publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/518940
ILTA WHITE PAPER: MAY 2015 WWW.ILTANET.ORG 34 TALK THE TALK TO GAIN PROFESSIONAL MOBILITY TELL A GREAT STORY The preface to Robert McKee's book, "Story, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting," is segmented into several subcategories of new self-created paradigms that the author hopes will recalibrate the reader's thinking as they endeavor to write a screenplay and tell a story. Several of these subcategories are outlined below and serve as a fantastic way of rethinking the way you tell your professional story, whether on an interview, in a performance review or on a sales call. Story Is About Principles, Not Rules The same holds true to hiring people. There are no rules to hiring the right person, but most hiring managers have principles they look for in a candidate regardless of skill set. It is important when interviewing to tell stories that mention principles you hold true and believe will be seen as mutual by your future employer. Universal principles most hiring managers hold dear include: • Honesty • Punctuality • Teamwork • The ability to work independently For legal technology specifically, principles include: • The ability to work overtime (potentially lots of overtime) • Learns new tools quickly • Works well with challenging attorney personalities • Likes to be hands-on with technology • Willingness to travel extensively to client sites What are the principles you hold true professionally? Are you willing to put in as many hours as it takes to do the job? Do you have examples of times when you have worked several consecutive 80-hour weeks to ensure success on a project or trial? Have you directly supported a difficult attorney, who, by the end of the case, not only trusted your counsel on technology use, but now approached the process with calm and confidence? Did you change jobs several years ago and have no experience with the technology at your new employer? How did you learn, and learn quickly? How long until you were proficient enough to bill your time? Asking these questions about your work history will help you craft a story that has details pointing toward the professional principles you hold dear. Story Is About Originality, Not Duplication What makes you unique, compelling and different from your peers in the industry? When you tell stories of your professional success, why were you chosen over others to take certain responsibilities or tasks? When have you been asked to step outside your comfort zone or do things you have not done before? Are there skills you have that perhaps your peers don't? Just like a legal technology vendor must always answer the question, "What is your key differentiator in the marketplace," so, too, must each legal technology professional ask themselves, "What makes me different?" Story Is About Thoroughness, Not Shortcuts This harkens back to the previous appeal for detail and specificity when discussing what you do. The assumption that hiring managers don't want you to "get into the weeds" on an interview is categorically false. All stories have a beginning, middle and an end, but great stories have many twists and turns along the way. How thoroughly are you able to recount your professional achievements and experience? Story Is About Realities, Not Mysteries Spending time talking about what you would like to do or think you could do usually proves fruitless for both interviewer and interviewee. Tell real-life examples of what you have done. Ask the same from the hiring manager when