Preparing for an In-House Role - Sarah Dodds-Brown
Part 1
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Abraham Lincoln
Landing an in-house role can be a dream come true. With the opportunity to work closely with a company’s internal teams and gain valuable industry knowledge, in-house roles provide a unique and rewarding career path. However, preparing for such a role can be challenging, requiring a combination of skills, knowledge, and experience. In the following video, I explore some key steps you can take to prepare for an in-house role, including doing your research and evaluating yourself!
“While it may be daunting to start fresh in a new environment, Lincoln’s words remind us that we can shape our futures and create the career paths we desire. By embracing newfound challenges and opportunities, we can use them to build skills and create the foundation for the future we want for ourselves.
“Before you embark on a new phase, however, you need to properly prepare yourself, especially when considering going in-house. Here are some actions that I have found to be beneficial and highly recommend.
“First, do your research. What are the company dynamics? Scrutinize their reputation, their business, and their culture. Look into the employees, as well as the leaders. When possible, speak to business partners to get their perspectives on how the legal department is viewed. Make certain that the company’s values and culture align with yours.
“Next, evaluate yourself. How do your skills and experiences translate to this particular business or industry? What do you bring to the table that no one else does? What are your shortcomings? If you need to develop new proficiencies, what is the best learning method for you?
“In essence, you are preparing yourself to hit the ground running. You need to show up on day one ready to apply what you already know and with a plan for quickly filling in any gaps in your expertise and industry knowledge.”
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