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3L Strategies

3L Strategies. How to Get a Job with Your JD. The Economy. Nearly every day, news breaks of another legal employer reassessing its personnel needs to more closely align with decreased client demand, budget constraints, and/or a “sponsored” workforce. Take Control of Your Career Destiny.

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3L Strategies

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  1. 3L Strategies How to Get a Job with Your JD

  2. The Economy Nearly every day, news breaks of another legal employer reassessing its personnel needs to more closely align with decreased client demand, budget constraints, and/or a “sponsored” workforce.

  3. Take Control of Your Career Destiny • Be pro-active and realistic • Prepare Now – Be Your Best Self Advocate • Re-Assess • Transferable Skills • Resources • Professional Tool Kit • Build Your Network

  4. Every student has two choices… You can • Sit back and wait, assuming that this job market doesn’t and wont’ apply to you or will go away if you ignore it long enough; OR • Take deliberate, positive steps to position yourself well as a lawyer-leader no matter what happens around you

  5. Step 1 – Self-Reflection • What do you want? • What are your strengths? • What are your values? • The more clarity you have, the better you will be able to set realistic goals and empower your network to assist you.

  6. Tough Economy • It will happen again… • Show your tenacity, persistence and resilience • To practice or not to practice law? • What you do now will not be your “forever” career opportunity. • What can you do now? • Market your strengths!

  7. Strengths = Transferable Skills • Legal – research, writing, oral advocacy, negotiation, mediation, analysis, contracts, etc. • Adaptive – problem-solving, work ethic, professionalism, time management, multi-tasking, etc. • Technical – computer proficiency, foreign language, web development, etc.

  8. Step 2 - Job Research • What else is out there? • Symplicity • OCPD staff • Alumni • Lawyers in your network • Friends & family • Publications: IBJ, Indiana Lawyer, etc.

  9. Beyond Law Firms • Higher education • IU, Ivy Tech, Community Colleges • www.higheredjobs.com • Chronicle of Higher Education • Private high schools and college prep schools

  10. Have you considered… • Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane • Contract Specialists • Environmental • Logistics • http://www.crane.navy.mil/defaulthome.asp

  11. Non-Profits • Fundraising is hot right now! • Think like a lawyer: • Building relationships • Negotiation • Contracts • Wills, estates, trusts • Tax

  12. Public Interest • Volunteer with Legal Aid or another public interest organization to build upon existing skills and learn new ones. • Volunteer in chambers of a local judge, whether at home or in the place of your future employment. • Volunteer with state or local government.

  13. Health Care Arena • Human Resources • Administration • Contracts • Procurement • Logistics • Compliance

  14. Federal Government • 273, 000 Mission-critical jobs to be filled through 2012 – Partnership for Public Service • #3 Enforcement and Compliance – 31,000 • #4 Legal – 23,500 • www.usajobs.gov • Presidential Management Fellowship • Honors Programs • Final Semester in DC

  15. Earn Money Post Graduation • Fellowships • Contract Law Firms • See OCPD Online Resources for a list • Register for multiple temp firms • Other temporary options…

  16. Think Locally • Volunteering could lead to contract work and full-time employment. • What’s in your area? • Go to the local Chamber of Commerce. • Attend Chamber events. • Become involved in preferred geographic area.

  17. LexisNexis Associates Serving Public Interest Research (ASPIRE) • ASPIRE provides complimentary LexisNexis access to deferred fall associates pursuing public interest work. • They are now expanding eligibility to all 2010 graduates pursuing verifiable public service (non-profit or charitable) work.  This includes: • (1)    Deferred fall associates pursuing public interest work during their deferral periods, • (2)    2010 graduates who elect to pursue public interest work while searching for law firm employment, and • (3)    Those 2010 graduates who pursue public interest work as a continuing profession. • Complimentary LexisNexis access will be provided throughout these graduates’ public interest employment periods, up until September 2011 maximum.  • Interested graduates may sign up now at www.lexisnexis.com/aspire. 

  18. Step 3 – Goal Setting • Set up reasonable job search goals. • Be organized. • “Finding a job is a full-time job!” • Give yourself action steps and deadlines. • Be persistent and patient.

  19. Step 4 – Re-Tool • Revise cover letter • Update resume • Practice interviewing • Solicit letters of recommendation and references

  20. STEP 5 - Networking Remember that you are in the “relationship business”!

  21. Communication is Key • Periodically update contacts with new, relevant information about you: • Articles/notes written • Involvement with symposiums • Particularly high grades • Other leadership roles or personal accomplishments • A summery of your summer work

  22. Stay abreast of positive happenings at your former employers, and let them know that you know of the great things taking place • Press Releases • Deals Closed • Recent Victories • Articles written by attorneys in your expected practice area • Routinely review newspapers and legal publications, and forward on “articles of interest” to contacts with a quick personal note.

  23. Check-in with hiring partners/recruiters to remind them of your self-sufficiency and reiterate your enthusiasm. • All of this paints a positive picture of an individual who is engaged, prepared and ready to work. • Out of Sight = Out of Mind !!

  24. Your To-Do List • Network with alumni • Indiana Law and IUAA • Are you a member of the alumni association at your undergrad (Masters, PhD) school? • Job shadow • Informational interview • Volunteer • Join local and/or state bar associations

  25. Personal Newsletter • Send a newsletter via post or email • Your pitch • I’m in my final year of law school… • What are you looking for? • What do you do well? • Can you introduce me to others? • Ask for help.

  26. Business Cards • OCPD – University Printing • Vista Print online • Kinkos, Word template • Name, JD, phone, email • Keep it professional • Important tool

  27. Advice • Let OCPD help you! • Don’t be a well-kept secret. • Get out there and meet people. • Think about what you want. • Know what you do well. • Be persistent and patient.

  28. Remember • No matter how well you plan…you don’t always have control. • Think Strengths Not Weaknesses. • It’s not always about You when you don’t get a job. • Persistence trumps talent. • Make excellent mistakes. • Leave an imprint. • Have courage. • Stay positive! • Change your mind…it’s OK.

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