http://www.job-hunt.org/job-search-mindset/avoid-common-follow-up-mistakes.shtml
by Harry Urschel Follow up, after an introduction call, after sending your resume, or after an interview can have a great impact on whether you are selected for the next steps in the hiring process, and in getting the job. It’s one of the things job seekers often seek advice about, and one that many don’t do very well.
As an Executive Recruiter, I often coach candidates I’m working with on how
they should be following up with the potential employer, yet it still often
doesn’t get handled well. Here are my observations…
Disconnect Between Good Practice, Good Intentions, and Reality Common Job Seeker Fears/Excuses:
About This Author Harry Urschel has over 25 years experience as a technology recruiter in Minnesota. He currently operates as e-Executives, writes a blog for Job Seekers called The Wise Job Search, and can be found on Twitter as @eExecutives. He can be contacted by email at: harry@eexecutives.net |
Thursday, September 27, 2012
How to Avoid Common Mistakes in Your Job Search Follow-Up
Monday, September 24, 2012
How to Write Your Own Recommendation Letter
http://blogs.vault.com/blog/job-search/how-to-write-your-own-recommendation-letter/
by Rachel Marx
So you’ve developed a great relationship with your professor, mentor or supervisor, and it’s time to ask for a letter of recommendation. While the standard practice is for references to write their own recommendation letters, it’s becoming increasingly common for time-strapped individuals to ask you to pen the first draft of a letter yourself. This is a great opportunity for you to make sure that you get a stellar recommendation letter that highlights the most relevant skills and experiences you have to offer. Here, some tips for writing your own letter of recommendation:
by Rachel Marx
So you’ve developed a great relationship with your professor, mentor or supervisor, and it’s time to ask for a letter of recommendation. While the standard practice is for references to write their own recommendation letters, it’s becoming increasingly common for time-strapped individuals to ask you to pen the first draft of a letter yourself. This is a great opportunity for you to make sure that you get a stellar recommendation letter that highlights the most relevant skills and experiences you have to offer. Here, some tips for writing your own letter of recommendation:
- Prepare an outline of your letter by making a list of your strengths, abilities and skills. Choose several of these to highlight in your letter. You should also select two or three specific examples of your performance to which your recommender can attest (it doesn’t make sense for your college professor to talk about the details of your summer job performance). At least one accomplishment discussed in your letter should be directly related to your experience with the recommender: for example, the A+ term paper you wrote or your lively class participation. However, it’s okay to touch upon related activities that weren’t directly supervised by your reference. In other words, it’s plausible that your professor would know about your involvement with student government even if he or she didn’t serve as the organization’s advisor.
- Use the correct voice. It might feel a bit odd, but remember that the letter must be written in the voice of your recommender. This means you will have to refer to yourself in the third person.
- Begin the letter by stating the purpose of the letter and the capacity in which your reference knows you. For example, “It is my pleasure to recommend Jane Smith for admission to your graduate program. I have known Jane for nearly four years, during which time she was my student as well as a teaching assistant for my introductory psychology course.”
- Don’t be shy. The purpose of a recommendation letter is to highlight your best qualities in the most positive light possible. Now is not the time to be modest; your recommender can dial down the tone if he or she sees fit. Be specific about skills and, where possible, provide comparative metrics of your accomplishments. For example, instead of writing, “Jane was a great student in my Clinical Psychology Seminar,” try, “In a class of nearly 50 students, Jane earned the highest grade in Clinical Psychology.”
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Tips for Handling Job Hunting Stress
http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/04/job-hunting-for-3ls-and-recent-law-grads-coping-with-an-extended-job-search/
By
What can you do when you do feel overwhelmed or desperate, or both?
Take a Break from Job Hunting
- First of all, step away from the computer or walk away from whatever is triggering you at that time. (Try to exit politely if you are talking to a potential job contact! But still, take some deeps breaths and then walk away.)
- Do something else non-job search related.
- Go for a walk, call a friend, play with your dog, go to the gym or for a run or bike ride.
- Do something that makes you feel better or is some sort of a endorphin stimulator!
If you do apply to positions in that headspace or try to communicate with people, the positions are often not the best fit or you may not be putting your best foot forward and you cannot see it in that moment, as you are desperate.It can lead to a terrible feedback loop of applying, not hearing or being rejected, and then feeling even worse about yourself. Try to shake it off and come back to it when you are feeling better about yourself. You can then re-focus on your plan and make sure the actions you are taking fit with the plan.
Calm Your Mind
Practice as well taking deep breaths and giving yourself a moment. Both this, and taking a time out as above, will serve you in your actual practice.One of the most useful things you can learn, regardless of your practice area, is how to let yourself pause and not keep your brain, or mouth, or both, going at full speed.Pausing to collect your thoughts never lost a case or negotiation and in fact, silence can be a powerful tactic in either situation.
While we often collectively admire quick talkers, they can sometimes talk themselves into knots without you having to say a whole lot. Practicing the art of the pause and using silence, even if it is for you to gather your wooly or overwhelmed thoughts, will have additional positive ripple effects.
It’s interesting to observe how many people rush to fill a silence, often not to their benefit. And, if the pause or silence is done in conjunction with you taking some deep breaths, you will slow your heart rate down and lower your body’s stress reactions, helping you to think better by sending more of that energy to your brain!
Get Out of the House
An example of how I have seen things like exercise be beneficial to cope with the stress of the legal profession — some of the happiest lawyers I know belong to sports leagues. They are in leagues ranging from indoor volleyball in New York City, to soccer leagues in Houston.Given limited time, these lawyers multi-task doing things that make us humans feel good — getting exercise and connecting with others (often non-lawyers!).
Finally, I’ve mentioned community work and volunteering before, but there is also a place for it in coping with stress.
Doing community work such as volunteering with causes you believe in will help re-focus your harried brain on something other than finding a job.As well, it turns out that doing good for others makes us feel good — a great place to be when pitching yourself on a continuous basis. And, doing things that make you feel competent and confident, which volunteering can often do, also helps with the mental mind games that you can torture yourself with.
Best of Luck!
Attacking the job search on these multiple levels will bring some structure, and a feeling of greater control, to an otherwise thorny and unclear process.Good luck — and hopefully you have some fun discovering a bit more about yourself and what steps you can take to get a job you will enjoy!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Simple Interview Dress for Men
by
The Basic, Boring, Uncontroversial Interview Outfit
Remember that an interview is not a time to show off your style prowess. The whole point is to sell yourself — you grades, experience personality, whatever — to the interviewer. You don’t want your outfit to be so loud as to drown out the words you’re speaking. With that in mind, here are the basics you need for an interview:- Navy or Charcoal suit — 2 or three buttons. Solid preferred, subtle pinstripes acceptable. Properly sized and tailored. No black.
- White shirt — solid oxford or broadcloth. Button sleeves. No fancy weaves or sateen stripes. Learn to iron.
- Silk tie — sedate color, traditional pattern. No bright reds or yellows.
- Dark socks — black, dark grey, navy all acceptable. If you can match them to the color of your suit, great, but it’s not a deal-breaker. No “fun socks.” Interviews aren’t “fun.”
- Black leather lace-up shoes — cap-toes preferred. No slip ons. Make sure you’ve polished them
- White linen pocket square (optional) — if you insist on wearing a pocket-square, make sure it’s 1) white; 2) linen; and 3) in a TV fold. This might not be the best option if you’re interviewing in a very-conservative firm.
- A tasteful watch (optional) — when I say “tasteful,” I mean no giant sport watches or plastic cheapo watches. You’re better off without a watch than wearing a monstrosity like those.
- A Traditional Briefcase — leather, black or brown. You need someplace to put your resumé and writing sample.
Leave The Following at Home
- Your super cool slim-cut modern suit. It will not impress anyone.
- Colored or patterned shirts.
- French cuffs and cufflinks.
- Bright, colorful, or overly-pattered ties.
- A flashy pocket-square.
- Your iPod.
- All jewelry, other than a wedding band.
- Your backpack.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Get the Interview: 5 Tips for Leaving a Great Voicemail
http://www.careerealism.com/tips-leaving-voicemail-interview/
by Six Sigma Online
Too many times job applicants prepare phenomenal resumes but fail to secure a physical interview.
Often times, this is because of improper phone etiquette, poor voice presentation and bad voicemails.
Here are five things to improve interview rates and make a fabulous presentation over the phone using voicemail.
However, people over the age of 35 are much more comfortable using the phone and they will commonly use it as a screening tool for applicants. Phone interview skills are essential across all employment levels.
High-powered consultants as well as café workers will all usually face a phone interview and need to use voicemail sometime during the interview process. This is first physical contact and it is critical to make a fabulous impression.
Prepare five outgoing messages in quick secession. On the first, use your normal speaking voice and your usual outgoing message.
On the second follow this text: “This is (your name). Press # to skip the rest of this message. I am currently unavailable. I check and answer voicemails after breakfast, lunch and at 3:30pm. Please leave a detailed message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.” (Vary the content of the message to your own personal schedule but provide the listener with details about when you will be checking messages and calling them back.)
On the third outgoing message purposely lower the tenor of your voice and speak again. On the forth outgoing message consciously speak a little slower and remove ums, uhs and any other weird speech habits. On the fifth message, make your voice slower, lower and speak clearly.
Wait at least four hours and then listen to all the renditions of your outgoing message. Then record a final outgoing message using what you have learned by listening to your own voice. Listen to this sixth message the next day and if you are happy with the results keep it as your outgoing message.
This can be as simple as, “This is John Jones, I submitted my resume two weeks ago on April 15. I am returning your call dated May 10 requesting a personal interview.”
The idea here is two-fold: Make an impression and help the person on the other end quickly identify who you are and your reason for calling.
Something like, “This is John Smith, I am calling about the job that you had listed to work in the herpetology lab at the Natural History Museum. I sent you my resume last week. My call back number is 913-244-8022, if your department can handle another crazy guy with an excellent Godzilla movie collection; I’m your man. Again, my name is John Smith and my number is 913-244-8022.”
Craft your lines carefully and appropriately. Herpetologists are scientists who study reptiles and amphibians and they notoriously love Godzilla movies. The comment above reflects research as well as the personality of the applicant.
by Six Sigma Online
Too many times job applicants prepare phenomenal resumes but fail to secure a physical interview.
Often times, this is because of improper phone etiquette, poor voice presentation and bad voicemails.
Here are five things to improve interview rates and make a fabulous presentation over the phone using voicemail.
1. Never Underestimate the Power of the Phone
In our digital age job applicants commonly tweet or text to stay in touch with friends. The telephone seems like a cumbersome and slow form of communication.However, people over the age of 35 are much more comfortable using the phone and they will commonly use it as a screening tool for applicants. Phone interview skills are essential across all employment levels.
High-powered consultants as well as café workers will all usually face a phone interview and need to use voicemail sometime during the interview process. This is first physical contact and it is critical to make a fabulous impression.
2. Record and Listen to Your Own Voice
Leaving an excellent voicemail begins by nurturing a good speaking voice. Speak slowly, clearly and correctly. Use Dragon software or even the simple record feature on your phone to cultivate a good phone voice. This takes practice.Prepare five outgoing messages in quick secession. On the first, use your normal speaking voice and your usual outgoing message.
On the second follow this text: “This is (your name). Press # to skip the rest of this message. I am currently unavailable. I check and answer voicemails after breakfast, lunch and at 3:30pm. Please leave a detailed message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.” (Vary the content of the message to your own personal schedule but provide the listener with details about when you will be checking messages and calling them back.)
On the third outgoing message purposely lower the tenor of your voice and speak again. On the forth outgoing message consciously speak a little slower and remove ums, uhs and any other weird speech habits. On the fifth message, make your voice slower, lower and speak clearly.
Wait at least four hours and then listen to all the renditions of your outgoing message. Then record a final outgoing message using what you have learned by listening to your own voice. Listen to this sixth message the next day and if you are happy with the results keep it as your outgoing message.
3. Good Voicemails Begin With Details
When leaving voicemail always leave your full name and the job title of the position you are calling about at the beginning of the message. Then leave the reason you are calling and your call back number including the area code. Repeat the call back number and your name at the end of the voicemail.4. Help the Interviewer Out
Leave enough information in the body of your voicemail so that the listener can quickly separate you from the rest of the applicants.This can be as simple as, “This is John Jones, I submitted my resume two weeks ago on April 15. I am returning your call dated May 10 requesting a personal interview.”
The idea here is two-fold: Make an impression and help the person on the other end quickly identify who you are and your reason for calling.
5. Leave Enough Information, Entice the Interviewer
Leaving too little information is a common mistake. In a voicemail there is room for at least one sentence after all the details to really leave an impression. Do not drone on! The idea here is to leave something for the interviewer that shows you are as interesting as you are interested.Something like, “This is John Smith, I am calling about the job that you had listed to work in the herpetology lab at the Natural History Museum. I sent you my resume last week. My call back number is 913-244-8022, if your department can handle another crazy guy with an excellent Godzilla movie collection; I’m your man. Again, my name is John Smith and my number is 913-244-8022.”
Craft your lines carefully and appropriately. Herpetologists are scientists who study reptiles and amphibians and they notoriously love Godzilla movies. The comment above reflects research as well as the personality of the applicant.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
How to Conduct an Effective Informational Interview
http://www.careerealism.com/how-conduct-informational-interview/
by Kristin Johnson
One thing that will gain you interviews with your target companies is by talking with more people who are “in-the-know.” Do this by conducting more interviews of your own.
The informational interview is an effective way to build your network and gather information to move your career forward.
Informational interviews can actually be quite fun. Meeting for coffee, or briefly in someone’s office, takes the pressure off both parties.
The job seeker is simply asking for information, guidance, and advice. The person being interviewed is just providing that information and expertise.
No one is saying, “Please give me a job!” And, no one is making an offer. It’s just a chat.
That’s right — this is not about asking for a job! Not right away, at least. As a job seeker, you should hope to get some questions answered relevant to the industry you are in, the company where your interviewee works, and the company’s competitors.
You should ask about good ways to network in the field. Getting names of other professionals to contact for further informational interviews is a great result.
Here’s how to do it:
Make a detailed list of people you’d like to talk to about the next move in your career. People who have mentored you in the past, people you admire in your field, and people at your target company are great people to meet with. Anyone who may be able to help you, or knows someone who can help, should go on your list.
Find them on LinkedIn. Use the Companies tab to see who is on LI at your target companies. You can find their contact information easily on their profile. If they don’t have a profile, Google them, or use sites like jigsaw.com to get their phone number or email address.
Call them or send them a message. Phone messages often go unreturned and inboxes are often full for many professionals. Be persistent, try multiple avenues of communication, or go through a contact’s assistant. Be clear that you just want a brief meeting to discuss a specific set of questions and that you are not inquiring about a job.
Meet with several contacts each week. Be committed to holding 2-3 informational interviews consistently. Stick to the amount of time that you mentioned when setting up the meeting and don’t go beyond it, no matter how tempted you might be! You can always set up another meeting or use additional questions as a reason to stay in touch and build the relationship.
Bring your resume, just in case. Don’t offer it. But, if they ask for it, you’ll be prepared. Also, if the topic comes up in conversation, you can ask for advice on how to beef it up. Are there classes you should take? Organizations you might join? Get their feedback on what might make you a stronger candidate.
Ask relevant questions about the industry, company, or position.
Send a thank you message. Do this within 24 hours in the format of your choice. Email is convenient and green. You might be perceived as tech-savvy. Or, you might be looked upon as impersonal. A handwritten note is perceived as more personal by some.
Or, on the flipside, archaic. It’s up for debate and depends on your industry. Just pick one and thank your interviewee quickly.
Stay in touch. Connect on LinkedIn and send occasional messages updating the contact on your progress. If you come across any articles that might help her, pass them along. Monitor the company and your contact using Google Alerts. When you discover she has gotten a promotion or has spoken at a conference, be sure to send a congratulatory email. Keeping in touch will help the relationship to grow.
Eventually, the informational interviews you conduct will pay off. Word will spread that you are looking for a new position. People will remember your personality and respectfulness. The relationships you are cultivating will result in a network that is keeping you in mind for when their company is ready to hire. Before long, you will be interviewing for real!
Informational interview image from Bigstock
by Kristin Johnson
One thing that will gain you interviews with your target companies is by talking with more people who are “in-the-know.” Do this by conducting more interviews of your own.
The informational interview is an effective way to build your network and gather information to move your career forward.
Informational interviews can actually be quite fun. Meeting for coffee, or briefly in someone’s office, takes the pressure off both parties.
The job seeker is simply asking for information, guidance, and advice. The person being interviewed is just providing that information and expertise.
No one is saying, “Please give me a job!” And, no one is making an offer. It’s just a chat.
That’s right — this is not about asking for a job! Not right away, at least. As a job seeker, you should hope to get some questions answered relevant to the industry you are in, the company where your interviewee works, and the company’s competitors.
You should ask about good ways to network in the field. Getting names of other professionals to contact for further informational interviews is a great result.
Here’s how to do it:
Make a detailed list of people you’d like to talk to about the next move in your career. People who have mentored you in the past, people you admire in your field, and people at your target company are great people to meet with. Anyone who may be able to help you, or knows someone who can help, should go on your list.
Find them on LinkedIn. Use the Companies tab to see who is on LI at your target companies. You can find their contact information easily on their profile. If they don’t have a profile, Google them, or use sites like jigsaw.com to get their phone number or email address.
Call them or send them a message. Phone messages often go unreturned and inboxes are often full for many professionals. Be persistent, try multiple avenues of communication, or go through a contact’s assistant. Be clear that you just want a brief meeting to discuss a specific set of questions and that you are not inquiring about a job.
Meet with several contacts each week. Be committed to holding 2-3 informational interviews consistently. Stick to the amount of time that you mentioned when setting up the meeting and don’t go beyond it, no matter how tempted you might be! You can always set up another meeting or use additional questions as a reason to stay in touch and build the relationship.
Bring your resume, just in case. Don’t offer it. But, if they ask for it, you’ll be prepared. Also, if the topic comes up in conversation, you can ask for advice on how to beef it up. Are there classes you should take? Organizations you might join? Get their feedback on what might make you a stronger candidate.
Ask relevant questions about the industry, company, or position.
- How did you become interested in this field?
- What brought you to this company?
- What is a typical day like in your position/department?
- How much time do you spend doing ______ each day?
- What types of problems do you solve in your position?
- What can you tell me about the corporate culture?
- What are the biggest challenges the company faces right now and in the future?
- What skills and qualities make someone successful in this field?
- With the little you know about me, what suggestions do you have that might help me to break into the field or a company like yours?
- If a position were to become available here, would you keep me in mind?
- What other companies would you recommend for me to explore?
Send a thank you message. Do this within 24 hours in the format of your choice. Email is convenient and green. You might be perceived as tech-savvy. Or, you might be looked upon as impersonal. A handwritten note is perceived as more personal by some.
Or, on the flipside, archaic. It’s up for debate and depends on your industry. Just pick one and thank your interviewee quickly.
Stay in touch. Connect on LinkedIn and send occasional messages updating the contact on your progress. If you come across any articles that might help her, pass them along. Monitor the company and your contact using Google Alerts. When you discover she has gotten a promotion or has spoken at a conference, be sure to send a congratulatory email. Keeping in touch will help the relationship to grow.
Eventually, the informational interviews you conduct will pay off. Word will spread that you are looking for a new position. People will remember your personality and respectfulness. The relationships you are cultivating will result in a network that is keeping you in mind for when their company is ready to hire. Before long, you will be interviewing for real!
Informational interview image from Bigstock
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
2012-2013 NALP/PSJD Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide Now Available
New release:
The 2012-13 NALP/PSJD Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide is now available for free downloading.
The Guide offers a broad-based review of different career opportunities and paths to employment for law students and graduates who are interested in federal legal careers.
The 2012-13 NALP/PSJD Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide is now available for free downloading.
The Guide offers a broad-based review of different career opportunities and paths to employment for law students and graduates who are interested in federal legal careers.
Expert Opinion: Ten Tips to Nail Prosecutor and Public Defender Interviews
By: Chris Teague*
General Tips
- Be wary of answering questions by stating that you would check with your supervisor. Hypos are designed to see how you react when confronted with very difficult fact patterns. While your gut reaction may be to immediately consult your supervisor for help, it is important that you avoid the urge to “pass the buck” and instead deal with the difficult situation head-on. If you believe the circumstances warrant the involvement of your supervisor, it may be OK to say so, but make sure your answer doesn’t end there. Elaborate on this response and give your own assessment of the facts.
- Show your work. Even if your answer is wrong (keep in mind that some hypotheticals don’t have one correct answer), make sure to talk through your analysis. The interviewer will likely give you credit for demonstrating a logical approach or asking thoughtful questions, even if you ultimately arrive at the wrong answer.
- Remember that a prosecutor’s primary goal is to pursue justice. While it is important to demonstrate your willingness to uphold the law and to request incarceration if warranted, some prosecutor’s offices will ask questions that test your ability to see the bigger picture. Also keep in mind that prosecutors represent the state, not the victim. The victim’s interests may not always be in line with the state’s.
- Don’t disregard the Constitution no matter how serious the crime. A prosecutor should never condone the violation of a defendant’s Constitutional rights, even when doing so appears to be advantageous. Always go with the ethical, Constitutionally-sound answer.
- Be on the lookout for exculpatory evidence. This is a popular interview topic. Some hypos may deal primarily with a prosecutor’s obligation to disclose exculpatory evidence. But be aware that other hypos – ones that appear to address a completely different topic – may secondarily touch upon exculpatory evidence. If a question mentions evidence that may be exculpatory, even if it seems like a minor part of the question, you should discuss that evidence in your answer.
- Demonstrate sensitivity with reluctant victims and witnesses at all times, even when their reluctance negatively impacts your case. This does not mean that victims and witnesses should always control how you handle a case, but rather that their opinions and concerns should be addressed in an appropriate and considerate way.
- Exculpatory evidence (Hint: If the interviewer gives you information that might weaken or impede your case, it might be exculpatory.)
- Handling a reluctant witness (Hint: Reluctant witnesses sometimes appear as a scared or recanting domestic violence victim, or as a victim with collateral concerns, such as immigration issues.)
- Role of the prosecutor (Hint: If the hypo concerns a victim with credibility issues or doubts about the case, a lying police officer, weak evidence, or a misidentification issue, part of your answer may want to demonstrate your understanding of the prosecutor’s role in pursuing justice.)
- Search and seizure issues (Hint: You may be asked to advise a police officer how to proceed with the investigation of a suspicious person who is suspected of carrying contraband.)
- Always zealously advocate for your client. Advocating for your client may negatively impact a victim or witness; that is OK. Unlike prosecutors, public defenders must act in the best interest of their clients, not in the pursuit of justice.
- Caveat: While you are zealously advocating for your client, be sure that you do not violate the law or any ethical rules.
- Demonstrate that you are completely comfortable representing people who have committed crimes. Some applicants focus on their interest in representing defendants who have been unjustly accused of a crime. This is certainly a noble endeavor, but be aware that public defenders often must represent people who “did it.” Regardless, all criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law and deserve the best defense possible.
- Recognize the importance of earning a client’s confidence. You may be asked to role play a client intake interview or otherwise demonstrate your ability to communicate with a client and build trust. Be prepared for the “client” in your role play to be withdrawn or possibly hostile.
- If your client has told you that he committed the crime, is it ethical for you to argue to a jury during closing argument that “the defendant is absolutely innocent of these charges”? (Hint: A defendant is innocent until proven guilty. An attorney can – and should – use the closing argument to present his or her interpretation of the evidence presented during the trial.)
- Clients changing his or her story (Hint: You may be asked how you would handle a client who initially denies the charges and subsequently admits guilt.)
- Strategy conflict with client (Hint: Be open to client input, but be ready to respond to a client who wants you to do something that you believe would be harmful to the case.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*About Chris Teague: Chris is Associate Director of Career Services at Boston College Law School, after a 10-year career as an Assistant District Attorney in boston and as a defense attorney. He currently serves as the NALP Northeast Regional Representative and is a past Chair of NALP’s LGBT Section. Chris is an active member of the Massachusetts Legal Recruitment Association (where he currently serves as Secretary) and the Massachusetts Law School Consortium, and he is a frequent speaker and author on a wide range of career- and technology-related topics.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Networking Without Treating People as a Means to an End: Six Tips for Students
by Anna Marshall, Career Counselor, The George Washington University School of Law
1. Remember that you already have a network! Your friends, family, classmates, coworkers, and former employers count as networking contacts.
2. Expand your network by reaching out to people in whom you are genuinely interested. You may think you want to litigate, but the best way to confirm that (or rule it out) is to talk to someone who does it.
3. You are not asking for a handout. All you are asking from someone is a few minutes of time and some information, which most people are ready, willing, and able to give.
4. Stay in touch and follow up with your networking contacts. Keep them updated not only during your job search, but also throughout your law school career. That way, you are not just talking to them because you need something from them, but because you genuinely want to maintain and develop your relationship.
5. Reciprocate! Networking is a two-way street. If you feel awkward about asking someone for advice or some of their time, offer to buy them coffee or lunch. Though your contact may not have a referral or a job for you right now, helping that contact now means they are in your debt.
6. Your top priority may be securing a job, but by networking to expand your contacts (even when you have already landed a position or are not currently job searching), you are increasing your chances of hearing about jobs that may not be posted.
The overarching principle of networking is that there is no rule against establishing and maintaining relationships on purpose. The key is following up. Keep your network up to date by communicating your job search and life experiences, and always remember to thank people for helping you.
http://www.nalp.org/viewbulletin/?documentID=2669&bulletinID=358
1. Remember that you already have a network! Your friends, family, classmates, coworkers, and former employers count as networking contacts.
2. Expand your network by reaching out to people in whom you are genuinely interested. You may think you want to litigate, but the best way to confirm that (or rule it out) is to talk to someone who does it.
3. You are not asking for a handout. All you are asking from someone is a few minutes of time and some information, which most people are ready, willing, and able to give.
4. Stay in touch and follow up with your networking contacts. Keep them updated not only during your job search, but also throughout your law school career. That way, you are not just talking to them because you need something from them, but because you genuinely want to maintain and develop your relationship.
5. Reciprocate! Networking is a two-way street. If you feel awkward about asking someone for advice or some of their time, offer to buy them coffee or lunch. Though your contact may not have a referral or a job for you right now, helping that contact now means they are in your debt.
6. Your top priority may be securing a job, but by networking to expand your contacts (even when you have already landed a position or are not currently job searching), you are increasing your chances of hearing about jobs that may not be posted.
The overarching principle of networking is that there is no rule against establishing and maintaining relationships on purpose. The key is following up. Keep your network up to date by communicating your job search and life experiences, and always remember to thank people for helping you.
http://www.nalp.org/viewbulletin/?documentID=2669&bulletinID=358
Friday, September 7, 2012
Cover Letter Tips: Ignore the Format at Your Own Peril
http://www.passthebaton.biz/2012/08/cover-letter-tips-ignore-format-at-your.html
by Susan Gainen
A first-class cover letter requires laser-like focus on how an applicant's skills might mesh with the needs of a prospective employer. It is the first writing sample and the first chance to create a bad impression.
by Susan Gainen
A first-class cover letter requires laser-like focus on how an applicant's skills might mesh with the needs of a prospective employer. It is the first writing sample and the first chance to create a bad impression.
Sadly, career
services and recruitment professionals note that a significant number of
students do not know what a business letter should look like, thus
providing them with an instant "clueless loser" aura which can be tough
to shed. Select from one of the two formats at the bottom of this post,
and you will be correct.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Working for the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs
http://ms-jd.org/ms-jd-international-un-office-legal-affairs
The United Nations is the flagship entity in the international sector, and has opportunities for lawyers at headquarters and in the field to work in international law. Similar to the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser, the UN has a central Office of Legal Affairs, based at headquarters in New York. The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) serves as in-house counsel to the UN Secretary-General, the Secretariat as a whole, and the rest of the UN organs. The OLA is lead by an Under-Secretary-General, an Assistant Secretary-General, and staffed by 160 attorneys. The Under-Secretary General serves as chief legal counsel to the UN.
The OLA’s stated mission is “to provide a unified central legal service for the Secretariat and the principal and other organs of the United Nations; to contribute to the progressive development and codification of international public and trade law; to promote the strengthening and development as well as the effective implementation of the international legal order for the seas and oceans; [and] to register and publish treaties, and to perform the depositary functions of the Secretary-General.”
The OLA is broken into seven offices: Office of the Under-Secretary General, Office of the Legal Counsel, General Legal Division, Codification Division, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, International Trade Law Division, and the Treaty Section. Its lawyers handle international law issues one would expect: advising on law of war, peacekeeping operations, trade law, international criminal justice, treaty law, and international organization privileges and immunities, in addition to traditional areas of law, including administrative and contracts law. Current focuses of the sitting Under-Secretary General Patricia O’Brien and her office include international criminal justice and the fight against impunity, the concept of the “responsibility to protect” or R2P, and nautical piracy.
Although the UN is an intrastate organization, the attorneys at the UN represent and work in the interest of the organization, not their home countries. These lawyers must deliver objective legal advice to support political-decisionmaking in the UN. Lawyers have the opportunity to travel to field offices and to field operations to deliver legal advice, an exciting and challenging dimension one cannot find at a law firm. UN attorneys are truly on the frontlines of international law and policy.
There are several pathways to a position at the OLA. Most attorneys are laterals, and it is an extremely competitive hiring process. The UN posts vacancies on its central online job database. Unpaid internships at OLA are also extremely competitive, and can be undertaken by those who have a bachelors degree and have completed at least one year of law school or the equivalent. Another pathway is through the UN’s Young Professional Programme (YPP), a highly competitive programme for those under the age of 32 with at least a bachelors degree. Through YPP, individuals get hired for a 2-year appointment as a UN civil servant, with review for renewal after 2 years. Nationals from certain countries, including the United States, are eligible to apply each year for a position in a particular UN division, and the countries eligible and divisions open change on an annual basis Although this process does not appoint candidates directly to the OLA, once one has her foot in the door at the UN, it would facilitate an easier move to the OLA.
For more information on the UN’s OLA, go to: http://untreaty.un.org/ola/Default.aspx
On employment opportunities at OLA, see: http://untreaty.un.org/ola/employ.aspx
On UN YPP, go to: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=NCE&lang=en-US
Submitted by Ms. JD International
The OLA’s stated mission is “to provide a unified central legal service for the Secretariat and the principal and other organs of the United Nations; to contribute to the progressive development and codification of international public and trade law; to promote the strengthening and development as well as the effective implementation of the international legal order for the seas and oceans; [and] to register and publish treaties, and to perform the depositary functions of the Secretary-General.”
The OLA is broken into seven offices: Office of the Under-Secretary General, Office of the Legal Counsel, General Legal Division, Codification Division, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, International Trade Law Division, and the Treaty Section. Its lawyers handle international law issues one would expect: advising on law of war, peacekeeping operations, trade law, international criminal justice, treaty law, and international organization privileges and immunities, in addition to traditional areas of law, including administrative and contracts law. Current focuses of the sitting Under-Secretary General Patricia O’Brien and her office include international criminal justice and the fight against impunity, the concept of the “responsibility to protect” or R2P, and nautical piracy.
Although the UN is an intrastate organization, the attorneys at the UN represent and work in the interest of the organization, not their home countries. These lawyers must deliver objective legal advice to support political-decisionmaking in the UN. Lawyers have the opportunity to travel to field offices and to field operations to deliver legal advice, an exciting and challenging dimension one cannot find at a law firm. UN attorneys are truly on the frontlines of international law and policy.
There are several pathways to a position at the OLA. Most attorneys are laterals, and it is an extremely competitive hiring process. The UN posts vacancies on its central online job database. Unpaid internships at OLA are also extremely competitive, and can be undertaken by those who have a bachelors degree and have completed at least one year of law school or the equivalent. Another pathway is through the UN’s Young Professional Programme (YPP), a highly competitive programme for those under the age of 32 with at least a bachelors degree. Through YPP, individuals get hired for a 2-year appointment as a UN civil servant, with review for renewal after 2 years. Nationals from certain countries, including the United States, are eligible to apply each year for a position in a particular UN division, and the countries eligible and divisions open change on an annual basis Although this process does not appoint candidates directly to the OLA, once one has her foot in the door at the UN, it would facilitate an easier move to the OLA.
For more information on the UN’s OLA, go to: http://untreaty.un.org/ola/Default.aspx
On employment opportunities at OLA, see: http://untreaty.un.org/ola/employ.aspx
On UN YPP, go to: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=NCE&lang=en-US
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