Networking

If you're attending any law-related events, make sure to chat with people and talk about what you're looking for. Ask for meetings. People love to talk about what they do and will be happy to share their information with you. They'll also be happy to refer you to others who might have information for you.

Also contact your Alma Mater's career services office for names of attorneys who work in your area of interest. Start by calling them and see what happens. Ask for a 15-minute meeting. I was given 8 names and only struck out with meeting one person; I had to leave a message with someone else and she clearly should not have told the school that people could contact her because I called back after a few weeks and never heard from her.

While you can't expect a job out of a networking meeting, you can expect to learn more about career tracks, whether you'd be interested in work that person has done and how to start. You might also learn about volunteering opportunities, which is another way of meeting people.

When you meet with people, be sure you're on time, dressed appropriately, have a card with you and write a thank you note. I know, I sound like your mom. Mom was right though; I prefer to send hand-written thank you notes but have been chastised by a few people for not sending e-mail. No matter which you do, there will always be someone who complains about the method, so just do what makes sense to you.

It might make the most sense to use paper in some situations and e-mail in others. Always thank the person for their time and the contacts they've given you. They say that 80% of jobs are filled through networking so you have every reason to network.

Resumes

I won't bore you with telling you how to write a resume. Keep in mind that it really is a work in progress and no matter what you do, there will be those who like it and others who hate it. Not a big deal either way. As long as your spelling and grammar are correct, not a problem.

I'm sure everyone is aware that there is resume information available at your Alma Mater, both of them if your undergrad and law school took place at different schools, as well as the library, bookstore and internet. No doubt you have a friend who could look at it for you as well.

Please do have someone look at your resume before you send it. You'll have fewer typos get through that way. I once got a call from someone who had received my resume and noticed an error. She wasn't the hiring manager but called and asked if I wanted her to throw it away and re-send a corrected copy.

Yes, please!

I didn't get an interview for that job, but it reinforced the need to check with a fine-tooth comb. Don't rely on spell-check because it doesn't care; if you use a word, it can't differentiate between that word and the one you meant to use.

Alma Maters

It's safe to assume that your Alma Mater sponsors CLE's. If you're in the area anyway, you might want to see what they have; mine mostly has 1-credit breakfasts that are cheap and are taught by faculty. They also work with a non-profit for an inexpensive all-day Saturday class. Once in awhile they have something in the evening, and sometimes those are free programs. Start early and these one credit classes can add up fast. They're great for networking too and I've gotten some very helpful contacts by going.

The other law schools in my area also sponsor CLE's but have half-day and all-day classes that cost a lot more. It just depends on where you are and what they have.

Don't forget to attend alumni events as a networking tool; have cocktails and chat with attorneys. Many of them will have jobs and contacts so may know of open positions or other attorneys who work in your area of interest.