Redefining Success: Navigating Career Path Journeys

Are you curious about navigating a dynamic legal career? Listen to THIS EPISODE of Hiring Insights hosted by Mosah Fernandez Goodman and presented by Top Talent Advocates . Michelle M. Comella - JD and PCC has been the Global Director of Career Services at McDermott Will & Emery for the past 4 years. Nearly four years before that, Michelle was dedicated to practicing law, that is, until she realized that the responsibilities of a general counsel did not motivate her in the way she felt the right career would. Drawing from experience in previous roles at Kirkland & Ellis , and companies such as Charles Schwab and 富达 , her broad legal experience made her a good resource for career guidance within law firms.

Everyone experiences bouts of indecisiveness and anxiety. Especially when it comes to matters as crucial as our career path, making the right moves comes with immense pressure. If I had to guess the percentage of folks who correctly anticipated what they wanted to do in life from the start, I would throw out a relatively low number.? Kudos to those who got it right the first time, but for the rest of us, embracing uncertainty has become routine. Changing career paths can be a positive step, especially when it leads to a more fulfilling outcome. Michelle treats us to a fresh take on career transitions and shows us why there is no need for embarrassment.?LISTEN HERE

Michelle's take:

1. Don’t stay in one place for too long if it doesn’t continuously bring you joy, motivation, or satisfaction. Michelle knew it was time for her to leave her general counsel role when her boss approached her about the prospect of offering REITs to the firm’s clients. Michelle was not excited by this prospect, and she knew this would likely become a burden to bear, both for herself and for the company. At the time, Michelle was working with an executive coach, who inspired her to investigate coaching and, ultimately, pursue coach training.

2. Always be attuned to what you need, regardless of what others say you should need, want, or do, and the rest will fall into place. During this new stage of her career, Michelle’s primary focus became herself– what skills or interests hadn’t she tapped into, and what more was there to learn about herself? After achieving a certification in executive coaching, a major law firm approached her about an in-house opportunity, and this was the role that would define the next three years of her career.

3. Be on the lookout for opportunity and check in with yourself often and proactively. Life is short, and you should spend it doing something that motivates you. It’s never too late to discover that you don’t want to do something or that you don’t enjoy your work. Showing yourself the care that you deserve is the first step to realizing that perhaps what you need most is to take charge, change course, and educate yourself.

How do you foster a supportive network?

Define Your Personal Brand: When building a professional network, think about how you want others to view you beyond just a job title. Are you recognized for your expertise in a particular field, your ability to mentor and support others, or for your willingness to share valuable insights? Make sure your LinkedIn profile, resume, and shared content reflect these qualities, helping to establish a clear and authentic personal brand that communicates your strengths and professional identity.

Organize Your Network Thoughtfully: Categorize these connections based on influence and willingness to help:

• Close Connections: Trusted contacts you can directly ask for assistance.
• Super Connectors: People who instinctively connect you with others, even without being asked.
• Influential Contacts: Those who can provide powerful introductions or advice at a higher level.

Michelle advises that when reaching out to networking partners, if you have a specific ask, ask it. “People want to help. So go to them with a homework assignment. Hey, I see you know somebody at this company for which I will be interviewing, could you introduce me so that I can get a little bit of information in advance of that conversation? Hey, you and I worked together 5 years ago. I'd love it if you could look at my resume because I want to make sure I'm accurately representing some of the things that we worked on, or maybe I'm missing something. Go to them with an assignment. They're happy to respond and they may even come up with other things that they want to do as a result.”

Share naturally and authentically: Not everyone is comfortable with traditional networking and it should never feel forced. At Top Talent Advocates we recommend to start by reaching out to contacts in a genuine way, such as asking if they would consider serving as a reference. This approach can naturally lead to more in-depth career conversations without any pressure or formality.

Overcoming Networking Anxiety: For those who feel uneasy about networking, remember that it’s simply about nurturing relationships. Reflect on what networking means to you, and find a style that aligns with your personality and comfort level.

COMING UP NEXT...

Stay tuned for our next episode featuring Kevin L. , Chief Financial Officer at Hudl . With a wealth of experience spanning finance, technology, and agriculture, Kevin offers valuable insights into building successful teams, navigating high-growth environments, and aligning with board expectations.

Thank you to everyone who subscribes to this?newsletter. You can find more information about Top Talent Advocates on our website, by following us on our LinkedIn page HERE, or by emailing us at [email protected]. We encourage you to provide feedback on the podcast by posting comments, forwarding to others in your network, and encouraging others to gain insights into the hiring process for executives and attorneys. Don't forget to listen and subscribe?HERE. You can also find the transcript for each episode of Hiring Insights HERE.

If you are thinking about a career move or want support on your executive branding and social media management, let's have a?conversation. Leverage our network of recruiters, hiring managers, business leaders, and our personalized coaching to get noticed and carve your personalized path to success.

As always, thanks to Lindsay Hofbauer and our previous guests!

This episode of Hiring Insights is sponsored by Job Lasso Unlocking hidden talent and revolutionizing how top professionals and employers connect.