Ego is a double-edged sword. Too little, and you become a doormat, unwilling or unable to seize opportunities that appear for you because you feel you don’t “deserve” them. Too much, and you become bullheaded – unwilling or unable to seize opportunities because you feel they don’t “deserve” you.
To achieve your goals, you’ll need to put your career ahead of your ego. While a healthy sense of confidence and adventure is essential, arrogance, selfishness and self-centeredness simply have to go.
Here are some of the places your ego is most likely to become a “sticking point,” and how to avoid them:
A job opening is a great fit – but the firm isn’t as prestigious as many others.
Prestige plays a role in the legal field, so it’s often a consideration in a legal professional’s job search as well. If you make prestige a primary consideration, however, you may be overlooking an ideal position with a smaller organization that can help you build a truly outstanding career. When searching for a job, evaluate employers based on what they offer you, not on their name recognition.
Your accomplishments are impressive – but you’re trying to take all the credit.
As a legal support professional, you’ve built a strong portfolio of accomplishments. When you prepare your interview answers, focus on those achievements is a great way to show prospective employers what you can do for them. It can be tempting, too, to overstate your part in those accomplishments – but if you do, you risk harming the case you’re building for the job you want. Even if you don’t get caught, overstating your involvement reduces the emphasis on your ability to work as part of a team, which is essential for any legal support staff member.
You’ve got a great professional network – but you’re resistant to accepting their help.
During your work in your field, you’ve probably built strong relationships with former co-workers, bosses and others who can help you find a job now. Networks are built on mutual support and maintained through regular connections. Ask your network for recommendations on who is the best legal recruiter in Toronto to help you narrow down the field of who to partner with in your job search. By partnering with a legal recruiting specialist, you will not only have access to the best jobs in the market. In addition, their industry and market knowledge can be invaluable as you advance in your career.
At Kent Legal, our recruiters can identify the best Toronto-area legal support job openings for your career – and help you set your ego aside. Contact us today to learn more.