How to Request a Letter of Recommendation

http://lawyerist.com/law-students-letter-recommendation/

by Randall Ryder

Success in law school can be defined in more than one way: getting good grades, to acquiring legal skills and getting practical experience during law school, to the always-undervalued networking with professors and classmates.

Success (immediately) after law school is usually defined one way: employment. When you find yourself applying for jobs and asking for a letter of recommendation, follow these tips to enhance your chance of success.

Timing is everything

Provide instructions to make things easy for the recommender 

Ask the right person

Business Reception/Networking Event Tips

http://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/business_etiquette/recruiting_event_etiquette.html

Drinks and Hors D'oeuvres

At a business reception drinks and hors d'oeuvres will more than likely be served - from a bar, buffet table, trays carried by waiters circulating around the room, or a combination thereof.

The Bar

If there is no true bar on the premises, bartenders will serve from a table, mixing drinks or pouring wine or beer as requested. Before ordering, be certain it's your turn; if you're in doubt, ask anyone who arrived at the bar or drinks table before you whether he or she is being served.

Waiters, too, will probably be passing through the room with trays, serving drinks. Don't make a beeline to the waiter to grab a glass or place your order; either wait patiently until the waiter comes your way or go stand in line at the drinks table or bar. Keep the drink in your left hand so that your right is ready for handshakes. When your glass is empty, look for a sideboard or tables where used glasses and plates are deposited; if you can't find one, ask a waiter or the bartender what to do with your glass, and then thank him when he more than likely takes it.

Do not tip the bartender unless there is a cash bar; in which case you will also pay for your drinks- an arrangement that's unlikely at a formal affair.

Passed-Tray Food Service

This may be the only food service, or it might be combined with self-service at a buffet table. Waiters circulate with trays of hors d'oeuvres, stopping to offer them to the guests. Finger foods and bite-sized hors d'oeuvres can usually be taken in your fingers and eaten directly. The server will also have small napkins that you can take to clean your fingers.

What do to with food skewers or toothpicks after you've eaten an hors d'oeuvre? There's usually a small receptacle on the waiter's tray for used ones. If not, hold any items until you find a wastebasket. Don't place used items on the buffet table unless you see a waste receptacle there.

Another question: how do you juggle your drink, your plate, and shake hands at the same time? Only with great difficulty, meaning a nod and a smile might have to substitute for a handshake. Standing close to a table could solve the problem, giving you a place to put your plate. Another option is to limit your intake of food, thus freeing up your hand. If you suspect that you'll be hungry and tempted to spend more time eating than mingling, have a snack before the event.

The Buffet Table

Hors d'oeuvres and canapes may be set out on a buffet table, with guests picking up plates and helping themselves to both finger foods and dishes that require a fork. Take small portions, and don't return for plateful after plateful; the food at this stage of the party takes a backseat to the people around you - not the other way around.

Food Stations

Food stations are smaller tables set up in strategic locations around the room. Each holds a different kind of food - ethnic specialties, perhaps, or all-vegetarian dishes. The idea behind this arrangement is to create several shorter lines instead of one long one.

Greetings and Courtesies

As a rule, punctuality is stressed more at a business affair than at a purely social one. For a business reception, arriving on time is not only expected - it's also the considerate and smart thing to do. Even if the event is a large reception at which guests' arrival times are fluid, it's still wise to arrive close (within ten to twenty minutes) to the time stated on the invitation.

Mingling

Don't be embarrassed to introduce yourself to someone. When another person is standing alone, this ritual poses no problem. Just step up and say, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Mary Buchwald from Hill and Dale." Be sure to state your first and last names and, if necessary, ask others to state both of theirs. Etiquette says you shouldn't use a person's first name until he asks you to do so; at the same time, rigid adherence to this custom can make you look obsequious or pretentious. Take your cue from the person you're greeting. if he immediately calls you Jack, there may be an unspoken understanding that you're on a first-name basis. When in doubt test the waters by using Mr. or Ms.

Introducing yourself into a group conversation is slightly more difficult. Try to find a group that has at least one person whom you know. Approach with a smile on your face. Nod a greeting as you join the group and then, at the next small break in the conversation, introduce yourself: "Hi, I'm Jim Sanders from MNO." Remember attendees at business functions realize that strangers will be introducing themselves, so they're likely to be open to meeting you.

If you don't know anyone in the group, approach the group, but be careful not to interrupt a person in mid-sentence. Instead wait and listen for a break or for the person to finish his or her thought. Then make eye contact with one of the group, reach out your hand, and introduce yourself: "Hi, I'm Sally Smith from LMN." Remember: At a business event people are encouraged to meet people, so it's an expected thing for a stranger to join a group.

Here are some other tips for mingling:

Put aside shoptalk of the critical or confidential kind. Keep your professional demeanor.
Avoid any political or religious issues that you feel passionate about.

Be an active listener. Stand up straight and show your interest by making eye contact and occasionally paraphrasing what the other person is saying to show you understand.

Keep your voice volume to a reasonable level.

Keep a close rein on drinking. Decide ahead of time what limits to put on drinking consumption. Then do not go over your limit no matter how festive the occasion or great the temptation.

Small Talk Tips

Become familiar with various topics. Read national newspapers and new magazines to become knowledgeable about world and national events. Read your local newspaper and tune in to local news as well, and peruse general-interest magazines and watch television news-magazine programs to keep up to speed on what's happening in entertainment and the arts. Know which sports teams are succeeding and which aren't. Make it your assignment to be a generalist and to know something about a lot of different things.

Ask people their opinions. Before you go to an event, list three or four questions you can ask at the start of a conversation. Always couch these questions in terms of asking a person for his or her opinion. Remember, people love to be asked their views on any number of subjects.

Stay away from controversial topics. Politics, sex, religion.

Know about your host(s). If possible, learn their interests ahead of time. Do they enjoy skiing, traveling, hiking, collecting stamps? You can ask colleagues or your boss, or if the event is in your host's home or office, take note of pictures and other objects for clues.

Listen, Listen, Listen. Become a great listener by learning to focus on the person who is talking and to tune out the other distractions around you.

Practice, Practice, Practice. Try talking to people who are safe conversational parties: cabdrivers, people at the supermarket, the package delivery driver. Becoming comfortable with these people will help you to be comfortable with strangers at company functions.

Tips for Overcoming Bad Law School Grades

http://www.beyondhearsay.com/2012/03/19/tips-for-overcoming-bad-law-school-grades/

by Kimber Russell

The sluggish legal services market has made job seeking all the more difficult even for top performing law school students, so what hope is there for those who simply don’t have the best grades? The bad news is that if you do not happen to be one of the lucky few who manage to rise to the top of the class, you are not likely to be successful in securing on-campus interviews with so-called “BigLaw” firms. The good news is that many students who do obsess over grades and other resume-boosting extracurricular activities often fail to distinguish themselves by developing practical legal skills.

When it comes to those coveted BigLaw jobs, grades and class rank are really the only proxy for ability, because these types of firms base their hiring decisions almost entirely on first-year grades. Such firms are not really interested in the kind of legal skills a student might have acquired, largely because the firm will provide the new associates with the kind of training required for that particular law practice.

Tip #1: Aim for the Middle
Tip #2: If Government Work Is What You Seek--Volunteer
Tip #3: Be Realistic

Good Questions to Ask in Informational Interviews

from Susan Gainen, Pass the Baton blog

http://www.passthebaton.biz/2012/03/law-school-applicants-tips-for-test_14.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Passthebatonblog+%28passthebatonblog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Questions to ask:

1. Where does your work come from? Do you have any say in how much, how little or what kind of work you do?
2. How much of your time is spent on client development in private practice? How does client development work? If you are in a public sector job, where do your clients come from? Walk-in? Court-appointed? Other referral?
3. How do you balance work and family? Do you believe that work-life balance is a myth?
4. If you are in a high-stress practice (which could be in any substantive area of law), how do you manage the emotional elements of providing client service? If you are in a practice where outcomes are often bad (public defender's clients often go to jail), what is it about your work that keeps you committed and focused?
5. What do you wish that you had studied in law school?
6. If you have faced an ethically challenging situation, how did you handle it? What do you do if you are asked by a client to advocate for a position that you oppose?
7. Describe the relationships between and among your colleagues, your clients, other actors in client matters (judges, other lawyers, bankers, prosecutors, police, court personnel, etc.) How do you manage conflicts among them?
8. What are the challenges that you face when identifying and solving your clients’ problems? How do you use outside experts? When you use an outside expert, how much do you need to know about what the expert knows?
9. What kind of technological infrastructure do you use in your practice?
10. How has technology changed the way you practice? What changes do you predict for the next 10 years?
11. How do you manage, record, and get paid for your time?

If you ask questions like these, the person you are interviewing will tell you a lot more than what you have asked. Take good notes.

Top Five Ways to Make a Great First Impression

http://greatonthejob.com/2012/03/top-5-ways-to-make-a-great-first-impression/

by Erin Palmer
A first impression is like a headline. People are going to check you out and decide immediately if they are interested in knowing more—so it’s vital to make an impactful first impression at the start of every conversation. People often relate a first impression with a face-to-face meeting, yet initial impressions often precede in-person meetings. Every type of communication with someone new shapes his or her overall impression of you. Here’s how you make every first impression memorable—in person, on the phone, via video chat or in plain old writing…

1. In-person

2. Over the phone

3. Through email

4. Via video chat

5. Follow-up



Erin Palmer is a writer and editor for Bisk Education. Erin works with Villanova University’s online human resource courses, which allows students to earn a certificate in human resources. Erin can be reached on Twitter @Erin_E_Palmer.

10 Body Language Mistakes That Sabotage Most Interviews

by Paul Michael

 

Question — how much of what you “say” is actually interpreted through body language and tone of voice? Well, if we are to believe Albert Mehrabian, almost all of it.

Professor Albert Mehrabian has stated that only 7% of a message is conveyed verbally, through words. The other 93% is split between tone of voice (38%) and body language (55%). In fact, it’s widely known as the 7-38-55 rule.

Now, you may take or leave that kind of statistic, as it clearly cannot be true in all cases. And furthermore, it cannot include the written word. If it did, authors would not sell books, and we would never sign contracts!

But even so, it’s true that tone of voice and body language can betray our real feelings. And in a job interview, it’s important to take control of your body language as much as possible. After all, even though you may say all the right things, your body can be telling the interviewer a completely different story.

Here then are 10 body language mistakes to avoid. Keep them in mind before your next interview, and keep them under control when you’re in the hot seat. (See also: 16 Ways to Improve Your Body Language)

See link for 10 body language mistakes to avoid.

http://www.wisebread.com/10-body-language-mistakes-that-sabotage-most-interviews

 

A Bar Prep Action Plan for Public Interest (and Other) 3Ls with No Job Offers

by Steven L. Grumm

I have spoken recently with several law school career professionals about the plight of public interest-minded 3Ls who likely will not have job offers at graduation. To say the least, many of these 3Ls are experiencing heightened fear, uncertainty, and demoralization. There are external and internal factors catalyzing this anxiety. Externally, 3Ls face a tight labor market. In NALP’s September 2011 snapshot survey of nonprofit and government law offices, fewer than one in five respondents indicated that they hired Class of 2011 graduates for staff or post-graduate fellowship positions. And approximately one in three respondent organizations was in a hiring freeze at the time of the survey. (See “NALP Public Interest Employment Market Snapshot Report,” January 2012, www.nalp.org/publicservice.)

Internally, 3Ls perceive — wrongly, but understandably— that their prospects for long-term professional success or failure hang in the balance —to be determined by bar exam results and by landing a job as soon as possible. I remember these feelings well. I graduated in 2003. Compared to today’s job market, it seems like employers were extending job offers with abandon back then. Yet when I made an abrupt career course correction two months before graduation, I found myself with no job offers, little money, a bar exam looming, and free-falling self-esteem.

Here follows a modest proposal for 3Ls to maximize productivity and minimize stress in the period
between graduation and bar exam results.

The Action Plan for Public Interest 3Ls

For those 3Ls who will be studying for the bar and hunting for jobs after graduation, the keys to success may be distilled into one word: planning. Before graduation, 3Ls should work up an action plan to manage their summertime responsibilities. There are (at least) four considerations for an action plan:

• Bar exam prep;
• The job hunt;
• Managing finances; and
• Maintaining sanity.

Bar Exam Prep

This is the graduating 3L’s primary responsibility. I am convinced beyond debate that the key to bar exam prep is turning into a sheep. Whether taking a BARBRI-style course or using an independent study program, grads should follow the advice, processes, and timelines laid out in their course materials.

(I grant that staying 100% on schedule is nearly impossible, but the trick is not to fall too far behind.) There is a reason that these bar prep programs are so popular: they work. I had success by treating bar prep like a job. I attended classes on weekday mornings, studied independently in the afternoons, and put in time on evenings and weekends as needed. I heeded instructors’ advice and treated the course materials like gospel. Grads should find a study routine that works for them and stick to it. But of course while bar prep is the foremost priority, it is not the only one.…

The Job Hunt: Networking and Volunteering

Trite as it may seem, the key to landing a job is building relationships in the public interest community.

And while bar prep will consume a great deal of time between graduation and the end of July, grads should take steps to connect with employers. The two most efficient ways to do this are:

• Informational interviews. Starting in the late spring, graduating 3Ls should arrange a series of summertime, Friday afternoon coffee appointments with attorneys at employer organizations. It’s important to plan these in advance so that vacation schedules can be considered.

• Volunteering. While time will be at a premium during June and July, volunteering a few hours per week will help graduating 3Ls to network and may serve as a pleasant distraction from more mundane bar prep.

When asked what law students can do to make themselves the strongest possible job candidates, employers responding to our snapshot survey answered, overwhelmingly, that volunteering and networking were the keys. There are few better ways to get oneself noticed.

Managing Finances

This must begin now. 3Ls should take inventory of their finances. How much money is in the bank Can their funds sustain them through graduation? Through the summer? When I was a 3L, I found that I would run out of funds (Stafford loans) in May. So I did what everyone else seemed to be doing:

I borrowed private “bar” loans. “What’s $10,000 on top of my existing debt?” I said to myself.  The answer is that it’s $10,000 more—money that wasn’t mine and that I’m still paying back. To be certain, graduating 3Ls do not want to worry about making rent payments in July. But they should live frugally, borrow only what they need, and start convincing themselves of the enlightenment to be achieved through Spartan living.

A buddy of mine in law school, Irish Dan, had a great gig. He tended bar—what else did you think a guy named Irish Dan was going to do? — a couple of nights a week to take his mind off of bar prep and to bring in extra cash. Graduating 3Ls should consider these kinds of side jobs that require minimal time investment and can actually give their brains a break.

Maintaining Sanity

Speaking of giving brains a break, the importance of living well is not to be lost amidst memorizing the rule against perpetuities, networking with employers, and clipping coupons. Graduating 3Ls should identify those activities that clear their minds and perk up their spirits. Exercise was hugely important for me during June and July. And by mid-June, my body convinced me that eating right was helping my studies. Indeed, by bar exam time I was in the best shape of my life. (If only the bar exam were a half-marathon.) In addition to exercise and good eating, I found all sorts of free things that I could do with minimal time investment —museum and gallery visits chief among them. Also, one or two well-timed weekend trips are advisable.

For me, a one-day trip to the beach in early July felt like a week in the South Pacific. Finally, while I did not come to this until later in life, I’d recommend to any bar exam taker that beginning each day with 10 minutes of quiet meditation time will pay enormous dividends.

The stress that attends bar exam prep is extraordinary, but it need not — in fact, should not — be overwhelming. By planning out their summers and making the most of their time, graduating 3Ls will be able to keep up with their preparation, take care of their minds and bodies, and not lose sight of the job search.

from March 2012 NALP Bulletin

Steven L. Grumm is the NALP Director of Public Service Initiatives

PSLawNet Resources

PSLawNet.org is a great resource to help you in your public service job search (public interest, government, non-profit, etc.) and has a wealth of information and materials to help you. 

Here are some facts about PSLawNet.
https://pslawnet.org/uploads/Temporary_Links/PSLawNet_General_Fact_Sheet_-_2012.pdf

If you are unfamiliar with their website, or would like a refresher, see the following user guide for help:

Job Seeker User Guide
https://pslawnet.org/uploads/Temporary_Links/PSLawNet_Job_seeker_User_Guide_-_2012.pdf

5 Tips on How to Approach a Mentor

by Michael P. Maslanka All Articles

Most law students and new lawyers know it's critical to have a mentor, but how can they find one? Lawyers are busy, the economy is bad, and it's easy to feel adrift. In this and future columns, I'm going to share what new and aspiring lawyers need to know, without a bunch of fluff that doesn't add value.

What qualifies me to write as a mentor? During three decades of practice, I've won and lost a lot of cases and been on both sides of the desk, as an employee and a boss. I see a lot of resumes as managing partner of my firm's Dallas office. I'm a member of the American Inns of Court, a group that devotes time to mentoring. I spend a fair amount of time with 3Ls and new lawyers seeking counsel on their careers.

I get emails -- lots of them -- from the future-lawyers cohort. They ask if I can help them. Some of them are looking for advice, and some are looking for help finding a job. But the devil is in the details. Here are five things a new lawyer or lawyer-to-be should do when approaching another attorney for guidance.

See link for rest of article:

http://www.law.com/jsp/lawjobs/newsandviews/LawArticle.jsp?id=1202543838833&rss=careercenter#

Rejection – It’s Not Personal

By: Michele Posehn

http://studentbranding.com/rejection-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-not-personal/

As job seekers, we all have one thing in common–at one point or another, we will all be rejected. When I was right out of college, I really wanted to work for this local company that was world-renowned for its jewelry. I imagined myself getting an employee discount and being able to present all my loved ones with those famous blue boxes containing carefully selected gifts. Imagine my excitement when I was called to interview for a position in their marketing department.

I practiced my answers for a week straight, making sure my facial expressions matched my enthusiasm, and my dress attire reflected my seriousness and professionalism. The interview went smoothly but I got a call two weeks later and was informed I didn’t get the job.

But, in the midst of rejecting me, the hiring manager said something very important, which would stay with me throughout my career. She said that while I didn’t have the years of experience they were looking for, that would come in time. If I was able to gain some experience and then pair that up with my personality, I would be unstoppable in whatever I ended up doing.

Coping with rejection.

Today’s job market is very competitive. This means that even some of the very best candidates are likely to see a few rejections. If you do get rejected, it’s not personal–how you react to the situation will be key to your future success. While you may feel frustrated or let down by the rejection, there are ways to stay positive and prepare for the next opportunity.

Evaluate your resume and interview.

Look over your resume and ensure that you are using keywords that position you as someone with the skills and experience necessary for the jobs you’re applying to.

Immediately after every interview, while information is fresh in your mind, take 10 minutes to review what you and the employer discussed. Write down the questions you were asked and how you answered those questions. Consider whether you could have added anything to your answers to enhance them. Many interviewers will ask you behavior-based questions to get insight to how you approach your work. What examples did you give for these questions? Can you think of any better examples you could have given? Make a list of the questions you asked the employer and the questions you now wish you had asked.

Be thankful.

Even if you had your heart set on a particular job, it might not have been the best fit for you. However, you may still want to work for that company. Send the hiring manager and recruiter thank you notes for considering you and indicate that you would be interested in other positions if they become available. Stay positive and keep your options open!

Improve/expand your job search.

Are you applying for the right jobs ? Are the opportunities in your target city matched to your skill level? Consider expanding your job search to include additional search terms or locations. Maybe casting your net a bit wider will yield jobs that are a better match for you.

Prepare for future interviews.

Enhance your interview skills by seeking assistance from your college’s Career Center to help you with interview training . Also, you can practice interviewing with a friend or family member through mock interviews. You should find someone who will give you honest feedback. The more you practice talking through interviews, the more successful you’ll be.

Mind over matter.

One of the hardest parts about rejection is that you feel disappointed. Don’t let these feelings overrun you. Make adjustments to your resume as necessary, practice your interview skills and keep actively posting to jobs. Staying motivated and positive will keep you on track for success.

In life and my career, I have seen my share of rejection. But without these experiences, I wouldn’t have found myself in some pretty cool jobs. Keeping in the forefront of my mind that brighter days would be ahead propelled me forward through the disappointments. Find your inspiration to stay positive, and remember that rejection isn’t personal.

Author

Michele is a Senior Recruiter for Sodexo, a world leader in quality of daily life solutions that contribute to the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. As a former assistant director at the University of Maryland University College’s Career and Cooperative Education Center, she’s no stranger to students trying to plan their careers. During that time, she worked with non-traditional college students to gain school credit for on the job work experience. Michele also taught seminars on job searching, resume writing and interview techniques, and partnered with local employers to help students gain employment. At Sodexo, she has continued her interest in shaping student careers by serving as a mentor to an intern in the company’s Future Leaders Program. Michele began her recruitment career in 1999, joining Sodexo in 2008 where she recruits for a range of food, facilities and environmental services positions. Michele holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland College Park (go Terps), is a charter member of a Baltimore area Toastmasters chapter, and a Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) and Certified Diversity Recruiter (CDR). When not giggling with her two girls, Michele enjoys writing … and watching the Yankees win, much to the dismay of her husband

Tips from Experienced Professionals: Tips for 1L (or other) Job Seekers

by Lynn Traverse
NALP Bulletin, December 2011

At this time of year, I enjoy having the privilege of speaking to 1L students at local law school campuses. My goal is to convey some savvy about the unique challenges involved in seeking legal employment.

The focus of my advice is to help them keep common first-timer mistakes to a minimum, allowing potential employers to see them as great candidates, with no inadvertent obstacles standing in the way of consideration. Here are a few of my tips for 1L job seekers: 

Write to the person whose job it is to process your application smoothly and efficiently. Open access to the NALP Directory of Legal Employers (www.nalpdirectory.com) and other employer websites means there are no excuses for using outdated contact information. Even if you are applying directly to special connections at the firm such as “Uncle Harry,” copy the recruiting professional so he or she can make sure your materials aren’t lost or delayed.

When submitting an application, remove any extra steps to consideration by including all of your materials in the first communication. Typically, most bases can be covered with a cover letter, résumé, law school transcript (if available), and writing sample. The employer won’t have to ask for anything because your application is complete and can be moved along without delay.

When applying to a geographic location other than where you have an obvious connection, explain your ties to the area in your cover letter. If you will be there over a holiday or semester break, say so and be date specific. When employers know they can easily see you in person, a potential obstacle is removed.

The cause isn’t lost because you don’t have legal experience. Focus your résumé on relevant skills such as work ethic, team participation, leadership, problem solving, writing, and creative thinking. While this may seem tough at first, think about your experience in these terms and use descriptive words that highlight what you’ve done.

Follow up in a professional manner. Whether for written applications or after an interview, two weeks is a safe timeframe to wait before calling the recruiting professional to inquire about the status of your application. Asking “When would it be appropriate to follow up with you?” at the end of these conversations is the perfect way to get the information you need. Expect it to take awhile —and be patient but cautiously persistent.

Lynne Traverse is the Recruiting and Professional Development Manager in the Phoenix office of Bryan Cave LLP. “Tips from Experienced Professionals” is a column contributed by the NALP Experienced Professionals Section.