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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR JOB SEARCH OVER WINTER BREAK
Winter break is just around the corner and it's time to relax, rejuvenate, and have some holiday fun. Winter break, however, is also an excellent time to implement aspects of your job search that you were unable to focus on or accomplish due to your demanding schedule during the fall semester. Below are some key job search techniques you can employ.
Conduct Self-Assessment
Use the break to assess your skills and interests. Conduct self-assessment
by exploring the many career options available and evaluate the kind of
work environments, clients, and lifestyle which will bring you job satisfaction.
You can begin this process by setting up an appointment with a counselor
in the career services office. In addition, you can read through the general
career planning guides and reference materials available in the career
services library. For example, see Lisa Abram's The Official Guide to
Legal Specialties and/ or Deborah Arron's What Can You Do with a Law Degree?
Network
Networking is simply the act of obtaining information and increasing your
contact base through informational sessions with other professionals.
Begin by identifying as many people as possible who can provide relevant
information on your job search or refer you to people who can. Establish
an initial networking list of people very familiar to you e.g., friends,
relatives, current or former faculty members, former employers/co-workers,
members of organizations to which you belong, etc. Let these individuals
know about your interests and ask them who they might suggest you talk
with to learn more about the field in which you are interested.
Expand your list of networks by using the following resources:
Alumnae/i Advisor Network
The Alumnae/i Advisor Network, available on the law school's web site
at www.kentlaw.edu/depts/cso, contains a database of over 300 Kent alumnae
across the country who have volunteered to advise students on networking,
practice areas, and job markets.
Martindale-Hubbel
You can also locate other alumnae through the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
available at martindale.com or on Lexis. Through this searchable database,
you can perform searches by city or practice area and then by attorneys
who attended Chicago-Kent. You can use the same search method to locate
graduates of your undergraduate institution who practice law in your targeted
market.
Bar Associations
Many local bar associations host social events, seminars and other occasions
where you can network with practicing attorneys. If you plan to practice
in another state, consider joining the local bar association and call
in advance of your break to learn about upcoming events. Also, if you
know which practice area you are interested in, consider joining a specialized
committee. This will provide you with excellent resources in your field
of interest and help you get acquainted with the major "players"
in the field.
Informational Interviews
The objective of an informational interview is not to get a job. Rather,
the goal is to meet people who can help clarify your interests and goals,
answer questions about career choices, offer advice for your job search,
and provide you the names of individuals who may be able to help you get
further along in the process of finding a job.
Prior to or during your break, contact by phone or letter individuals in your targeted market using the resources described above. Simply, introduce yourself and request a meeting. Let the person know how you located them and/or who referred you to them. Indicate that you are a law student, that you understand that they work in a particular area, and that you are very interested in learning more about the field. Tell them you are looking for general information and ask if they have 10 or 15 minutes in which they would be able to meet with you (if they are local, you might want to offer to buy them a cup of coffee in the morning before work if this fits into both of your schedules and your finances). Clarify that you are not are not requesting a major time commitment from them nor are you applying for a job.
For more information on informational interviewing, see the career services on-line job search handout entitle "Interviewing and Thank You Notes."
Law School Reciprocity
If you are applying for an out of state position and plan on being there
during your break, you should request reciprocity from a local law school's
career services office. See the NALP web site for descriptions of the
various law school reciprocity policies. In order to apply, you will need
to complete a reciprocity request form which is available on the Kent
web site. Note that it could take several weeks before your request is
approved.
Resume / Cover Letters
Winter break is also an excellent opportunity to work on your resume.
Whether it is your first or your eighth revision, you should have a career
strategist and/ or a practicing attorney review it for you. Additionally,
use the break to develop persuasive cover letters targeted to the areas
of law in which you are interested.
Relax
Law school can be overwhelming. Take a deep breath and find time to renew
your inner resources.