A lot of professors tell me that understanding business and business clients is important in getting a job. Is that true? If it is, how can I learn about business and business clients?


Unlike in the legendary past we've all heard about, law firms are being run more and more like service industry businesses. Understanding business relationships and good old-fashioned business concepts like customer service, good communication, goal setting, and client expectations can go along way to help make you successful at many firms.

There are a lot of sources for reviewing these topics - often available free on the Internet. To a large extent, the golden rule of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you goes a long way.

What makes a difference to you in people you do business with? You want to feel that your business is important; you don't want to be kept waiting or in the dark; you want calls returned promptly, etc. Little things like this, seemingly unrelated to the law, make a huge difference to clients.

When seeking a job, knowing the kind of business clients a firm has and what drives their expectations is very important. Do some research before an interview. Many firms have websites that include not only representative lists of clients but also materials designed to attract clients.

What kind of image is the firm trying to put out there. What information are they stressing on their website that think will be important to their clients. Understanding this will give you better insight into what the firm may be looking for in new associates as well as provide you with some "shop talk" for the interview.