Big Sis Briefing: Level Up Your Legal Career (Yes, LinkedIn Feels Cringe. Do It Anyway.)

There’s a moment that hits every law student eventually.

You’re doing the study. You’re doing the work.

But you feel invisible.

You send out applications and hear nothing.

You stare at your LinkedIn and wonder what to post.

You think, if I just get good enough grades, surely that’ll be enough?

The truth is, in a market this competitive, being good isn’t always what gets you in the door. Being seen does.

A story from someone who really showed up

A friend of mine in Brisbane once made a video. Not for fun. Not for content. For a job.

She was a law grad looking for a role and decided to do something different.

She filmed a short, honest video about who she was, what she was looking for and what kind of legal work lit her up.

She posted it on LinkedIn.

It took off.

Not viral in a TikTok sense, but the right people saw it. Law firms, hiring managers, mentors and recruiters responded. She got leads. She got coffees. She got some offers.

She backed herself. She showed up in a way most people never do. It worked.

This is what job readiness looks like now

LinkedIn isn’t just a place to list your degrees. It’s the modern CV, the online networking room and the easiest way to become visible in a profession that still hires through word of mouth.

Employers Google you.

People check your profile after you apply.

They look at what you’ve shared and how you communicate.

It feels uncomfortable because it’s new. Not because it’s wrong.

The Game: Three Levels of Showing Up on LinkedIn

Level 1: Set Yourself Up

This is your foundation. You can build on it over time.

• Upload a clear, friendly photo. Not a graduation pic. Just you.

• Add your degree and any legal or part-time roles.

• Write a one-sentence headline that tells people who you are and what you’re interested in.

• Draft a short summary that speaks in your voice. Mention what you’re learning, what areas of law excite you, and what kind of work you’re curious about.

Bonus points: Add one or two bullet points under each role showing what you did and what you learned.

Level 2: Be in the Conversation

This is where most people tap out. But this is also where things start to shift.

• Follow grads, junior lawyers, recruiters, and firms you’re interested in.

• Comment on their posts. Say what resonated or share a quick reaction.

• Use hashtags like #lawstudent #legalcareer #inhouselegal #bigsisbriefing to find relevant content.

• Show up regularly so your name becomes familiar to people in your target space.

Bonus points: After a thoughtful comment exchange, send a DM to thank them or ask a follow-up question.

Level 3: Create Something

This is elite mode. It builds confidence, visibility, and trust. Most people are too afraid to post. You will not be one of them.

If you’re stuck on what to say, start here:

• “Here’s what my favourite law lecturer taught me (that I’ll never forget)”

• “3 things I learned working retail that made me a better law student”

• “Why I changed my mind about working in criminal law after one subject”

• “A small win from this week that reminded me I’m in the right place”

• “What I wish I knew before applying for clerkships”

• “This podcast episode made me rethink what it means to be a lawyer”

• “Here’s what I’ve learned from 6 months volunteering at a legal centre”

• “No one talks about how hard this part of law school is. So I will.”

Use your own words. Use your own voice. No need to sound like a judge. Clarity over polish. Be professional but not formal.

Bonus points:

• Use your own image, even if it’s just a study setup

• Keep it short and authentic

• Post once a week to build the habit

“Content builds confidence. Not the other way around”.

Creative Extras for the Brave

• Film a 30-second video application and post it publicly

• Share your favourite case of the week and why it stuck with you

• Reflect on something a mentor said that changed your mindset

• Do a short series of clerkship rejections and what you learned

• Write one post per day for a month and see what happens - no, you won’t annoy the right people

Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t just about getting noticed either. It’s about practicing the skills that matter: clarity, communication, and confidence.

Final Big Sis Pep Talk

It will feel awkward at first.

Your inner critic will scream.

But the right people will see it.

The people who get it will lean in.

The ones who don’t were never your people anyway.

Start small. Show up. Stay consistent.

Your future team, client, or mentor is probably one post away.

💖