Can't I just tune out for a while?

When confronted with a break in your career, it’s a natural tendency to disengage from your industry as well. Once that teetering stack of magazines and newsletters no longer looms over your desk, it can be surprisingly easy to let go. Go ahead and give yourself some float time – but don’t drift too far away. There are good reasons to stay tethered to the legal profession, even when you’re not tied down by a particular job.

A successful employment search requires knowledge of new developments and legal areas that are in demand now and will continue to be as the economy recovers. And during job interviews, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked for your thoughts on noteworthy happenings in the legal world; your ability to respond intelligently will depend on your ability to stay up to date.

It’s important to know what’s happening, but it’s equally important to understand what it all means. If you live near a law school, reacquaint yourself with the periodicals collection. Spend some time online, too – web-based seminars from West LegalEdcenter and other online providers can be a great way to stay informed while keeping current with your CLE requirements.

Now that so many attorney-authors and legal scholars have their own blogs, the Web provides another rich resource for hearing legal experts’ takes on recent developments. You can find a blog posting on just about any legal topic by searching Technorati.com.

In addition to staying current with the law, think about ways to hone your legal research and interpersonal skills. Now’s the time to ask for honest feedback from former colleagues and discuss development opportunities. Take advantage of courses offered by professional organizations. Not only will your improved soft skills help you during the interview, they’ll also help you reach your full potential during the next phase of your career.