Here are some articles that might interest you as your summer progresses, and you learn the ins and outs of being an associate.
Remember, you are always being evaluated
What's Hot in the Legal Market?
We hope your summer is going well - make sure you keep us in mind if you have questions or concerns!
Below are a few articles with different takes on the current employment climate. Because of the decreased offer rates over the past few years, it is important to take note of the first two articles which highlight things you should be doing in addition to keeping up your academics. It is becoming increasingly popular for firms to focus on emotional maturity, EQ (emotional quotient) and social skills as an impetus to hire you. Bear this in mind as you continue your law school career!
5 Things Firms Want You to Say in an Interview
Behavioral Interviewing Gains Momentum in Law Firm Hiring
Are things looking up for Law School On Campus Interviews?
Summer Associates Survey 2010: Chill in the Air
John Yates ('82) is on the Board of Visitors and is a guest lecturer for L244 The Business & Economics of Law Firms. Understanding client service expectations as a law student can build a foundation for success in private practice.
Good grades, curricular engagement, involvement in journals and/or Moot Court, and a high GPA will do much to enhance the attractiveness of your resume. But, what about the items you don't put on paper? How much do interpersonal and conversational skills help in garnering you another interview, a callback, or a job offer? By exhibiting these skills during an interview, will you change the interviewer's perception of who you are, and what you can bring to the table?
According to Stephen Harper, in an article for the American Lawyer, asking an interviewer what they see as the highlights to their career can bring new depth to their appreciation of you as a candidate. Asking them to think back to when they were in your shoes never hurts, and might actually create that connection that comes from person to person contact - and isn't translated on paper.
As you begin your foray into the professional legal world, be it as a recent graduate or summer intern, many factors play into your success. Experience, legal knowledge, communication skills, etc are all very important factors to hone and foster as you go through your law school career. But, what is something else you can offer that really makes you stand out? The answer may surprise you, as it has more to do with the emotional quotient you possess.
This article, newly posted from New York Law Journal, gives some great tips and insight as to how employers are hiring in today's economy. Using emotional intelligence during law school, interviews, and subsequently your job will not only endear you to your clients, but also prove your ability to provide quality relationships on the behalf of your employer.
If interested, please see the attached flyer below for more details.
Since summer is drawing near, we want to make you aware of ASPIRE, a program for students who pursue public interest work during the summer or after they graduate from law school. LexisNexis, your partner in legal education, provides qualified law students and recent law school graduates with free access to some of the most popular sources available within our research system. Students face a heightened challenge securing internships and launching their legal careers in a tough economy. For this reason, LexisNexis has expanded the ASPIRE program to include non-profit summer positions for current students, as well as graduates who pursue public interest legal work as a career. You may learn details of the program on the ASPIRE information page. When students inform you of their public service plans, please remind them that the ASPIRE program is available to help them be more effective in their work. Students can access information at the LexisNexis law student homepage: www.LexisNexis.com/lawschool/ We realize students need every advantage possible, especially when their hard work is benefiting others. |
Sidley Austin LLP is excited to introduce its inaugural
Sidley Diversity Mentor Program to be held this summer in Washington, D.C. We
encourage all diverse 1L students at Duke who intend to work as law firm summer
associates in Washington, D.C. in 2011 and plan to spend their upcoming summer
in the DC-area to apply. For an outline of the program, eligibility
requirements, and program application, please see the attached. The mentor
program is expected to take place in June and July 2010.
Space for mentees is limited and application materials are
due by April 30, 2010. We request applicants submit an application form
available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QHQK5SD
and send a resume and an unofficial transcript to Kelly Cassetori, Legal
Recruiting Coordinator, at kcassetori@sidley.com. We look forward
to hearing from you.
Editor's note: This is the 11th article in a series providing interview tips and techniques for attorneys. Links to previous articles in the series follow this article.
Long-distance interviewing presents additional cost and logistical challenges. You may need to take your job search show "on the road" if you are considering opportunities out of your immediate geographic area. Even if you are seeking a position locally, you may need to meet key players in a firm's far-flung offices. The interview itself is basically the same whether conducted in your home town or anywhere else; the difference lies in the logistics.
OUT-OF-TOWN INTERVIEWS KEPT TO A MINIMUM
These days, businesses are looking for ways to keep expenses down and interview travel -- like all business travel -- is down. In a booming market where firms are desperate to add talent, or if candidates have exceptional credentials or hard-to-find expertise, employers are much more willing to tackle those challenges. In a tighter market, many employers refuse to consider out-of-area candidates, sometimes even from within the state or perhaps as close as the next county.
Many firms try to minimize the expense of recruiting out-of-area candidates by doing an initial screening by telephone or video conference, or having a local partner meet the candidate, before undertaking the time and expense of making travel arrangements. Even meetings between lateral partner candidates and key partners in other cities are done increasingly by video. Sometimes, however, there's no substitute for a face-to-face meeting.
WHO PAYS FOR AN INITIAL INTERVIEW?
In a tight economy, prospective employers rarely cover an out of town candidate's interviewing expenses for the initial interview, whereas in boom times those costs may have been covered. Since the candidate often is expected to pay initial interview expenses, if you are considering more than one opportunity in the same general location, try to combine as many interviews in the same trip as possible.
If you are looking to relocate to a particular destination, plan a trip there on your own dime. When you submit your resume, use the cover letter to let prospective employers know that you will be there on specific dates and will be available for interviews. Give them enough time to receive and review your resume in advance of your trip. If prospective employers know you will be in the area at no expense to them, they may be more inclined to grant an initial interview.
WHAT ABOUT FOLLOW UP INTERVIEWS?
The costs of second or subsequent interviews customarily are covered by the prospective employer. Certainly, if you are interviewing for a position in your home town but need to meet particular people in the firm's other offices, the prospective employer will cover your travel expenses. If you are visiting more than one firm on the same trip for subsequent interviews, let each of them know you are looking at other opportunities, and costs may well be split among the prospective employers.
MAKING THE ARRANGEMENTS
Some firms will make the arrangements for you, while others expect you to make your own, and they will reimburse you. Some firms have in-house travel professionals, or prefer that you use a particular travel agency to make arrangements. Remember that prospective employers are trying to economize wherever possible, and follow their suggestions regarding transportation and lodging choices. If you have family or friends in the area and plan to stay with them, let the firm know. They usually are pleased to accommodate that and save the expense. It is always appropriate to ask for clarification of each firm's particular system for reimbursing travel expenses. Make sure you understand how the firm wants these matters handled before you go on the interview.
WHAT'S COVERED?
Most firms cover all expenses directly related to an out-of-area callback
interview. Items typically eligible for reimbursement are: airplane and
reasonable and necessary cab fares, checked baggage fee for one bag per trip,
hotel room and taxes, moderate meal and beverage expenditures, local telephone
calls for business purposes, and reasonable internet access fees. The following
items are generally not eligible for reimbursement: minibar purchases, fitness
center fees, long-distance telephone calls, dry cleaning services, limousine
services, hotel room movies, bar tabs, and meal or beverage expenses for
additional guests.
Even if your host firm is handling the arrangements,
be prepared to present your own credit card when checking into the hotel to
cover incidentals. Do not take advantage of the situation and insist on
first-class airfare, expensive hotels, room service or pricey meals. If you are
driving to an interview outside of reasonable commuting distance, check with the
prospective employer regarding their reimbursement policies before renting a car
or asking for mileage reimbursement.
GETTING REIMBURSED
It is the candidate's responsibility to keep receipts and submit them to the appropriate party in a timely manner for reimbursement. Find out if there is a form you must fill out. Remember that your expense report reflects on your candidacy. Be complete, timely and reasonable.
Also keep accurate records and receipts of any expenses that are not reimbursed by a prospective employer. Out-of-pocket expenses related to a job search may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant for details pertaining to your situation.
RESEARCH THE NEW LOCALE
Especially if you are attempting to relocate, and even if you are just visiting a prospective employer's out-of-area offices, get to know something about the locale beforehand. Read the local paper online to learn something about the business, economic, social and political climate. This will give you something to discuss with your interviewers and impress them with your interest in the firm and commitment to the area.
Enter the interview location into MapQuest or Google maps so you know your way from the airport to the hotel to the employer's offices, and approximately how long it will take to get to each location. Then, give yourself extra time for traffic, weather issues and unforeseen circumstances. Print out your travel itinerary and all of the relevant names, addresses, phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses to carry with you, "just in case."
GETTING THERE IN ONE PIECE
With tightened security these days, the lighter you travel, the better. You want to arrive at your interview fresh and wrinkle-free, nonetheless. If possible, travel in something comfortable and bring your interview suit. Pack everything -- or at least your essentials -- into one carry-on bag, to minimize the trauma of losing your luggage in transit. Don't forget to check the weather online so that you can be prepared. Wear comfortable shoes since you don't know whether you will be walking some distances between your hotel, interview and meal sites.
Try to arrive in your interview city the night before, so you can have a good night's rest and be freshly groomed. While you can expect to have access to an iron in your hotel for touch ups, pack an "emergency kit" for other unexpected mishaps, even if it's just for a day trip. Bring an extra shirt or blouse and stockings, sewing kit, stain remover wipes, shoe polish, pain reliever, pen, cell phone charger, breath strips (faster than mints), umbrella, smart phone or laptop, back-up prescription glasses and, of course, extra copies of your resume.
With travel and logistics handled, you can breathe easier and focus on the interview itself as a step towards your career destination.
Valerie Fontaine and Roberta Kass are senior legal search consultants with Seltzer Fontaine Beckwith, based in Los Angeles. Valerie Fontaine is the author of "The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers" (January 2006, NALP). They can be reached at (310) 839-6000, or visit www.sfbsearch.com.
All 2L (graduating in 2012) and 3L (graduating in 2011) Law Students and 2010 Law Grads who consider themselves diverse are invited to participate regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status or disability.
To register for the event, please email your registration to heartlanddiversity@kcmba.org. Please include in the request your full name, the name of your college or university, your expected graduation date, and a permanent email address. After submitting your request, an ID and password will be assigned to you so that you may access our web database and upload registration information needed for employers (i.e., cover letter, resume, transcript and writing sample). Registration deadline is June 21, 2010. There is no fee for students to register.
Early registration deadline is May 24, 2010. All registrations received on or before May 24 will receive an extra entry for one of our doorprizes. The drawing will take place at Saturday's Keynote Luncheon. You must be present to win.
Important dates:
March 22 - Student Registration Opens
May 24 - Early Bird Registration Deadline
June 21 - Student Registration Deadline
June 29 - Student/Employer Bidding Begin
July 5 - Student/Employer Bidding Ends
July 23 - Room Reservation Deadline
Jule 30 - Cancellation Deadline
Schedule of Events
Friday, August 6, 2010
4:00 - 7:00 PM Student Registration
4:30 - 5:30 PM Diversity Panel
5:30 - 7:00 PM Welcome Reception
Saturday, August 7, 2010
7:30 AM Employer Registration & Help Room Open
8:30 - Noon Employer Interviews
Noon - 1:30 PM Keynote Luncheon
1:40 - 4:30 PM Employer Interviews
The Job Fair will be held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. The Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair will have a limited number of hotel rooms at the Crowne Plaza Hotel reserved for students who reside more than 50 miles from Kansas City. Rooms will be $50, and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Room arrangements must be made through the hotel directly and not with HDLJF. When making reservations, please indicate you are a student participating in the Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair.
For more information, please visit www.heartlanddiversity.org.
