shirt. Many men are wearing golf shirts to work these days; however, I recommend doing so only after you see a significant number of more senior attorneys doing the same. That is generally a good rule to keep in mind: observe and follow the lead of more senior attorneys in your office. That does not mean you should wear jeans if one partner shows up in jeans occasionally or even frequently. Always remember that more senior attorneys became senior attorneys because they didn’t mess up as junior attorneys. They have earned the right to wear what they want. I would rather you dress conservatively everyday at the office than be free to wear shorts in my office when you’re looking for your next job.

Should you wear an undershirt? If your peers can see your chest hair or sweaty underarms without one, then “Yes, you should wear an undershirt.” Men still need to wear dress shoes (and socks!) with their business casual wear. Sneakers and sport-sandals are never appropriate in a law office unless you are moving your furniture into your new partner-size office.

For women, your safest bet is nice slacks or a skirt, a twin-set or blouse, and closed-toe shoes that don’t flap when you walk. I hate to cop-out, but it’s almost easier to describe what “business casual” is not: skirts shorter than brushing your knee, capri pants, sleeveless or tank tops, sundresses, anything showing your midriff, sandals. Women should also beware of clothing that is too tight or shows any cleavage. Of course, the rule above regarding senior attorneys applies to women, too. This is especially the case with hose. Let’s face it: Kansas is hot, and hose are unbearable in the summer. If the senior women attorneys in your office leave the hose at home, by all means follow their lead.

Social Outings
Often, there are more eyes on you in social situations than at the office so be sure to dress appropriately and give your colleagues confidence that you are a professional in any situation. If you’re not sure what to wear to the office golf outing, call the golf course and ask what the majority of people wear (golf hint: men and women are always safe in a polo-style shirt and khakis). If you are not sure what to wear to the office holiday party and the invitation does not specify, ask a more senior attorney what is appropriate. And guys, do your spouse a favor and ask a female attorney in your office what dress is appropriate. No one will be happy if your wife arrives in a sequined cocktail dress and the senior women attorneys are wearing holiday-motif sweaters.

Okay, I admit it.  I am addicted to Facebook and LinkedIn, and other types of social networking sites.  They are great!  Social networking sites help keep us in touch with family and friends, reconnect us with fellow alumni and former colleagues, and on occasions, assist us in our job search.  However, as great as these sites are, they also carry with them the ability to harm our professional reputation and alleviate potential job offers.  With on-campus interviews right around the corner this seems like a perfect time to discuss ways to avoid these types of social networking pitfalls; as well as steps to help effectively communicate a professional online persona to potential employers.    

I know it is hard for some to believe, but employers honestly and truly pay attention to your Facebook page, as well as your tweets, and anything else you may have posted on the internet.  Luckily, with a little advance planning on your part, it is easy to manage the amount of electronic information available to a potential employer.  The National Association for Law Placement, Inc. published an article in their August 2010 Bulletin by Kristen UHL Hulse titled, A Guide to E-Professionalism for Law Students: Five Steps to Create and Maintain a Professional Online Persona.  This article describes five easy steps that can help clean up and maintain your social networking image to ensure that your professional persona matches your online persona. 

Step 1: Identify your online social networking goals and choose the social networking platform accordingly. 

• Be sure to err on the side of professionalism because it can be difficult to clean up “digital dirt” in the future.  Any information you post on a social networking site creates an electronic record that may be accessible for years.   

Step 2: Conduct due diligence on your online presence

• Many legal employers have admitted to running searches of a candidate’s name, the results of which can influence the employment process. 

Step 3: Clean up your online presence to reflect a professional online persona.

• Start by thoroughly examining the information you have posted on social networking sites, including status updates, photographs, and even responses to friends’ comments.
• Even if your personal pages are private, your friends’ pages may be publicly accessible, allowing personal information you post on friends’ pages to be discoverable. 
• Review information you have posted online as if you are an easily offended employer and purge any questionable material.   

Step 4: Actively manage your online persona to meet your social networking goals.

• Online reputation management is a key component of e-professionalism. 

Step 5: Be accountable for your online persona. 

If you have any questions or would like additional information on how to maintain a professional online persona, the above referenced article is available in the Professional Development Office.   Good luck!