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3L Strategies

3L Strategies. How to Get a Job with Your JD. Confront The Brutal Facts. Facing “Global War on Jobs” Law Firm Model Change Gov’t/PI Budget Issues Hiring Freeze/Downsizing in Business & Higher Education Increased Job Competition Accept What You Cannot Change

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3L Strategies

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

  2. Confront The Brutal Facts • Facing “Global War on Jobs” • Law Firm Model Change • Gov’t/PI Budget Issues • Hiring Freeze/Downsizing in Business & Higher Education • Increased Job Competition • Accept What You Cannot Change • Control What You Can - Your Attitude & Effort

  3. Career Planning is A Process • Re-Assess Your VIPS • Rethink Your Job Search • Redefine Your Immediate Goals • Reload Your Professional Tool Kit • Build and Utilize Your Network

  4. Step 1 – Re-Assessment • What do you want to do? • Where do you want to go? • What are your VIPS? • The more clarity you have, the better able you will be to conduct your job search, set realistic goals and empower your network to assist you

  5. Strengths = Transferable Skills • Legal – research, writing, analysis, strategic thinking, oral advocacy, negotiation, mediation, contracts • Adaptive – listening, problem-solving, work ethic, professionalism, initiative, time management, resilience, judgment • Technical – computer proficiency, foreign language, web development, undergrad degree or work experience

  6. Step 2 - Job Research • What are all of my options? • How can I best utilize my legal education, skills and experience right now? • What is the best fit for me? • Where can I get the best training, mentoring and experience?

  7. Major Job Categories • Law Firms • Government/Military • Public Interest • Business/Corporation • Academia • Judicial Clerkships • Other (Non-Legal)

  8. Law Firms • OCI never was the only game in town • Check Symplicity regularly • Small-medium firms still hiring, but many opportunities not advertised • Identify target firms • Martindale, Westlaw, Indiana Legal Directory, Bar Associations, Google, etc. • Check web sites and contact directly – phone calls v. emails

  9. Government/Military • 273,000 Federal jobs to be filled by 2012 • #3 Enforcement and Compliance – 31,000 • #4 Legal – 23,500 • www.usajobs.gov • Presidential Management Fellows • Government Honors Handbook • Final Semester in DC • States > OCPD Online Resources • Volunteering leads to Full-Time Jobs!

  10. Have you considered… • Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center • http://www.crane.navy.mil/defaulthome.asp • Contract Specialists • Environmental • Logistics • Other • Gov’t contracts not boring and lucrative!

  11. Public Interest • OCPD Online Resources • PSLawNet.org – Orgs vs. Opportunities • Volunteer with Public Defender, Legal Aid or Non-Profits to build upon existing skills and/or learn new ones • Volunteer to clerk for a judge, ideally where you want to practice, after graduation

  12. Business/Corporation • Finance/Tax • Human Resources • Supply Chain/Procurement • Logistics • Regulatory Compliance • Public Relations

  13. Academia • Higher education - IU, Ivy Tech, local community colleges • www.higheredjobs.com • Institutions w/o law schools • Chronicle of Higher Education • Private high schools and college prep schools

  14. Other Post-Graduate Options • Fellowships – EJW, IU Grad Grant Center • Research Assistants • Contract/Temp Legal Work • Check OCPD Online Resources for a list of temp firms (register for multiple firms) • Individual Project Work • Other Contract/Temp Work • Chamber of Commerce in desired location

  15. Step 3 – Goal Setting • Set realistic, attainable goals – viable options • Get organized - give yourself action steps and deadlines • Be persistent and patient • “Finding a job is a full-time job!”

  16. Step 4 – Re-Tool • Revise cover letter – tell your “story” • Update resume = marketing brochure • Practice interviewing – convey genuine interest and enthusiasm • Solicit letters of recommendation and references (esp. former employers) • Business cards are essential – see OCPD

  17. STEP 5 - Networking You are in the “relationship business”!

  18. Communication is Key • Periodically update contacts with new, relevant information about you: • Articles/notes written • High grades & related coursework • Involvement with CLE’s & symposiums • Summer work and clinical experience • Other volunteering, leadership roles or personal accomplishments

  19. Check-in with former/prospective employers to remind them of your interest, availability and enthusiasm • Develop/manage productive professional and personal relationships with a diverse audience • Out of Sight = Out of Mind !!

  20. Expand Your Network • 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

  21. Advice • Let OCPD help you develop/implement your personal strategy • Don’t be a well-kept secret - get out there and meet people • Persistence and patience trumps talent • Do what Lawyers do – and make the best of the situation! • GOOD LUCK!

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