Networking to Find a Job

[kbond]

So, I can finally see the end of the road in terms of school. ( I'll be graduating in December and taking the bar next February.

Anyway, I had a meeting with the Career Center this past week, and they told me that right now it's taking people about 9 months to find a job and that what I need to do is start sending out e-mails with my resume attached to all the firms I can think of. And, then she pointed me in the direction of their 130 page list of small firms so that I can research firms.

I've started to do this, and most of these firms unequivocally state that they are not hiring right now. I'm a little worried that my unsolicited e-mail will not actually be helpful. On the other hand, I don't really know anyone in the legal community out here, and I need to get my name out.

But, I'm terrified about doing this. Any advice about how to start doing this? What little mantras or tricks helped you to find you first, entry-level attorney position?

(As an aside, I'm not likely to get a big firm job because, while I have the grades, I'm not on Law Review or Moot Court. I transferred to my current school and missed write-on. Plus, at this point, when would I have had time?)

[fek&fuzz]

There are a ton of Seattle attorneys who are on twitter. They have meet ups where you can get to know people and get a feel what the job market is like.

you can also join the aba listserve at solosez.net to find out about attorney networking events in your area.

after you pass the bar and get sworn in, be sure to post your profile on Avvo.com. They are seattle based (and on twitter) and very nice.

sending out resumes via email is bad advice. you have zero experience and people don't hire they way. (I have a solo practice and have received those same emails. I write back with the same advice i'm giving you here.) they hire someone that they know, like and trust. if you start going to the attorney networking events in Seattle now, you'll be building relationships. If you decide to get on twitter, let me know and I'll pm you the names of the seattle attorneys for you to follow.

[kbond]

Thanks for the advice! I'll look into Twitter.

And, thanks for validating my feeling that cold e-mailing people isn't really going to work. The Career Office person was so gung-ho about it that I didn't really feel like I could disagree.

I know that I need to start getting out there to events as well. I'm just not sure how to do it logistically. My DD doesn't take a bottle, and I have a weird, for me, postpartum shape which means all my suits don't fit. (And, I don't really have the money to replace them.)

Boy, this just went downhill fast. I should quit before I whine too much more.

[fek&fuzz]

You have plenty of time. The online stuff will be a good start, and then in a few months you can figure out about how to leave your daughter to get out to some in person events. And you don't need suits, some nice professional separates will be fine.