So I have passed the Feb bar, and now it is almost Feb again, and I still can't find a job!!! Does anyone here know how or where to find work????? I don't even mind if it's temp, contract, or paralegal even! You know what? Places to volunteer to get experience is fine with me, too. I just don't know where to start.
Don't just go to the sites that are already asking for applications
I highly recommend using www.martindale.com
Many smaller law firms are looking for people but do not have the resources to advertise for it. Therefore,
1. Go to www.martindale.com, simply search for the location/size/practice of the law firm/institutions you want to work for and send them a cover letter and a resume even if they didnt' ask for any help. Writing a good resume is very important for getting an interview, but that's another post.
Remember, once the words are out, most likely you won't get the job because it is already too competitive.
2. Go to each local school job board.
3. Some alternative sites are always looking for people:
http://sinolaw.typepad.com/chinese_l...ies/index.html
Craigslist.org is another place you just have to check everyday if you are looking for a job in CA
In LA area, www.laworks.com is a good place to find volunteer works.
4. Network with your professors, they know people who know people who can hire you on the spot. Make sure you utilize your legal education institution.
5. Finally, here is a list of job opportunies for you to surf:
http://www.newcollege.edu/alumni/jobopps.cfm
Hope it helps!
Ask yourself what you're good at...really good at...or what you enjoy doing (previous jobs, hobbies, interests, etc.) and focus your search to law firms that focus on that type of law.
For example, if in a previous life (before law school and the bar, that is) your hobby was gardening, look for firms that have litigated on behalf of nurserys. Look up cases on FINDLAW, etc. While it sounds a bit off beat, the likelyhood of you being able to impress an interviewer with your hobby knowledge is far greater than approaching a law firm that specializes in, say, IP litigation or torts.
I'm currently interviewing a very promising candidate who is awaiting the results of the California July exam. His experience in information technology seems to be a very nice fit for my firm's technology bent. The candidate's long term, broad experience in IT is far more interesting to me than the law school he attended (which wasn't, by the way, an ABA anointed school), or the number of times he took the exam.
Once you're admitted, the focus swings to what you know, and why.
I hope this answer is helpful to you.
Jonathan L. Kramer, Esq.
Kramer Telecom Law Firm, P.C.
www.TelecomLawFirm.com
www.PassTheBarExam.com
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