Q After years of training, I have qualified as a lawyer. I enjoy the work and I am good at it, but I struggle with all the ‘peripheral’ bits. For example, I am expected to bring in new clients, which means networking, and I feel that I’m not very good at it. Also, here in the office, I am not great at getting ‘in’ with the partners, and I feel angry and resentful when I see others who are not as capable professionally working their way into the inner circle. Are all jobs like this - where your skill at the job matters less than your social skills? How can I do both? Name supplied
A The short answer is that both your technical ability and getting on with other people matter. Working relationships count not just for your current job, but even more if you ever decide to leave. Most research says that at least 70 per cent of people find their next job through their networks. From your point of view, the good news is that networking within and outside your organisation is a skill that can be learned, and you can do it in ways that feel natural rather than icky.