If you are interested in pursuing a legal career in business, knowing where to start is tricky as it can be challenging to identify opportunities. This is not because they are not out there; they are. But legal careers outside of traditional law practice are an amorphous group; some positions require a J.D., some list a J.D. as a preference, and some jobs do not mention a J.D. at all. The starting point is narrowing down the field, figuring out where your interests are, and identifying opportunities.
Step One: Do a personal inventory. What interests and transferable skills do you bring to the table? What was your undergrad major? What interests you and drives you? Is there a certain subject matter you are drawn to (e.g., human resources) or a certain environment (e.g., banks)? Do you have a passion for tax or healthcare? The starting points for a job search in business are numerous; you need to find yours.
Step Two: Go to a major job site, like Monster, careerbuilder, etc. and browse through the listings. Identify and collect any job postings that interest you. When you are reviewing, go beyond just the title of the job and read the descriptions. Find jobs that you believe align with your interests, skills and excite you. At this point, do not rule yourself out because of experience. Once you have collected 15-20 jobs, take a broad view and determine which industries and types of positions you are being drawn to. Are they related to human resources, finance, compliance, etc? Narrow down your industries and make a list of target companies.
Step Three: Once you have identified the industries/companies you are interested in, do some reconnaissance. You must talk to real human people! Get on LinkedIn, plug into UMKC Law and your undergrad institution’s alumni networks (Talk to CSO!). Find people you can talk to and gather information from through informational interviewing. This is the best way to find good and relevant information. Solicit advice and feedback, and figure out whether the position is what you thought it would be.
Step Four: Prepare your materials.
- Resume: Once you know what type of job you will be applying for, you need to figure out what the industry standards are for resumes and other application materials. A “law” resume will not work for all employers, so use your network and research to determine how to proceed. Tailor your materials for the job you want. Be mindful that not everyone likes lawyers. For a job where the J.D. is only preferred or not explicitly mentioned, if you lead with your law foot, some employers may be turned off. Think about your transferrable skills from law school and your law jobs and frame your experiences in a way that will appeal to this specific employer.
- Your Pitch/Interviews: Do not forget to create your pitch; you will need to quickly and eloquently explain why you went to law school, why you want this job, and what skills would make you perfect for the position. DO NOT assume that the J.D. will sell itself; you are stepping into a new world, so be humble and be able to explain why you would bring value to the business.
The business world has exciting opportunities for J.D.s. This is a growing area in which the opportunities for J.D.s are expanding. If this has piqued your interest, please be sure to join us on Wednesday for Choose Business: Careers for J.D.s in the Student Lounge from 4-7PM. We will have a panel of J.D.s working in business (4:00-5:00PM), which will be followed by a networking reception (5:00PM-7:00PM). Make sure to RSVP now on Symplicity!
Tagged: employers, networking, upcoming events
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