Helpful Links From PSLawNet: Making Your Public Service Job Search Easier

http://pslawnet.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/helpful-links-from-pslawnet-making-your-public-service-job-search-easier/

In addition to our database of more than 13,000 public service employer profiles (yes, you read that right — 13,000!) and almost 1,000 legal opportunities, the PSLawNet website has some great resources about anything from interviewing tips for public interest jobs, guides on landing jobs with international organizations to how to get and save money while working in the public interest field.
Here are a few other useful links you can find on our website:

• Post-grad fellowships Q&A
• Info about working on Capitol Hill
• Almost anything you ever wanted to know about becoming a Public Defender

If there’s something public service career-related you’re interested in finding out about — leave us a comment below and we’ll see if we can help you out!

We’re always looking to update our resources and add new information that you want to learn about — so, let us know.

• Print
• Email
• Digg
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Reddit
• StumbleUpon
• Twitter

Staying in the Game: Overcoming Job Search Fatigue

http://pslawnet.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/staying-in-the-game-overcoming-job-search-fatigue/

by Kristen Pavón

Career Builder featured a great article outlining 8 tips to battle job-search fatigue. I definitely could have used this list a year ago! Job searching is a ridiculously daunting task and I know it can be difficult to keep your eye on the prize.

I’m going to highlight a few of their tips and add a few public-interest law related ones of my own (mainly things I used to get through the job search period while keeping my sanity).

1. Consider your job search a full-time job.
Yes, yes and yes. If you’re unemployed, job searching cannot be something you do randomly when the urge arises. Like lots of things in life, you’ll get out of job searching what you put in. The more time and effort you dedicate to landing a job, the more likely you’ll actually get one.

2. Explore how social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, a personal blog and LinkedIn, can help your job search.
You can use these platforms as methods to either meet prospective employers or showcase skills or past accomplishments.

3. Craft a formal plan.
This tip is critical. I had a pretty good method, if I do say so myself. I set up a color-coded spreadsheet with job titles, organizations, application instructions, location, contact information, deadlines and the date I applied. Jobs I needed to apply to were highlighted in green, jobs I had already applied to were highlighted in red, and jobs that didn’t work out (read: rejected!) were in gloomy gray.

4. Set tangible (realistic) goals.
Write down the number of jobs you will apply for each day. Write down the number of jobs you will add to your queue each day.

5. Volunteer.
I know searching for and applying to jobs 8 hours a day can suck the life out of you and even leave you feeling low on the self-esteem meter. So, schedule a specific chunk of time to search for jobs and leave some time to volunteer for your favorite legal services organization in the area.

This will not only get you out of the house, but it will also be a great bullet on your résumé and more likely than not, you’ll meet some interesting people that may lead you to a job!

6. Go out and meet people.
Look up your local bar association and check out their events calendar. Make it to next networking event, bring a stack of business cards, and get to work!

Feeling awkward about it? Keep in mind lawyers know how to network, they expect it and they want to introduce you to other lawyers who may be able to help you out.

Still not feeling it? Well, I’m a success story. I went to a networking event in the D.C. area for public interest attorneys and law students, and I met two people. I had a great chat with one over coffee a few weeks later, which led me to meet another attorney who I set up a volunteering schedule with before landing a job. The other attorney I met at the event is now my colleague at work. Networking works.

7. Set up PSLawNet alerts!
Ok, yes. This tip is a bit self-serving but I actually used these during law school and during my job search. Through PSLawNet, you can get daily or weekly emails with job opportunities that fit your customized criteria. It’s too easy not to use. Check it out at PSLawNet.

I hope these tips help you. You can read all of Career Builder’s tips here.

 

How to Behave on Your First Day of Work

by Susan Gainen on September 16, 2011

The first day of work can be especially challenging for someone who has never worked in an office. Even if your employer has a first-day orientation program, you will also need to orient yourself. Assume nothing. Use this five-point list to get started.

Some of this is based on advice shared by Dean Gail B. Agrawal at the University of Iowa College of Law during the school’s August 2011 two-day Job Search Camp. The Dean had come from many meetings with alumni and employers, and she channeled some of their concerns for her students.

When do I come to work?

• Full-time. Quickly determine the hours that your employer considers “full-time.” Do people come to work at 8 or at 9? Do they stay until 6 or 7? Do they work from home? How do they make those arrangements? Should you find that everyone is hard at work when you arrive at 9, you may want to adjust your schedule because everyone else comes to work at 8, making you look like a slacker.
• Part-time. Talk to your supervisor and set your schedule. Do not assume that you can work from home or school without making specific arrangements. Sometimes your time-in-the-office may critical to your work as a clerk. Understand how you must keep track of your time, and do it contemporaneously from Day 1. Employers are deeply skeptical about paying hourly workers without documentation.

How will I get paid?

You will need to provide appropriate ID and to fill out forms so that you can be paid. Make sure that you understand the payroll cycle (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) and whether you will be paid by the hour as a part-time law clerk or as a salaried employee on an annual basis. If this is your first job, be prepared for the shock of payroll deductions. Your take-home pay will not be a direct multiple of the hours that you worked or your annual salary divided by 52.

What do I wear?

• Formal Business Attire. What do the lawyers wear? If most are in suits, you will increase your chances of being asked to observe in court or to attend client meetings if you wear one, too. No one will take you to court if you are in jeans.
• Business Casual. Business casual is fraught with peril because it can mean khakis and a blue shirt or merino wool pants and a Missoni sweater. In an office with a business-casual profile, the smartest lawyers dress for their days, perhaps coming to work in jeans and then wearing the suits that hang behind their doors when they go to court. Ask how you can maximize your opportunities for court observation and client contact within the business casual context.
• Business Casual Caveat. There may be one influential lawyer who wears three-piece suits and who believes that the introduction of business casual marked the Beginning of the End of Civilization. If that person is a decision-maker, you may want to dress in a way that does not annoy him.

What can I bring with me?

The Velvet Elvis Painting. Before bringing your favorite artwork, look carefully at the tone of individual offices, and ask if there are guidelines, rules or limits, or if someone has veto power over office décor. Prepare to be surprised. I own an antique poster with a huge cat on it which I once brought to an office. The senior consultant and owner asked that I take it home. Why? While I had purchased it because of the cat image, it was, in fact, an ad for Spanish cognac, and my deeply religious colleague was not keen on having a liquor poster in the office.

What do I call these people?

Do not assume that everyone wants to be called by his or her first name. Ask. This applies to lawyers and staff.

http://lawyerist.com/first-day-of-work/

Ace Your Skype (or Other Video) Job Interview

More and more employers are choosing to conduct their interviews via video conference. Here are some tips if you find yourself in that situation. Make sure and let the firm know that we can host the video interviews at the law school. That way you'll have a professional looking background, minimal distractions, and technical support.

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/career-advice/blog/on-job/ace-your-skype-job-interview-14-smart-tips/1444/

By Amy Levin-Epstein | Aug 22, 2011

Practice makes perfect. This dictum applies to learning to do anything well whether it's riding a bike, speaking a foreign language, or doing a Skype interview with confidence. Consultant Kerrie Hopkins, who works with clients on 5 continents, advises not only practicing but also recording your efforts to review. People have no idea how they are being received on another's computer screen, says Hopkins.

That's not a great thing, since in a still shaky economy when companies that are able to hire are increasingly turning to online interviews to save time and money, being able to interview comfortably on Skype is an essential skill to have.

So in addition to practicing, how else can job seekers prepare for an online interview? I asked dozens of executives, career consultants, and tech experts nationwide this question. Here are their best 14 tips. Got more? Please share them in the comments section below.

1. Look Into The Camera
During Skype interviews, some people fixate on themselves on the computer screen. This gives the impression that the candidate is not making eye contact with the interviewer on the other end. When an interview starts, take a moment to make sure you look fine on the screen, then focus on looking into the camera. Davin Malasarn, Science Writer for the California NanoSystems Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles

2. Get Rid of Distractions
Make sure that [you're] the only living object in view. Maybe you're 27 and living with your parents, but the person interviewing you doesn't need to know that. Let the people in your life know what's happening, and insist they stay at the opposite side of the house/apartment. If you have kids, it would be helpful to have a babysitter come to make sure there is no crying during the Skype session. And pets should also be out of view.Rich DeMatteo, Co-Founder of Bad Rhino, a social media marketing firm, and Founder of Corn on the Job, a job search blog, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3. Put Your Hands Where They Can See Them
Make sure that the camera on your computer gives a good shot of your head and shoulders, as well as of your hands. Remember that a good portion of understanding comes from body language and other non-verbal cues, so you want to make sure that the upper half of your body is showing.John Heckers, MA, CPC, BCPC, Heckers Development Group, LTD, Cherry Creek, Colorado

4. Plug In Securely
Plug your computer into an ethernet port, and plug your headphones into the computer's jack. You want direct ethernet access because it's far more stable than wireless, and you want to have headphones in to avoid playback from the speakers.Fan Bi, Founder + Chief Shirt, Blank Label, Boston, Massachussetts

5. Light Yourself Kindly
Lighting [is crucial]. Set up two task lights on either side of the computer/webcam. Test the light so that it is evenly lit and flattering. Sarah Cornwell, appbackr, Palo Alto, California

6. Dress For Success
It may seem like a good idea to wear a dressy top, and shorts below where you think the camera might not see it. But you might be surprised how wardrobe malfunctions can happen. Dress the part 100 percent, just like you are going into a real interview, which this is! Dawn Rasmussen, CMP, president of Pathfinder Writing and Career Services, Portland, Oregon

7. Avoid Technical Difficulties
It is of utmost importance to ensure that your internet connection works properly during a Skype interview. It is difficult to have a discussion if the interviewer is unable to hear you due to technological difficulties and interruptions. The impression will be that you are unreliable.Lynda Zugec, Managing Director, The Workforce Consultants, New York, New York

8. Sound Strong
Clarity is very important. For heaven's sakes, buy a USB [-connected] headset because the microphone jack usually provides a suboptimal experience.Tadd Rosenfeld, Principal at TeamLauncher.com, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

9. Slow It Down
It can be easier to talk over people on a Skype call so wait for the interviewer to stop speaking before you answer. This also gives you a few seconds to think about what you want to say before you speak.Jessica Silverstein, Esq., Principal, Attorneys Counsel New York, New York.


10. Know Proper Web Cam Etiquette
Do not sit too close to the camera. Sit up straight-posture goes a long way. Look at the camera. When you look directly at the camera, it appears to the interviewer that you are looking directly at them/making eye contact. Kendall Payne Slagle, Public Relations Manager for Offers.com, Austin, Texas

11. Lean In
Sitting forward and leaning toward the camera so you become a talking head, just like on TV. This is the best way for employers to read your facial expression, which can add a great deal of meaning to your words. Ruth Sherman, founder of Ruth Sherman Associates, LLC Greenwich

12. Be Enthusiastic
Skype interviews tend to dampen one's personality so make an effort to smile and act like your pleasant self as much as possible. Christy Grimste, Director, Educators Overseas, Tampa, Florida

13. Dress Dark With A Touch Of Color
As in any on-camera scenarios, don't wear stripes or tight woven patterns such as hounds tooth because they'll come across like strobe lights to your interviewer. It's best to wear a darker color with accents of jewel tones in a tie, or for a ladies shirt under a suit jacket, to bring a little color to the image. Jennifer Johnson, Founder, J. Johnson Executive Search, Inc., New York, New York


14. Get A Handle On It
Whether it's Skype, an instant-messaging client, or another videoconferencing app, you likely have a user name or handle that you sign in with. Make sure it's not something like beerlover2011 or casanova4u. As with your email account, choose something professional.  If you can't use just your name because it's already taken, try your name combined with your industry (jsmith_writer, for instance).Charles Purdy, senior editor and career expert, Monster.com, San Francisco, California

Read more: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/career-advice/blog/on-job/ace-your-skype-job-interview-14-smart-tips/1444/#ixzz1Xl80hISJ

Let the Guidebook Be Your . . .Well, Guide

The start of a new school year always brings with it a sense of excitement about starting something new, improving upon past performance, getting reacquainted with fellow students, and (sigh) looking for a job.

Throughout this very busy time, we've had a number of students with similar questions and concerns.  Some are law school veterans of a year or two, others are just starting out.  Some are just starting to look for jobs and getting serious about resume and cover letter writing.  Some more experienced students have been sending out resumes and cover letters that need to be updated and refined.

As you may or may not know, resumes for legal jobs have a specific format.  They are quite different from resumes you may have written before for other positions.  Resume writing is a very precise skill that takes some practice.  Where to begin?

Also, you will be required for most job applications to write a cover letter.  If you haven't written a cover letter before, it can seem quite daunting.  Business letters have a specific format.  Additionally, a cover letter can determine whether or not you'll get a job.  What is supposed to be in a cover letter?  How can you find out what to say, how to format it, etc.?

Did you know the answers to these questions and more can be found within the covers of your Career Services Guide to Professional Development? 

Do you remember receiving a copy of this manual in the mail the summer before your 1L year?  Do you know where you copy is?  Has it been a while since you've looked at it?

This little resource guide has all kinds of helpful information in it, including a chapter on resumes and cover letters which includes several samples. 

If carrying another book around isn't convenient, this guidebook is also available online.  You can find it at: http://www.law2.byu.edu/ Career Services (under Quicklinks)>Careers>Guidebooks>Guide to Professional Development.

The Guide to Professional Development can help give you ideas for formatting, as well as content, for both your resume and cover letters.  Once you have a good start, your career counselor will be happy to review and make suggestions for you.

The good news is writing resumes and cover letters gets easier with practice.  Until you feel comfortable writing them, take advantage of the Guide to Professional Development as another resource to help you.

Informational Interviews: The Complete How-To

http://greatonthejob.com/2011/08/informational-interviews-the-complete-how-to/

 by Annie Favreau

Informational interviews are one of the best, most under-utilized career tools at our disposal. These focused meetings with an expert in a field can give you first hand industry knowledge and help you greatly expand your network.

So why don’t more people use them? Informational interviews aren’t the sole domain of job seekers or new grads looking for their “big break.” They can actually be gold for anyone looking to get ahead—whether that’s starting a blog, getting a book deal, or trying to take their career to the next level. Here are five tips for making the most out of these short but sweet (and powerful) meetings:

1. Do Your Research
Before you schedule a meeting, make sure you’ve thoroughly researched the field or project you’re interested in. Whether you’re flipping through management books, scanning online resources, or talking to friends and family, this first step is vital. You need to have some general ideas about the industry or the role of the person you’re targeting. You shouldn’t walk into that meeting knowing absolutely nothing about what the other person and his company or organization does.

2. Know the Purpose of Your Meeting
Understand why you want the informational interview in the first place. You typically have twenty to thirty minutes to make a good impression and learn something, so “I want information” is not a compelling end goal.

Do you want to learn about a new industry or a specific work environment? Are you curious about what hurdles to expect when beginning a career as a graphic artist, production assistant or copy editor? Or are you interested in discovering the ins and outs of applying for a position with MTV?

Make sure to prepare questions in advance that will answer questions related to your objective. If you want advice about starting a blog, ask your interviewee about which blogs she reads regularly or how she came up with her first editorial calendar. If you’re interested in breaking into broadcast journalism, ask how your contact first got started or what she’d suggest a newbie do now to separate themselves from the pack. Alternatively, if you’re just looking to pick someone’s brain about how they achieved success in their career or what advice they’d offer a newcomer, that’s okay too.

3. Do More Research
Don’t ask any questions you can find the answer to online. That’s a waste of everyone’s time. If you do your research well, you’ll avoid asking surface level questions when you get to the actual meeting. The kind of information you can learn in an informational interview is unique and highly valuable (i.e. your contact’s personal, boots-on-the-ground experience), so don’t waste her time with meaningless, overly general questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about opinions on general trends or the latest industry developments—just steer clear of facts and figures you can pull from the Internet.

4. Network, Don’t Job Hunt
The #1 cardinal rule of informational interviews for job seekers is this: don’t ask for a job. You may ask your contact for a limited number of introductions to other people in the field, but your goal is information gathering, not scooping a position.

The #2 rule is equally as important: be respectful. This means follow your contact’s lead as to when, where, and how (on the phone, in person, etc.) the meeting will take place. Taking notes during the meeting is highly recommended, but check that your contact is comfortable with that set-up before whipping out your paper and pen.

As for length, even the most successful interview should last no more than 30 minutes. It’s better to wrap up early and err on the side of politeness than to overstay your welcome. Remember, making a good impression leaves the door open for future meetings, networking opportunities, and a strong professional relationship. Making a bad impression with endless questions will kill your chance of building a meaningful and productive connection.

5. Pay it Forward
Say thank you immediately following the meeting by sending an email (if the interview was online or over the phone) or a handwritten note (if you met in person) expressing your appreciation for the other person’s time. Moreover, think of yourself as your contact’s colleague, rather than simply as someone asking for a favor. Even if you’re not currently in a position to give back, be on the lookout for ways to repay their generosity down the line.

Annie Favreau writes for Inside Jobs, a career exploration site where people can discover what opportunities exist and learn what paths can take them there.