Last week we discussed some of the things law firm partners seek when staffing their overseas outposts in Asia. To be a successful associate, you need an entrepreneurial spirit, a high level of maturity for your experience level, and an outgoing personality (i.e., not overly academic). You should should be well put-together, presenting as little obvious risk of being a prima donna as possible. How do you know for yourself whether you cut the mustard under these factors — and how do you make it clear to those who interview you that you do?
Successful overseas lawyers have a high degree of entrepreneurial spirit. Let’s face it: you earn a few points just by being willing to leave the comfort of your life in the U.S. or U.K. and move overseas to Asia. Beyond this, law firm partners try to look at your past to determine your future. Were you a competitive athlete, moot court competitor, or actual entrepreneur at some point in your life? If you were, it’s important to bring this out in your resume and cover letter, as well as in your interviews, because these are experiences common among entrepreneurs. If you had experience prior to law school with scientific research, on the other hand, realize this sort of experience can signal to an astute interviewer that you may be happiest in a comfortable role, without much risk, and the rewards of sticking your neck out in the fast-paced world of Asian finance might not be strong motivators for you.
