My social addiction

I'm a Twittaholic. I also do Facebook, LinkedIn and a bit of Google+. Some of these are more addictive than others: Facebook is great for exchanging banter with specific people or my entire network, although I need time on my hands before I bother logging in. Google+? I'm with the reviewer who dubbed it a ghost town. If it lifts off, I'll engage more. LinkedIn is used by loads of professionals - proper grown ups - and I rather like its air of respectability and the way in which colleagues, ex-colleagues and industry peers help each other out. It's a bit too boring to log on every day, and that's okay as LinkedIn is a relatively slow-moving network.

Twitter is high velocity, high impact and real time. For anyone as obsessed with the news (business, legal, political, technological, scientific, local, international) as I am, it can make the difference between feeling ‘in the know' and out of touch. On my personal account I mostly lurk. In my professional capacity I'm a prolific weekday tweeter. @CityLawLIVE: go see.

Some of my friends claim they're too busy for Twitter, but all I hear is, ‘I'm stuck in my ways and have little interest in anything outside my personal bubble'. Perhaps that's harsh of me - maybe their bubbles are working out just fine for them. Interestingly, most of the first-year law students I spoke to last week were on Facebook but not Twitter; more second and third years had accounts on both networks. This could well reflect the changing nature of their personal bubbles as they progress from school to (hopefully) employment.

The point of this blog post is to alert law students to the fact that an increasing number of law firms are reaching out via Twitter, which as a network doesn't rely on personal relationships or the concept of friendship. It's more about trust and utility. Right now, more firms have Facebook pages than Twitter accounts; however, I sense we might reach a tipping point in the coming year. If I was still a law student I'd be all over Twitter, not because it is a shortcut to a training contract or pupillage - it isn't - but it is brilliant for closing the gap between you and the profession you want to join.

There are tweeting law firms across the country. Among them are some of the international giants; others are sole practitioners slogging away to drive up their clientele. Plenty of barristers, academics and careers services tweet too, sharing legal news, views and advice. The only wrongness I see is the existence of law firm accounts with followings and zero tweets.

Twitter can help you decide what field of law you might want to work in. By keeping up with the issues and challenges within a business sector or aspect of society, you can better understand just how lawyers play their part. Soon enough you identify respected and useful commentators and idea originators. Before too long you have stuff to share with your own followers… and you're better prepared for the job application and interview phase of your university life.

At some stage - maybe soon - recruiters will figure out how to properly source candidates using the social networks. Thus far, discussion on the topic of employers and social media has too often focused on the negative. Stories about people being fired or not hired for idiocy on Facebook don't get me heated. If you're a naturally indiscreet person then you may not be suited to legal practice as maintaining confidentiality is a crucial aspect of the career. Smart businesses understand that they need a social media policy, but I think students do too.

My take aways: choose your networks appropriately and properly manage your use. Keep your personal life and your professional life separate and stay engaged.