Dear Friends,
I often think about you, my readers, and what might be currently going on in your life.
Maybe you’re a 1L and are navigating the opportunities surrounding a summer internship. Perhaps you are in the early years of your career as an attorney. Or maybe you are contemplating law school and exploring options. Whatever stage you are at, I support your efforts and encourage you to keep moving forward – even when, at times, it may feel like you are treading water.
For this piece, I wanted to discuss the job search as there is often much anxiety and stress surrounding this topic in law school.
Remember that there is no singular formula for success; there are no secret shortcuts or one path forward. Each person comes into the law with their own unique skills, talents, and interests. While doctrinal classes exist, and there are opportunities such as Law Review and Moot Court that many students participate in, none of these things determine your career.
So while I hope to offer you some tips and tools to implement, none of this is determinative. I like to think of myself as an adviser for all of you, applauding your individual pathways into law and acknowledging what works for you.
First Steps – Three “Rs”
Before we get into best practices, I have a few pieces of advice. First - relax. You might think that is ridiculous. I know these are stressful times, and you are trying to distinguish yourself in the legal field. However, comparing yourself to others and stressing about finding a job won’t help.
The truth is, your first internship will probably not be your last job in law. And the first job you take after you graduate from law school might not be your only post-grad position. No single job will define your career path forever. I know the pressure feels high; as a career adviser I have seen the stress of law students as well as new attorneys, and I remember that stress of trying to get my first internship as a 1L. But the primary goal of the 1L internship is to get substantive legal experience, and many different internships can provide that.
So why stress so much?
The next piece of advice is to review. After you have taken the opportunity to relax, review your job strategy and materials.
Are you applying to every single job opportunity you see?
Are you only applying to jobs with very specific parameters?
Are you primarily applying through cold emailing/cold calls?
Do you apply and then never follow up on your applications?
Are your cover letters “canned” and not tailored to the individual entity?
Has it been weeks (or months) since you reviewed or asked someone to review your resume?
If any of these questions can be answered with a “yes,” then I invite you to reflect on your job search strategy and what your trends may be telling you. I would also encourage you to meet with your law school’s career office to gain insights and fresh opinions of what you can be doing smarter and not harder.
Which leads me to the last r: reframing. There is no singular path to success or finding a dream job. Is there someone in your life that you admire? Irrespective of the law, look to the people you admire most. Chances are, they didn’t get to where they are overnight. Their careers and lives took twists and turns. Part of the experience is truly the journey, finding your way and even better opportunities along the way. It may sound cheesy, but think about it. Why should you be expected to have all the answers when you can learn from others about how they found their way over the course of time?
A JD degree is one that offers immense opportunities and flexibility. Choose internships and positions that you are interested in and that you have skills to share. But do not feel you have to have it all figured out, be the top of your class, et cetera. Give yourself some grace.
Having an open mindset and being curious to explore opportunities without feeling like you have to completely niche down allows you to reframe this process. By doing so, you are creating more options, rather than less.
Of course, mindset is not the only piece to the proverbial puzzle of job searching. Let’s look at some best practices you can implement.
Career Advising Office
First things first, visit your career service office. While there is no “one size fits all” approach, your career office is equipped to handle questions and ideas surrounding the job search process in law school. I have been both a law student and an adviser, so believe me when I say the engagement you have with this office is crucial.
When I was in law school, I barely visited my career office. I went once as a 1L and had no idea of my professional goals, and then again as a 3L, not to discuss post-grad plans, but to vent about the bar application. I didn’t do any job searching until after the bar exam, and while I found a job shortly thereafter, I was a bundle of nerves, struggled with imposter syndrome, and felt so alone in my first-gen bubble.
Sitting on the other side now, I realized I made my own professional journey way more difficult. I have seen that those students who check in with their career advisor regularly, connect with me about job searches and networking, and ask for feedback on their materials, are overall better prepared.
Do I have a magic formula or a drawer full of jobs to give away? Of course not. Does working with your career office ensure internships, post-grad positions, and glory? Again, no. However, having a game plan, an ally, and an accountability buddy is so meaningful. And your career office can absolutely assist with all this.
Define Yourself
You came into law school with purpose. Remember your why. Think about the skills you bring to the table, and list them out. This includes transferable skills (from before law school), technical skills, and the skills you are learning while in law school. Then list your strengths and interests.
Finally, get curious and research various types of jobs in law. Maybe you already know about trial attorneys, but have you explored what it means to be a civil litigator? Maybe you are passionate about the environment. Have you explored all the possible positions in environmental law?
Define who you are holistically – what makes you the person that you are. Then apply some research strategies to see what jobs feel right for you.
Perfect Your Professional Toolkit
There are some key tools for a successful job search:
A polished resume
A well-constructed cover letter
An appropriate writing sample
Meaningful references
A professional LinkedIn profile
A future article will include a deeper dive on these tools. At the moment, I simply want to acknowledge their role in your job search. It is worth spending the time to make each tool as good as it can be.
Cast a Wide Net But Have Some Boundaries
Law school and the legal profession really don’t require you to niche down. There are some exceptions (i.e. patent attorneys) but overall I encourage you to explore various opportunities while keeping an open mind. Even after you graduate, your first job most likely will not be your last in the legal field. However, the further you progress through law school and beyond, it is important to set some boundaries (such as committing to specific geographic locations, or pursuing internships that provide trial experience if you want to litigate).
While you should NEVER accept a position looking to leave it, keep in mind that JDs and the law provide a lot of flexibility with respect to career paths.
Use Your Resources
Your law school will have specific resources just for you and your colleagues, in-house materials designed to help you succeed in your internship, externships, and beyond. These can include networking opportunities, alumni directories, job boards, and on-campus events. So many law students and attorneys will find a position not only through a formal job board but through referrals and authentic networking (see my recent blog post for tips on successful networking). These resources are designed just for you, so make sure to use them.
Keep in mind this information shared here is just to get you started. My future articles will have more in-depth discussions on some of the topics touched on here. Remember - you are becoming a lawyer for a reason, and you will find the right path that leads to your dream career. It just takes a little work!
Kristina Bilowus is an Assistant Director of Career Development at MSU College of Law. She is also the current Treasurer of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, vice president of the Hellenic Bar Association, co-chairs the DEI Committee for the Oakland County Bar Association and co-chairs the DEI Committee for the Ingham County Bar. She is also a board member for the Michigan Center for Civic Education.
