In this economy, you have to expect the unexpected.

Your firm may be merged out of existence. Your clients may run out of cash. Your practice area may experience a significant slowdown. That’s why when things seem to be going well, you owe it to yourself to periodically evaluate the status of your career. If you take the time for self-reflection on a regular basis, you will be less likely to hit a career crisis and you will have time to initiate change gradually when the early signs of dissatisfaction begin to show.
To get you started, I have devised a short list of questions:

• Does your work provide you with enough intellectual challenge? Too much?
  
• Do you enjoy your work? – Even the most senior partner has to put up with things he/she does not like doing. But it is reasonable to want to enjoy what you do 75 percent of the time.
  
• Do you find your work meaningful?
  
• Is your work consistent with your values? – How does it measure up against these values? (e.g., If producing a high-quality work product is an important value to you, you will probably be unhappy in a work environment where you are rewarded for moving a high volume of cases as quickly as possible.)
  
• Does work exist at the firm that is more consistent with your interests? Have you asked for it?
  
• If you asked for more challenging, enjoyable or meaningful work but you don’t get it, will your job get more challenging, interesting or meaningful as you get more senior? Can you tolerate the situation until this happens?
  
• Can you find more meaning at work by supplementing your regular caseload with pro bono work or work from fee-paying clients who cannot afford the regular firm rate?
  
• If your work is not likely to improve, is it worth staying because it represents a stepping stone to the job that you do want?
  
• Is the job worth it because the salary you are earning will help pay off your debt and give you more career flexibility in a shorter period of time?
  
• Are you satisfied with the hours that you work? With the predictability of these hours?
  
• Does the firm allow you to work part time and/or telecommute? Have other associates or partners in your department had a positive experience working in this capacity?
  
• Are you happy with the level of collegiality in your firm? Do you like the partners and associates with whom you work?
  
• Do you receive constructive criticism on your work and sufficient career guidance from colleagues? Can you ask for more?
  
• Are you given ample opportunity to attend internal and/or external CLE programs?
  
• Are you happy with the level of professionalism in your organization?
  
• Would you have more career satisfaction doing the same work in a different environment?
  
• Would you be happy if you could do the same work for fewer hours?
  
• Do you like the firm's clients? Can you avoid working with the clients whom you do not like?
  
• Are you satisfied with your compensation? Could you find a comparable work situation that pays more?
  

By Steve Seckler, JD, legal career consultant, www.counseltocounsel.com

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