13 Job Hunt Tips for Recent Law School Grads

Article provided by JIST Publishing
Recent law school graduates have their work cut out for them as they try to secure employment in a field that’s been slammed with layoffs in this recession. Not only are jobs in the legal field harder to come by than in years past, recent grads are now up against more experienced, better connected candidates.
“There’s no question that the current economy means new lawyers may have to work extra hard to get that first job,” says Ursula Furi-Perry, JD, author of the recently released book Law School Revealed. “It’s essential that young lawyers go back to basics: networking, developing valuable professional relationships, being proactive about their job search, using career resources available to them, and seeking out traditional and nontraditional sources of employment.”

New lawyers looking to score their first post-graduation job will want to consider the following tips provided in Furi-Perry’s book. They outline how recent grads can put themselves on the fast-track to their first job and begin to establish themselves as up-and-comers in the legal community.

1. If your law school participates in the OCI process, take advantage of on-campus interviews and any other formal job searching activities in which your school engages.
2. Take advantage of the services offered by your law school’s career services office: attend career workshops, seminars, and networking events; seek out help with your job search, resume, and career plans; ask for potential leads; and ask your career counselors to help you put together a formal plan for finding that first job.
3. Join mentoring programs and professional organizations to meet others in the field and develop your network. Many organizations include a section or committee specifically for young lawyers, which can help you navigate the transition from student to lawyer.
4. Gather feedback on your resume and your professional image from trusted sources who can offer you an additional opinion and valuable input.
5. Maintain professionalism and courtesy in person, in writing and online.
6. Get practical experience. You’re more likely to stand out among other candidates if you have had a summer associate position, internship or history as a volunteer to prove you possess some practical experience.
7. Take a lawyer to lunch or ask for an informational interview–pick his or her brain about working in the legal field and ask the lawyer about his or her career journey, typical job responsibilities, greatest challenges, and any other tips and advice.
8. Seek out mentors and develop valuable professional relationships.
9. Treat job hunting as a job: set aside ample time; stay productive in your job search, follow up on leads and interviews, and dress and act professionally whether you’re going to your externship or just out to grab a cup of coffee–you never know when you’ll meet that potential employer. Also put together a formal job search plan in writing–for example, decide that you’ll spend an hour polishing your resume or that you’ll follow up with three potential contacts today–and stick to it!
10. If you’re interviewing with or interested in a particular firm, familiarize yourself with the firm and its lawyers. Start by looking at the firm’s Web site and reading articles about some of the recent cases and events at the firm.
11. Read articles and blogs and subscribe to newsletters and news feeds about law firms and the legal field to stay up-to-date on legal employment trends. Also attend continuing legal education events, both for professional development and for networking opportunities.
12. Keep an open mind and consider employers outside the legal field. The JD is a very versatile degree, and the skill set law graduates possess–including analytical thinking and communication skills–is attractive to a whole host of potential employers.
13. Don’t be afraid to accept a position that isn’t exactly what you thought you would get. Most recent law grads don’t end up with their dream jobs right out of law school–having a “starter job” is perfectly okay; what’s essential is that you continue learning and take something important with you from each position.

Furi-Perry adds that many of these tips remain relevant even after a new JD has accepted a job offer. “Young lawyers can use these tips to develop their career momentum and continue their professional development, even when they may be content in their new position,” she says.
Law School Revealed is now available at all major bookstores and from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST).
Article by, Selena Dehne and courtesy of JIST Publishing

Originally posted by Candice A