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10 Steps

to a

Successful

Job Search

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Step One – Get Organized Your time during law school is valuable.

Use it wisely to be productive in your job search.

Plan of attack – make sure all of your job search tools;

resume, cover letter, references, writing sample and transcript are up-to-date.

Make sure you have copies of each in your Career Services’ credential file.

Look at the Law Career Services Web Page: www.law.onu.edu

Make an appointment with the Career Services’ Director in January or February.

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STEP TWO

Where do you want to work?

Decide on a location. Where do you want to be?? City, State, Region

Narrow down to FIVE preferred areas and then rank those areas 1-5.

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STEP THREE

Analyze & Define

Analyze and define your interests, skills, wants, & values.

Self-assessment process – List most desirable to least desirable options.

Consider your Background, Experience & Education – Undergraduate Degree.

Consider all areas of law.

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Areas of Law

Private practice – large, medium, or small firm

Public Interest – Legal Aid, Public Defender, Lobbyist, Advocate

Government – Federal, State, Local Judicial Clerkship

Agency

Policy/Legislation

Prosecutor

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STEP FOUR

Networking

Develop and maintain contacts in your geographical location.

Nearly 80% of jobs are obtained by conducting informational networking, not by sending out cold resumes.

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LexisNexis searching Alumni-Law and College

Areas of Law Practice

Professors/Deans

Acquaintances

Former employers

Friends/Family

Doctors

Social acquaintances

Read Trade Papers

State Bar Associations

Organizations

Ways to Network Be Creative in Marketing yourself.

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STEP FIVE

Evaluate the Job Market

Explore your options.

Consider both the positive and the negative.

What is available in the market you are considering?

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STEP SIX

Employers

Research potential employers

LexisNexis

Westlaw

Websites of Employers

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STEP SEVEN

Databases Legal Sift

Career Services OCI and Resume Collection schedule

Watch your email for announcements.

Websites – Employment links – Examples:

Career Services Webpage

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STEP EIGHT

Packaging yourself

Resume – samples in student hand book

Cover Letter – samples in student hand book

References – samples in student hand book

Writing Sample - samples in student hand book

Transcript – Order from Registrar’s Office as soon as first semester grades are posted.

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STEP NINE Make yourself the “Dream Candidate”

Distinguish yourself from the competition.

Make yourself memorable.

Grades – One way but not the only way.

Experience/Transferable Skills

Hobbies/Interests

Something Unique

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Make yourself the

“Dream Candidate”

Demonstrate the ability to do what attorneys do. Part-time Jobs

Research projects

Publishing articles

Volunteering

Dealing with clients (people) – use your people-oriented skills.

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Make yourself the

“Dream Candidate”

Show Your Interest in the Practice of Law.

Join student law organizations.

Research areas of the law.

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Make Yourself

Geographically Desirable.

Do You Have Ties to an Area?

Home Town – Where did you grow up?

College Town – Where did you go to college?

Other places with contacts - friends or relatives.

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If You Have No Ties to a Particular Area,

You Will Need to Prove

You Will Stay Once Hired.

Visit the area.

Research the area making sure you are familiar with its points of interest.

Employers will hesitate hiring a person with no ties to an area.

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STEP TEN

Persistence

Persistence pays off!

Follow up!

Plan ahead!

If you are traveling to a location over a break, call and see if you can set up a meeting.

Please Let Law Career Services know when you land a job!

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Remember