Aharrisonbarnes - Latest Comments

Re: The Summit Series

Bill Clinton — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 00:19:46 -0000

Call me bro!

Re: The Summit Series

Kate Wilson — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 00:48:24 -0000

Why didn't you burn down the house with them inside it? I'm sure your family and others neighbors would have celebrated.

Re: You Do Not Necessarily Need a New Reality

Cheri Britton — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 11:00:34 -0000

Thank you for this incredibly insightful post. I believe that our personal and professional life should be integrated - along with the spiritual. I plan to use this wisdom in my life as well.

Re: Narcissistic Entitlement Syndrome

Steven — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:05:29 -0000

I read your article regarding "Narcissistic Entitlement Syndrome" and I while I recognize that many of your observations have some truth to them, this article really does not capture the life of an associate attorney. In short, I think your taking something very rare, pulling a 10% statistic out of thin air based upon empirical (and thus not statistically relevant) conversations with job-seekers outside the law firm environment.

Very few entry level associates come into the profession feeling arrogant because few schools teach actual lessons necessary to practice law. For example, most brand new associates do not even know what a Proof of Service is, or what documents constitute a motion (notice, memo of ps and as, declaration in support thereof, proposed order, etc). Arrogant or not, the first few months and perhaps even the first year, is filled with uncertainty and confusion where associates constantly rely on more senior attorneys and even firm staff to just survive. The type of behavior you are describing sounds more like a phenomenon that associates encounter later in their careers, after they have an idea what they are doing. But even there, associates at every level are fully aware of who has seniority and who has control.

In general, the opinions of associates are generally not afforded great weight at law firms, which operate on a strict hierarchy. Yes, some deference is applied to research conclusions and basic suggestions, but not if those ideas contradict a more senior attorney. Speaking as an associate who has worked at two firms (one in LA and one in OC), an associate who gets out of line is generally shut down by a partner. Humility comes with this job, in my opinion.

Yes, I recognize that a handful of associates like this exist in some places, and that it probably describes some people we know. However, your conversations with associates in the job-hunting context for is very different from how associates behave in a law firm environment.

Essentially, I read your post as sort of a rant about how frustrated you are with some associates attorneys who are not realistic about their marketability and are unfairly venting their frustrations against you, not a real analysis of how associates operate in a law firm environment under the guidance (and near absolute control) of partners. I am more likely to vent at someone who is supposed to be my job hunting agent than anyone at work.

Those are my two cents.

Best,
s

Re: Use Existing Resources

Bill — Sun, 26 May 2013 14:48:15 -0000

David and Goliath rewritten. I loved the line about:
"growing a beard … all of these are very unusual things almost anywhere"
It seems the most experienced members of our society still use the "old boys club" and connections and networking or "who you know" really gets you the best jobs. Applying to job ads and employment boards is useful, but I still believe who you know is the best way to get the best jobs out there. You have to be very social and involved in your career to get noticed.

Re: Avoid the Complexity Creep

Erin — Sun, 26 May 2013 06:32:22 -0000

No wonder why Judd Nelson is no longer popular! Was that the guy who has big eyes that was on an old movie called St. Elmos Fire? I wonder where he is not, I don't even see him on TV anymore.

Re: Use Existing Resources

Shauneen Henrick — Sat, 25 May 2013 16:33:07 -0000

A beautifully written piece -- I read every word. MOREOVER, I agree with every word.

Re: Do Not Be Immobilized in Your Job Search

Khalid — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:33:21 -0000

hi Harrison,

You know I'm a big Fan of you, and I really find you exceptional personality. I would like so much that you read for these guys;

1- 'H. Rider Haggard'. 'She or Ayesha'
(offcourse with part Two; 'The Return of She).
2- Henry Throiet. say; 'Les Ailes du diable', 'Toute ma vie sera mensonge'.

Regards

Re: Do Not Be Immobilized in Your Job Search

Khalid — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:27:05 -0000

hi Harrison,

I enjoyed reading this one. But this is not always the case, otherwise; all profits were mistaken and people were right, and profits should have listened to people. Imagine if the CIA come to every firm you strt working with and leave a note that you should pass by them for some missing data, what will be your boss react. Then, everytime, you go to the CIA office they repeat same questions which you have answered many times, and then they simply apologize.

Imagine that you are not welcomed in the States when you did nothing wrong, and nobody has nothing to acuse you of. Imagine when all your fault that you succeeded and awardrd in other country than the States. That's one story, so you can imagine how many different stories would look similar to yours but with no fault from candidate side or nothing the candidate can do to help it.

Re: Everything is Negotiable

Yog Yuggoth The Ugly — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:33:54 -0000

I'm thinking that I would like to fornicate with a duck. Not rubber. Real.

quack, quack, quack, qua---arffff....

Re: Everything is Negotiable

Aurelia Mitchell Durant — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:30:18 -0000

Very insightful article. Just what I needed to hear today!

Re: Finding Jobs Where There Are No Job Openings

Rita — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:12:56 -0000

I am 63 years old and must work for another few years. I have been in solo practice for about 8 years doing mostly criminal and workers' compensation, neither of which I have particularly enjoyed. Is there
any hope of my getting a job with a company in which I could use my legal skills? I love business in general and have masters degrees in psychology and counseling
Any suggestions/hopeful directions would be helpful.

Sincerely,
Rita Yagoda-770-896-3848

Re: The Pygmalion Effect and Setting Incredible Expectations for Your Career and Life

Kurt Stammberger — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:01:14 -0000

"Contempt prior to investigation" is human, but rarely wise, Perhaps going to a few AA meetings would provide some more information and less speculation for your next post.

Re: The Pygmalion Effect and Setting Incredible Expectations for Your Career and Life

Marshall Searcy — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:47:40 -0000

Dear Sir,
This is a wonderful article, written with elan and intellect. Thank you for sharing it.
Marshall Searcy

Re: The Pygmalion Effect and Setting Incredible Expectations for Your Career and Life

Matt H — Sat, 04 May 2013 11:27:17 -0000

I really like your stuff but what you say here about AA is based in ignorance and is an incredibly dangerous message to put out there - you are not an expert in chemical dependancy as you say, it is irresponsible for you to hold forth on the topic. This is not career advice, for many it is a matter of life and death.

Re: Your Brain and Your Career

Larisa — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:10:09 -0000

Mr. Barnes,
You work to help others. Here is Thank you so you know you are helping me and that your work matters. L.

Re: Government Bailouts, Groups and Your Career

joe — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:19:29 -0000

You have typical Republican talking points here. Not very useful for job seekers, your political views only.

Re: The Summit Series

Kate Wilson — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:56:30 -0000

Thanks for your post. The Summit Series is currently occupying a home in my quiet home town in Utah, causing a slew of unpleasantness and blatantly violating zoning laws. This is occurring just down the street from our elementary school, which is concerning. It was helpful to hear your experience.

Re: Consistency and Commitment Beat Brilliance and Talent

Spencer — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:03:03 -0000

Great story and message. A massive effort is right. In sports, there is this 10,000 hours to become an expert. That is roughly 5 years in the working world. 30 working years is roughly 60,000 hours! Maybe that suggests we should all just be pro athletes since it is 1/6th as much work (ha!), but the message is the same. Consistency is king.

Re: How to Explain ”Job Hopping”

roberto — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:56:12 -0000

I would like to find a Job in an architectural firm in the Arabas Emirates (Dubai or Abudabi). I graduated from a USA architecture school in 1998. I now work in Costa Rica my native country.
my info is:(506)8866-8903

Re: Socrates and Your Job Search

C. Susan Keen — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 21:56:12 -0000

A very enlightened approach. I secured a job in December of last year being top person out of all of the candidates. However, the job did not last. It turned out that I was just not a good fit, as I felt that I was being limited. However, I met contacts from this work that turned out to bring me other opportunities. So the job was well worth it. Finding a job means being right for the job.

Re: How to Count in Your Career and Life

Mehreen Rehman — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:22:28 -0000

You are a well read person and definitely have an open and inquisitive mind. You have raised all the valid questions and yet you are clueless as to the mysteries of the universe. They say the journey is more important then the destination. It is easy to say "tap into oneness and spiritual side of things". We can all try to do that but I don't think being a spiritual being means we could achieve greatness. I don't think the purpose of this exercise should be to leave a lasting mark on the world. It is more about making sense of your existence in this universe and leading a meaningful life with an open mind.

Re: The One Call Close and the Moving Parade

Cheryl Bugg — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:13:09 -0000

I am one of those thousands of attorneys who have attempted to gain employment through your services.

Please feel free to call me.

Re: If My Boss Gets Mad at Me or I Get a Poor Review, Does This Mean I Should Look for a New Job?

r doshna — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:17:56 -0000

Mr. Barnes is describing a perfect world in which the criticism being handed out is competent and given with the intention of motivating and improving someone.

However, in the real world, the criticism is often invalid.
Some of the reasons it might be invalid are:

The person doing the criticizing is:

1. Simply in a bad mood.
2. Is a mean person (intending to wound someone)
3. Jealous
4. Incompetent

I spent 20 years as a military officer and 10 years as a
government contractor. I rarely received competent criticism.
On the rare occasions in which I did, I welcomed it and responded with the intent to improve myself.

Re: The Danger of Driving Sharp Bargains

Cary Lichtenberg — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:57:00 -0000

my father wouldn't even let me have a sleepover for his last night . Life was good for many years till my dad met somebody and got remarried. With her came 3 more boys. Can you imagine it 6 boys in one house. So goodbye Leyton, howdy Stratford. The worse thing about this move was I had to share a room with her youngest and he was a scattering with a very q