Whether you are working at a non-profit, for a judge, at a big firm or somewhere in between, your summer experience will likely include several social events, running the gamut from lunch with colleagues to interoffice travel. These extracurricular events are an important part of your summer interview, and should be viewed as an opportunity to get to know the attorneys and professionals in your office and to show that you can be trusted to represent the organization in a professional manner outside of the office.
Guidelines
Show Up: Plan to attend every social event offered by your employer. If your organization participates in community events, you should also participate. Make arrangements to be in town every weekend possible. If the judge invites you to lunch on short notice, go (even if you packed your lunch that day). If an attorney asks you to grab coffee at 2 p.m., graciously accept the offer. If you do not like coffee, accept the invitation and order a tea.
If you have a deadline that would be impossible to meet if you accept an invitation, ask for a rain check. If accepting the invitation means that you will need to work late or come in early to meet the deadline, then it is not impossible, and you should accept the invitation and work the extra hours to complete your assignment on time.
Be on Time: Be on time for everything, including social events. The “8 minutes past the hour” rule does not apply in the outside world. In the business world, “fashionably late” is simply late.
Dress Appropriately: If your summer internship includes social functions outside of normal work hours, dress appropriately, but professionally, for the event. Avoid clothing that is revealing and/or offensive.
Limit Alcohol Consumption: It is perfectly acceptable to have one or two drinks at a social event. It is not acceptable to overconsume, even if you are encouraged to do so by other attorneys at the organization. Other attorneys and professionals may drink in excess. Those attorneys and professionals already have a permanent job. You do not. Sip slowly and do not become intoxicated.
Be Careful What You Say: Talk to as many people as you can. Stay positive. Watch your language. Do not engage in office gossip. Do not say anything negative about anyone at the organization. Do not speak poorly of clients, opposing parties, other firms, organizations or cities (you never know the connections of the other person). Do not say anything to an attorney or other staff member (or their spouses or friends) that you would not say at the office. Small talk does not need to be limited to “shop talk”, but avoid controversial topics.
Guests: Do not bring a guest to work events unless guests are specifically invited. Remember that the behavior of any guest you bring will reflect on you. If you bring someone, make sure s/he knows how to conduct him/herself.
Common Courtesy: Do not take perks and social functions as your right. If an attorney approaches you about a social function, do not express disinterest or suggest alternative arrangements. Be gracious and remember to thank the organizing attorneys and staff members.