Navigating Your Law School Job Search Post-OCIs

Finding a job as a 2L or 3L is not without its challenges. The 3L job market is especially competitive and unpredictable. You will come to the realization that there are many factors you won’t be able to control as you search for a job.

You will survive bad interviews, disappointments, and a ton of emails and tweaks to your resume. You will not hear back from some contacts, or you’ll get a lukewarm “thank you for your interest” reply. Maybe you didn’t get the best grades as a 1L or you’re not the strongest of interviewees. Perhaps you started on a different path early in law school and then decided Big Law is for you. Just know that even the most prepared, focused, over-achiever law students can face the same predicament.

Now is not the time to throw up your arms and surrender. Instead, we’ve partnered with Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, to identify some best practices and tips for navigating (and improving) your job search beyond on-campus interviews. It all starts by getting to know thy self.  

Watch this brief video to learn more and read on.

Network, network, network — intentionally

Once you have completed an honest self-assessment, it’s time to build your network of attorneys and legal recruiters. This is imperative for students looking for jobs in the non-OCI job market and is something that will benefit you throughout your legal career.

Some strategies to cultivate your network, include attending speaker series and other campus events and actively using LinkedIn. Get comfortable going to events and talking to attorneys about their careers and whose interests are similar to yours. On LinkedIn, follow legal groups and firms in your area, connect with alumni at your target firms, comment on posts by industry professionals, and try to contribute to various discussion threads to make the greatest impact.

Get a non-traditional foot in the door

There are some great ways to find a career home after law school other than through the 1L-2L OCI process. These include:

• Summer fellowship – can provide an early entrance into a firm or corporation, a chance to gain relevant skills or a bridge to a longer-term position
• 3L OCI – the opportunity is there to participate in on-campus interviews as a rising 3L if you didn’t land something in the past or, as an LL.M., you didn’t have the process available to you
• Independent job hunt – do your homework and conduct your own search into potential employers, reach out to organization on your own and enlist the services of job aggregation sites like Indeed to facilitate connections
• Judicial clerkship – for students interested in litigation, a clerkship may provide an experience that can open the door to a full-time career position

Pay attention to the details

The materials you use to introduce and promote yourself matter, especially your resume. This most-important tool will serve to “hook” your audience, so it should be reformulated as needed for each opportunity you pursue. Be sure you are able to speak to your resume and experiences in a way that shows you are polished and authentic.

Your cover letter is how you can articulate your unique value for a specific role, so it deserves some good effort as well. Put yourself in the employer’s shoes and include information about how you are equipped to solve a business problem or challenge.

Don’t forget to secure your unofficial transcript and prepare a writing sample or deal sheet, depending on your practice interest. A brief or motion is the best writing sample for persuading a court (think litigation role) and a deal sheet should be well-organized to emphasize your ability to take on a transactional role if that’s what you desire.

You’ve likely utilized your law school’s Career Services to get you to this point. Don’t forget to keep them in the mix for searching jobs and developing relationships. They can be a wealth of information when it comes to local contacts and career events.