Keeping up during the second semester of your 1L year can be a challenge. On top of getting your course work off to a great start, you also want to be prepared for the summer job search, job fairs, interviews, cover letters, callbacks and the job itself. Each new task checked off seems to be met with two or three more tasks, making law school seem rather like a hydra — think of the monster in Hercules who loses one of its looming heads only to grow three more back. But just like Hercules, you can face law school by being “fearless, proud and strong!” Here’s some advice to help pave the way to landing the job you want.
Start your job search with confidence
- Know what’s out there. If you’re just starting the job search, find ways to stand out to future employers and gain self-confidence during the search process. Grab information and tips to help you plan for your opportunities here.
- Attend on-campus interviews (OCIs). OCIs are an important part of law school for most students. If you’re gearing up for your first OCI, check out seven tips to stand out and an OCI checklist.
- Utilize your law school’s career office. Your school’s career development office is a great resource for your job search. The team at your school will have experienced professionals who can read and advise on your resumes and cover letters. Whether you need help crafting the perfect paragraph or even a quiet place to conduct an interview, your school’s career office should be able to assist you.
- Build your network. Networking is critical in the legal profession. If you haven’t started building your network, here are some tips to help you do so. Your network can give you advice throughout law school and your career, open doors to potential opportunities and provide a sense of community. You never know exactly when or what networking activities will do for you, so it’s important to cast a wide net as early as possible, and keep in touch as you build professional (and social) relationships throughout your career.
Prepare fully for the interview
- Do your research. A future employer wants to not only ensure you have the skills and cultural fit for their company, but they also want to know that you’re interested in them and the position at hand. Before your interview, conduct a Google search on the firm, organization or department so you can showcase to the interviewer why you want to work for them. Make sure your resume is generally consistent with that interest and that your cover letter is aligned with the opportunity.
- Research yourself. Do a basic search of your own name on the internet and social media. Be aware of what an employer would see if they looked for information about you. Take down or make private anything that’s unprofessional or inconsistent with the image you are trying to convey to a potential employer.
- Look professional. Business attire shouldn’t be the main focus of an interview, but it’s important to look the part. A professional outfit will give the interviewer a good first impression and hopefully give you a bit of confidence. If you need budget friendly outfits, check out our list of wardrobe suggestions.
- Brush up on current events. Sometimes it can feel like you’re living in a law school bubble. However, it’s important to know what’s going on in the world and in the particular city where you’re interviewing. You don’t need to know everything but brushing up on the latest news will be a good conversation starter and indicator of your interest level.
- Bring copies of everything. You likely sent a resume, transcript and maybe a writing sample when you applied for the job, but that doesn’t mean the person interviewing you has it in front of them. You’ll look well-prepared if you’re able to hand them a fresh copy.
- Be early. You want to aim to walk into the interview location five to ten minutes before your interview is supposed to start. Build in some extra time in case you have car trouble, hit traffic or get lost. It’s better to sit in your car and wait until it’s time to go in than to be running late.
- Showcase confidence. Interviews can be stressful, and it’s completely normal to feel nervous. However, there are some quick things you can do to help mask your nerves so you can come across as poised and confident. Make sure to stand and sit with good posture, give a firm handshake and make eye contact throughout the interview.
- Write down questions. At the end of pretty much every interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions for them. Before you go in for the interview, write down a handful of questions and stick the list in your pocket or bag. You may remember your questions and not need your list, but it could come in handy if you get nervous and need a little help with your thoughts. If you can think of a good one, it’s always great to ask a question that’s customized to the conversation — something that follows up on or references earlier discussion. This shows the employer that you were paying attention and can think on your feet.
- Follow up. Whether the interview went well or not, you should always follow up and thank the person for meeting with you. Some people recommend writing handwritten notes, but others will say an email is preferred due to the faster arrival. Regardless of what you choose, make sure you write a thank you and reiterate your interest and fit for the role. If you can personalize the thank you message by specifically referencing something discussed during the interview, (particularly if it’s something unique or memorable) that’s likely to be even more impressive and will help you stand out from other candidates.
Watch this video below to hear best practices from global legal search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA). MLA will walk you through what interviewers are looking for and how to ensure you’re prepared.
Get ready for day one
- Complete any required paperwork. Depending on your job, there might be a multitude of paperwork and forms to complete before you actually step foot in the door or during your first few days. Make sure you know what is required so you can meet those deadlines.
- Confirm your start date. Most employers tend to be flexible on start dates. The important thing to remember is to have a start date that won’t have you scrambling. Remember, you’ll want enough time to finish your finals, possibly move, get organized and hopefully leave a little time to breathe. Be realistic and set your start date accordingly.
- Confirm the dress code. You don’t want to show up your first day and look out of place. Trust us, it won’t help your first day jitters. Likewise, you also want to make sure your wardrobe is ready to go so you’re not facing laundry day, every single day.
- Update your LinkedIn. Take a quick moment to update your LinkedIn profile with your first 1L summer job (congrats!), and maybe even update your bio. And of course, keep building your network.
- Connect with classmates. If you know of any classmates, alumni of your school or other individuals in your network who have worked at your office previously, reach out to them (don’t forget to check your LinkedIn network for second degree connections). They’ll be able to give you some great insights into what to expect.
The job search process may feel daunting but remember every lawyer goes through it, so all your interviewers have been in your shoes. Whether you’re at the beginning of your search, in the thick of interviews or ready to start your summer job, have confidence in yourself and your hard work. You’ve got this!
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