I would be lying if I said it's purely because I can't wait another minute for the stimulating legal analysis that will be in my future at the Firm. While I do look forward to using my brain for more challenging problem-solving than figuring out how to cook dinner while entertaining a toddler, the substance of my future career is a little too amorphous for me to understand it right now, much less be excited by it. What is making me feel giddy is planning out my work wardrobe and thinking about the
Due to budget constraints, I'm going to ask for advice for my first day of work instead of buying new work-wardrobe pieces.
- What should I wear the first day? Suit? Conservative business casual? Dress?
- What essentials will I want to have in my office?
- Should I plan on going to lunch with people the first few weeks so I force myself to socialize or should I get in the habit early of packing lunches to save time and money?
- Should I introduce myself to all the partners I may want to work for so they might give me assignments before my peers or should I see what is handed to me so I'm not overwhelmed at first?
- Should I get to work early and stay late even if I have nothing to do, or should I take advantage of not being busy and go home?
- What words of wisdom have helped you feel comfortable and confident at your job?
Also, if you hear of any truly great deals, my work wardrobe does in fact need some updating. I bought many nice pieces when I was a summer associate, but that was two years ago and I was pregnant. And if I dressed poorly, I could still blame it on being a student.
11 comments:
I recently had to buy a bunch of professional clothes for 1L events and photos, and I found some great deals when I went to Lane Bryant's website. I'm not really a plus size, but The Ladies tend to need a bit more room. Anywho, their site is connected to Catherine's and Fashion Bug. They had some awesome sales going on cute blazers and slacks. Good luck, I'm excited for you!
Also, leaving my toddler when I start school makes me feel all the same things you are going through. I'm excited and trying to not feel selfish. In the end, it's what's best for them too right?
It's not frivolous to want to feel like an adult again.
I'd wear a suit on the first day -- I think it shows you're taking the job seriously, and you might get your picture taken.
Essentials to have in your office -- you don't need this stuff on the first day, but: black suit, blouse, extra pantyhose, socks, and shoes; toiletry stuff (lip balm, hairbrush, lotion, tissues, whatever else you use on a regular basis); snacks.
Lunch: I would say don't bring lunch at first until you settle into a routine of eating in the cafeteria. People may want to take you out to lunch at the beginning. You can get in the habit of packing lunch in a few weeks.
Partners: Yes, introduce yourself. It may be a while before you get actual work from them, but it differentiates you from the crowd if you actually make an effort to knock on their door.
Stay in the office with nothing to do: My answer is no, go home, BUT if you find that you're getting phone calls or emails before you arrive or after you leave, then rethink this.
Words of wisdom: The best advice I've ever gotten is to just do what I feel is right and not worry about what others may be thinking. Like in law school, a lot of big-firm anxiety is self-imposed.
Have fun starting work!
Well, now I can't see the questions (b/c I'm on the comment page) but I'll try to remember them.
First, don't wear a suit the first day. Just go super professional/nice business casual . . . like your favorite business casual outfit. I think I wore a sweater set, great skirt and sling backs on my first day (can't believe how long ago that was!).
I never take my lunch, so I say . . . yes eat out the first few days/weeks.
See what work is given to you, ease into it and use the first few weeks to stop into partners offices and just chat them up, then mention getting work when your load lightens (or if you load is already light) take on some extra from them.
And, I wouldn't say go in early / stay late if you don't need to, but I'd just keep sort of the "norm" hours at first, whatever that is at your firm . . . in my office I'd say 9:30 - 6ish are the hours you are most visible, so I'd try to be there around those hours at first.
Hope this helps! Not sure my wisdom is worth all that much!!! xoxo
I don't know about the law, but from being an HR Manager I can answer the go early, stay late question - and that's DON'T. So many suckers at my former job thought that job performance was rated by how many hours they were at work, regardless of the quality. They complained about missing their children and husbands while working self imposed ridiculous schedules that nobody asked them to do. Every work environment is different, but I really hate the "race to be first in, last out", and I intend to make it clear from my first day of my one-day job that this is how I roll, yo.
Essentials for your office: cell phone charger, a couple snacks, and pictures of your family. So many people made their offices so lifeless and it was pretty creepy.
Also, don't feel bad for being excited about going to work. I think it's perfectly normal ... I feel the EXACT same way as you did about wanting to have an intelligent thought that involves more than what to make for dinner. I have thought that to myself SO many times.
I wore a suit on my first day at my old firm and just about everyone else did as well. CA firms are probably a bit more relaxed than East Coast firms so it's acceptable to wear more business casual.
I'd plan to eat your lunches out for at least the first week. There will probably be lunch the first day for everyone (there have probably been a lot of budget cuts so maybe not).
I would def make the rounds and introduce yourself to everyone in the department (partners and associates). I would actually suggest building good relationships with mid to senior level associates because that is where you will get most of your work for the first couple of years.
As far as the coming in early and staying late thing, it really depends on your firm. When I first started at my firm the economy was still booming and nobody has ever heard of law firm layoffs. Fastforward about a year and the economy was tanking and layoffs were rampant. Given that many lawfirms are still slow I think making an impression that you're available is very important. For the first few months I would say that "face time" is important because people don't know you. If you're never in your office it looks like you're not available even if you are checking your blackberry. After you get to know your group and establish yourself then leaving early and getting things done on your own time will be more acceptable. It's a harsh reality for all incoming associates.
I'm so excited for you! I think it's totally fine (and great) to be excited for time in the office. You worked your butt off for the law degree - and it's time to reap some of the rewards. :) I just completed my internship - and had to get a ton of new clothes because my pre-law school professional clothes were, ahem, a bit tight. I found great sales at Ann Taylor Loft (lots of shirts that can be dressed up with a blazer, etc). I also really like the website "My Shape" (www.myshape.com). After entering in your measurements - it will "shop" for you and create outfits. I always feel a bit out of my element - so this was awesome. Plus, if you add stuff to your "personal shop" they'll email you coupons every once in awhile for 30% off.
Not that I am a "real" attorney yet - but I would wear a suit on the first day - but quickly revert to business casual if that's what everyone else does. I would always have a blazer in your office, too - just in case.
Do not stay if you have nothing to do. I work in a big firm in Boston and it is annoying to the other junior and mid-level associates when the new people stick around late when everyone knows they have nothing to do. Don't be that person. The biggest lesson to learn at the firm is GO HOME WHEN YOU CAN! That free time is really hard to come by, and you will make up for it with plenty of other late nights.
Eat out for the first week or two.
What to keep at the office: at least one blazer/suit jacket that you can wear in a pinch if a client/witness unexpectedly comes in (this is probably the most important thing, and I think it is an acceptable alternative to wearing a suit); spare pair of shoes (although I have about 3 at the office); floss; Tide pen (for spills); nail file; other toiletry stuff; and most important, an iPod.
Wow, thank you all for the advice! These are some great suggestions and I'm sure I'll be reading through this many times.
I repeat . . . in LA, you really, really do no need to wear a suit on Day 1, but if you do, it should be a fashionable one, not the standard black interview suit, or i promise, you'll look stuffy!!
Clearly you shouldn't listen to me on law firm fashion, since I'm on the stuffy East Coast. I didn't even think about that. Here it would be acceptable, but unusual, not to wear a suit on the first day.
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