What to Focus on in Your Job Search Post-Law School

The time post-bar is usually filled with such relief and happiness. For the most part, it’s pretty stress free; especially if you were fortunate enough to line up a job before graduation. But for those that weren’t able to find something, this time is crunch time to make sure you’re employed by the time loan officers start calling in November.

I’ve been there! Graduating at the height of the recession, hardly any of my fellow students had offers—it was a completely different world from 2007 to 2009; it was like the world just changed overnight. I graduated without a job offer and very little prospects. But I hustled liked hell and received my first offer by the end of August.

If you’re looking for work now that you’re done with the bar there are some things that are essential to keep yourself updated to opportunities and to make yourself the best candidate possible.

Whether you’re completely unemployed or working some side-job, you’re focus should be to find something law-related as soon as possible (duh, you say). But sometimes it can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to figure out what your priority should be when looking for work.

What should you focus on?

One. Get as many alerts as possible. If there are list-servs; job posting sites, etc. that can email you daily new opportunities sign up for as many as possible. Don’t assume one source will have everything you need. When I first started looking, I was very specific about what work I wanted, but soon enough I cast a wide net and basically set my search parameters to any attorney position in Chicago. I figured I could learn the law and procedure, even if it wasn’t what I considered my passion.

Two. Work on Resumes. I’m a big proponent of personalized resumes for the areas of law you’re interested in. If you have had a couple niches in school and are interested in pursuing them post-school, then take the time to make specialized resumes to really show your experience. Time consuming, yes! But worth it, if it highlights your abilities over others.

Three. Network. The worst thing I could have heard as a recent law grad, but you should really take advantage of those free or very low-cost membership and attend as many events as you can. I don’t claim that you’ll go to an event and someone will say, “Please let me hire you!” But you can make connections and learn about opportunities that you may not know exist. Go without expectations and you’ll not only build your professional network, but you’re setting a great foundation for future involvement in different Bar associations, which are necessary if you want to be a part of the legal community in your area.

Four. Be willing to be flexible. One of the things with job-searches is that we’re all looking for things that will make us happy and lead to a good career. It can be hard to accept (or apply) for a position that doesn’t connect with the image we have of what an attorney “is.” For example, I really, really wanted to be a trial lawyer. For me, that’s what an attorney did. When I took my first position, as a pro bono coordinator, I was inwardly disappointed that I wasn’t working as “real” lawyer. Shame on me because my position allowed me to learn so many things and help so many people (you know, the whole point of me earning a J.D.). It took me a while to realize that lawyers don’t just do XYZ. Eating a piece of humble pie (even after law school has kicked you down a million times) can make the difference in earning a paycheck or not.

I send tons of positive vibes to you and your job search—that you find something that makes you happy and fulfilled!! But, keep an open-mind that what you think you want, may end up looking completely different after you’ve been practicing for a few years.