Finding a Job

Finding a job often involves a lot of work on your part.  You need to research employment opportunities and employers, prepare your cover letters and resume, and follow through with interviews.  The most difficult part is to identify opportunities, because most jobs are never posted or advertised.  Too often, students rely primarily on job postings.  Then if that proves unfruitful, they try on-campus interviewing or career fairs.  Their process is too linear and often fails to include networking.  A better approach to finding a job is to use a variety of time-honored job hunting strategies rather than focusing on just one strategy at a time. Here is how you do it:

Self-Assessment

Start by doing a self-assessment about what you want in a job.  What do you like?  Why do you want to practice law?  What kind of employer do you like?  Private practice, government, or non-profit?  What size of employer will make you productive?  Small, medium, or large?  Where do you want to work?  In an urban, rural, or suburban setting?   Answering these questions will help you determine where to focus your efforts.

Job Posting Boards

Job posting boards provide a convenient way to search online for open positions.  Capital's Job Posting Board is a good place to start.  If a specific industry interests you, look to professional associations or general job posting boards.  For a list of various job posting boards, see Websites in the right menu.

Recruiting Programs

Recruiting programs such as on campus interviewing and career fairs offer another approach to finding a job.  These competitive programs tend to help only a small percentage of students obtain jobs, but can provide opportunities to gather information about employers and gain interviewing experience.  On-campus interviewing, both fall and spring, is a competitive program designed by large legal employers who recruit nationwide.  Career fairs, on the other hand, are more specific and typically appeal to students interested in certain practice areas such as Patent Law or Public Interest Law.  There are also career fairs available only for minority candidates such as Lavender Law for GLBT students.

Networking

One of the most important and overlooked methods of securing employment is networking.  Less than 20% of all jobs are posted, which means that approximately 80% of all jobs are filled through alternative methods, notably through referrals.  You need to build a network of professional contacts. Start with personal contacts, bar association affiliations, and Capital connections.  Set up informational interviews to learn more about a practice area or employer.  Once you make a connection, stay in contact.  Send them an email from time-to-time or a link to an article they may find interesting.  In the end, networking can open the door to many employment possibilities.

Unsolicited Mailings

Finally, unsolicited mailings are another means of getting a job.  This does not entail mass mailings, which are typically impersonal, generic, and usually waste of time.  Instead, focus your unsolicited mailing efforts on a strategic mailing to 10 to 20 employers.  Draft cover letters that are concise, persuasive, well researched, and therefore tailored to the employer along with your resume.  Then within two to three weeks follow up with the employer by emailing or calling.  For assistance with contact information, use the Columbus Bar Directory, Martindale-Hubbell, and the NALP Directory of Legal Employers.