November 06, 2009
Finding the Right Firm… For YOU
For those of you concentrating your search on law firms, you might be finding yourself wondering the best ways to differentiate one firm from another. Perhaps you've looked at each firm's size, practice areas, and rankings and now find yourself with a lengthy list of firms that look all very similar to each other. How do you determine where you should focus your job search efforts?
All law firms, like all law students, have unique personalities and characteristics. It is important to determine the things that are most important to you in your work experience. Then do some research to find which firms best match what’s important to you. Here are some tips to help you get started:
• Talk with your classmates who previously have worked at the firm to get their opinions (check out the Inside Scoop on Blackboard for where your classmates have worked over the summers).
• Find out what you can about the firm's summer opportunities. Do students rotate through different practice groups, or do they assign students to one group for the whole summer? Do students have any input in their assignment?
• Who are the firm's clients? If you were to work there, would you be representing individuals, business entities, or municipalities? Does the firm mostly represent the pharmaceutical industry, banks, or technology firms? You can find this information through the firm's website and by searching for the firm’s name (or a particular attorney in the firm) in the caselaw databases on Lexis and Westlaw.
• Does the firm have a particular niche practice area that appeals to you?
• What opportunities does the firm offer for professional development? For third-year students, what are the firm's expectations for their new associate development?
• What type of work would you be engaged in? How is work distributed and how much responsibility are law clerks and summer associates able to assume? For third-year students, how aggressive must associates be about pursuing their own work?
When you visit the firm, either for networking purposes or for an interview, keep your eyes and ears open. You can gather a lot of information just from sitting in the reception area or while being led around the firm during your interview. What is the "feel" or "vibe" in the office? Are doors opened or closed? Is it silent as a library or is there lively conversation? Do the attorneys and staff seem relaxed and generally content, or is there a feeling of tension in the air? Watch the way people interact with each other. Try to speak with as many attorneys in the firm as possible to help you gain a well-rounded perspective.
These are just a few suggestions to help you find your best fit for law firm employment. You must determine for yourself what is important to you, weighing the plusses and minuses of each firm. Remember that the end goal is to find a place where you will be happy both professionally and personally.
Posted by hdd5 at 11:18 AM
October 30, 2009
Resources on How to Use LinkedIn Effectively
If you’ve met with your CSO counselor or attended a CSO presentation at any point in the past year, you’ve undoubtedly heard us talk about the professional networking site LinkedIn and the usefulness it can provide in your job search and networking efforts.
The most important first step in using LinkedIn in your job search is to make sure you have an effective presence on the site. If you missed this past Tuesday’s session on using LinkedIn in your job search, be sure to stop by the CSO to pick up the handouts and speak to your counselor about getting a copy of the presentation. You can also learn more at LinkedIn’s tutorial site: http://learn.linkedin.com.
As we are forever eager not to reinvent the wheel, here are several good resources to learn how to use LinkedIn most effectively:
How to Use LinkedIn Effectively
Top Eleven Ways to Use LinkedIn Effectively
Six Elements of a Great LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn: Seven Tips to Make the Most of Your Profile
Leading Professional Network LinkedIn Offers Ten Tips for a Great Online Profile
Five LinkedIn Tips on Effective Personal Branding
(With thanks to our friends at Touro Law Center for compiling these resources.)
Posted by hdd5 at 12:58 PM
October 16, 2009
Managing the Stress of the Job Search
We in the CSO know how stressful the job search can be. We’ve all been in your shoes at one time and, the good news for you is: we survived it! And so will you. With the Fall Interview Program winding down, the CSO has seen more students stopping in to talk about their rising anxiety and stress with their job search. And the economy isn’t helping the stress levels, either. The CSO wants to remind you that the Fall Interview Program is only one small part of the job search process; there are still many excellent opportunities out there – and one of them has your name on it!
As you head into Fall Break, the CSO wants to encourage you to take some time to evaluate your current job search strategy (and if you’ve been putting off your job search, to take some time to think about your job search goals) and prepare yourself for diving into your job search full steam ahead when you return to school next week. Having a good strategy in place can help keep stress levels in check.
The following article, provided to us by our friends at the University of Minnesota Law School CSO, provides some excellent advice for managing the stress of a job search.
“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum
Reducing and managing stress is one of the keys to a successful search. Too much stress and you appear desperate. Not enough and people question your motivation. Only you can decide how much stress is the right amount! Here are seven steps you can take to significantly lower stress, improve your effectiveness, and ultimately shorten your job hunt.
1. Have a realistic understanding of how long a job search takes. Many job seekers have an unrealistic time frame for finding their next job. It always takes longer than you think. When you don’t have a realistic expectation for how long it can take it is easy to feel stressed out.
2. Develop a job search action plan. Map out where you want to go and how you are going to get there. Set specific daily and weekly goals; then develop a contingency plan for when Plan A doesn’t work. Once your plan is in place and you are emotionally prepared – take action!
3. Reduce unnecessary expenses immediately. Minimizing financial responsibilities and maximizing financial resources will significantly reduce stress. This is not the time to go stress shopping. The greater your financial resources the more flexibility you have to accept the right job offer rather than grabbing the first one that comes along.
4. Think of your job search as a job. Consider putting specific job search activities on your calendar and treat them like a job.
5. Spend time on the right activities. Do spend time developing high quality marketing materials – like a résumé, cover letter, and reference list; networking with friends and colleagues who can connect you to the right people or opportunities; and following up with potential employers. Don’t spend hours on the internet searching job boards for the ‘right’ job. Instead use the internet to research organizations, gain information about specific industries, and network with people who can assist with your search.
6. Evaluate your progress on a weekly basis. Stay on top of your search so that you can tell immediately if your search starts to stall and take steps to get it back on track. Assess what is working – do more of it. Determine what isn’t working and revise your approach.
7. Take time to refresh your mind, body, and soul. Looking for a job, especially when you don’t have one, is something you carry around 24/7. Remind yourself to set regular office hours and knock off at a reasonable hour. That includes taking time off on the weekends. Take a walk, go to the gym, escape with a good book, or have coffee with a friend.
Be sure to touch base with your CSO counselor when you return from Fall Break; she can help you set up or refine your game plan, as well as point you towards resources that will help you identify potential opportunities.
Posted by hdd5 at 09:16 AM
October 02, 2009
Lesson #1 for Government Applications: Apply Early!
With the state of the current economy and the change in presidential administration (and increase in government hiring going along with it), government jobs have become more highly desirable than usual. The CSO has always advocated submitting employment applications sooner rather than later, but this adage has never been more true than it is for federal government applications this year.
Government agencies have been overwhelmed with applications for all opportunities and, just this week, the CSO received notification that two agencies have closed their applications early. As an example, we recently received an email from someone in-the-know regarding one agency’s decision. The email is paraphrased below:
The Department of Health & Human Services Office of General Counsel - Children, Families and Aging Division has been inundated with student applications -- not only for spring but looking ahead to summer (deadline for summer would have been December 31st). As a result, they have closed applications and removed their published job postings. The Federal Trade Commission recently took similar action.
These actions indicate that some federal employers may be unprepared to handle the large number of applications they will receive this year, due to reduced hiring in the private sector. They may also be surprised by the number of students willing to commit this early in the year for a summer position. Which leads to a matter of professionalism that students should remember: they are as honor-bound by a commitment to a government employer as they would be when accepting a job offer from a law firm.
The Government Honors and Internship Handbook is the clearinghouse of information for a large number of hiring opportunities within the federal government, and is available in electronic format via the CSO’s Blackboard Course as well as in hard copy in the CSO Resource Room.
Programming Note: If you are seeking government employment, be sure to attend the session presented by Nancy Fink on October 9th. Ms. Fink will discuss how to navigate the federal process for jobs through the http://www.usajobs.gov/ website, how to decipher federal applications, how to develop your KSA responses, and how to create your federal resume. Get tips and tools to master the application process. 12PM in A59. RSVP is required. RSVP by signing up in the Career Services Office.
Posted by hdd5 at 09:39 AM
September 28, 2009
Follow-up Phone Calls
So you've sent out several resumes in the mail, and now it's time to relax and wait for responses - right? Wrong! If you do not hear anything back from those employers within 2 weeks, you must follow-up with a phone call! This is important for 2 reasons:
1. You want to make sure the employer received your resume in the first place. Things get lost in the mail, envelopes get misplaced in offices, documents get discarded accidentally - you get the picture. Confirming that an employer received your resume is a nonoffensive way to begin your follow-up phone conversation.
2. A follow-up phone call shows that you are genuinely interested in the position. Put yourself in the employer's shoes: if 10 students send you a resume and only one of those 10 follows-up with a phone call, who are you going to invite to come in for an interview? The point is that it is easy to send a resume in the mail and forget about it. Plently of people do. It's the follow-up phone call that lets employers know that you are sincerely interested in working for them.
So be sure to keep a log of who you've sent your resume to and when you sent it. That way you'll know exactly when to make those follow-up phone calls. You never know - a simple follow-up phone call could be the difference between being invited to come in for an interview or not! Please stop by the CSO to talk to a counselor if you have any questions about the follow-up process.
Posted by cld30 at 11:30 AM
September 21, 2009
CSO Small Group Counseling Sessions
This year the Career Services Office has decided to offer small group counseling sessions! These counseling sessions will offer second and third year students with similar career interests/goals the opportunity to meet together with two CSO counselors on a regular basis to discuss relevant issues and job-searching strategies. We anticipate groups being composed of 5 students or less, and focusing on particular practice areas, geographic areas, or work settings (small firms, non-profit employers, DC area employers, etc.). Group counseling sessions will offer the perfect setting for like-minded students to share job search advice, learn from other’s job search experiences, and benefit from the resources, ideas and advice of two counselors each session.
To get things started, we need your ideas for which groups you’d like to see formed. If CSO group counseling sessions sounds like something you would be interested in, please send an email to Candice Storey at cld30@case.edu by this Friday, September 25, noting your interest and the group you would like to join. We hope to start the group counseling sessions by mid-October. Please stop by the CSO to speak with a counselor if you have any questions!
Posted by cld30 at 12:44 PM
August 27, 2009
Legal Market Update and Job Searching Beyond the Fall Interview Program
As the formal Fall Interview Program moves into the on-campus interview phase, 2Ls and 3Ls should be continuing to develop and adapt job search strategies. The Fall Interview Program is just one of many tools that you can use for your ongoing job search. To assist with the process of developing your personal job search strategy, be sure to attend the following CSO event:
TUESDAY, September 1: Legal Market Update and Job Searching Beyond the Fall Interview Program.
2Ls and 3L are invited to join staff from the CSO on September 1 in a discussion about the legal market and strategies you can use to execute your job search outside of the Fall Interview Program. 12PM in A57.
Posted by kcc17 at 03:31 PM
April 17, 2009
Classes are ending and I’m still seeking work. What should I be doing?
Firstly, don’t panic. Remember that employers do not necessarily operate on or even consider the academic calendar in their hiring decisions. The CSO is still receiving job postings and employers are still seeking to fill needs in their offices. If you are still seeking at this point, here are five things you should be doing to position yourself for securing employment:
1. Keep a positive attitude and remain calm. Yes, it’s a difficult time to be conducting a job search, but employers want positive and upbeat people working for them. So stay positive and know that the right opportunity for you is out there; you just have to find it.
2. Follow up with all applications you’ve sent out but have received no response to, no matter how long ago you replied. Make the phone calls and find out whether the position has been filled and, if it hasn’t, suggest that you are available for an interview and would be more than happy to come in and speak with them.
3. Touch base with all of your personal and professional networking contacts, especially those you haven’t talked to in a while. Give them an update on the school year and let them know you’re still seeking employment. Remind them of the opportunities you’re looking for and ask them for any additional advice and referrals they might have.
4. Continue to make new contacts. Do this by getting alumni names from the CSO, using martindale.com and firm websites to identify people you’d like to speak with, attending CLE events and social events where attorneys may congregate.
5. Continue to stay in contact with the CSO about your job search. Remember that we remain open our normal business hours (8:30 – 5:00) during reading days, exams, and the summer break.
Posted by kcc17 at 09:52 AM
April 01, 2009
Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair
The Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair is a relatively new initiative designed by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association's Diversity and Managing Partner Committees. In 2005, the first annual HDLJF was held in Kansas City, Missouri. This job fair, held on August 7-8, encourages students to make Kansas City their first choice to begin their career.
Who May Register
All 2L (graduating in 2011) and 3L (graduating in 2010) Law Students and 2009 Law Grads are invited to participate regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality or disability.
How to Register
Student Registration began March 26, 2009.
To register for this event, please email your registration request to heartlanddiversity@kcmba.org. Please include in the request your full name, the name of your college or university, your expected graduation date and a permanent email address. After submitting your request, an ID and password will be assigned to you so that you may access the Fair's web database and upload registration information needed for employers (i.e., cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample). The registration deadline is June 20, 2009.
For information and registration, please visit www.heartlanddiversity.org
Posted by kcc17 at 11:05 AM
March 26, 2009
Idealist.org Non-Profit Career Fair - April 8
Idealist.org's Nonprofit Career Fair will take place at the Thwing Student Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 8. Don't miss this opportunity to meet local non-profit employers and explore opprtunties in the nonprofit sector!
Idealist.org is known as the leading resource for people seeking non-profit employment. The career fair provides a forum for job seekers, organizations and career service professionals to meet face-to-face. Job seekers can also attend workshops on understanding the culture of nonprofits, tips to finding their first job in the sector and opportunities to serve abroad as well as distribute resumes.
For more information, including a a list of attending programs and to pre-register for the career fair, click here.
Posted by kcc17 at 05:45 PM
March 09, 2009
Spring Break - Use the Break to Your Advantage
Spring Break is here and it’s hard to believe that so much of the semester has already flown by. Take some time over the break to unwind and rejuvenate yourself, but remember that the break can also be a great time to make some big strides in your job search. As a follow-up to our ealier post on spring break strategies, here are a few additional things you can do this week to keep your job search going strong!
• Continue checking Symplicity every few days; take the time to finally apply to those jobs you’ve had marked as favorites for these past few weeks.
• Attend a local bar association meeting or CLE to meet practicing attorneys and build your network.
• Make follow-up calls to employers you’ve applied to but haven’t heard from.
• Reach out to area attorneys for informational interviews and/or shadowing opportunities.
• Use the Employers tab in Symplicity, Martindale.com, or other online legal directories to develop a target list of employers to contact regarding possible employment opportunities.
• Update your resume and brush up your cover letter.
Remember that the CSO will be open Monday through Thursday of Spring Break, so don’t hesitate to call, email, or stop by with any questions or concerns you may have.
Posted by kcc17 at 10:17 AM
February 26, 2009
Spring Break Job Search
While you are counting the days until Spring Break, don’t forget to also be planning the ways you will use Spring Break to your advantage in your job search. Spring Break is a great time to:
Implement the advice you receive from Kimm Walton on March 2. Before you even leave for Spring Break, you’ll have the chance to update your job search strategy. Kimm Walton, a Case Western Reserve graduate and author of “Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams” will be here in person on March 2 to present her job searching seminar, based on the newly released Second Edition of her book. The seminar will be held in Room A59 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Be sure to attend, take notes, and implement her job search advice during Spring Break!
Network. If you haven’t already done so, you need to be contacting attorneys now to schedule informational meetings during Spring Break. Seek out those who practice in areas that interest you and ask about their career path. If you are in your target geographic location over break, talk to them about the legal market there.
Follow up. Plan to spend some time making those follow-up calls you have been meaning to get to. If you sent materials to an employer and haven't gotten a response be sure to call to follow up. You never know where the conversation might lead.
Attend a CLE course. If you’ll be in Cleveland during Spring Break, check out what activities the CMBA or the OSBA will be sponsoring and attend. CLEs, section meetings, and other events are perfect opportunities to meet practicing attorneys.
Stay proactive. Don't let opportunities that become available over break pass you by! Keep checking Symplicity and reaching out to employers and networking contacts.
Meet with a counselor. Make an appointment with a CSO counselor to talk with us over break if you are in town or for when you return from break. We are happy to talk with you about your job search and career goals.
Posted by kcc17 at 04:42 PM
February 12, 2009
Postgraduate Fellowship Opportunities
Considering pursuing a postgraduate fellowship? Postgraduate fellowships are an excellent opportunity for recent graduates to work for nonprofit organizations, government entities, and educational institutions. Fellowships are different from permanent employment in that fellows are hired for a specific period of time, typically one to two years. While postgraduate fellowship opportunities may take various forms, most are either “organization-based fellowships” or “project-based fellowships.” The funds for an “organization-based fellowship” are provided by the organization the fellow is working for. The funds for a “project-based fellowship” are provided by a third party to allow the fellow to work with the host organization on a specific project developed by the fellow.
One of the best resources in the search for a postgraduate fellowship is the Fellowship Corner of PSLawNet. PSLawNet has compiled information, advice, and timelines relating to postgraduate fellowships. Visit http://www.pslawnet.org/postgraduatefellowships to review the resources that are available as well a list of application deadlines. While deadlines for many postgraduate fellowship opportunities have passed, there are still various postgraduate fellowship opportunities available. Examples of fellowship opportunities currently posted on PSLawNet include a year-long fellowship with the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel of John Hopkins University, a two-year fellowship with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, a two year pro-bono fellowship with the law firm of Hunton and Williams in Atlanta, Georgia, and a two-year fellowship with the United States Department of Labor – Benefits Review Board. Please note that the deadlines for all of these fellowships, along with many others, are quickly approaching.
The CSO also encourages third year students interested in pursuing non-legal postgraduate fellowship opportunities to consider fellowships like the Cleveland Executive Fellowship. The Cleveland Executive Fellowship is a year-long fellowship designed to accelerate the professional development of civic leaders for Greater Cleveland. Additional fellowship opportunities include California’s Executive Fellowship Program and the Koch Associate Program.
The information above is only a brief overview of postgraduate fellowships. The CSO includes postgraduate opportunities in the jobs section of Symplicity and houses postgraduate fellowship information in a binder in the public interest section of the resource room. If you are a third year student interested in applying to a postgraduate fellowship and would like more information please make an appointment to talk with a counselor. First or second year student interested in learning more about fellowship opportunities, including project-based fellowships, are also encouraged to talk with a counselor.
Posted by kcc17 at 10:20 PM
January 26, 2009
Job Searching in Tough Economic Times
It's no secret that our country is currently in a recession, but what does this mean for you and your job search? Certainly it means you need to be actively engaged and proactive with your search, but the Career Services Office offers the following tips and strategies that are particularly important for a job search during an economic downturn.
1. NETWORK! - According to author Kimm Walton in her book "Guerilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams," statistics show that almost half of all law students get their jobs by either self-initiated contact with the employer or by referral from a friend, relative or family member. The bottom line is that making contact with people, whether directly or through a mutual contact, is statistically the most effective way to land a job. Surely this statistic should be enough to motivate you to get out there and network...
2. ATTEND LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND CSO WORKSHOPS - Keep your eyes peeled for law school events and lectures (the law school offers a wonderful lecture series) and make it a priority to attend. Take a look at your CSO Programming Guide and mark your calendar to attend upcoming workshops, brown bag lunches and theme week panels. These are invaluable opportunities for you to learn more about different areas of law and create connections with local attorneys.
3. BE OPEN-MINDED AND FLEXIBLE - Consider a variety of geographic locations, practice areas and settings. As noted in the previous blog, think about the practice areas that thrive during an economic downturn. Keep in mind that many practice areas overlap and offer opportunities and bridges to other areas in the future. Remember that your first job will not be your last and you need to treat each opportunity as a stepping stone to your ultimate dream job.
4. BE PERSISTENT AND OPTIMISTIC - We know this is easier said than done, but important nonetheless. Don't operate under the false assumption that you can simply send out a few resumes (or even a hundred) and then sit back and wait for employers to contact you. Following up with employers is even more critical in tough economic times.
5. CONSIDER CLINICAL EXPERIENCES OR PART TIME WORK DURING THE SEMESTER - Participating in a clinic here at school or working part time during the school year are both excellent ways to add practical legal experience to your resume. Not only will you be in the position to continue developing contacts which may later prove to be helpful with your permanent job search, but employers will be impressed by your time-management skills and hands-on experience.
6. DON'T PROCRASTINATE AND DON'T GIVE UP - Looking for a job takes time and rarely produces immediate results. Be patient and proactive, remembering that you must reserve time in your schedule to focus on your job search.
Need advice on how to implement these techniques and strategies? Stop by the CSO and talk to a counselor!
Posted by cld30 at 03:47 PM
January 15, 2009
Being Active in your Job Search
A thorough job search requires you to be involved, active, and informed at each step in the process. If you’re still seeking summer and permanent employment, the CSO hopes you spent some time during Winter Break networking with attorneys and setting forth your continuing job search strategy. If you have not been into the CSO recently to discuss and update this strategy, please make an appointment early this semester. And remember that bidding will open next week for the Spring Interview Program.
Keep in mind, however, that in order to be thorough and complete, your Spring job search must extend beyond the Spring Interview Program. Relying only on the Spring Interview Program limits your options because there are a variety of additional employers that do not have the time, resources, or need to formally participate in on-campus recruiting. What else should you be doing? The CSO recommends the following:
1) Research the types of opportunities available and make a decision about what type of opportunity you are most interested in. Are you interested in law firm work, public interest and government work, in-house positions, etc.? Think about the issues and classes that have interested you most and talk with attorneys who currently practice in these areas. Feel free to meet with a counselor in the CSO to talk about different types of legal jobs and to consult the practice-area specific resources available in the CSO.
2) Research specific organizations. Use the Martindale-Hubbell Directory, use the NALP Directory, use the Vault Guides (available in paper form here in the CSO), use PSLawnet, and use the Government Honors and Internship Handbook. (There are a variety of other website links available on the CSO Course on Blackboard.) Consult the employer files here in the CSO and our lists of places where past students have worked. Talk with professors who are experts in the areas of law that interest you to find out what they know about organizations that work in that area of the law.
3) Make sure your research is organized, deliberate, and useful to you. Keep a written list of the organizations that interest you, along with contact information, names of alumni who currently work there, website links, and a brief description of why you are interested in the organization.
4) Consult the organization’s website to see if there is application information available. If so, follow the application instructions. If not, contact the organization directly. You can call and ask whether the organization takes law students as interns for the summer (or whether the organization is currently doing permanent hiring) and, if so, how you should apply. You may also choose to compose a formal cover letter to send directly to the employer with your resume inquiring whether any summer or permanent positions are available. (If you choose to mail or email a letter and resume, be sure to follow-up about two weeks after sending the materials!)
5) If you are conducting an out-of-state job search, consider joining the local bar association to begin obtaining networking contacts. Think about planning trip to your destination city, perhaps during Spring Break, and let networking contacts and potential employers know now that you will be in town and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with them.
6) Apply broadly. At the application stage of your job search process, you should be considering a wide variety of legal employers and applying to a variety of positions that are interesting to you. Do not limit yourself too much early in the job search process.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that, whether you are a 1L or 2L seeking summer employment or a 3L seeking permanent employment, now is the time to be networking with attorneys and getting your materials out there. If you’re unsure about your career search timeline or what next steps to take, come visit a counselor in the CSO to talk about the unique elements of your job search.
Posted by kcc17 at 02:38 PM
December 10, 2008
A decision to do nothing is a decision to do something!
Finals are almost over and winter break is about to start. No matter what you plan to do over winter break (ie. work, play, get ready for next semester or just enjoy your family) you should also be thinking about your job search. If you decide this winter break to bypass the employment search, you are making a decision not to be proactive in your search.
So when you have down time this winter break, think about what you would like to do this summer and/or post grad. Take a look on symplcity, which has a substantial amount of employment opportunities nationwide. While you are in your hometown visiting family and old friends, network! Let people know you are searching for employment. Request informal meetings with attorneys in town to learn more about what they do. Sit in on court hearings at your local courthouse and get aquatinted with the judge and procedures. Volunteer a few hours in the community to let people know who you are and to familiarize yourself with issues addressing your local community. Take risks! Few risks bring few rewards!
You decide if the glass is half full or half empty!
Posted by kcc17 at 12:51 PM
December 05, 2008
Managing the Stress of the Job Search
We in the CSO know how stressful the job search can be. We’ve all been in your shoes at one time and, the good news for you is: we survived it! And so will you. Right now your focus is on your finals, as it should be, and the CSO wishes you good luck for a successful exam period. But when exams are over, it’s time to dive into the job search once again (or, time to start your job search if you’ve been putting it off).
The following article, provided to us by our friends at the University of Minnesota Law School CSO, provides some excellent advice for managing the stress of a job search.
“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum
Reducing and managing stress is one of the keys to a successful search. Too much stress and you appear desperate. Not enough and people question your motivation. Only you can decide how much stress is the right amount! Here are seven steps you can take to significantly lower stress, improve your effectiveness, and ultimately shorten your job hunt.
1. Have a realistic understanding of how long a job search takes. Many job seekers have an unrealistic time frame for finding their next job. It always takes longer than you think. When you don’t have a realistic expectation for how long it can take it is easy to feel stressed out.
2. Develop a job search action plan. Map out where you want to go and how you are going to get there. Set specific daily and weekly goals; then develop a contingency plan for when Plan A doesn’t work. Once your plan is in place and you are emotionally prepared – take action!
3. Reduce unnecessary expenses immediately. Minimizing financial responsibilities and maximizing financial resources will significantly reduce stress. This is not the time to go stress shopping. The greater your financial resources the more flexibility you have to accept the right job offer rather than grabbing the first one that comes along.
4. Think of your job search as a job. Consider putting specific job search activities on your calendar and treat them like a job.
5. Spend time on the right activities. Do spend time developing high quality marketing materials – like a résumé, cover letter, and reference list; networking with friends and colleagues who can connect you to the right people or opportunities; and following up with potential employers. Don’t spend hours on the internet searching job boards for the ‘right’ job. Instead use the internet to research organizations, gain information about specific industries, and network with people who can assist with your search.
6. Evaluate your progress on a weekly basis. Stay on top of your search so that you can tell immediately if your search starts to stall and take steps to get it back on track. Assess what is working – do more of it.
Determine what isn’t working and revise your approach.
7. Take time to refresh your mind, body, and soul. Looking for a job, especially when you don’t have one, is something you carry around 24/7. Remind yourself to set regular office hours and knock off at a reasonable hour. That includes taking time off on the weekends. Take a walk, go to the gym, escape with a good book, or have coffee with a friend.
Be sure to touch base with your CSO counselor before you head home for winter break; she can help you set up or refine a game plan to help you utilize your winter break to the highest efficiency, as well as point you towards resources that will help you identify potential opportunities.
Posted by kcc17 at 04:52 PM
November 22, 2008
Interested in Federal Honors and Intern Programs? APPLY EARLY!
The CSO is learning that many of the federal honors and internship programs are moving up their application deadlines and/or moving to making offers on a rolling basis instead of waiting for an application deadline to pass to extend offers. Just this week, we have learned of three federal agencies who have made such changes to their program deadlines.
If you are considering submitting applications to any federal honors or internship programs, be sure to keep a close eye on the agencies’ websites and on the Government Honors and Internship Handbook (available through the CSO’s Blackboard page). Or, even better, just get those applications done and submitted as soon as you possibly can.
Posted by kcc17 at 12:56 PM
November 20, 2008
Making the Most of Winter Break for your Job Search
As classes end and finals begin, Winter Break might be the furthest thing from your mind. But Winter Break is fast approaching and somewhere in your mind, after studying and after finals, you should be planning how to make the most of that time to continue your job search.
Winter Break is a key time to do a “people-oriented” job search. Make a list of alumni in your target geographic market and reach out to them now to see if they have time to talk with you during Winter Break. Travel to your target geographic market and schedule informational meetings with attorneys who are practicing in areas and at employers that are interesting to you. Ask those attorneys for advice – about practicing in their area of expertise, about the job market in the geographic region, and about ways to uncover job opportunities in the area. Don’t be afraid to ask for additional contacts who you might consider reaching out to. And remember that, even if an informational meeting does not immediately turn into a job opportunity, it can still put you on the path to finding a position that is right for you.
The CSO hosted a workshop yesterday with tips on how to make the most of your winter break. If you missed this workshop, be sure to stop by the CSO to pick up the handouts and to talk with a counselor about your Winter Break job search strategy.
Posted by kcc17 at 06:17 PM
October 09, 2008
2Ls and 3Ls: Continuing Your Job Search
2Ls and 3Ls, did you miss last week’s CSO Workshop on Job Searching Outside of the Fall Interview Program? If so, you may be wondering what you can (and should) be doing now to continue your job search efforts. As a starting point, we suggest the following:
1. Don’t Give Up. Every year, the 2L and 3L job search process often continues into the Spring Semester. The end of the Fall Interview Program is not the end of the process, but the beginning. You must continue your efforts to make contacts in your target geographic and practice areas.
2. Network. Contact alumni practicing in your target city, join local bar associations and organizations and attend their networking events, and attend CLE courses on topics that interest you. In short, do everything you can do to meet practicing attorneys and grow your network of contacts.
3. Take Advantage of Events Here at the Law School. Conferences, networking events, attorney panel presentations, and guest speakers during your classes – all of these are great opportunities to meet and talk with practicing attorneys. But in order to take advantage of these opportunities, you have to attend. So take a few minutes each week to read notices about upcoming events and schedule some time to attend them.
4. Schedule a Meeting in the CSO. The counselors in the CSO are here to listen to your concerns, talk with you about your individual job search strategy, identify available opportunities and specific networking contacts, and help you plan your next steps. We look forward to talking with you.
Posted by kcc17 at 10:59 AM
May 15, 2008
You've Graduated & You're Still Looking for a Job? Don't Panic!
If you are graduating from law school this Sunday but still have not secured a permanent job, do not panic! You will find a job. Your legal (or post-law school) career is just starting, and when you look back to this time years from now you will hardly be able to remember why you were worried.
Many employers do not hire until law graduates have sat for or even passed the bar. These employers can include smaller firms and government and public interest employers. However, you want to keep applying for jobs so that your resume is in the mix when employers are ready to hire. If you are interested in small firms -- which is where the majority of practicing lawyers work -- you should also be open to the possibility of working as a law clerk until bar results come in; some firms will bring graduates in as law clerks and at a reduced pay rate so that everyone can test the waters, and they hire them for associate positions once they are licensed. Also, you should consider broadening your horizons as far as areas of practice and work settings.
Also, keep in mind that studying for the bar exam is a full-time endeavor. You don't need to abandon your job search altogether, but spend the vast majority of your time preparing for the bar so you only need to take it once!
Posted by kcc17 at 09:53 AM
March 05, 2008
Using Spring Break to Your Advantage
Spring Break is next week and it’s hard to believe that so much of the semester has already flown by. Take some time over the break to unwind and rejuvenate yourself, but remember that the break can also be a great time to make some big strides in your job search. Here is a brief list of some things you can do this week and next to keep your job search going strong!
• Schedule an in-person or telephone counseling appointment with the CSO if you haven’t visited us in a while (or perhaps have never visited!) to talk about your job search goals and how to get there.
• Continue checking Symplicity every few days; take the time to finally apply to those jobs you’ve had marked as favorites for these past few weeks.
• Attend a local bar association meeting or CLE to meet practicing attorneys and build your network.
• Make follow-up calls to employers you’ve applied to but haven’t heard from.
• Reach out to area attorneys for informational interviews and/or shadowing opportunities.
• Use the Employers tab in Symplicity, Martindale.com, or other
online legal directories to develop a target list of employers to contact regarding possible employment opportunities.
• Update your resume and brush up your cover letter.
Remember that the CSO will be open Monday through Thursday of Spring Break, so don’t hesitate to call, email, or stop by with any questions or concerns you may have.
Posted by kcc17 at 04:35 PM
February 14, 2008
Out-of-State Job Searching and Spring Break
If you are in the process of conducting an out-of-state job search, now is the time to start thinking about how to use your Spring Break. If at all possible, you should schedule a trip to the city where you are job searching during Spring Break. Be assertive and contact potential employers now to let them know the specific dates when you will be in town and try to schedule meetings and interviews. Don’t forget to also contact alumni who work in the city of your choice and schedule networking meetings to obtain advice about the legal market.
Remember, the CSO has alumni lists that are a good starting point for identifying contacts in your city of choice. And if you have questions about how to reach out to employers and networking contacts, stop by the CSO for advice.
Posted by kcc17 at 09:53 PM
January 30, 2008
Being Active in your Job Search
Although it might be easier if it were true, the fact of the matter is that the perfect job for you rarely, if ever, falls directly into your lap. Instead, a thorough job search requires you to be involved, active, and informed at each step in the process. And with the Spring Interview Program beginning now (the Phase I bid deadline closed yesterday), students still seeking summer and permanent employment should be well into the Spring job search process. (The Phase II bid deadline will close at 1PM on February 5th.)
Keep in mind, however, that in order to be thorough and complete, your Spring job search must extend beyond the Spring Interview Program. Relying only on the Spring Interview Program limits your options because there are a variety of additional employers who simply do not have the time, resources, or need to formally participate in on-campus recruiting. That does not, however, mean that those employers are not hiring. So what else should you be doing? The CSO recommends the following:
1) Research the types of opportunities available and make a decision about what type of opportunity you are most interested in. Are you interested in law firm work, public interest and government work, in-house positions, etc.? Think about the issues and classes that have interested you most and talk with attorneys who currently practice in these areas. Feel free to meet with a counselor in the CSO to talk about different types of legal jobs and to consult the practice-area specific resources available in the CSO.
2) Research specific organizations. Use the Martindale-Hubbell Directory, use the NALP Directory, use the Vault Guides (available in paper form here in the CSO), and use PSLawnet. (There are also a variety of other website links available on the CSO Course on Blackboard.) Consult the employer files here in the CSO and our lists of places where past students have worked. Talk with professors who are experts in the areas of law that interest you to find out what they know about organizations that work in that area of the law.
3) Make sure your research is organized, deliberate, and useful to you. Keep a written list of the organizations that interest you, along with contact information, names of alumni who currently work there, website links, and a brief description of why you are interested in the organization.
4) Consult the organization’s website to see if there is application information available. If so, follow the application instructions. If not, contact the organization directly. You can call and ask whether the organization takes law students as interns for the summer (or whether the organization is currently doing permanent hiring) and, if so, how you should apply. You may also choose to compose a formal cover letter to send directly to the employer with your resume inquiring whether any summer or permanent positions are available. (If you choose to mail or email a letter and resume, be sure to follow-up about two weeks after sending the materials!)
5) If you are conducting an out-of-state job search, consider joining the local bar association to begin obtaining networking contacts. Think about planning trip to your destination city, perhaps during Spring Break, and let networking contacts and potential employers know now that you will be in town and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with them.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that, whether you are a 1L or 2L seeking summer employment or a 3L seeking permanent employment, now is the time to get your materials out there both within the Spring Interview Program and beyond. If you’re unsure about your career search timeline or what next steps to take, come visit a counselor in the CSO to talk about the unique elements of your job search.
Posted by kcc17 at 04:56 PM
January 10, 2008
Second Semester Job Searching
If you have not yet secured summer or permanent employment, now is a perfect time to beginning planning your job search strategy for the Spring Semester. With Fall Semester finals over and Winter Break drawing to close, take time now to think a little bit about how to approach the job search in the upcoming months.
• Make a list of employers you’d like to reach out to and spend some time drafting cover letters to those employers.
• Continue to check Simplicity on a regular basis – the CSO regularly posts new job postings for 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls.
• Get your resume in shape for the Spring Interview Program, which begins with bidding on January 22, 2008, and on-campus interviews starting February 11, 2008. If you have not had a recent copy of your resume reviewed by the CSO, email it to lawjobs@case.edu for review.
• Brush up on your interview skills by reviewing common interview questions and thinking about you’d like to present yourself in any interview.
Above all, remember that now is not the time to panic! Instead, it is the time to be pro-active and seek out employers of interest to you. Remember that many students do not secure summer or permanent employment until well into the Spring Semester. And the CSO is here to help you. If you have not been in to see us recently, please schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor to discuss your Spring Semester job search. And keep us updated on your progress – we want to know how your search is going.
Posted by kcc17 at 12:45 PM
December 21, 2007
Government Employers: What To Do Over Winter Break
If you are a 1L with an interest in working within the local, state, or federal government this summer, winter break is a great opportunity to start doing your research and submitting applications. But what exactly should you be doing? The CSO recommends taking the following steps:
1) Check out the Government Honors & Internship Handbook 2007-2008 at: http://www.law.arizona.edu/career/honorshandbook.cfm . The Case Western Reserve University School of Law Username and Password for this website is available in the CSO or through the CSO course on Blackboard. This helpful handbook, which is updated on a regular basis, lists a variety of government opportunities for law students and provides a description of the opportunity, requirements, and information about the application process, including deadlines.
2) Do some research on your own – use online resources, the Inside Scoop (available through the CSO course on Blackboard), and the CSO to find out more about opportunities for law students. Often, government agencies list hiring and application information right on their own website and links to a variety of government website are also available through the CSO course on Blackboard. A list of additional government resources available in the CSO is posted at: http://law.case.edu/careers/students/content.asp?id=605 . And don’t forget to ask the CSO if we have alumni contacts working for the government in geographic regions that are of interest to you – alumni can be great sources of information about the types of opportunities available to law students.
3) Prepare cover letters, resumes, and other official application materials to send to government employers that interest you. Make sure to check to see if the employer’s website has any information about law student hiring on its website. If the website specifies other application procedures, be sure to follow all instructions. And, as always, if you have questions or concerns about your cover letters and application materials, send a draft to the CSO for review by a counselor.
4) Keep a spreadsheet or other list of the employers to which you have sent materials, noting the date on which you sent the materials. The CSO has an application tracker/ log available in the office and on Blackboard to help you track your job search.
5) Remember that fellowship funding is sometimes available to students doing unpaid government internships. Begin researching and applying for fellowship funding keeping in mind the deadlines for funding that is specific to Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Additional information about this funding is available in the CSO. The CSO also has a list of other available summer grants and fellowships – stop by the CSO to pick up a copy and begin researching the application procedures and deadline dates for this funding.
6) Follow-up! Be sure to make follow-up phone calls to the employers to which you have sent materials approximately two weeks after sending your materials.
Posted by kcc17 at 08:56 AM
December 13, 2007
Small and Medium Law Firms: What To Do Over Winter Break
If you are a 1L with an interest in working for a small or medium sized law firm this summer, winter break is a great opportunity to start doing your research and reaching out to these employers. But what exactly should you be doing? The CSO recommends taking the following steps:
1) Stop by the CSO or check out the CSO course on Blackboard to find the small and medium firm lists that we have available for a variety of cities. We have lists for: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland/Akron, Columbus, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Seattle, and Washington DC. Review these lists and highlight employers that interest you.
2) Do some research on these employers and on other employers that you find on your own – use Martindale, firm websites, other online resources, and the CSO to find out more about practice areas and recent news. Make sure to check to see if the firm has any information about law student hiring on its website. And check to see whether any alumni work at the firm – alumni are a great source of information and a good networking tool.
3) Prepare cover letters and resumes to send to employers that interest you. Ask about available opportunities for law students and express your desire to work for the employer. If you have questions or concerns about your cover letters, send a draft to the CSO for review by a counselor.
4) Keep a spreadsheet or other list of the employers to which you have sent materials, noting the date on which you sent the materials. The CSO has an application tracker/ log available in the office and on Blackboard to help you track your job search.
5) Follow-up! Be sure to make follow-up phone calls to the employers approximately two weeks after sending your materials.
Posted by kcc17 at 09:03 AM
December 07, 2007
Winter Break Checklist
The semester is over and final exams are in full swing. Good luck! To help you stay in the swing of things with your job search over winter break, the CSO offers the following helpful Winter Break Checklist:
____ Catch up on sleep
____ Update/Revise resume and general cover letter
____ Send resume and cover letter to lawjobs@case.edu for review by a counselor if they’ve never been reviewed or if it’s been a while
____ Spend quality time with friends and family
____ Log on to Symplicity a couple times each week to check new job postings
____ Read a non-law-related book (or two) and/or go see a movie (or two)
____ Reach out to area attorneys for informational interviews and/or shadowing opportunities
____ Get some more sleep
____ Apply to postings on Symplicity that are of interest you
____ Attend holiday receptions or other networking events hosted by firms, businesses, and/or local bar associations
____ Say “thank you” to the people in your life who support you and make your law school experience better
____ Make an appointment to meet with a CSO counselor in January or February to talk about your job search
Posted by cld30 at 09:34 AM
December 03, 2007
Follow-Up Phone Calls
So you've sent out several resumes in the mail, and now it's time to relax and wait for responses - right? Wrong! If you do not hear anything back from those employers within 2 weeks, you must follow-up with a phone call! This is important for 2 reasons:
1. You want to make sure the employer received your resume in the first place. Things get lost in the mail, envelopes get misplaced in offices, documents get discarded accidentally - you get the picture. Confirming that an employer received your resume is a nonoffensive way to begin your follow-up phone conversation.
2. A follow-up phone call shows that you are genuinely interested in the position. Put yourself in the employer's shoes: if 10 students send you a resume and only one of those 10 follows-up with a phone call, who are you going to invite to come in for an interview? The point is that it is easy to send a resume in the mail and forget about it. Plently of people do. It's the follow-up phone call that lets employers know that you are sincerely interested in working for them.
So be sure to keep a log of who you've sent your resume to and when you sent it. That way you'll know exactly when to make those follow-up phone calls. You never know - a simple follow-up phone call could be the difference between being invited to come in for an interview or not! Please stop by the CSO to talk to a counselor if you have any questions about the follow-up process.
Posted by cld30 at 04:38 PM
October 26, 2007
Long-Distance Job Hunting
Are you looking for a job somewhere other than Cleveland or your own hometown? If you are, then you probably already know that these job searches require a slightly different approach than a local job search.
The first thing you need to determine in your long-distance job hunt is your “why”. Why do you want to work in that city or in that state? Knowing the answer to this question will help you focus your job search and, eventually, will allow you to give a clear and honest answer to the question during your interviews in that city or state. Also, if the city or state is unfamiliar to you, do your research to determine whether you really do want to relocate and establish a career there. A potential employer in that city won’t want to read in a cover letter or hear in an interview, “I’m considering the possibility of moving to San Francisco.” Before you contact an employer regarding a job opportunity, you need to have decided that you want to live in that city. To help you decide, research the city, state, and region online; contact the state tourism department to be sent a tourism guide; and check out apartment and real estate websites to learn more about the housing market.
Once you’ve settled on a location, the next thing you’ll need to do is find resources. The CSO should be your first stop. As mentioned in this blog, the CSO is continually conducting employer outreach to develop relationships and, in many instances, job opportunities with employers in cities all over the country. (Stop by the CSO bulletin board to see a map of every city we’ve visited in the past three years.) We also have city guides and firm listings for many of the most popular destinations for students and recent grads. Set up an appointment with a counselor to help you get started in finding potential employers and in contacting alumni in your target city for informational interviews.
Outside the CSO, look into resources in your target city. Join the local bar association, start reading the local paper online, and network with local attorneys. Plan a trip to your destination city. And, perhaps most importantly, let networking contacts and potential employers know that you will be in town and would appreciate the opportunity of meeting with them face-to-face. Plan ahead and set up as many networking appointments and interviews as you can.
These are just a few suggestions to help you get started; be sure to set up an appointment with a counselor to discuss other options.
Posted by kcc17 at 05:40 PM
October 23, 2007
Interested in the Southeast? Consider North Carolina.
Do you have interest in sophisticated transactional work, but not sure if New York City is where you want to live? Do you have family ties in the southeast, but don’t know much about legal opportunities in the area? Interested in banking and finance, corporate law, health law, technology issues, or state government? You may want to consider focusing your job search on Charlotte and/or Raleigh, North Carolina – two cities the CSO visited last week.
Charlotte, which was repeatedly described to the CSO as a “melting pot” of people originally from different areas of the country, was a particularly interesting legal market. Given the presence of the banking and finance industry in the city, many law firms have established growing Charlotte offices where attorneys have the opportunity to work on large, complex transactions. Charlotte is one of the biggest banking cities in the United States (after New York City) and one partner the CSO met with described working in Charlotte as the opportunity to have a “Wall Street practice in North Carolina.” And Charlotte generally appears to welcome newcomers – recently, people have been moving to Charlotte from all over the country, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
Raleigh, on the other hand, is a smaller legal market, but serves as North Carolina’s capital and therefore has numerous state government opportunities. Downtown Raleigh appears to be growing and legal employers there appear to be growing too – some well known law firms have established offices in Raleigh or Research Triangle Park. It also seems there are a few legal employers in Raleigh with growing health care practice areas. Located within the Research Triangle, Raleigh is also home to many people interested in technology issues.
Overall, the CSO’s visit to Charlotte and Raleigh uncovered legal employers willing to consider Case Western Reserve students who have a genuine interest in settling in North Carolina. Of course, there are already five accredited law schools within North Carolina itself so employers in Charlotte and Raleigh were concerned about finding students with a specific tie to North Carolina. For some employers, however this tie could be something as simple as undergraduate experience in the region or friends in the area and a genuine intent to settle and stay in North Carolina.
The list of employers the CSO met with is posted on our bulletin board. Stop by and take a look and if you have specific questions about any of these employers, schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Posted by kcc17 at 10:01 PM
October 12, 2007
Finding the Right Firm… For YOU
For those of you concentrating your search on law firms, you might be finding yourself wondering the best ways to differentiate one firm from another. Perhaps you’ve looked at each firm’s size, practice areas, and rankings and now find yourself with a lengthy list of firms that look all very similar to each other. How do you determine where you should focus your job search efforts?
All law firms, like all law students, have unique personalities and characteristics. In sorting through your options, determine the things that are most important to you in your work experience. Then do some research to find which firms best match what’s important to you. Here are some tips to help you get started:
• Talk with your classmates who previously have worked at the firm to get their opinions (check out the Inside Scoop on Blackboard for where your classmates have worked over the summers).
• Find out what you can about the firm’s summer program. Do they rotate students through each practice group, or do they assign each student to one group for the whole summer? Does the student have any input in their assignment?
• Who are the firm’s clients? If you were to work there, would you be representing individuals, business entities, or municipalities? Does the firm mostly represent the pharmaceutical industry, banks, or technology firms? You can find this information through the firm’s website and by searching for the firm’s name (or a particular attorney in the firm) in the caselaw databases on Lexis and Westlaw.
• Does the firm have a particular niche practice area that appeals to you?
• What opportunities does the firm offer for professional development? For third-year students, what are the firm’s expectations for their new associate development?
• What type of work would you be engaged in as a summer associate or a law clerk? How is work distributed and how much responsibility are summer associates and law clerks able to assume? For third-year students, how aggressive must associates be about pursuing their own work?
When you visit the firm, either for networking purposes or for an interview, keep your eyes and ears open. You can gather a lot of information just from sitting in the reception area or while being led around the firm during your interview. What is the “feel” or “vibe” in the office? Are doors opened or closed? Is it silent as a library or is there lively conversation? Do the attorneys and staff seem relaxed and generally content, or is there a feeling of tension in the air? Watch the way people interact with each other. Try to speak with as many attorneys in the firm as possible to help you gain a well-rounded perspective.
These are just a few suggestions to help you find your best fit for law firm employment. You must determine for yourself what is important to you, weighing the plusses and minuses of each firm. Remember that the end goal is to find a place where you will be happy both professionally and personally.
Posted by kcc17 at 02:44 PM
September 17, 2007
Small to Medium Sized Firm Lists
Remember that the fall interview program is just one component of your job search. In addition to bidding for jobs through OCI, consider sending out targeted mailings to firms you are interested in that are not participating in Case's fall interview program. We have small to medium sized firm lists for several cities/states available in the resource room, and also electronically on Blackboard. These lists were just updated over the summer and new cities have been added. Additionally, if the CSO does not have a small to medium sized firm list for the particular city you are interested in, you can always run your own list. Simply go to www.martindale.com and enter your specific search criteria. These lists are a great tool to use for researching potential employers and ensuring you are conducting a thorough job search.
Posted by cld30 at 12:00 PM
September 13, 2007
Advice from Los Angeles Employers: Clearly Express your Commitment to Los Angeles
While in Los Angeles for the Southern California Interview Program last month, the CSO took time to also meet with employers in Los Angeles that do not participate in the Southern California Interview Program. These meetings included meetings with three law firms willing to consider Case Western Reserve students who apply for summer associate positions by sending in a cover letter and resume. Two things these law firms had in common were: 1) a desire to see cover letters and resumes that express a well-articulated reason for wanting to be in Los Angeles; and 2) a willingness to consider interviewing students who take the initiative to make a self-planned trip to Los Angeles.
Although the extent of the required tie to Los Angeles varied depending on the law firm, all three firms that the CSO met with said they like to read a cover letter that clearly expresses why someone wants to be in Los Angeles. Not all of the firms require a permanent tie to the area, but they do want to know why you are considering Los Angeles and they want you to express a desire to establish a career in Los Angeles. It seems that some Los Angeles firms may fear that a student who is not originally from California will choose to spend a summer in Los Angeles enjoying the weather and lifestyle, but ultimately will seek permanent employment in the student’s home state. Thus the firms want you to explain to them why you want to stay in Los Angeles.
As for students willing to make their own trips to Los Angeles, all three firms that the CSO met with indicated that this is something they like to see. One recruiting coordinator specifically said that a student from a school where the firm does not interview on-campus has the best chance of being considered if he or she sends a cover letter that says exactly when the student will be in Los Angeles for an interview. The firm is open to interviewing interested and qualified students who foot their own bill for the trip to Los Angeles because the firm believes this shows a true commitment to being in Los Angeles.
The staff in the CSO is available to share additional advice with any student interested in employers in Los Angeles, and throughout California. Stop by to schedule a meeting with one of the counselors.
Posted by kcc17 at 10:43 AM
August 29, 2007
First Year Students & the CSO
So you have survived your first few days of law school and perhaps even had to brief a case in front of your class but you are still wondering "when do I need to think about a job?" Our best advice: focus on your studies right now! The first several months of law school are all about getting accustomed to law school. So much so that the American Bar Association has established guidelines that require Career Services Offices at all law schools to wait until November 1 before counseling first year students regarding their job search and career goals.
We are excited to meet you and look forward to working with you but want you to take the next few months to get adjusted to law school, your courses, and your workload. We encourage you to stop by the CSO for our open house next week, attend our workshops this fall, including our theme weeks, which are intended to help introduce you to various practice areas. Starting on November 1 we will hold CSO Orientation Sessions to introduce you to the services and resources offered by the CSO, discuss the opportunities available to you during your first summer, and highlight the various search methods to secure summer and permanent positions. After the initial Orientation Sessions, you will be able to meet with a CSO counselor for a one on one session to talk about your individual interests and career goals.
The CSO looks forward to working with you soon but until then please be sure to stop by and say hello and attend CSO workshops.
Posted by kcc17 at 06:52 PM
May 21, 2007
Log On to Symplicity!
Still looking for a summer job? Be sure to keep checking the latest job postings on Symplicity! New jobs are being posted on a regular basis and there are still positions out there that need to be filled. In fact, three new law clerk positions were posted just last week, along with several positions for new associates.
Remember, the CSO staff remains available throughout the summer. We are here Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Please feel free to call or stop by and visit us with any questions or concerns!
Posted by cld30 at 03:10 PM
May 16, 2007
You've Graduated & You're Still Looking for a Job? Don't Panic!
If you are graduating from law school this Sunday but still have not secured a permanent job, do not panic! You will find a job. Your legal (or post-law school) career is just starting, and when you look back to this time years from now you will hardly be able to remember why you were worried.
Many employers do not hire until law graduates have sat for or even passed the bar. These employers can include smaller firms and government and public interest employers. However, you want to keep applying for jobs so that your resume is in the mix when employers are ready to hire. If you are interested in small firms -- which is where the majority of practicing lawyers work -- you should also be open to the possibility of working as a law clerk until bar results come in; some firms will bring graduates in as law clerks and at a reduced pay rate so that everyone can test the waters, and they hire them for associate positions once they are licensed. Also, you should consider broadening your horizons as far as areas of practice and work settings.
Also, keep in mind that studying for the bar exam is a full-time endeavor for most people. You don't need to abandon your job search altogether, but spend the vast majority of your time preparing for the bar so you only need to take it once!
Posted by smp20 at 10:18 AM
April 25, 2007
If You Are Worried About Your Grades...
Many students (no, you are not the only one!) worry that their grades will be a barrier to securing the type of employment they are hoping for. Of course some employers have strict grade requirements -- but the vast majority of legal employers out there do not. And it should go without saying that the majority of practicing lawyers did not graduate in the top of their law school class.
If your grades have not been what you had hoped, please stop by the CSO to speak with a counselor so that we can assure you that grades are just one of many considerations of employers and discuss how handle questions about your grades if they should come up (and they don't always come up).
Here are a few wonderful points on grades from Kimm Walton's Guerrilla Tactics For Getting The Legal Job Of Your Dreams, pp. 429-441:
1. Don't let your grades influence your feelings of self-worth. You are not your grades.
2. Remember that most interviewers were not on law review either.
3. Focus on strengths like extracurricular experiences.
4. Come up with a way to explain why your grades aren't what you'd hoped.
5. Focus on employers that aren't focused on those students in the top 10%. You'll be left with the vast majority of legal employers out there.
6. If your grades are keeping you from getting a job that you realy want (for example, if you truly do want to work for a large law firm that is selective about grades), keep in mind that you can get there eventually - it might just take a bit more time.
If you want to discuss your job search and grades concerns, come and see us!
Posted by smp20 at 04:51 PM
April 02, 2007
Recharging Your Job Search
The CSO and job-hunting books and resources all provide hundreds of great tidbits of advice when it comes to your job search; however, it may sometimes lead to "information overload." To avoid this "analysis paralysis," Deborah Arron, author of What Can You Do with a Law Degree?, suggests remembering the "Rule of Three."
1. Assess Your Strengths and Passions - Employers are looking for people who demonstrate an honest interest in and enthusiasm for the work they seek. They'll hire you because you genuinely want to do the work, not just to earn the salary. To improve your job search, study your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses until you can articulate them easily to others.
2. Research Your Way Through Obstacles - It's natural to get to a point in your job search where you feel stuck and unmotivated. Use this time to let yourself explore, without expecting results. Go online to find out more about the areas of law/fields that intrigue you. Read publications of any related professional associations. You'll reenergize yourself and, at the same time, uncover leads.
3. Get Actively Involved - It is unlikely that an employer will hire you just because you verbalize interest in their work. They'll hire you when you prove your interest with action. Volunteer in their professional associations. Join a political action committee or nonprofit group that's closely alligned with their work. Publish an article in a relevant journal. Your participation will do more to assure you the kind of job you want than the most effective resume, cover letter or pitch imaginable.
Posted by cld30 at 11:43 AM
March 28, 2007
The 1L Job Search
Law.com and New York Lawyer (www.nylawyer.com) have great articles on job searching, legal employment news, and more. New York Lawyer includes a wonderful section called Crossroads in which students and lawyers ask for career advice from Career Consultant Linda E. Laufer. Yesterday's Crossroads advice is in response to a first-year student who is panicked because she doesn't have a job yet. You've heard similar advice from us, but here it is from Ms. Laufer!
1. Network! Seek advice from professors and alumni, and even fellow students. Some employers ask their former interns to recommend successors.
2. Stay positive. You have every reason to be positive, as there is still plenty of time to find a job.
3. Keep in touch with the CSO and keep checking postings. Many employers do hire late in the year.
4. Follow up with employers from which you have not heard - them know you remain interested!
5. Types of jobs to think about: small and medium sized firms, public interest organizations, government agencies at all levels, research assistants for professors, in-house legal departments. You can even do a part-time internship and then do something non-legal such as waiting tables or working in a book store. The point is to get some legal experience!
Posted by smp20 at 01:59 PM
March 26, 2007
Targeted Mailings
So you've applied to all the postings on Symplicity that have caught your attention, but have had no luck securing a job for the summer. Now what? Well.... how about sending some targeted mailings? Here's the scoop on targeted mailings:
Not all law firms (and companies) advertise positions as they become available. In fact, the CSO has had many firms tell us that they never need to advertise because they get enough unsolicited resumes without advertising. So just because a certain firm does not have an advertisment for an open position, it does not mean that they are not looking to hire someone. In short, you should apply to any firms/companies that interest you regardless of whether they are advertising an opening.
The CSO has small to mid-sized firm lists for many cities nationwide - these are available for students to take. Additionally, electronic versions of the small to mid-sized firm lists are also posted on Blackboard. Use these lists to research firms and to target those that interest you. Once you narrow down your targeted mailing list, be sure to personalize each cover letter (this is where your research comes into play). Not only should each cover letter be addressed to a particular individual, but it is important to make each employer feel as though you're particularly interested in working for them. Last, but certainly not least, if you have not received a response from the firms you have sent your resume to within a week or two, you must be sure to follow-up. Pick up the phone and call them. Your follow-up phone call may be what sets you apart from another candidate who did not make the extra effort.
If you have any questions about targeted mailings, please stop by the CSO or make an appointment with one of our counselors!
Posted by cld30 at 01:49 PM
March 22, 2007
New Job Search Links
The Career Services Office recently subscribed to a number of new job search websites. These sites focus on human rights, ethical, policy, political, and journalism jobs. You can find the login and password for each site on the CSO's section of Blackboard under the Job Search Links button. The sites you will have access to are:
www.humanrightsjobs.com
Posted by asa13 at 11:13 PM
March 08, 2007
Utilizing your Spring Break for your Job Search
So, spring break has arrived! After you have taken a little bit of time to relax, use your time way from school to make strides in your job search.
Network. Network. Network. Meet with attorneys for informational interviews. Seek out those who practice in areas that interest you and ask about their career path. If you are in your target geographic location over break, talk to them about the legal market there.
Follow up - spend some time making those follow-up calls you have been meaning to get to. If you sent materials to an employer and haven't gotten a response be sure to call to follow up. You never know where the conversation might lead.
Get out there - consider dropping off your resume and cover letter to targeted employers. Take any and all opportunities to chat with anyone you run into - the receptionist, people on the elevator, etc. If you have traveled to your target market be sure to tell the receptionist that you are in town from Cleveland and wanted to drop off your materials. You can be sure he/she is going to remember you!
Stay proactive - don't let opportunities that become available over break pass you by! Keep checking Symplicity, sending targeted mailing, and reaching out to employers and networking contacts.
Meet with a counselor - make an appointment with a CSO counselor to talk with us over break if you are in town or for when you return from break. We are happy to talk with you about your job search and career goals.
Posted by kcc17 at 06:36 PM
January 18, 2007
Time to Schedule a Counseling Appointment
The start of the new semester is a great time to schedule an appointment with a counselor in the CSO to talk about your job search. We can help you develop your job search strategy, point you towards resources and job postings, help you connect with alumni, review your documents, and provide interview tips. Even if you have already secured employment, you may want to schedule an appointment to talk about the best ways to make sure you summer experience or first year as a new attorney goes as smoothly as possible. To schedule an appointment stop in to the CSO and speak with Brian or contact one of the counselors directly. We look forward to meeting with you!
Posted by asa13 at 09:15 PM
December 28, 2006
Finding Small and Medium Sized Law Firms
If you are interested in working for a small or medium sized law firm, one of the first things you will want to do is to find a list of all such firms in your target market. The CSO creates small and medium firm lists for 13 different markets around the U.S., including:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland/Akron
- Columbus
- Detroit
- Los Angeles
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Seattle
- Washington, DC
These lists are updated every six months and can be picked up in the CSO Resource Room. If we don't have a list for your target market, you can easily create a similar list for yourself by going to www.martindale.com and running a search for law firms of a particular size in a particular location.
Posted by asa13 at 03:26 PM
December 05, 2006
What is a Law Firm Holiday Reception Anyway?
This is the time of year when law firms hold holiday receptions, primarily for first year law students. Law firms hold these events over winter break and invite local law students to attend. Some firms issue an open invitation for all law students. Others select students to invite based on the resumes they receive. For some firms the event is intended to introduce students to the firm so they will keep it in mind for their second summer. Other firms use the holiday reception as a screening interview for candidates for first summer positions. If you attend one of these receptions you can expect to mingle with attorneys from the firm and your fellow law students, often in a cocktail party setting. You will want to make a point of speaking with as many attorneys as you can during the reception. Research the firm ahead of time and and ask questions about the firm in general, the summer program, and the attorneys' areas of practice.
Posted by asa13 at 09:56 AM
November 21, 2006
Making the Most of Your Winter Break
When thinking of Winter Break the first thing that comes to mind right now is probably finding time to sleep. However, once you have caught up on your sleep, there are several things you can do over break to enhance your job search. Your goal should be to get to know the legal landscape and make connections in your target market.
First, find alumni to give you advice and help. (Ask the CSO for alumni lists and/or run a search at www.martindale.com.) Contact alumni by email, phone or letter to set up informational interviews. During these interviews you can ask about their practice area or geographic location. You should even consider asking alums if you can shadow them for a day or two to get an better idea of what their practice entails.
Next, consider attending a local bar association event. This time of year there will be holiday events and lots of CLE’s that you could attend. What better way to find yourself in a room full of lawyers to network with! Students can often attend bar association events for little or no charge.
Also, be sure to tell everyone you know you are looking for a job. Even if you don’t know members of the legal community directly, other people will. For example, your hairdresser and local barrista have lots of other clients besides you and some of them are bound to be lawyers.
Finally, consider making an appointment with a CSO counselor over break. We are in the office and available for in-person or phone appointments.
Posted by asa13 at 09:13 AM
November 08, 2006
Interested in Criminal Law Opportunties?
If you are focused on justice and interested in fast-paced trial work, criminal law may be the right practice area for you. Potential criminal law employers include prosecutor and public defender offices as well as some law firms. According to The Official Guide to Legal Specialties, An Insider's Guide ot Every Major Practice Area by Lisa L. Abrams, J.D., "criminal lawyers must be good negotiators, investigators, counselors, and even social workers." If you would like to explore this practice area further, check out the Official Guide's chapter on Criminal Law. Also, stop by the CSO and pick up our handout which lists contact information for all of the prosecutor and public defender offices in the State of Ohio.
Posted by asa13 at 03:53 PM
September 20, 2006
Negotiating with Small & Medium Firms
When one receives an offer for an associate position with any employer, the first consideration is salary. With small- and mid-size firms, it is important to keep in mind that salary is just one part of the overall picture, and there are many additional issues to inquire about – and possibly try to negotiate. Here are some of the considerations:
1. Benefits – health, dental, vision; life; disability (short- and long-term); retirement; domestic partner coverage
2. Professional development – annual attorney licensing; bar association memberships; CLEs (all of these are very expensive!)
3. Leave – vacation, sick, and maternity/paternity
4. Miscellaneous – parking, relocation, equipment (laptop, cell, etc.)
5. Bar review – bar review course, exam, and maybe even a stipend while you study
In addition, there are issues relating to salary to consider. Will you be earning a straight salary, or will you have a base salary plus a percentage of business or billables (the latter could be more beneficial to you, depending on a number of factors)? Bonus? When is salary reviewed, and will there at the very minimum be a cost-of-living increase?
Keep in mind that the above are all considerations, and before you try to negotiate you need to determine your priorities in the short-term and long-term. As in any negotiation, there is give and take, and it is unlikely that you will receive every benefit imaginable and you must be reasonable in your requests/demands. (Many students wonder if an offer can be rescinded if they try to negotiate more money or benefits. This is a risk, but we’ve only heard of it happening with our students a couple of times.)
If you have questions, please talk to a CSO counselor. We can help you assess what to ask for, and what is a reasonable salary for a particular type and size of employer in a given market.
Posted by smp20 at 09:18 AM
September 15, 2006
Job Searching Beyond the Fall Interview Program
Whether you have been participating in the Fall Interview Program or not, you will not want to miss the Job Searching Beyond the Fall Interview Program Workshop!
There are a lot of opportunities available throughout the year and through various avenues!
Hear 3L students discuss how they found their summer position outside the traditional Fall Interview Program, including through their own initiative, job postings, the Spring Interview Program, networking, targeted mailing, etc.
Get tips and advice on conducting local and long distance job searches, networking, targeted mailings, and much more!
When: Tuesday, September 19th
Where: 12:00 noon, Room A57
Pizza will be served!!!
The CSO looks forward to seeing everyone there!
Posted by kcc17 at 09:56 AM