5 Tips For Landing Your First Law Job

Getting on the job legal experience while still in law school provides outstanding opportunity down the road. Schneider Legal Group offers advice on landing that first summer associateship or clerkship position, as well as other strategies to adopt for when you aren’t successful in nabbing one. Visit: www.SchneiderLegalGroup.com

August 26, 2014.       You can pave the way to finding a job in law once you’ve graduated if you manage to get experience while you are still a law student. Summer associateships are usually sought at the end of the student’s first year of law school to secure for the following summer. Summer associateships can provide amazing long-term opportunity and networking connections. Obtaining a legal job while you are still in law school is about more than just getting a summer job that will help pay the bills. A job that a law student gets at the end of 2L is considered an important part of their legal education. They serve as a valuable opportunity to apply what you are learning, and be ‘hands on’ in a legal environment. They can also be parlayed into permanent job offers, which can alleviate the pressure of searching for a permanent job during your third year of law school. Here are some tips to increase your chances for landing that coveted first law job:

1. Some students who earn exceptional grades in their first year may find success in finding a summer associateship through the career development office, but many will not. Do not give up on working with the career development office though, because you can still obtain some great job leads from them by maintaining communication.

2. If you don’t land any interviews through the career development office, all hope is not lost. There are still opportunities to pursue. There are other options that do not rely so heavily on your GPA being outstanding. Small and medium sized firms, judges, governmental and non-profit organizations are more accepting of broader GPA ranges, and still offer valuable experience.

3. Do not rule out volunteer positions. Non-profit organizations offer the same type of quality experience you would get by clerking at a law firm, only chances are you won’t be paid. Instead of concentrating on where you will be paid the most, focus on obtaining work that best suits your personality, your interests in an area of practice, and your career goals. Don’t be shortsighted about your prospects.

4. Think outside of the box. There are resources everywhere to take advantage of. For example, judicial clerkship positions are very competitive, especially at the federal level. To land one of these positions, you need impeccable legal research and writing skills, as well as recommendations from your professors, which are especially helpful when your grades aren’t stellar. Many professors clerked for judges, so it is wise to ask around to see if any of your professors have any connections to judges who you would be interested in working for.

5. Networking!  The more you network, the more doors will open. In law school, you will encounter a multitude of attorneys, speakers, visitors from law firms, law school alumni, and professors who are at your disposal on a daily basis. Even if networking doesn’t land you a job immediately, the connections you make may likely be your peers throughout your legal career. Local and state bar associations offer significant educational and networking opportunities that are geared toward new lawyers as well, and are worth checking into.

At Schneider Legal Group, we are always interested in sharing advice that can help you land the job. Our business is all about relationships. We have our candidates’ best interests at heart, always. Call SLG today: (954) 306 – 6313. Best of luck!