{"id":155572,"date":"2026-06-30T07:01:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/06\/30\/the-midyear-career-and-brand-audit-you-should-be-doing-right-now\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T07:01:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:01:50","slug":"the-midyear-career-and-brand-audit-you-should-be-doing-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/06\/30\/the-midyear-career-and-brand-audit-you-should-be-doing-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"The Midyear Career And Brand Audit You Should Be Doing Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Summer is officially here. School\u2019s out for the kids, vacation mode is turned on, and weekend BBQs are abundant. Yet, it\u2019s also a great time to conduct your own midyear career and brand audit, especially if you\u2019re preparing to make a career move within the next six to nine months. As I\u2019ve previously written, opportunities often present themselves when we least anticipate them, and it\u2019s important to be <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2021\/04\/why-you-should-always-be-prepared-for-a-job-search-and-what-to-do-to-prepare\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">proactively prepared for a job search<\/a> whether you\u2019ve been at a company less than a year or more than 20.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Start With Reviewing Your Performance Evaluations\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The first step in any midyear audit is review, reflection, and assessment. One of my top recommendations for this process is to review your performance evaluations from the past several years. Performance evaluations often provide good fodder for your resume as they will typically reveal how your reporting leader sees your work, how peers have responded to your leadership, key projects and initiatives you\u2019ve worked on or led, and other examples of your overall performance and impact during various time frames. If you haven\u2019t explored your career or updated your resume in a long time, a great starting place is reviewing your past performance evaluations for ideas.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, I recommend asking yourself these pointed questions:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have you grown exponentially in the scope and oversight of your work?<\/li>\n<li>Are you feeling stagnant in your current role (and what\u2019s actually driving that)?<\/li>\n<li>Is there room to grow further, or have you hit the ceiling at your organization?<\/li>\n<li>What\u2019s your five-year plan? Your 10-year plan? Is a <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2021\/07\/how-lawyers-can-prepare-for-and-advance-into-the-boardroom\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">board seat<\/a> in your future?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These are the precise questions I ask all job seekers at the inception of a coaching or writing engagement because they are the foundation of a targeted, intentional job search. Knowing where you want to go and what type of role and organization you\u2019re targeting elevates every interaction, but is also <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/08\/planning-a-fall-job-search-here-are-3-ways-to-get-ready\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">essential before you update your legal resume<\/a> or LinkedIn profile. If you\u2019re unsure what your next move looks like, executive coaching is a strong consideration. Stepping into conversations with legal or executive search recruiters without distinct clarity on your career story or what you want next puts you at a significant disadvantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Build And Update Your Brag Sheet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Before Q3 passes you by, update your brag sheet. As part of any <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2021\/09\/creating-an-effective-career-management-strategy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">effective career management strategy<\/a>, I always recommend keeping a running \u201cbrag book,\u201d which can be in the form of a notepad, journal, or digital document. It is somewhere easily accessible where you capture projects, deals, and leadership moments as they happen. Far too many executives wait until they need their resume updated to list their achievements. By then, the details can be murky and fragmented.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While the first half of the year is still fresh, ask yourself: What did I actually accomplish from January through June? Consider ways in which you increased revenue or cut costs, participated in significant matters (deals, transactions, litigation), expansion of responsibilities or new leadership oversight, and even recent praise from a peer, client, executive, or board member. Perhaps you attended or spoke at a major conference, undertook additional training courses in emerging practice areas, or obtained a new certification.<\/p>\n<p>Take the time to review emails, client feedback, and performance reviews. Look for specific metrics and outcomes. These are the details that transform a resume from a laundry list of job functions and responsibilities into competency-based achievements. As I\u2019ve previously noted, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/06\/heres-why-you-shouldnt-put-the-brakes-on-your-summer-job-search\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">always keep a file of positive feedback about your work<\/a> on a specific project or deal. It becomes invaluable when updating your career documents.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conduct A Candid Resume And LinkedIn Audit<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When it comes to auditing your resume and LinkedIn profile, your goal should be <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/05\/the-three-cs-of-building-a-personal-brand-in-the-digital-age\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">brand clarity<\/a>. While your resume will never include every single initiative you\u2019ve led, or every deal or transaction you\u2019ve closed, it needs to center on your unique value and your best assets. One rule is clear: your resume is a snapshot of your legal career. Do not send the reader on a fishing expedition. It shouldn\u2019t take until page two for someone to realize you served as general counsel at a Fortune 500 company. Front-load your key differentiators. Legal recruiters and executive search firms move quickly, and they\u2019re scanning for specific information. For a deeper look at how to approach this process, read my article, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/06\/quick-ways-to-refresh-optimize-and-modernize-your-legal-resume\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quick Ways To Refresh, Optimize, And Modernize Your Legal Resume<\/a>. For further insights into recruiter perspectives drawn from my presentation at the NALSC conference this past February, read my article, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/03\/what-happens-to-your-resume-after-you-hit-send-what-legal-recruiters-wish-youd-done-differently\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What Happens To Your Resume After You Hit Send: What Legal Recruiters Wish You\u2019d Done Differently<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Your LinkedIn profile deserves the same scrutiny. Your headline should include information beyond just your job title. Your summary section delivers a brief career narrative with your key areas of focus and value to the organization and its leadership. Most importantly, dates, titles, and company names should be synchronized with your resume. For insights on how to update your LinkedIn profile, read my article, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/04\/quick-ways-to-refresh-and-optimize-your-linkedin-profile\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quick Ways To Refresh And Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Use The Summer To Strengthen Your Network And Set Yourself Up For A Successful Fall Launch<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Summer is ideal for informational interviews and coffee chats, the conversations that feel casual but plant important seeds. As I\u2019ve emphasized previously, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/01\/how-to-power-your-career-transition-or-job-search-with-an-informational-interview\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the informational interview<\/a> is one of the most underutilized tools in the senior executive\u2019s job search arsenal, and summer is a great time to put it to work.<\/p>\n<p>Make a list of people worth connecting with over the next 60 days. Here\u2019s one I\u2019ve previously suggested:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Former colleagues and high-ranking executives at prior companies or firms<\/li>\n<li>Leaders and members of industry associations you\u2019re affiliated with, such as the American Bar Association (ABA), Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), Women\u2019s General Counsel Network (WGCN), and The L-Suite\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Legal recruiters who specialize in in-house and executive-level legal roles<\/li>\n<li>Lawyers in your niche practice area, at and above your career level, and in geographies you\u2019re targeting<\/li>\n<li>College and law school alumni in relevant industries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re not a member of one of the aforementioned organizations, now is a good time to consider joining. Many have local chapters for extra networking, annual conferences, quarterly events, and even continuing education opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This goes without saying: your network is not something you occasionally dust off only when you need it. It requires consistent attention and care. You never know who holds the key to the door for your next role.<\/p>\n<p>The key for a successful fall launch is a targeted strategy. You want to enter conversations knowing exactly what you bring to the table and what you\u2019re looking for in that next career chapter. For a step-by-step look at how to approach the fall hiring season, read my article, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2023\/08\/a-comprehensive-guide-to-prepare-for-and-launch-your-fall-job-search\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">A Comprehensive Guide To Prepare For And Launch Your Fall Job Search<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ferris Bueller said it perfectly, \u201cLife moves pretty fast. If you don\u2019t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<p><strong><em>Wendi Weiner is an\u00a0attorney, career expert, and founder of\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/writingguru.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong><em>The Writing Guru<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>, an award-winning executive resume writing services company. Wendi\u00a0creates powerful career and personal brands for attorneys, executives, and C-suite\/Board leaders for their job search and digital footprint.\u00a0She also writes for major publications about alternative careers for lawyers,\u00a0personal branding, LinkedIn storytelling, career strategy, and the job search process.\u00a0You can reach her by email at\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"mailto:wendi@writingguru.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>wendi@writingguru.net<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>, connect with her on\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/thewritingguru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong><em>LinkedIn<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>, and follow her on Twitter\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheWritingGuru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong><em>@thewritingguru<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/06\/the-midyear-career-and-brand-audit-you-should-be-doing-right-now\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Midyear Career And Brand Audit You Should Be Doing Right Now<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Summer is officially here. School\u2019s out for the kids, vacation mode is turned on, and weekend BBQs are abundant. Yet, it\u2019s also a great time to conduct your own midyear career and brand audit, especially if you\u2019re preparing to make a career move within the next six to nine months. As I\u2019ve previously written, opportunities often present themselves when we least anticipate them, and it\u2019s important to be <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2021\/04\/why-you-should-always-be-prepared-for-a-job-search-and-what-to-do-to-prepare\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">proactively prepared for a job search<\/a> whether you\u2019ve been at a company less than a year or more than 20.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Start With Reviewing Your Performance Evaluations\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The first step in any midyear audit is review, reflection, and assessment. One of my top recommendations for this process is to review your performance evaluations from the past several years. Performance evaluations often provide good fodder for your resume as they will typically reveal how your reporting leader sees your work, how peers have responded to your leadership, key projects and initiatives you\u2019ve worked on or led, and other examples of your overall performance and impact during various time frames. If you haven\u2019t explored your career or updated your resume in a long time, a great starting place is reviewing your past performance evaluations for ideas.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, I recommend asking yourself these pointed questions:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have you grown exponentially in the scope and oversight of your work?<\/li>\n<li>Are you feeling stagnant in your current role (and what\u2019s actually driving that)?<\/li>\n<li>Is there room to grow further, or have you hit the ceiling at your organization?<\/li>\n<li>What\u2019s your five-year plan? Your 10-year plan? Is a <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2021\/07\/how-lawyers-can-prepare-for-and-advance-into-the-boardroom\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">board seat<\/a> in your future?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These are the precise questions I ask all job seekers at the inception of a coaching or writing engagement because they are the foundation of a targeted, intentional job search. Knowing where you want to go and what type of role and organization you\u2019re targeting elevates every interaction, but is also <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/08\/planning-a-fall-job-search-here-are-3-ways-to-get-ready\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">essential before you update your legal resume<\/a> or LinkedIn profile. If you\u2019re unsure what your next move looks like, executive coaching is a strong consideration. Stepping into conversations with legal or executive search recruiters without distinct clarity on your career story or what you want next puts you at a significant disadvantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Build And Update Your Brag Sheet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Before Q3 passes you by, update your brag sheet. As part of any <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2021\/09\/creating-an-effective-career-management-strategy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">effective career management strategy<\/a>, I always recommend keeping a running \u201cbrag book,\u201d which can be in the form of a notepad, journal, or digital document. It is somewhere easily accessible where you capture projects, deals, and leadership moments as they happen. Far too many executives wait until they need their resume updated to list their achievements. By then, the details can be murky and fragmented.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While the first half of the year is still fresh, ask yourself: What did I actually accomplish from January through June? Consider ways in which you increased revenue or cut costs, participated in significant matters (deals, transactions, litigation), expansion of responsibilities or new leadership oversight, and even recent praise from a peer, client, executive, or board member. Perhaps you attended or spoke at a major conference, undertook additional training courses in emerging practice areas, or obtained a new certification.<\/p>\n<p>Take the time to review emails, client feedback, and performance reviews. Look for specific metrics and outcomes. These are the details that transform a resume from a laundry list of job functions and responsibilities into competency-based achievements. As I\u2019ve previously noted, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/06\/heres-why-you-shouldnt-put-the-brakes-on-your-summer-job-search\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">always keep a file of positive feedback about your work<\/a> on a specific project or deal. It becomes invaluable when updating your career documents.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conduct A Candid Resume And LinkedIn Audit<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When it comes to auditing your resume and LinkedIn profile, your goal should be <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/05\/the-three-cs-of-building-a-personal-brand-in-the-digital-age\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">brand clarity<\/a>. While your resume will never include every single initiative you\u2019ve led, or every deal or transaction you\u2019ve closed, it needs to center on your unique value and your best assets. One rule is clear: your resume is a snapshot of your legal career. Do not send the reader on a fishing expedition. It shouldn\u2019t take until page two for someone to realize you served as general counsel at a Fortune 500 company. Front-load your key differentiators. Legal recruiters and executive search firms move quickly, and they\u2019re scanning for specific information. For a deeper look at how to approach this process, read my article, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/06\/quick-ways-to-refresh-optimize-and-modernize-your-legal-resume\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quick Ways To Refresh, Optimize, And Modernize Your Legal Resume<\/a>. For further insights into recruiter perspectives drawn from my presentation at the NALSC conference this past February, read my article, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/03\/what-happens-to-your-resume-after-you-hit-send-what-legal-recruiters-wish-youd-done-differently\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What Happens To Your Resume After You Hit Send: What Legal Recruiters Wish You\u2019d Done Differently<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Your LinkedIn profile deserves the same scrutiny. Your headline should include information beyond just your job title. Your summary section delivers a brief career narrative with your key areas of focus and value to the organization and its leadership. Most importantly, dates, titles, and company names should be synchronized with your resume. For insights on how to update your LinkedIn profile, read my article, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/04\/quick-ways-to-refresh-and-optimize-your-linkedin-profile\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quick Ways To Refresh And Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Use The Summer To Strengthen Your Network And Set Yourself Up For A Successful Fall Launch<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Summer is ideal for informational interviews and coffee chats, the conversations that feel casual but plant important seeds. As I\u2019ve emphasized previously, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/01\/how-to-power-your-career-transition-or-job-search-with-an-informational-interview\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the informational interview<\/a> is one of the most underutilized tools in the senior executive\u2019s job search arsenal, and summer is a great time to put it to work.<\/p>\n<p>Make a list of people worth connecting with over the next 60 days. Here\u2019s one I\u2019ve previously suggested:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Former colleagues and high-ranking executives at prior companies or firms<\/li>\n<li>Leaders and members of industry associations you\u2019re affiliated with, such as the American Bar Association (ABA), Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), Women\u2019s General Counsel Network (WGCN), and The L-Suite\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Legal recruiters who specialize in in-house and executive-level legal roles<\/li>\n<li>Lawyers in your niche practice area, at and above your career level, and in geographies you\u2019re targeting<\/li>\n<li>College and law school alumni in relevant industries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re not a member of one of the aforementioned organizations, now is a good time to consider joining. Many have local chapters for extra networking, annual conferences, quarterly events, and even continuing education opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This goes without saying: your network is not something you occasionally dust off only when you need it. It requires consistent attention and care. You never know who holds the key to the door for your next role.<\/p>\n<p>The key for a successful fall launch is a targeted strategy. You want to enter conversations knowing exactly what you bring to the table and what you\u2019re looking for in that next career chapter. For a step-by-step look at how to approach the fall hiring season, read my article, <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2023\/08\/a-comprehensive-guide-to-prepare-for-and-launch-your-fall-job-search\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">A Comprehensive Guide To Prepare For And Launch Your Fall Job Search<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ferris Bueller said it perfectly, \u201cLife moves pretty fast. If you don\u2019t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<p><strong><em>Wendi Weiner is an\u00a0attorney, career expert, and founder of\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/writingguru.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong><em>The Writing Guru<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>, an award-winning executive resume writing services company. Wendi\u00a0creates powerful career and personal brands for attorneys, executives, and C-suite\/Board leaders for their job search and digital footprint.\u00a0She also writes for major publications about alternative careers for lawyers,\u00a0personal branding, LinkedIn storytelling, career strategy, and the job search process.\u00a0You can reach her by email at\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"mailto:wendi@writingguru.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>wendi@writingguru.net<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>, connect with her on\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/thewritingguru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong><em>LinkedIn<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>, and follow her on Twitter\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheWritingGuru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong><em>@thewritingguru<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/06\/the-midyear-career-and-brand-audit-you-should-be-doing-right-now\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Midyear Career And Brand Audit You Should Be Doing Right Now<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summer is officially here. School\u2019s out for the kids, vacation mode is turned on, and weekend BBQs are abundant. Yet, it\u2019s also a great time to conduct your own midyear career and brand audit, especially if you\u2019re preparing to make a career move within the next six to nine months. As I\u2019ve previously written, opportunities [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-155572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-above_the_law"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155572"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155572\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}