Mastering Networking as a Trainee Solicitor: Practical Tips for Building Connections

As a trainee, networking can be daunting. It’s something that we don’t get taught at uni, so it’s one of the biggest challenges of moving from student to professional. It can feel intimidating, but at the end of the day, it is essentially just engaging with other human beings.

Why is it important?

Networking is an important skill for solicitors for a number of reasons. Ultimately, a law firm is a business and networking can lead to you securing new business and contacts for your firm. The legal profession can be very reputation-based, and building new ties and broadening relationships within your firm, the legal sector and local community, not only raises your personal profile but may create new business opportunities.

Putting yourself out there and networking really helps in heightening your confidence levels and interpersonal skills, which are vital for dealing with clients, colleagues and potential referrers.

Tips

Whilst I am by no means an expert, here are some tips I have implemented to help build my networking skills:

1. Watch

Learn from those around you who are already very good at networking! Watch what they do and how they do it; how they introduce themselves, what they say. If you notice that they do anything particularly well, remember it and save it for later.

2. Start internally

When I first thought of networking, I automatically thought of having to meet new clients and people from other firms and forgot that internal networking is equally as important. When you begin your traineeship, introducing yourself to people in your firm in different departments is such a great way to strengthen your networking skills. Having a conversations with a colleague from another department at the kettle or at office events or even going for lunch with them are all great ways to build relationships. Not only will this boost your confidence, but it may lead to cross referrals.

3. Be yourself!

There’s no point in trying to put on an act – networking is all about building relationships so being yourself is extremely important. Be as natural as you can and let people see your personality. Be friendly and remember that first impressions can be lasting impressions.

4. Attend networking events

Throw yourself in the deep end and attend networking events! Sign up to newsletters like Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association, CIPD Updates and Royal Faculty of Procurators and keep an eye on LinkedIn for upcoming networking events. In-person CPD events are great as they often end in networking, where you can chat to trainees in other firms and others in the profession.

5. Active listening

It can sometimes be difficult when meeting new people to not get in your own head, trying to think of what to say next in the fear that you’ll embarrass yourself. However, it’s important to listen carefully as the best part of networking is learning from others.

6. LinkedIn

Build your LinkedIn connections! Adding people you know from uni is a great way to get started, as is adding people in your firm. When you meet someone at a networking event, add them to maintain the connection. You may find that you will start to connect with that person’s network too! As I said above, LinkedIn can be a great tool for finding upcoming networking events as well. Sharing and creating content is also useful in finding like-minded people and growing your network.

7. Ask for tips

Everyone has to start somewhere so everyone that you meet will have been in your position at one point. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice!