Thread: Advice needed pleaseeee

Hi All,

I am a junior foreign trained lawyer who left Australia in July this year. I have not obtained employment yet (due to restrictions on my visa) and plan on taking the Bar in July next year in New York. I figure with the amount I have to learn I will not be prepared in time for the Feb exam (esp considering I have a holiday planned in december as well)

Anyway I am thinking of not obtaining employment and just focusing on studying until then (luckily my husband is supporting me).

What I want to know is, do you think having a big gap on my resume is going to be a problem when looking for work? I will end up having over 1 year off work (because of both visa issues and studying for the bar). Do you think it will cause problems for me in finding future employment? Another problem is that I am in living in Hawaii atm and there is a great lack of legal jobs available.

Category: NY - New York Bar Exam

yes, I think you are going to face some problem getting a job after a year of not working. However, put that in your cover letter, make that into your benefit. for example, tell them that you are such a fast learner that you basically dealt with XXX (list of things you had to overcome) within one year.

Also, if you have an Australian community in the place you live, make sure you mention that for your benefit (client base).

In short, I think you will face some problem, but you can turn it into something positive in your cover letter. Good luck!

Thats what I thought. Thanks for your advice :)

Do you think it would be better to do volunteer work at a non-profit organization that provides legal services to the community? There is such a place in my area and am contemplating whether to put my name down. Or do you think I should look for a non-legal job? There are a couple of jobs at my husband's army barracks. They are only assisting in health and recreational services, but at least i get an income.