February 2020

I scribbled the main points in this note in May 2014, shortly after I started at Clifford Chance. I still convey these points to all new trainees today.

You are an entry level employee. How do you gain professional traction?

Work your way up the organisation by fulfilling very specific needs for specific individuals. The more you meet those needs, the more professional traction you will get.

This, and reliability, are more than important than your ability to dazzle your seniors with technical knowledge.

Ask yourself:- What does success in my role look like to my supervisor? How does his or her life become easier?

Be enthusiastic. You won't turn a curmudgeon but most people appreciate youthful energy.

You are in the service industry now and your clients are all internal. You will have to find small joys in the creative ways you can delight your client, even in the most administrative of tasks.