Great Resources for Finding a Job with Federal, State, or Local Governments

http://www.pslawnet.org/  - a collection of federal legal job postings from a wide variety of sources and posted new announcements every week in our opportunities database.

http://www.pslawnet.org/federalgovernmentresources - Make sure and scroll down to the heading "Jobs for Students, Recent Graduates, and Experienced Attorneys" for information on various honors programs and deadlines.

http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/CDO_Public/2010_PUBLIC_CAPITOL_HILL_GUIDE_FINAL.pdf
Yale Law School's guidebook breaks down the types of employment opportunities available on the Hill and includes personal narratives from Hill employees.

http://www.senate.gov/employment/po/positions.htm - This is the official recruitment site for the United States Senate. Updated weekly, opportunities range from unpaid internships to legislative counsel to chief of staff positions.

http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/CDO_Public/PUBLIC-Crim_Prosecution_Guide_2009.pdf - This Yale Law School publication provides information on both summer and permanent hiring processes in U.S. Attorneys’ and local prosecutors' offices.  For more information on careers in criminal justice, see PSLawNet’s Prosecution/Public Defense Career Resource Page.

http://www.pslawnet.org/uploads/Resume_Cover_Letter_Spring_2009_PUBLIC.pdf - This Georgetown University Law Center publication includes tips for constructing resumes and other application materials.  Note that most federal resumes requested through USA Jobs require more detail than traditional legal resumes.  See How Do I Make my Application a Success? for more information.

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/plumbook/2008/2008_plum_book.pdf - This publication, commonly referred to as the Plum Book, is published every four years, just after the Presidential election.  The Plum Book contains data (as of September 1, 2008) of over 7,000 Federal jobs that are political appointee positions.  If you find a position that interests you, apply directly through that agency.  See Political vs. Career Hires for information on political hires.

http://www.pslawnet.org/stateandlocalgovernmentresources - State and local government resources.

Ten Easy Tips for Networking Your Way into a Job

By: Derren Thompson, Diversity Recruiting Manager, Sodexo

We all know that networking can be key to landing that great job when you graduate, or enhancing your skill set to position you for a promotion. At the same time, we also know that networking can be intimidating to many. Have you ever hesitated to attend an event because you thought you didn’t know how to network? Or, when you arrived at an event and met people, had no idea what to talk about after the handshake? Let me share a few tips about networking that will make it a fun and worthwhile experience.

Why build your network?

Very simply, networking allows you to build a resource library of people who may be able to help you in a number of different ways – from learning about opportunities, to building your skill sets, to introducing you to key people in your field. Networking can also help you foster long lasting relationships that will be a resource to you throughout your professional career.

Most of us already are networking and don’t even realize it!

You are networking when you:

• volunteer to participate on a project with other people
• go to get a burger in between classes and sit at a table with people you may or may not know and start a conversation
• join a student organization or professional association
• engage in conversation with your professors and department chairs
• connect or reconnect with friends on Facebook or MySpace
• walk to class and hold a conversation with a friend
• attend a career-oriented conference and meet company representatives
• ask for the business card of the recruiter who visited your campus and follow up with a periodic e-mail.

How can you make the most of your networking?

1. Start by preparing your own story. Who are you? What are your interests and skills? What do you have to offer others?

2. Get feedback. Ask your roommate, or others who you know will give you honest feedback, to listen to your story so that you can make it more engaging.

3. Learn the art of starting a conversation. Ask appropriate questions that show your interest in others, find areas of common interest and help you to connect: “Where do you work, and what do you do?” “What types of opportunities does your company have for someone with my skills?”

4. Learn to listen and not be the one who is always talking.

5. Know that networking is a two-way proposition – be prepared to share with others and you will find that they will also be willing to share with you

6. Stay in touch. Stay connected with people you meet who have left you with the “wow factor.” Some people you meet will have you wanting to connect with them to learn more about them and the company that they represent.

7. Make business cards and do not be afraid to give them out. I am reminded of the story of Mary Kay and how she would give out a business card everywhere she went. In the mall or the market, she was always prepared to give out her card. She was creating a network. I am not suggesting that you give a card to everyone you come in contact with, just be prepared to give out a card when needed.

8. Use every opportunity to get better at networking – and realize that with social networking, you can build a vast network by taking full advantage of the many sites where people gather electronically around areas of mutual interest – via Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter. Don’t overlook companies and professional associations that provide specific venues to connect with their employees. For example, Sodexo provides a variety of ways for you to network with its employees by visiting the Network With Us page on the company website.

9. Set goals on the people you want to meet each week. Go after your goal aggressively.

10. Commit to staying in touch with your network – if you do, you will find that over time you have a rich resource of valued individuals who you can draw on throughout your personal and professional career.

If you adopt these few tips on networking, you will build a strong network that will serve you well as you start your career. Good luck!

http://studentbranding.com/ten-easy-tips-for-networking-your-way-into-a-job/

Report: Unemployment High Because People Keep Blowing Their Job Interviews

With unemployment at its highest level in decades, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a report Tuesday suggesting the crisis is primarily the result of millions of Americans just completely blowing their job interviews.

According to the findings, seven out of 10 Americans could have landed their dream job last month if they had known where they see themselves in five years, and the number of unemployed could be reduced from 14.6 million to 5 million if everyone simply greeted potential employers with firmer handshakes, maintained eye contact, and stopped fiddling with their hair and face so much.

"This economy will not recover until job candidates learn how to put their best foot forward," said Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, warning that even a small increase in stuttering among applicants who are asked to describe their weaknesses could cause the entire labor market to collapse. "If we're going to dig ourselves out of this mess, Americans need to stop wearing blue jeans to interviews, even if they're nice blue jeans, and even if that particular office happens to have a relaxed dress code."

"They also need to start bringing extra copies of their resumés, as it will show they are prepared and serious," Solis added. "And, by the way, how hard is it to send a hand-written thank-you note afterward? Anyone can dash off an e-mail."

A federal survey of employers found that nearly half of job-seeking Americans botched their interviews by responding no when asked, "So, do you have any questions for me?" Among candidates strongly qualified to perform the jobs they were applying for, 36 percent didn't bring a notepad or pen to the interview, and 16 percent were thrown off guard when the interviewer broached topics unrelated to work, such as the weather, sports, or personal hobbies.

Twelve percent, employers said, did this kind of nervous throat-clearing thing.

"If applicants would just say yes when asked if they played softball or liked golf, we could add 350,000 jobs to the private sector," Deputy Labor Secretary Seth Harris said. "The fact is, right now, today, approximately a third of the country's manufacturing positions are vacant. Auto plants across the country, especially in Detroit, are sitting there just waiting for people to come in and build cars."

"You may be a qualified candidate, but none of that matters if you walk into that interview lacking confidence," he added. "Don't act too confident, though. And don't joke around too much. And don't be overly friendly or ask too many questions. But be yourself."

The Labor Department confirmed their statistics don't take into account the estimated 20 million citizens who were unable to get interiews in the first place because of formatting errors in their resumés, or cover letters that slightly exceeded one page.

"At this point, hiring someone who doesn't use bulleted lists, strong action verbs, or boldfaced keywords is completely out of the question," said public relations executive Max Werner, who has been looking for office managers and a CFO since 2008. "And if you're going to end your cover letter with 'best wishes' instead of 'sincerely,' I don't care how experienced you are—you won't be working for me."

President Obama, who last week signed a law extending unemployment benefits, said the legislation would also address joblessness by creating a $1.2 billion program aimed at training Americans to use firm but approachable body language to make a great first impression.

"My administration remains fully committed to putting citizens back to work by making sure they show up at least 15 minutes early to their interview and never badmouth a previous boss," said Obama, flanked by unemployed Americans during an address from the White House Rose Garden. "Our new 'Nail the Interview, Score the Job' initiative will help regular Americans like Paul and Tracy here remember that they should prep ahead of time by learning a few things about the company they want to work for.

"And that little things," he continued, "like making sure your socks match, matter."

http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-unemployment-high-because-people-keep-blowi,17803/

Tell Me About Yourself

by: Claudine Meilink, Career Services Consultant at Purdue University

As a college career counselor, I conduct mock interviews with students almost daily during recruitment season. While I understand that students need guidance with their interview skills, it confounds me that students – and alumni – always are caught speechless with my first question:

“So, tell me about yourself.”

This question is often used by interviewers as a breaking the ice question.

Trust me on this – nothing about this question is simple, easy or breaks the ice.

Students often tell me they dread this question, however, this is a question all students should be prepared to answer. If you use it as an opportunity to showcase your accomplishments and skills, you should be on your way to acing your interview.

Here are some basics to keep in mind:

DO NOT provide only information that is on your résumé. The employer invited you to interview based on the content of your résumé. Stating, “Well, my name is Tom and I’m majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University” is not only boring but it does not tell a recruiter anything they do not already know.

DO use this as an opportunity to stand-out. Be memorable. Share something with the interviewer that will make them remember you. On that same note, make sure it is appropriate. ” When I pledged my fraternity, they dared me to…” can only end badly – even if your interviewer just happens to be a member of your fraternity.

DO NOT “wing it”. Your answer should be thoughtfully constructed. Again, this question may seem like a harmless, break the ice type of question but by answering this question poorly and without direction, you are setting yourself up for failure. Preparation equals success.

DO prepare by identifying how your strengths match the position. By highlighting two or three of your strengths, you have the unique opportunity to focus the direction of the interview. When deciding which of your strengths to highlight, consider the skills the position requires. Be able to share a short, but detailed example of how you utilized those skills.

DO NOT tell your life story. Your answer should be less than 2 minutes and closer to 90 seconds. Two minutes is a long time to talk. Opening with, “I was born in Chicago but we moved to Southwest Michigan when I was three. I am the middle child and, to be honest, I’m the typical middle child,” does not intrigue your interviewer – at all.

DO tell a story – your story. This question is really about how well you know yourself. Be professional but be yourself. Show some personality. Your answer to this question is actually an opportunity. It is your opportunity to establish your personal brand with the employer.

So…just how do you answer the question? Take some to time to think about the following:

How can you be memorable?

1.Why should the employer hire you?
2.How do your strengths match the skills required to be successful in the position?
3.What impression do you want the recruiter to have about you?

Write out your answer. Yes, I said WRITE IT OUT. Then practice it. Practice it with friends. Practice it in front of the mirror. Practice, practice, practice. While you certainly should not repeat it verbatim during the interview, you should be able to consistently and concisely cover your main objectives.

So…
Tell me about yourself!
http://studentbranding.com/tell-me-about-yourself/

Eighteen Great Ways to Get the Most Out of Career Services (part 2)

from Guerilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams by Kimm Alayne Walton

10.  Check job listings from the Career Services Office every day.  Ok. Twice a week, at least.  At every law school I visit, there will be students who've nailed phenomenal, unusual summer jobs.  Entertainment jobs.  Sports jobs.  Unique opportunities in all kinds of desirable specialities.  While they usually get these jobs through self-initiated contact with employers, there are always students who got their job the old-fashioned way: through a posting at Career Services.  Believe it or not, your CSO does get postings for amzing opportunities.  If you don't think so, it's because you don't check the job postings often enough!

11.  Do mock interviews.  Practice is the way you get good at interviewing.  When students have told me about being rejected after numerous interviews, I can bet dollars to doughnuts that there's a simple hitch in their interviewing that needs repair.  Mock interviews can save you from that fate, before you set foot into real interviews for the first time!

12.  When you suffer setbacks, don't suffer alone.  Go to the CSO for a shoulder to cry on.  Every law student faces setbacks in their job search.  If you think you know classmates who don't . . . trust me, they do.  The fact is, they call them career counselors for a reason.  Counseling is the primary function of the folks at your CSO.  Part of their job is providing comfort; that's why you'll always notice a box of Kleenex on their desks!  There's no question that sharing your feelings and concersn with a sympathetic ear will make you feel better.  If you need it, reach out for it.

13.  Looking out of town?  Have the CSO get you reciprocity with a law school in the city you're targeting.  When you're looking for jobs in another city, wouldn't it be great to be able to utilize a Career Services Office there?  Well, great news.  That's usually possible, via what's called "reciprocity."  We have standing reciprocity with all of the schools in the Northwest Consortium (Brigham Young University, Gonzaga University, Lewis & Clark, Seattle University, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, University of Idaho, University of Oregon, University of Utah, University of Washington and Willamette University.)  Notify us if you're interested in being granted reciprocity with these schools or others.  We will need to contact the school's Career Services Office for you.

14.  Make sure the CSO has an updated resume from you.  Make sure that you keep your resume in Symplicity current and up to date.

15.  Let the CSO know about any special skills you have.  That is, skills of interest to employers.  Again, keep your resume current and keep us aprised of any special, unique computer or language skills, security clearance, etc.

16.  Make sure the CSO knows you're looking for a job--and what kind of job you're seeking. If you don't tell people you're looking for a job, they'll assume you aren't looking.  There's no shame in admitting you're looking.  The majority of students don't get jobs through on-campus interviews.  Tell people at the CSO what you want, so they can help you find it!

17.  Recognize the limits of what the CSO can do--they're your sherpa.  You still have to climb the mountain.  Remember, it's a partnership between the CSO and the students.  Career Services exists to help you get a job, not get the job for you.  They give you the skills and the resources to find and secure a job and help you along the way.

18.  Don't let your parents (or your spouse) call Career Services on your behalf . . . and for gosh sakes, don't ask them to!   As one Career Services Director points out, "It's totally unprofessional.  You're the one who's going to be a lawyer.  It doesn't matter who's paying your tuition.  It will hurt your image.  Talk about your issues directly."

19.  If you've got a beef with the CSO, talk with the director personally.  No trashing them in blogs, no mass emails.  Talk to them and be polite. 

• A.  Whatever you think, you need to know that the CSO is on the same side as you.
• B.  Addressing issues with people directly--rather than humiliating them--is a smart strategy for your career. You'll do your reputation a favor if people believe you're a stand-up person, that you address grievances directly with the person/people you feel have wronged you.  People will respect you and want to work with you.  Develop that trait while you're still in school.  It will serve you well forever.
• C.  Remember that your classmates today will be your colleagues tomorrow.  You want your classmates to remember you favorably.  They may be in a position to hire you or throw work your way.  You want them to think of you as a smart person with good judgment.  Conducting a CSO witch hunt doesn't creat that image for you.  Quietly commiserating with friends about your job hunt--absolutely.  There's a camaraderie in sharing disappointments.  But remember that you're not just creating an image with employers; you're doing it with classmates as well.
• D.  You don't want grudging help from your CSO.  You want them to be genuinely enthusiastic about you.   If you're frustrated, by all means go to the CSO and say so.  Make an appointment with your counselor or director and pour out all of your job search frustrations.  Ask for help.  I'm not telling you to be stoic.  But if you're direct and honest about how you feel, and you let the CSO work with you, I promise good things will result!

Eighteen Great Ways to Get the Most Out of Career Services (part 1)

from Guerilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams by Kimm Alayne Walton

1.  Woody Allen said 80% of life is showing, so: show up!  No matter what Career Services can do for you, if you don't go there, they can't do anything for you!  Many a Career Services Director has sadly told me of the experience of being at graduation, and seeing faces they've never seen before.  You could be passing up a dream gig if you don't give the CSO a chance to help you.  Schedule a counseling session at https://www.law.byu.edu/Career_Services/Counseling/Schedule.

2.  It's never too early in your job search process to ask for help (beginning Nov. 1 of your first year--before that, it is too early.)  From figuring out what classes will be useful to you, turning you on to activities both in-school and in the lgal community that will help you, to internships, clerkships, you name it . . . let the CSO be your partner in charting your career.

3.  Go to Career Services panels and speeches.  If your law school is like most schools, your CSO puts on a staggering array of presentations.  From "brown bag" informal lunches with practitioners to speakers to panels to workshops to career days and job fairs, there might be something going on seemingly all the time.  From helping you figure out what you want to do by hearing about other people's experiences to making valuable contacts, . . . attend as many of these functions as you can.

4.  Have Career Services counselors review your written materials, resumes and correspondence, before you send them out.  The counselors in the CSO have seen it all, and the more pairs of eyes you have reviewing and proofreading your work, the better off you are.  Whether it's the tone, the way you "pitch" yourself, or even typos, they'll pick up on a lot that you'd never notice alone.

5.  Read their emails. You probably get a bunch of emails from Career Services.  And when you're pressed for time, you've got your studies, your friends, your life . . . you may be tempted to ignore those emails.  Don't!  It's worth a quick glance to see what they're telling you--it takes ten seconds to skim an email.

6.  Don't put the CSO in a horrible position by ignoring employer deadlines.  Whether it's a resume drop for an employer or an application drop-dead date, make sure you get your materials in on time.  Deadlines are a fact of working life.  When you get out of school and start a job, you'll find that deadlines are crucially important to your employer.  Whether it's turning in work to your supervisor or depositing motions and other documents with the court, you can't ignore deadlines imposed on you by others.  Get into a very valuable habit now, and heed deadlines!

7.  You are the national object of bounty of alums from your law school.  Ask the Career Services Office to put you on to helpful alums and mentors.  "Career Services Directors are a kind of chamber of commerce for the law school--their primary function is to market students to employers," William and Mary's Rob Kaplan.  Take advantage of our alumni & JRCLS databases in addition to the many programs, lectures, info sessions to make contacts with alumni.

8.  Use the Career Services Office Library --especially for materials unique to your school.  Research is so crucial at so many junctures during your job search--from self-assessment tests to finding out what's out there to getting the basic information about specific employers in preparation for interviews.  Your CSO will have books, videos, online resources, you name it, to help you at every turn.

9.  Get the inside skinny on employers . . . and respect the confidentiality of what you hear.  Sometimes the CSO can offer information you can't find on a website, message board, or chatroom.  However, keep the information confidental if it's less than complimentary.  If it's positive, you can attribute the source.

Networking to Get (or Create) a Public Interest Job

by Tracy J. Simmons, Career Advisor at The Ohio State University Mortiz College of Law

Networking Ideas for Students Pursuing Public Interest Careers

Engage in shared activities with public interest practitioners. Research suggests that some of the most effective networking opportunities are “shared activities,” or unscripted events focused on a common point of interest, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen. People at such events are more likely to engage in genuine conversation and get to know one another better. (See “How to Build Your Network” by B. Uzzi and S. Dunlap in the Harvard Business Review, December 2005.)

The shared activity approach is particularly well-suited for the public interest field, which is brought together by a common desire to serve the community, and student organizations could proactively plan such events. Students who are already volunteering could use those activities as an avenue to foster personal connections with lawyers.

Get involved with public interest student groups. Public interest employers prioritize candidates who demonstrate a commitment to public interest. Getting involved is a great way for students to build their public interest résumé, meet other students with similar interests, and meet alumni and public interest practitioners. One student learned about a new team forming at a local legal aid office from another student involved in public interest activities, and was able to connect with that team and successfully write a fellowship proposal
as a result.

Attend public interest career fairs. Public interest job fairs, such as the Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair and other school-specific or regional career fairs, are an excellent way for students to connect with potential employers. Students should be prepared with a brief introduction so that they can concisely and professionally present themselves, their skill set, and their goals to employers during  unstructured table talk.

Connect with practitioners in the public interest community. Whether through informational interviewing, mentoring programs, volunteering, or alumni networking, connecting with public interest practitioners is critical for students. The public interest community is a small world, connecting with others is good for both learning about job opportunities and meeting the practitioners likely to be colleagues and mentors as students
join the profession.

Follow up and stay connected. After making a connection with a public interest employer, students need to keep in touch. This will ensure that employers know the student remains interested and is still seeking public interest employment. Students can maintain their relationships by sharing articles of common interest, inviting practitioners to law school events, or updating practitioners about courses they have completed.

Networking is about connecting with other people in a meaningful and thoughtful way. It is not one-size-fits-all, and students should network in a way that works for them. Students can easily build connections in many ways, including volunteering through the local bar association’s new lawyer or pro bono groups. Having a more realistic concept about networking will help motivate students and allow them to think through a networking plan that meets their personal style and career goals.

Tie public interest networking to the end result students are seeking: a job. Fellowship projects, often initiated by law students, are a gateway into public interest employment. While public interest employers may not have the funding to hire new attorneys right now, they typically welcome new employees who bring their own fellowship funding. Even if students do not obtain fellowship funding, they have still connected with potential employers.

In this difficult job market, the ability to create job opportunities in partnership with employers will help motivate students to build their professional network. By proactively making meaningful connections with others in this tight-knit community, students greatly increase their odds of finding or creating a public interest job.

Job Satisfaction vs. a Big Paycheck

By Phyllis Korkki, New York Times, September 11, 2010
It’s an issue that tugs at many of us: the tradeoff between a satisfying job and a satisfying paycheck. Students have to ponder the question when considering a college major or embarking on a career. Workers are concerned about it when weighing a promotion that would bring longer hours and more stress along with higher pay.

In many ways, achieving the right balance depends on one’s values, priorities, family obligations and spending habits. But according to a recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, there is something of a magic number when it comes to income and happiness.

Beyond household income of $75,000 a year, money “does nothing for happiness, enjoyment, sadness or stress,” the study concluded.

It’s not so much that money buys you happiness but that lack of money buys you misery, said Daniel Kahneman, a professor emeritus of psychology at Princeton and one of the authors of the study. “The lack of money,” he said, “no longer hurts you after $75,000.”

Where you live and the cost of living there has only a small influence on that number, he added. (That may be a revelation to some Manhattanites.)

The study, which analyzed Gallup data of 450,000 randomly selected Americans, did find that one’s “life evaluation” — a self-assessment of one’s life — continued rising well above $75,000. But this is not the same as experiencing day-to-day happiness.

“Many people want to make a lot of money, but the benefits of having a high income are ambiguous,” said Professor Kahneman, who is also a Nobel laureate in economics. When you are wealthy you are able to buy more pleasures, he said, but a recent study suggests that wealthier people “seem to be less able to savor the small things in life.”

That said, some people seem almost hardwired to want to make money. A 2007 article in The Journal of Happiness Studies reported that college freshmen who stated that they wanted a high salary by and large achieved that goal 20 years later. The article said that “individuals with strong financial aspirations are socially inclined, confident, ambitious, politically conservative, traditional, conventional, and relatively less able academically, but not psychologically distressed.”

People who sought high incomes were more likely to major in things like business, engineering and economics, it said, while people for whom high income was not paramount gravitated toward the liberal arts and social sciences.

“Wanting money is not a recipe for disaster, but wanting money and not getting it — that’s a good recipe for disaster,” Professor Kahneman said. People who want to become performing artists are likely to be unhappy, because most will fail, he said. Becoming a wealthy rock star is a common dream when you are young, but when you are in college, you should try to take a longer-term view, he said.

These days, of course, many people are worried about whether they will get a job at all, let alone become rock stars. Understandably, the recession is causing more people to place the financial rewards of a career first, said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of “The Pathfinder.”

But this could backfire as people who initially pursue a field because of the salary realize that the work is unsatisfying. Mr. Lore has recently coached a lawyer who decided to forgo his high pay in favor of teaching law, an investment banker who decided to switch to a green energy company and a dentist who decided to become a schoolteacher.

It all depends on priorities, Mr. Lore said. Some people are willing to make lifestyle changes because the intrinsic rewards of following a passion or making a difference are more important than a high salary in an unenjoyable career, he said.

In the end, people should pursue what they’re interested in, said Daniel H. Pink, author of “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” Looking at lists of careers with the highest salaries tends to be a fool’s game, he said.

“It’s very hard to game the system, in the sense that situations and conditions change so quickly that a field that is hot today might be only lukewarm in 5 or 10 years,” he said. “It might even be nonexistent.”

Let’s say you see that accountants are getting decent salaries directly out of college, he said, but you don’t really like accounting. “Chances are you’re not going to be very good at accounting,” and your salary will reflect that, he said. “Generally, people flourish when they’re doing something they like and what they’re good at.”

For his part, Mr. Lore said he was concerned that current economic woes might force people into poor career choices.

“I would prefer that the economy was doing better and people were more adventurous because it often has an enormous effect on the quality of their life,” he said. Many people equate success with a high income, but, “How can someone say they’re successful if they’re not happy doing their work? To me, that’s not success.”

A version of this article appeared in print on September 12, 2010, on page BU10 of the New York edition.

Professional Development Skills Training Highlights - Jeff Rust, Corporate Alliance

Jeff Rust, Corporate Alliance, http://www.knoweveryone.com/

• Those who will do well in their careers will be those that build a successful network.
• Build security by building relationships with people.
• People do business with those they know, like, & trust.
• Watch out for the "what's in it for me mentality." Especially if you need a job.
• Build a relationship "just because."
• Don't base investments on relationships based on your perception of the potential returns.
• Don't just be concerned w/ quantity of relationships, but with quality of the relationships.
• Every opportunity has its roots in relationships.
• Relationship building takes practice. Take opportunities to practice often. Have a goal at each event.
• Most opportunities come from repeated interactions, not the initial interaction.

Lecture Series Highlights--Tips for Successful Interviewing

by Jared Sine, Latham & Watkins

Start early

• Network
• Law School Alumni/other BYU Supporters
• Early Interviewing Days: NY/DC
• Practice Interviews

Brand Yourself

• Questions:  Who are you?
• Accomplishments?
• What do you do well?
• What are you interested in?
• What do you want others to know about you?
• How do you want to be perceived?

Build Answers into Your Resume

• Legal experiences that demonstrate your abilities
• Non-legal experiences that are interesting
• Extra-curricular activities make a difference

Research

• Firm: Practice areas/lawyers' accomplishments
• Culture, training, hiring practices, partnership and other opportunities
• Sources: Vault (contact CSO for username & password); firm website, present/former attorneys at the firm, etc.

The Interview Process

• Selling yourself: personally, as a future lawyer
• Use effective anecdotes to illustrate strengths/overcome concerns; answer/ask questions; responding to interviewer's responses
• Show interest without showing desperation: you have other options, be confident that you belong, be natural

Effective Name Dropping

• Other law firms with which you are interviewing, lawyers/persons of note who work in interviewer's circles, clerkships

Overcoming Concerns

• Anticipate the interviewers' concerns
• Prepare responses to concerns that demonstrate a connection to the legal profession/practice area, convey that you understand the hours;workload requirements, ease concerns that you are not a long-term investment, and other concerns
• Turn potential concerns into strengths where possible

Asking and Answering Questions that Sell Yourself

• Effective use of resume
• Anticipate questions by creating ties to the area, memorizing interviewer names, identifying practice interests and interest in firm
• Prepared questions: select areas of interest, prepare to respond to responses

Interview Myths

• Callbacks are only for the firms to sell themselves--not true--they are still looking to see if you're a good fit for the firm
• Legal interviews are for "schmoozing"
• Students with higher GPAs always get the nod over students with a lower GPA -- not true; experiences can counterbalance grades; strong interview skills?  those things can swing the balance; also a good reference from alumni, other contact can help open the door

FBI Info Session Highlights

Special Agent Juan Becerra presented an information session about the FBI on 9/8/2010.

http://fbijobs.gov/

A few highlights from his presentation:

• You will need a bachelor's degree + 3 years full-time professional experience or graduate degree + 2 years full-time professional experience.  That full-time experience can occur before your graduation and doesn't have to be law related, although it should be professional in nature or include supervisory experience.
• Those with foreign language ability, prior military experience, or women are especially sought after.
• Those with foreign language ability will have to pass the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT).
• The FBI accepts applicants with a wide variety of professional backgrounds; those with backgrounds in accounting, languages, prior military, or computer science, extremely desired.
• Requirements:  U.S. citizen; between 23-36 (although willing to consider slightly older if prior military service); must be able to pass a vision test; color recognition test; have a current driver's license; and be able to pass the physical fitness test.
• The FBI has 56 field offices in the U.S. and 400 satellite offices around the world.
• The FBI employs 13,000+ special agents and 20,000+ analysts, professionals, and support staff.
• It takes approximately 8-12 months to process applications.
• Number one priority for the FBI currently is anti-terrorism, although cybercrime is also a major priority.
• Looking to hire up to 720 this year.
• Internship program in the works--waiting on funding--keep checking website.

If you would like more information or would like Agent Becerra's contact information for questions, please contact MariLee Allred.

The Worst Things That Have Ever Happened to You

By: Kelly Cuene, career advisor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

You’ve heard the phrase, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” right? Well, what doesn’t kill you also makes for good interview material.

Some of the trickiest interview questions are those that ask you to recall a negative experience or talk about your weaknesses. Questions like:

Tell me about a time when you failed.

What are your greatest weaknesses?
What is the greatest obstacle you’ve overcome?

These kind of questions can often catch candidates off guard. They might bring up painful, embarrassing and negative experiences. It is challenging to convey what happened without complaining or coming across as overly negative.

At the same time, negative experiences or challenges usually provide for lots of growth and learning. They will allow you to demonstrate to an employer how you tackle tough issues and show them you aren’t afraid of making mistakes. Nobody wants to hire someone who will run from problems.

Some tips for handling these types of interview questions:

Don’t dwell on the negative. State the situation and swiftly move on to how you dealt with the issue.

State the facts and avoid interjecting negative opinions about other people (For example, “my boss was very demanding” is much better than, “my boss was rude and mean”)

Make sure to discuss the skills you used to overcome a challenge or deal with a problem.

Always end on a positive. What did you learn? How did the situation affect future decisions and actions?

Prepare in advance. These situations are tough to talk about and usually the questions we dread most. Practice your responses in advance.

Even if you’re not explicitly asked about a challenging situation, discussing those type of situations allows you to demonstrate how you’ve grown or used your skills in difficult circumstances.

http://studentbranding.com/the-worst-things-that-have-ever-happened-to-you/

10 Things You Should Know about a Business Lunch

from http://www.corporette.com/

No, we’re neither Debrett’s nor Emily Post, but we know a thing or two about conducting ourselves properly at a business lunch… we’ve also seen some truly bad manners. Thus, whether you’ve been to a million business lunches or you’re just starting out, 10 Things You Should Know:

1. As soon as everyone at the table is seated, that napkin goes in your lap. If you need to get up at some point, the napkin should be folded and placed on your chair. (Not the table — no one likes to look at a dirty napkin.) At the very end of the meal, when everyone is finished eating, you should fold you napkin and put it beneath your plate, to the left. This holds true even if you’re eating at a diner with paper napkins.

2. Your water glass is to your right. Your bread dish is to your left. If you get confused, put your hands in your lap and touch the index finger of your left hand to your left thumb, and do the same with your right — your left hand should form a “b” (for BREAD) and your right hand should form a “d” (for DRINK). We’ve also heard to think “BMW”: bread, middle, water.

3. If you are the host (or assisting the host, as it with many mid-level people), it’s good manners to make sure things are passed: butter, cream, salt & pepper. Pass the salt & pepper as a unit. Even if someone only asks for salt.

4. If you’re confused about which silverware to use, use the piece of silverware farthest away from the plate. When you’re done eating, the silverware should be laid on the plate diagonally in the upper-righthand corner, to signify to the waiter that you’re done.

5. Pay attention to what other people are ordering. Don’t be the girl on the diet who won’t have an appetizer even though everyone else is. Also, don’t be that jerky guy to order an appetizer even though no one else did, and then sit there smacking your lips about how amazing the bisque is, when no one else GOT the bisque because we all thought it would be a nice, quick lunch. (Not that we’re bitter or anything.) It’s 100% acceptable to order an appetizer to start and an appetizer for the main entree — no one cares what you’re eating so long as you’re eating at the same time everyone else is.

6. When in doubt, cut your food with fork and knife. Huge piece of lettuce? Cut it. The rule with fries is that if you’re eating the rest of your meal with a knife and fork, fries should also be eaten with the fork. (E.g., steak frites.) If you’re eating the rest of your meal with your hands, however, fries should be eaten with your hands. (E.g., burger.)

7. Here’s the proper way to use a fork and knife, courtesy of CollegeRecruiter.com:

While there are several different ways to hold and use a knife and fork correctly, the most common method used in the United States is as follows:

• When you eat, your fork is held in your right hand, like a pencil. (For all of your lefties out there, the fork is still held in the right hand.) The tines (your prongs on the fork) face up.

• When you cut your food, switch hands. Fork goes in the left hand, knife goes in the right to cut. Using your index finger, point your fork with tines down to pierce your food.

• Switch the fork back in the right hand to eat.

8. Proper etiquette is not always what you might think: olives with pits should be placed in your mouth, and the pit should be removed with your hand and laid on the side of your plate. (Not hidden in your napkin or beneath your plate.) Asparagus is properly eaten with your hands, provided it is not covered in sauce.

9. Blackberries should be kept under the table at all times. You should excuse yourself from the table to use a cell phone.

10. All of the above goes out the window if the most senior person at the table is doing things differently. Unless they’re the adorably-batty-head-of-the-company-in-name-only, follow them.

Read more: http://corporette.com/2008/05/12/10-things-you-should-know-about-a-business-lunch/#ixzz0yUYa3hwl