Applying for jobs - advice??

[Super~Single~Mama]

Hi all!
I'm in my last semester of law school, and I'm starting to apply for jobs!!

Anyone have any advice? I'm applying for all the jobs that do on-campus interviews, and then I'm going to be applying for TONS more I suspect. I have no choice but to have a job lined up to start in March (after I take the bar exam) b/c I don't have family in the area, and I need to be able to support myself and my son - and I'm so nervous!! This is the first major job search I've done!

[Halfasianmomma]

• Keep a running list of where you applied, when you sent stuff in, and then schedule a follow-up call about two weeks after reception of your resume and letter.
• Always have your references on hand, in case something comes through quickly and they need to do a check on you.
• Always tailor your cover letters and resumes to the specific position you are applying to and make use of the same wording in the job posting to point out how perfect you are for the job.
• Have you considered employment agencies? I don't know what kind of job you are searching for but I've always found good contract with temp agencies...

[kbond]

Be prepared for this search to take a long time. I graduated in December, took the February bar, was admitted in June and am still looking for a full-time position. I began my job search last September. In most markets, legal employment is still tight. Jobs are out there, but the competition is fierce.

As a previous poster said, tailor your cover letter. I do this by looking at the firm website and specifically pointing out how I have a skill that meshes with X practice area or Y thing that they tout doing.

Also, if at all possible, start networking now. Go to the dinners and happy hours and whatever elses. Get your name and face out there. Schedule informational interviews.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Originally Posted by kbond

Be prepared for this search to take a long time. I graduated in December, took the February bar, was admitted in June and am still looking for a full-time position. I began my job search last September. In most markets, legal employment is still tight. Jobs are out there, but the competition is fierce.

As a previous poster said, tailor your cover letter. I do this by looking at the firm website and specifically pointing out how I have a skill that meshes with X practice area or Y thing that they tout doing.

Also, if at all possible, start networking now. Go to the dinners and happy hours and whatever elses. Get your name and face out there. Schedule informational interviews.

I SO do not have the luxury of this taking forever - how do you survive? If I don't find something in my field I'm going to have to find a waitressing job or something b/c I can't leave my current city. I'm a single mama, and I don't have any family in the area at all, plus b/c of a custody fight its unlikely that I'll be able to go anywhere to live with family if I don't find anything.

Also, I don't have childcare to go to the dinners and happy hours. Ugh. This sucks.

[kbond]

How are we surviving? Well, very frugally for one. We had some savings built up. We got on food stamps and every sliding scale fee schedule we could. And, ultimately, my husband is going back to work instead of staying home like he really, really wants to.

Also, I have managed to find some contract work in the meantime--it's been my contingency plan. It's not steady or reliable work, but it has brought in some money. I'm also, at this point, planning to get my business license and malpractice insurance so that I can attempt some version of hanging out my own shingle while I job hunt.

Paralegal jobs are, at least out here, a little more plentiful if you want/need to go that route. I've heard that it can sometimes be difficult to then transition into an attorney job later, but it's a job at least.