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By Mo Chanmugham, Esq. It can be frustrating when you're looking for a job and no one responds to your networking emails. I recently spoke to a young attorney who was having a hard time finding a job. To her credit, she wasn't just sending out resumes and waiting for people to call her back, she was going to networking events and sending out emails requesting informational interviews. The problem was that no one was responding to her emails and she was feeling stuck. I asked her to show me one of her networking emails and I quickly saw what the problem was. Her email was three paragraphs long with her resume attached and sounded more like a generic cover letter than a sincere request to connect. Her email started with who she was, where she went to school, where she had worked, what she had done, and ended with the fact that she was looking for a job and would like to set up an informational interview. The problem with her email and overall approach was that she was entirely focused on herself and not on the person she was reaching out to. If you want people to respond to your emails follow these guidelines.
You Are Asking For Advice, Not A Job
The guiding principle behind networking conversations during your job search is that you are asking for advice, not a job. While it is clear that you are looking for a job, the general wisdom is that people are more likely to say yes to a conversation if all you want is to ask them for advice. On the other hand, if you are asking for a job and they don't have one to give you then they have no reason to talk to you and you lose out on creating a relationship with someone who could potentially help you in the future.
For example, if you are a lawyer and you are networking with lawyers who do what you want to do one of the best ways to engage them is by asking them about their career story. Questions like, how they got started in this area of law, what do they like about their jobs, what do they find challenging, and what job search advice do they have for a new attorney will allow you to have a meaningful conversation where you get to know them and they see you as a thoughtful and sincere professional that they would feel comfortable referring to a job opportunity.
Keep It Short And Make It Easy For Them To Say Yes
In the sales industry there is saying, "If you confuse people, you lose people", meaning keep it simple. The same is true when asking for help in the job search. When you send a long, boring, generic email to someone you don't know you are more likely to turn them off rather than entice them to want to help you.
Instead, you want to send a short 4-5 sentence email, personalized to your contact by highlighting why you specifically want to talk to them, and requesting an opportunity to speak with them. Here is an example:
"Dear Attorney Smith,
I am a recent graduate of New England Law | Boston and I have a background in finance. I came across your LinkedIn profile while researching attorneys in the Boston area who practice corporate law. I see that you have practiced for several years and would love to ask you a few questions about your career path and how you got to where you are today. Would you have time for a quick 20-minute informational interview via phone in the next few weeks? Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Your name"
In this example, you can see that I summarized who I was and why I wanted to connect with this specific lawyer. I did not mention anything about looking for a job but focused on what I wanted to learn about this lawyer. And finally, all I asked for was a 20-minute phone call which most people should be able to fit into their schedule.
If you use this strategy, I'd love to hear how it works for you. Good luck on your job search and happy networking!
By Mo Chanmugham, Esq.
Recent law school grads face a difficult challenge when it comes to their job search. Most of the open jobs that they find online are asking for 3-5 years of legal experience that they don’t have. It can be frustrating to spend hours searching for jobs online, sending out carefully tailored cover letters and resumes, and never hear back from a single employer. While online job hunting is the most common job search strategy it certainly is not the only one. In addition to the online job search strategy, grads should dedicate more time to their networking strategy.
1. NETWORKING CAN SPEED UP YOUR JOB SEARCH
I spoke to a recent law school graduate who shared with me how she used her network to get her first job after law school. She wanted to work in family law and she was moving to another state where she didn’t know anyone. She knew networking would help her find a job but she felt intimidated by the process. To get over her fear she worked with her career counselor to learn exactly what she needed to do to build her network. She started by using resources like martindale.com and LinkedIn to find attorneys who practiced family law in her state. Once she had her list she sent them all introductory emails to and asked if they would be open to having an informational interview. To her delight, most of the attorneys said yes to her request as they remembered what it was like when they were looking for their first job after graduation. In fact, one of those attorneys invited her into their offices for their meeting which ended up lasting almost 3 hours. By the end they offered her a job on the spot which she happily accepted.
The big takeaway here is that networking served as a short cut to getting her first job. By networking, she put herself in front of attorneys who were looking to hire an associate and she was offered a job without having to go through the online application process where her resume would have been one of several other resumes. What she learned was that the job search consists of more than just sending out resumes and hoping someone calls you back. To increase your chances of finding a job it is important to proactively meet with attorneys who do the work that you want to do so that when they are ready to make a hire you stand out from the rest of the crowd.
2. TAP INTO THE SECRET JOB MARKET
There are job openings out there right now that you don’t know about because they most likely are being filled by a referral rather than being advertised online. And even if they are advertised online, job seekers that come with a referral are two-thirds more likely to get hired than a non-referred job seekers. From the employer’s perspective this makes their hiring process faster and easier. Rather than having to sift through a stack of resumes and go through rounds of interviews with people they don’t know, they can instead consider a few candidates who come recommended by people that the employer knows and trusts. Being referred to a job gives you instant credibility in the hiring process.
I was working with a young lawyer who wanted to change careers and was considering going back to work in the non-profit sector. I showed her how to use LinkedIn to see if she knew anyone in that field. It turned out that one of her contacts was a consultant in the non-profit industry. She reached out to her contact who was able to refer her to a job at another non-profit agency for a grant writing position. She was ultimately hired for the position that she only learned about through her network.
3. ONLINE JOB POSTINGS CAN BE LIMITING
In my role as a law school career counselor, I talk to employers who are interested in hiring our graduates. Recently I had a conversation with an employer, who had posted a job with our school for a litigation associate with at least 3-5 of experience. This employer was having a hard time finding the right candidate. I asked him what was the most important qualification he was looking for and he said he needed someone who was a fast learner, easy to train, and dependable. He didn’t mention years of experience at all. Coincidentally I had just spoken with a recent grad that was looking for a new job and I knew she had the qualities this employer was looking for. I asked him if he would consider looking at someone with less years of experience and he said yes. I put the recent grad in touch with that employer and he ended up hiring her a week later.
The lesson here is that online job postings are too restrictive for job seekers and employers. There is no flexibility in the online job posting process. Either your resume meets the requirements or they don’t. And if they don’t, the employer has no reason to bring you in for an interview. However when you network you build flexibility into your job search. By talking to people and creating relationships, you have the ability to present yourself in a way that your resume can’t do on its own.
The value of networking when you are looking for a job is undeniable. It can be the difference between finding a job in a month or in a year. Networking can introduce you to opportunities you would have otherwise never known about. And finally, networking allows you to show your value better than your resume could ever do.
By Mo Chanmugham. Esq.
What defines success in law school? Is it all about getting good grades? Being in the top 10% of the class? Becoming a member of law review? Or is it passing your finals and graduating? These are all indicators of a successful law school experience. But, as a career advisor I find myself focusing on one thing; how to help my students find the jobs they want after graduation.
How does one go about getting that all important first job out of law school? What do students have to do in law school to make sure they are the most attractive candidate to an employer who has plenty of law grads to choose from? To help me answer this question, I interviewed a group of students from the class of 2015 who were all in the enviable position of having a job before graduation. High- performance coach and motivational speaker, Tony Robbins says, success leaves clues, and these successful students were no different. Through their stories, I was able to recognize a pattern that led them to stand out from the crowd and land their ideal jobs.
1. Use law school to figure out what you want
Some students come to law school knowing exactly what they want to do. Suzanne Donnelly ‘15 had worked in healthcare prior to law school and knew she wanted to explore health law as a career. She took relevant courses in health law and interned with the Massachusetts Health Appeals Board. While she is currently a judicial law clerk for the New York State Appellate Division, she plans to practice health care law when her one-year term is up.
Other students used a trial and error approach and once they found what they liked they stuck with it. Justin Banks ’15 thought he wanted to practice corporate law but on a recommendation from his mentor he did his first internship with the Massachusetts Probate & Family Court and loved it. This experience changed his focus and he decided to take more classes and internships in family law. Ultimately, Justin was recommended for his post-grad job as an associate because of the work he did at a summer internship with another family law firm.
Rachel Tillison ‘15 thought she wanted to pursue a career in public interest but to her surprise she really enjoyed her 1L property and contract law classes. This led her to a summer internship in the in-house legal department of a railroad company where she worked on a variety of contract and labor law matters. This experience solidified her decision to stick with contract law and taught her that she preferred working in a corporate environment rather than in the public sector. "It ended up being the best choice I made because in the fall of my 3L year they offered me a full-time staff attorney position once I graduated and completed the Bar exam."
All three students recommend using classes and speaking with practicing lawyers to figure out what area of law you want to practice or don’t want to practice as the case may be sometimes. By 2L year, you should have a pretty good idea of what type of law you want to practice so that you can build your resume in that area of law.
2. Talk to a lot of people
Networking was a strong theme throughout these students' stories. Joyell Johnson '15 knew she wanted to practice public interest law. She used her time in law school to attend public interest conferences and networking events where she met other lawyers. Her connections led her to her current position as a Fellow with the Family League of Baltimore.
Samantha Rosen '15, who landed an in-house counsel position at Popmania, a small entertainment company in LA, credits networking as well. While in law school she attended as many events as possible such as speaker panels and bar association events. She also attended the Toronto Film Festival where she met attorneys who offered her an internship at their firm which later led to a job.
Through internships and clinics, Teniola Adeyemi '15 figured out that she liked criminal prosecution. Her next step was to reach out to anyone that she knew who could help her get more experience. After a summer internship with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Texas, she spent her 3L year interning with the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office in Massachusetts. Her internship experience with the Suffolk County District Attorney's office landed her a post-grad position there as an Assistant District Attorney.
All things being equal, people like to work with people they know. At the end of three years, most law student resumes look pretty much the same to an employer. To overcome this challenge, these students did not solely rely on their resumes to get them their jobs. They took the time to build relationships with lawyers who got to see their personality and work ethic first hand. It is no wonder then that in a competitive job market these were the students who found themselves employed before many others.
3. Your job search starts in law school
From talking to these students, what I noticed most was that they all started their job search in law school. They didn’t neglect it or tell themselves they will get to it once they were done with law school. They didn’t only focus on classes and grades, but rather they incorporated it into their law school experience. They understood that class work, internships, and networking combined would lead them to their ideal job. They knew that focusing only one of these things would leave them at a huge disadvantage come graduation time.
While you are in law school think of it as an incubator for your budding legal career. It is a safe place where you can try new things and explore your options. Through your experience of learning what you like and don’t like you begin to build a portfolio that shows you have the right knowledge and experience for a particular area of law. And by the time you graduate you will hopefully have a host of job offers to choose from or at least a large network of lawyers that could help you land a job sooner rather than later.
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!
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!
There are two purposes to the Alumni Career Forum taking place this Wednesday, April 3rd:
Network: You’ve heard this before - - people often find a job through people they know! The Alumni Career Forum is designed to help you get to know practicing attorneys. While the Forum is not a job fair (resume exchanges are not allowed), students often gain employment through meeting alumni and following-up with them on their own. The alumni participating will be ready and waiting to meet you.
Exploration: Over 40 areas of law will be represented at the Forum. This is an excellent time for you to explore many different practice areas of the law and learn about different career paths. You will find out what areas are growing and which are declining and changing. You will gain practical information and realistic insights as to what you can do NOW to prepare for gaining legal experience/employment in the future. You will also learn how New England Law alumni found their first job(s) and how they came to work in their practice area.
The Do’s:
1. Do: Dress in appropriate business attire. This event is taking place after work hours, and the alumni volunteers are coming straight from work in their business attire. You want to impress these individuals. Dress professionally.
2. Do: Be on time. Give yourself the full two hours to attend the event if possible. There will be lots of people for you to meet. Give yourself enough time to make the most of this opportunity.
3. Do: Be aware of how much time you are spending with one person. At this event, 5-10 minutes is enough time to talk with someone. Be mindful of other students who may be waiting behind you to talk with the alum you are talking with.
4. Do: Be open minded in choosing who you speak to. You may receive excellent advice on how to get a job from someone who is practicing in an area that you have no interest. You may also become interested in areas that you haven’t yet explored!
5. Do: Collect business cards from participants. After you have talked with an alum, ask for his/her business card. Try following up with an email, letter or phone call.
6. Do: Be prepared. Review the Participant Biographies booklet before the event and know something about the alumni you would like to meet before you attend the event. Try to think of questions that you would like to ask that person about their career so that you will be well prepared to make the most of this opportunity.
The Don'ts:
1. Don’t: Bring a resume to this career forum. Collect business cards to follow-up with the alumni in the future.
2. Don’t: Ask for a job! This is not a job fair. Focus on building new professional relationships, gathering information for your career plans and making valuable contacts, rather than focusing on the job you hope to gain.
3. Don’t: Limit your questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. For example, there are many aspects of practicing business/corporate law. The simplest question of: “What does a corporate attorney do?” is a great way to start a conversation.
4. Don’t: Limit who you are willing to meet. Look around and see who is by themselves at their table. Go to them and strike up a conversation. Even if you are positively sure you have no interest in their practice area, they may be full of great job search information, or you may learn of a new area of interest or they may know someone to connect you with.
5. Don’t: Feel like you are “schmoozing” people. Attorneys love to share their story. You are allowing them a chance to do so. Also, alums remember what it was like to be a student and they want to help you!
Networking Etiquette and Sample Questions:
Introductions and Closings
1. First, introduce yourself and give the alum relevant information such as your class year, your interests, work experience, student associations/memberships and organizations.
2. Shake hands firmly.
3. Use the list of questions below to help get the conversation started.
4. Be aware of the time. Try not to spend more than 5 minutes with someone if there are students waiting.
5. Towards the end of your conversation, ask for a business card from the participant.
6. Thank the alum for his/her time and coming to meet you.
Suggestions of Questions to Ask
What is a typical work day for you?
What types of cases/projects are you currently working on?
How is what I am learning in school different from what it will be like practicing [insert practice area]?
What does an [insert practice area] lawyer do?
How did you become a [insert practice area] attorney?
If I am interested in [insert practice area], what can I do to make myself an attractive candidate for employment by the time I graduate?
Can you recommend any professional organizations that might be useful for someone interested in [insert practice area] law?
Breaking into Certain Fields
How did you get your first job in [insert practice area] after law school?
Did you work while you were a student? Where? Did it help you get into [insert practice area]?
I have had two experiences within [insert practice area]. Should I continue to work in this practice area, or is it better for me to try a different practice area?
How did you get into a “solo/small/medium/large sized” firm? What do they look for in attorneys?
How important are grades to get my first position in a “solo/small/medium/large sized law firm or government agency/clerkship” opportunity?
The Alumni Career Forum will take place at the Revere Hotel on Wednesday, April 3rd, 4:00pm - 6:00pm, and is open to all current New England Law | Boston students. To attend, please RSVP with the CSO!
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 the first week of
January.
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 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.
Best of luck with your exams and have a happy and productive
winter break, from your friends in the Career Services Office!
 For Boston.com's Innovation Economy blog, Boston Globe Columnist Scott Kirsner recently asked area recruiters, CEOs, and human resources professionals what job seekers should do on social media to improve their chances of getting a job. A running theme in each of the responses was that all candidates should have an updated and complete LinkedIn profile. If you signed up for a LinkedIn account but got no further than filling out your name and where you went to school, you can follow these simple steps to complete your profile.
Step 1: Upload a Profile Picture
Use a recent picture of yourself from the shoulders up that clearly shows your face. This picture will most likely be different than the one you use for Facebook and should convey a professional image. If you do not have a picture that fits that criteria, put on a suit and ask a friend to take a head shot of you standing in front of a blank wall.
Step 2: Create a Headline
Your headline will be the first thing LinkedIn users will read about you, so use this space to differentiate yourself from the crowd. If you are a current student you may want it to include your year in law school and a leadership or internship position you currently hold, for example: "Judicial Intern at MA Superior Court, Second-Year Law Student at New England Law | Boston". Practicing attorneys may want to include their areas of specialization followed by where they work or where they are seeking work. Also remember to update your headline as your experience changes. There are many recent law graduates on LinkedIn who still describe themselves as current law students.
Step 3: Write a Summary
Use this section to describe your experience and goals as well as anything that may not appear on your resume. Remember to also list your skills in the "Specialties" sub-section. You may be tempted to skip this section but completing it increases your chances of appearing in key word search results!
Step 4: Update your Education and Experience Sections
Since LinkedIn will suggest connections based on where you went to school and where you worked, the more information you provide in this section, the more opportunity you will have for building your network. The experience section does not need to be as detailed as your resume but it should include the same basic information. If you choose to include everything on your resume, LinkedIn also has the option to import your complete resume onto your profile. As with everything else listed in your profile, remember to update this section as your job and education changes.
Step 5: Connect with People
Begin by connecting with your friends, family members, former and current classmates, professors, and co-workers. You can connect LinkedIn to your email contacts to make it easier to find people you know. LinkedIn will also suggest people you may know based on mutual connections. There is also more opportunity to extend your network by joining "Groups" such as those created by your undergraduate or law school. Note: Be sure to personalize the generic LinkedIn invitation to connect by saying hello to an old friend or reminding a business contact how you met. This is a piece of advice that is frequently given but rarely used! By taking the time to send a personal note, you are distinguishing yourself even more from the crowd.
Once your profile is complete you will be ready to actively use LinkedIn to network, promote your professional experience, and search for jobs.
Want to learn more? Attend our upcoming CSO workshop:
LinkedIn 101 Wednesday, February 15th, 4:30pm - 5:30pm Room 301
Open to all current NEL|B students.
For further reading:
Social Media Advice for Job Seekers from
CEOs, HR Execs, & Recruiters (Innovation Economy Blog)
LinkedIn: Facebook for Lawyers (NALP e-Guide)
10 Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job (Applicant.com)
Ellis, Amanda The 6Ps of the Big 3 for Job Seeking JDs: 60+ Ways to Get Hired Using Social Networking. Something Different Publishing, Inc. 2010 (Available in the CSO.)
Whether you are seeking your first legal job or looking for post-graduate employment, the winter break is a good time to organize your job search!
1. Reconnect with old contacts and establish new ones. Send holiday cards to former employers and colleagues updating them on your academic and career progress. Use the "Contact Alumni" section of the Symplicity site to find alumni in the area and ask if they are available to meet after the New Year.
2. Tell everyone you 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 law. You never know who has valuable contacts that could lead to job opportunities!
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 mistakes. The CSO will be available to review resumes and cover letters beginning January 4th.
4. Apply to jobs listed on the JobNet and research potential employers to contact directly. 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 to law school 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.
Best of luck with your exams and have a happy and productive winter break, from your friends in the Career Services Office!
For further tips on networking over the holiday season:
Listen to a free podcast on holiday networking tips!
What does joining a bar association have to do with my job search?
Many law students and recent graduates do not realize that participation in a local or specialty bar association is an important part of any job search. Becoming a bar association member and participating in events (i.e., committee involvement and continuing legal education classes) is an excellent way to make connections with the local legal community, build a network, and learn more about a particular practice area. Here are five reasons to join one today.
1. Build your network. Now, more than ever, networking is a key component to finding a job. If you do not come from a family of lawyers, are new to the area, or are just looking to meet attorneys who specialize in a particular area of law, a bar association is a perfect place to make connections. Bar activities such as section meetings, mentor programs, and social events provide excellent opportunities to meet lawyers and get your name circulating in the legal community.
2. Expand your knowledge. Bar associations offer a variety of educational programs including round table discussions, symposiums, panels, and free or discounted continuing legal education (CLE) classes. Participating in these events is also another opportunity to network and show future employers you are sincere about your interest in a particular field.
3. Gain access to members-only resources. Many bar associations offer student members access to their bulletins, membership directories, job postings, and other resources not available to non-members. Benefits to becoming a member also include discounts on a wide variety of services – anything from car rentals to CLE courses.
4. Stay informed. Newsletters, symposiums and other bar association activities keep you up to date on the latest news and developments within the legal community. If you are searching for a job out of state, joining a local bar association is a great way to learn more about that state’s legal community and any growing fields of practice particular to the area.
5. Show your professionalism. Joining a bar association as a law student or recent graduate demonstrates your commitment to becoming lawyer. Becoming active in sections or other activities not only builds your leadership skills but also increases your visibility as a responsible member of the legal community – something that will pay off for years to come.
Most bar associations encourage student involvement and offer free or heavily discounted membership fees to students and newly admitted attorneys. 2012 students should also note that New England Law has partnered with the Boston Bar Association (BBA) to provide all students in the Class of 2012 with a one-year membership to the BBA.
Massachusetts Bar Assocations:
Local:
Boston Bar Association
Student Membership: $65; Free to Class of 2012
Essex County Bar Association
Student Membership: $45, Open to students who either reside or work in Essex County only.
Massachusetts Bar Association
Student Membership: $35
Norfolk County Bar Association
Worcester County Bar Association
Specialty & Diversity Associations:
Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts
Student Membership: Free
Boston Patent Law Association
Student Membership: $105
Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys
Student Membership: Free
Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
Student Membership: Free
Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association
Student Membership: Free
Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts
Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
Student Membership: $25
Additional local and specialty bar associations may be found on the Massachusetts Bar Association website.
Searching for a job outside of Massachusetts? Find an out of state bar association.
By now you have heard about the importance of networking in any job search. But what exactly does networking entail? In their “ Beating Unemployment” series, the Lawyer Mentor defines the networking process in a few basic steps:
- Meeting people, online and in person;
- Making real connections with those people (not just collecting names and business cards);
- Collecting information about those people and keeping that information updated;
- Maintaining contact with those people; and
- Helping people as much as possible, and thanking them appropriately when they help you. [The Lawyer Mentor]
So, where do you start? There is no one-size-fits-all strategy to networking. Below are a number of the different resources for making contacts within the legal community. Decide which outlets work best for you and begin to incorporate them into your job search today.
Past Employers – Even if you know they are not hiring, contacting past employers can still be beneficial. As graduation approaches, update former colleagues and supervisors of your progress. Let them know what areas and fields you are interested in, send them an updated copy of your resume, and ask them for advice about your search.
Alumni – Use the “Contact Alumni” tab in Symplicity to contact alumni working in your area of interest and ask for advice. To search for additional law school connections as well as alumni from your undergraduate school use an on-line legal directory such as Martindale-Hubbell.
Bar Associations – A bar association is a perfect place to make connections. Bar activities such as section meetings, mentor programs, and social events provide excellent opportunities to meet lawyers and get your name circulating in the legal community. Most young lawyers divisions include attorneys who have been in the field for up to ten years, so don’t assume you will only be meeting new graduates who are also seeking employment.
LinkedIn – Use LinkedIn to highlight your accomplishments while connecting with fellow classmates, old friends, professors, family, former colleagues, and law professionals. Also join “Groups” to widen your network even more. For tips on how to create a professional profile and make yourself standout, read NALP’s e-guide “ LinkedIn: Facebook for Lawyers”.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) – CLEs not only broaden your education in a particular area of law or legal issue, but they also provide easy opportunities to meet leaders in the field. Most CLE programs also provide needs based scholarships to assist with the program costs.
Volunteering/Pro Bono – Connect with your local bar association for on-going volunteer and pro bono opportunities. Volunteering in the community and providing pro bono assistance is an excellent way to meet fellow attorneys in the field while also building your own experience.
The hope is that the more connections you make (and maintain) the more likely you are to hear of job opportunities. There is also the possibility that the people you meet through this process may act as recommenders when applying for future positions.
Still have questions about networking? For further reading:
Other Networking Articles on Our Blog
Beating Unemployment: Networking in Person (The Lawyer Mentor)
Tips to Finding a Job After Graduation (Lawline)
LinkedIn: Facebook for Lawyers (NALP e-Guide)
Note: The following entry was originally posted on April 9, 2009.
I emailed an alum and they answered all my questions and provided me with some good advice. Now what?
Many students are unsure on how to best follow up with a networking contact either because they don't have any other questions to ask or fear that they will be bothering the person if they email again. Don't let the relationship end with just one email exchange. Maintaining regular contact (every 2-3 months) is the most important aspect of networking. Below are a few simple ways to keep in touch:
Did you follow the advice the contact gave you? If so, then let them know. Whether they suggested a class to take, a lecture to attend, or a person to contact, let them know that you followed their suggestion, report on the outcome, and thank them.
Did you read an interesting article relating to their area of practice? Pass it along to your contact. This is a thoughtful way of proving your interest while also continuing the conversation with your contact about a particular practice area. Also let them know if you recently read an article written by them. And if you read or heard something positive about them (a promotion or award received) send along a note of congratulations.
Keep them in the loop. One of the best ways to maintain and build a relationship with a professional contact is to use quarterly markers to update them on your progress in school and/or the job search. At the end of a semester, send them a note letting them know how it went and which courses you plan on taking next. Let them know where you will be working for the summer and follow up with them again at the end of the summer to let your contact know how it went. Holidays are also good opportunities to get back in touch with people.
Remember: It's not just what a contact can do for you now, but what they may do for you in the future. By maintaining your relationship with your contacts, you are keeping the lines of communication open for future recommendations and job opportunities.
 1. Don't wait until May to start looking for a job!- Half of the 2008 New England Law graduates were employed before graduation. - 90% of the 2008 graduating class who sought employment secured positions within nine months of graduation or pursued an LL.M. 2. Get referrals from mentors, family & friends.At least 1/2 of all positions are obtained by informal means! - Bar Associations and CLE Courses - Professors - Alumni (Check the "Networking" section in RPC and use martindale.com) - CSO Panels and Other New England Law Programs 3. Conduct informational interviews. Informational interviews lead to referrals! - Contact NEL|B Alumni - Contact Undergrad Alumni - Contact Lawyers in Your Practice Area 4. Keep a list of everyone you contact.Include their contact information, dates of contact, and a list of what you sent and when. 5. Start working now.Gaining substantive experience always helps! - Strengthen your Practical Legal Skills - Improve your Confidence - Build your Resume - Add to your Professional Network! 6. Check the JobNet 1 -2 times a week.As of September 9, 2009 there are: - 106 jobs listed for 3LD and 4LE students - 94 jobs listed for recent graduates 7. Search other on-line job search sites.Check popular sites such as: - Craigslist- USAJobs- Mass.gov- PSLawNet- Email the CSO for our On-Line Job Resources Handout! 8. Start contacting employers directly.- Find employers who do what you are interested in by using Lawyers Diary, Martindale, Lexis, or Westlaw. - Contact them by email or mail; send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. 9. Sign up for networking events.!- NEL|B Events (Dean's Reception, Law Day, etc.) - Alumni Career Forum (March Date TBA) - Bar Association Events 10. Develop an in-the-meantime plan!- Consider contract attorney work by researching legal temp agencies. - Consider starting your own practice. Find a mentor who has a solo practice to advise you. Always use three strategies for finding a job: 1. Search the JobNet & other Job Search Sites; 2. Contact Employers Directly; 3. Network, Network, Network! And remember: We are here to help! Schedule an appointment with a counselor in the Career Services Office to go over your personal job search strategy today.
 According to a recent Boston Business Journal article, the number of companies using social networking sites to screen candidates has doubled in the last year. A CareerBuilder survey of over 2,600 hiring managers found that 45 percent are researching candidates on networking sites and another 11 percent say they plan to start using social networking sites for screening. “ Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace are the top sites being screened, but 11 percent of employers are searching blogs and 7 percent are following job applicants’ Twitter postings.
[The survey] says 35 percent of employers decided not to hire someone because of what they found out about them on these sites.
Top reasons for choosing not to hire a candidate based on their social networking content include posting inappropriate photographs, content about them drinking or using drugs, bad-mouthing previous employers or clients and showing poor communication skills.” Students should take great care in making sure their personal accounts on social networking sites are set to private and do not contain any pictures and/or postings that they would not want future employers to see. Job seekers should also consider how they can use social networking sites to make professional connections and promote themselves in a positive light. In a similar article in the Metro on how social networking can hurt or help careers, Rebekah Hudder, a social media specialist, notes, “Social networking gives you the opportunity to build relationships with people across the globe, 365 days a year […] It opens doors to meeting new people who could be potential clients, referral sources or employers. You can further your career and promote your personal brand recognition.” Remember . . . you are what you tweet. Be careful and use social networking sites responsibly. For further reading on your on-line presence and your job search:"Job seekers need to watch what they tweet." Boston Business Journal. 19 August. 2009 "Link up to get ahead." Metro International. 27 August. 2009 "How law students should use LinkedIn." Lawyerist. 14 April. 2009 "Start a blog, get a job." Lawyerist. 7 July. 2009
 I emailed an alum and they answered all my questions and provided me with some good advice. Now what?Many students are unsure on how to best follow up with a networking contact either because they don't have any other questions to ask or fear that they will be bothering the person if they email again. Don't let the relationship end with just one email exchange! Maintaining regular contact (every 2-3 months) is the most important aspect of networking. Below are a few simple ways to keep in touch: Did you follow the advice the contact gave you? If so, then let them know! Whether they suggested a class to take, a lecture to attend, or a person to contact, let them know that you followed their suggestion, report on the outcome, and thank them. Did you read an interesting article relating to their area of practice? Pass it along to your contact! This is a thoughtful way of proving your interest while also continuing the conversation with your contact about a particular practice area. Also let them know if you recently read an article written by them. And if you read or heard something positive about them (a promotion or award received) send along a note of congratulations. Keep them in the loop! One of the best ways to maintain and build a relationship with a professional contact is to use quarterly markers to update them on your progress in school and/or the job search. At the end of a semester, send them a note letting them know how it went and which courses you plan on taking next. Let them know where you will be working for the summer and follow up with them again at the end of the summer to let your contact know how it went. Holidays are also good opportunities to get back in touch with people. Remember: It's not just what a contact can do for you now, but what they may do for you in the future. By maintaining your relationship with your contacts, you are keeping the lines of communication open for future job opportunities and recommendations!
There are two purposes to the Alumni Career Forum taking place this Thursday,March 26th:
Network: You’ve heard this before - - people often find a job through people they know! The Alumni Career Forum is designed to help you get to know practicing attorneys. While the Alumni Career Forum is not a job fair (resume exchanges are not allowed), students often gain employment through meeting alumni and following-up with them on their own. The alumni participating will be ready and waiting to meet you.
Exploration: This is an excellent time for you to explore many different practice areas of the law and learn about different career paths. You will find out what areas are growing and which are declining and changing. You will gain practical information and realistic insights as to what you can do NOW to prepare for gaining legal experience/employment in the future. You will also learn how New England Law alumni found their first job(s) and how they came to work in their practice area.
The Do’s and Don’ts:
1. Do: Dress in appropriate business attire. This event is taking place after work hours, and the alumni volunteers are coming straight from work in their business attire. You want to impress these individuals. Dress professionally.
2. Do: Be on time. Give yourself the full two hours to attend the event if possible. There will be lots of people for you to meet. Give yourself enough time to make the most of this opportunity.
3. Do: Be aware of how much time you are spending with one person. At this event, 5-10 minutes is enough time to talk with someone. Be mindful of other students who may be waiting behind you to talk with the alum you are talking with.
4. Do: Be open minded in choosing who you speak to. You may receive excellent advice on how to get a job from someone who is practicing in an area that you have no interest. You may also become interested in areas that you haven’t yet explored!
5. Do: Collect business cards from participants. After you have talked with an alum, ask for his/her business card. Try following up with an email, letter or phone call.
6. Do: Be prepared. Review the Participant Biographies booklet before the event and know something about the alumni you would like to meet before you attend the event. Try to think of questions that you would like to ask that person about their career so that you will be well prepared to make the most of this opportunity.
1. Don’t: Bring a resume to this career forum. Collect business cards to follow-up with the alumni in the future.
2. Don’t: Ask for a job! This is not a job fair. Focus on building new professional relationships, gathering information for your career plans and making valuable contacts, rather than focusing on the job you hope to gain.
3. Don’t: Limit your questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. For example, there are many aspects of practicing business/corporate law. The simplest question of: “What does a corporate attorney do?” is a great way to start a conversation.
4. Don’t: Limit who you are willing to meet. Look around and see who is by themselves at their table. Go to them and strike up a conversation. Even if you are positively sure you have no interest in their practice area, they may be full of great job search information, or you may learn of a new area of interest or they may know someone to connect you with.
5. Don’t: Feel like you are “schmoozing” people. Attorneys love to share their story. You are allowing them a chance to do so. Also, alums remember what it was like to be a student and they want to help you!
Networking Etiquette and Sample Questions
Introductions and Closings
1. First, introduce yourself and give the alum relevant information such as your class year, your interests, work
experience, student associations/memberships and organizations.
2. Shake hands firmly.
3. Use the list of questions below to help get the conversation started.
4. Be aware of the time. Try not to spend more than 5 minutes with someone if there are students waiting.
5. Towards the end of your conversation, ask for a business card from the participant.
6. Thank the alum for his/her time and coming to meet you.
Suggestions of Questions to Ask
What is a typical work day for you?
What types of cases/projects are you currently working on?
How is what I am learning in school different from what it will be like practicing [insert practice area]?
What does an [insert practice area] lawyer do?
How did you become a [insert practice area] attorney?
If I am interested in [insert practice area], what can I do to make myself an attractive candidate for employment by the time I graduate?
Can you recommend any professional organizations that might be useful for someone interested in [insert practice area] law?
Breaking into Certain Fields
How did you get your first job in [insert practice area] after law school?
Did you work while you were a student? Where? Did it help you get into [insert practice area]?
I have had two experiences within [insert practice area]. Should I continue to work in this practice area, or is it better for me to try a different practice area?
How did you get into a “solo/small/medium/large sized” firm? What do they look for in attorneys?
How important are grades to get my first position in a “solo/small/medium/large sized law firm or government agency/clerkship” opportunity?
The Alumni Career Forum is open to all New England Law | Boston students. To attend, please RSVP with the CSO!
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