LANDING a summer associate position is a time-consuming, sometimes difficult, and often stressful process. It is no wonder that the summer associate may think, “Whew! That’s done, I’m here!” once he or she has started working. Actually, the important tasks are ahead – strategically marketing yourself to your colleagues. It is a campaign, with valuable benefits won if done well and consequences if not. Failing to market yourself can lessen the overall benefits of this summer experience or even hamper your chances of receiving an offer at the end of the summer.
For some people, as soon as they hear the word “marketing,” they hear sales and think, “I can’t sell myself,” or “I’m shy, I can’t do this.” Attorneys may not be great advocates for themselves, but they are often wonderful and even fierce advocates for their clients. So think about it not as selling, but as presenting the best of you to the people who matter the most. In order to be really successful at internal marketing, all you need to do is put your own best foot forward.
