5 Tips for Job Hunting Over Winter Break

Whether you are seeking your summer internship or looking for post-graduate employment, the winter break is a good time to organize your job search campaign. 

1. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Be sure to add any clinic experience or leadership activities you participated in this past semester. For help on updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, you can download the Resume Tips handout and the LinkedIn for Law Students Guide by visiting Symplicity > Job Search Handouts > Document Library section and doing a keyword search using the name of the document. The Career Services Office will be available to review resumes and cover letters starting January 6. 

2. Set up an informational interview. Use this time to research alums or other attorneys in your practice area and city of choice and set up an informational interview. Use the Contact Alumni tab in Symplicity or the LinkedIn Alumni search to find attorneys to contact in order to set up an interview either in person or on the phone. Also download the CSO Informational Interview Guide which is a helpful resource that will walk you through the process.

3. Reconnect with old contacts and establish new ones. The holidays are a perfect time to connect with former employers and colleagues in order to wish them well and update them on your academic and career progress. This article provides great networking tips for the holidays.  Use holiday parties to update old friends, relatives, and neighbors with your interests and where you would like to practice. You never know who has valuable contacts that could lead to opportunities.

4. Apply to jobs and research potential employers to contact directly. Use Symplicity to search for jobs by going to the “Job Postings” tab and selecting “CSO JobNet”.  Search through other websites listed on our Job Search Resources handout and utilize our handout Targeting Small to Medium-Sized Law Firms using Martindale to do a targeted search for firms and organizations in your geographic area and field of interest. 

5. Relax. Focus on a little rest and relaxation so that you will feel rejuvenated upon your return next semester: sleep in, catch up on your favorite TV shows, do some non-law school related reading, and spend quality time with your family and friends.

Have a happy and productive winter break, from your friends in the Career Services Office!

2014 Summer Employment Survey Results

This year 153 New England Law students completed our 2014 Summer Employment Survey giving us valuable information about where students worked and how they found their jobs. Of the students who completed the survey, 44% were from the class of 2016 and 56% were from the class of 2015.

Types of Employment
The majority of students who responded worked in a legal job.

• 83% worked in a summer or permanent legal job
• 10% worked in a non-legal summer or permanent job 
• 4% participated in a study abroad program 
• 3% did not work

Of those who worked, 57% were in paid positions, and 43% were unpaid.

How Students Found Employment
It is important to remember to use a variety of methods when searching for employment. While many respondents found their summer employment through a job posting on the CSO's JobNet many others found their job through someone they knew, a networking connection, or by contacting the employer directly.

• 24% found their job through a referral from someone they knew
• 25% found employment by responding to a job posted on the CSO JobNet on Symplicity
• 10% found their job through networking or contacting the employer directly 
• 23% found employment through a law school program (such as a clinic or the Honors Judicial Internship Program), an outside organization, or other means not specified 
• 5% returned to or continued with a pre-law school employer 
• 8% found their job through an on-campus interview or job fair 
• 5% responded to a job posting on a commercial job website

Where Students Worked

• 80% remained in Massachusetts
• 16% worked out of state 
• 4% worked internationally or participated in a study abroad program

While the majority of New England Law students worked locally, a number of students gained experience in New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington, DC. Students also participated in study abroad programs in Galway and Prague.

Below are just a few of the law firms and organizations who hired New England Law Students this summer:

Albany County District Attorney's Office
Beacon Hill Research
Board of Bar Overseers
Boston Housing Authority
Boston Municipal Court Department
Boston Redevelopment Authority
Braude, Margulies, Sachs and Rephan
City of Boston Law Department
City of Waltham - Law Department
Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc.
Committee for Public Counsel Services
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Civil Service Commission
Cooley Manion Jones LLP
D'Ambrosio Brown,LLP
Deloitte Tax LLP
Falbo, Solari & Goldberg
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen and Lowey LLP
Greater Boston Legal Services
Harvard Criminal Justice Institute
Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project
J. Jill Acquisition
Johnson & Borenstein, LLC
Law Office of Attorney John Himmelstein
Law Office of Robert L. Allen, Jr., LLP
Law Offices of Jeffrey B. Rubin
Law Offices of Mary Wynne Gianturco, LLC
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Massachusetts Appeals Court
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
Massachusetts Land Court
Massachusetts Superior Court
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
MetLife
Middlesex District Attorney's Office
Moura & Moura, LLC
Office of the New York State Attorney General
Partners Healthcare System
Patriot Energy Group
PUMA North America, Inc.
RainDance Technologies
Richard C. Bardi & Associates, LLC
Rosencranz & Associates
Shelter Legal Services
Solman & Hunter, P.A.
State Street Corporation
State Street Global Advisors
Suffolk County District Attorney's Office
Suffolk, Norfolk, and Middlesex County Probate and Family Courts
Swartz & Swartz, P.C.
Tenant Advocacy Project (Harvard Law School)
Texas 34th Judicial District, District Attorney's Office
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
The Law Office of Ann Pinheiro
The Law Office of Susan T. Aguiar, LLC
The Rutherford Institute
U.S. Army JAG Corps
U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
US Department of Labor
William E. Gens Law Offices, P.C.

Where did you work last summer? If you have not already completed your 2014 Summer Employment Survey, log on to Symplicity to tell us about your experience!

Looking for a job for next summer? The Career Services Office is here to help you. Call 617-422-7229 to schedule an appointment today.

Looking for a Summer Job? Check the JobNet!

If you are in the process of looking for a job this summer, be sure to check the Career Services Office's online job postings. April has always been a busy time for summer job postings on the JobNet. Currently, there are 100 summer internships posted on the CSO JobNet. Of those posted, 86 are for first year-day and second year-evening students.

In addition to checking the Career Service Office's online job postings, below are some other helpful tips for looking for a summer job.

Check other on-line resources.
Do not limit your search to one single job posting site. The Online Job Search Resources handout found in the document library on Symplicity offers a helpful list of a variety of other job search websites depending on your area of interest.

Request reciprocity.

If you are looking for employment out of state, you may be able to request reciprocal services from a law school career services office in that state. Visit our reciprocity page for more information.

Contact firms and organizations directly.
Do not wait for a job to be posted. Be proactive in your job search by contacting firms and organizations directly. Use martindale.com and other online directories to do a targeted search of organizations within your area of interest.

Network. Network. Network.

According to the 2013 Summer Employment Survey, most students found their summer job through informal means, either through a referral from someone they know or through networking and self-initiated contact. Don’t know where to start? Read the networking section of our handbook available for download on our Symplicity homepage.

Be flexible.

If you have a car, look for opportunities outside of major metropolitan areas. Also consider unpaid positions. The more flexible you are regarding pay and location, the better your chances are for finding summer employment.

Have questions about your job search? Make an appointment with a Career Services Counselor. Please call 617-422-7229 to schedule an appointment.  

5 Things to Do Over Winter Break

Whether you are seeking your first legal job for the summer or looking for post-graduate employment, the winter break is a good time to organize your job search campaign.

1. Reconnect with old contacts and establish new ones. Send a holiday card to former employers and colleagues updating them on your academic and career progress. Use the networking section of the Symplicity site to contact alumni in the area and ask if they are available to meet after the New Year. Check the LinkedIn Alumni feature to identify and establish connections with fellow graduates from your undergraduate school who are practicing law.

2. Let everyone know that you are looking for a job. Use holiday parties to update old friends, relatives, and neighbors with your interests and where you would like to practice. You never know who has valuable contacts that could lead to opportunities. Listen to a free podcast by the ABA for more tips on holiday networking.

3. Update your resume. Be sure to add any clinics you are taking during the spring semester. Re-read previous blog posts on resume writing for frequently asked questions and resume suggestions. The Career Services Office will be available to review resumes and cover letters starting January 6.

4. Apply to jobs and research potential employers to contact directly. Search job postings on the JobNet and other websites listed on our “Job Search Resources” handout available on the Symplicity site. Utilize our handout “Targeting Small to Medium-Sized Law Firms Using Martindale-Hubbell” to do a targeted search for firms and organizations in your geographic area and field of interest.

5. Relax. Focus on a little rest and relaxation so that you will feel rejuvenated upon your return next semester: sleep in, catch up on your favorite TV shows, do some non-law school related reading, and spend quality time with your family and friends.

Have a happy and productive winter break, from your friends in the Career Services Office!

What I Did This Summer: Lianne Henderson ’15, Judicial Intern, Barnstable Probate and Family Court

Lianne Henderson is a second-year day student at New England Law | Boston. This past summer she worked as a judicial intern for the Barnstable Probate and Family Court. As part of our the November blog series highlighting student work, Lianne writes about her summer experience and explains how she found her internship.

This summer, I had the opportunity to work as a judicial intern at the Barnstable Probate and Family Court through the Boston Bar Association’s (BBA) Summer Judicial Internship Program. I found the BBA’s posting on the school’s Symplicity website, which I checked daily beginning in December of my 1L year. I secured this position the same day I learned I would receive a generous stipend if I secured an internship that qualified as public service. My summer stipend was provided through New England Law | Boston’s Center for Law and Social Responsibility Summer Fellowship Program. Everything lined up perfectly and I was anxious to get the summer started.

I worked for two judges doing a lot of research and writing, and observed many trials and hearings. The probate and family court was far more diverse than I imagined. I worked on matters involving divorce, custody and visitation, guardianship and conservatorship, and some jurisdiction. I reported directly to the judges, and drafted numerous findings, judgments, and orders. I also observed trials and hearings and conducted research to compose memoranda to submit to the judges. I often joined the judge after an interesting hearing and discussed how we both felt about it. It was an amazing experience to see the judge’s perspective.

I was based in Barnstable, but through the BBA program I had the opportunity to have an orientation in Boston run by Attorney Denise Fitzgerald, the Administrative Attorney for all probate and family courts in Massachusetts. Additionally, I was connected to the BBA’s network and awarded the opportunity to do observation in other courts, like oral arguments in the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Whitey Bulger trial in federal court, and a tour of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Whenever I got an e-mail about one of these opportunities, I took advantage of it, despite the long commute.

My biggest piece of advice is to be flexible. Had I limited my internship search solely to Boston, I would have had much more difficulty securing an internship. Additionally, most of the notices I received to observe other courts came within less than twenty-four hours of the event. Although it was inconvenient to travel to Boston for a one hour hearing, it allowed me to network and meet judges and attorneys, which was extremely valuable. Through this internship, I sharpened my legal research and writing skills and was able to see the judge’s perspective on numerous matters. I am extremely grateful for my summer experience through the BBA’s Summer Judicial Internship Program.

- Lianne Henderson, Class of 2015

Tips for a Successful Summer

A summer internship is not only an excellent opportunity to learn more about a particular legal field while developing your legal skills but it is also a critical time to build lasting connections that may lead to future post-graduate employment. Here are a few  tips for making the most of your internship and having a successful summer.

Be prepared.
Avoid starting your internship on the wrong foot by arriving ill-prepared. Have you confirmed your start date and time? Is your first day at the office or are you meeting somewhere else for an orientation? Give yourself plenty of time for your commute on the first day. It is always better to arrive a little early than late. What is the dress code? If you are unsure, call ahead and ask. Ask for clarification if the dress code is business casual or casual as the terms can mean different things depending on the organization. Even if the office dress code is informal, there may be occasions that still call for business attire including court appearances and client meetings. When in doubt, always wear a suit. Also, be sure to take plenty of notes during your tour of the office and training.

Be proactive.
Do not be afraid to ask questions! Questions are expected and welcomed as they usually mean your are engaged and conscientious about doing the work correctly. Also be open and communicative by meeting with your supervisor about how best to keep in contact with them over the summer and consistently keep them appraised of the progress of your projects. Use your down time to offer assistance and ask for new assignments; do not wait for the work to be assigned to you.

Be professional.
While some offices may appear casual and laid-back, it is important to remain professional and take your work seriously. The usual common sense rules apply: be kind and respectful to everyone in the office including the support staff and other interns; do not check your personal email account or make personal calls during work hours; do not drink excessively with other attorneys or staff members at after work functions. Also, remember that some things considered acceptable behavior for full-time, permanent members of the organization are not always considered acceptable behavior for summer interns. Be on time even if every attorney in the office arrives late; do not use bad language even if everyone else in the office curses; and refrain from getting caught up in office gossip.

Lastly, be sure you end your internship on a good note. Identify any loose ends prior to your last week of work, provide case summaries of everything you have worked on and update your supervisor on the status of any unfinished projects. Your summer employer may act as a future reference, networking contact, or be a potential post-graduate employer and it is important to leave a lasting, positive impression.

For further reading:
First Week of Work: Make or Break Your Summer (via Pass the Baton)