subject: Tips for Landing your Dream Legal Job [print this page] Tips for Landing your Dream Legal Job Tips for Landing your Dream Legal Job
1) Before Applying: Ask for a second opinion on your resume. Professors, family members and friends will be able to tell you if they would ask you in for an interview based on your resume. If not, make some changes or consult a professional. Also, check out all of your social profiles online such as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter. Remove all incriminating information that you would not want your conservative grandmother to see. Take down anything that is not politically correct and simply professionalize your profile. Many employers use social profiles as a way to see whether they should take their applicants seriously or not.
2) Find jobs: Sign up with career sources such as Career Builder, as well as whatever you are entitled to as an alum of your undergraduate college and Law school. Most career services will provide you with free resume reviews as well as lists of job openings in your area.
3) Hit the Pavement: This is the most dreaded part, but often the most successful. You have to apply to jobs that might not even exist yet. Getting your resume into the hands of the decision-makers is key. Visit various legal staffing services in your area and just chat with whoever is at the door. Drop off your resume, and always remain polite. You will be remembered if a position opens up, and you might even learn about legal seminars and networking events by traversing the territory.
4) The Interview: Never, ever forego formalities. Miss and Sir should be used unless asked otherwise. Professional dress is a must, but make sure you do not overdo it; dress for the position for which you are applying, not the one you want in the future. If you are applying to be a temp or paralegal, do not dress like the District Attorney. It's as simple as that.
5) The Follow-Up: Always send a Thank-You letter. Regardless of whether you think you nailed the interview or not, send a letter thanking them for their time and for considering you for the position. Plenty of firms get so many applicants that they are able to weed out the beginners by simply separating the applicants into those in the know and those out of it. You want to be at the top of the 'in the know' pile.
