Years of developing skills

One of the hardest parts of starting a job search that could result in a transition of careers to first determine and then communicate skills that you have developed throughout your life. I think some skills are developed outside the workplace which do not necessarily show on a resume.

For example, I think I have excellent leadership qualities that I began developing in high school. I was a pivotal player on two state championship basketball teams, the high school student government president, president of the political science society in college, president of my fraternity pledge class and served as chair of the local and state bar young lawyers section which serves as the public service are for both bar associations. I believe each of the above positions provided me with lessons on leadership. I also think they show others tend to view me as a leader. The problem is at best only the bar association positions show up on a resume.

The second hurdle is showing a non-lawyer that a lawyer is capable of being effective in many non-legal positions. Essential skills such as working well under stress and pressure and with constant short deadlines is a part of most attorneys everyday life. We also have to learn how to effectively communicate with people from very diverse racial, social and educational backgrounds. Successful lawyers are usually very adept at reading people. Everyday we sell our trade to our clients. We must effectively negotiate with other attorneys, adjusters and most of the time our own clients. We wear many hats at the negotiation table. We are used to solving complex problems and adapt well to quick changes. We use metrics to keep up with what types of cases and clients are best for our business. We operate under strict ethical rules and our word is our bond. All of these are traits many employers look for in most upper management positions, yet they do not always jump out to a recruiter on a resume.

As a business owner for nine years I constantly dealt with employee relations, human resource issues, finance and accounting practices, marketing of the firm and developing new business ideas. These are traits needed for most sales, marketing and human resource positions. However, no where on the resume will you find a single job listing only one of those talents as my main responsibility at a job. They were all bundled together in my business along with having to be an effective leader and attorney. In my opinion this makes me a well rounded applicant for many positions. The real issue is finding the right recruiter and hiring manager who will look outside the box and see those skills in a resume and interview. Right now, I am still looking for that person.