Hey Class of 2015! We know you are really busy preparing for the bar exam, but we wanted to give you some quick tips regarding what you should be doing over the summer pre- and post-bar exam if you are still seeking a job. Take a look at these tips and put them to good use. Happy studying!
- Be calm and confident. The reality is that you are not alone if you are a still seeking a job. In fact, the majority of grads find post-grad employment after graduation. You are in good company. Do not be discouraged.
- Develop a job search plan for the summer. You should not stop seeking while studying for the bar exam. The bar exam is, of course, your first priority as you are not eligible for a law job if you have not passed the exam. BUT, if you plan and are organized, you can accomplish a lot over the summer while studying for the exam.
- Schedule in a time each week to review job postings. Do not look every day, as you will waste time and get sucked into the internet vortex. Once or twice a week, set aside a specific 30 minute block to review job posts, review your job alerts, and decide whether you want to apply.
- Set up job alerts. Go to monster.com and careerbuilder.com and set up automatic alerts to notify you of opportunities. This will save you a significant amount of time and will help ensure that you are not missing relevant opportunities.
- Read emails and the newsletter you receive from the Professional and Career Development Center. Throughout the summer, the Center will continue to send out information relevant to you. This will include leads on jobs, networking opportunities, and other resources available to you in your search.
- Many people have a tendency after graduation to start applying for any and every job that comes across their computer screen. Don’t do that. It is a waste of your time and can induce in you a frantic mania of applications and anxiety. Figure out what it is that you want and target those types of jobs. It is good to be flexible, but within a reasonable range.
- Once you are focused on what you want, revise your application materials. Get help with focusing and crafting a resume that is designed to achieve your goals. Contact the Professional and Career Development Center and ask for input and feedback on your resume, cover letters and job search strategy. Resources are always available to assist you, so use them.
- Keep Networking. By now you know how important networking is to the job search. That remains true after you graduate. Keep up with the contacts you have made during law school and keep making new ones. In addition to being vital to the job search, this will also help you remain a sane person while studying. Human contact = good.
- Attend Bar Events. As a part of your networking, keep track of the bar events happening in town over the summer. Summer is a time where attorneys tends to be more social. The KCMBA has a lot of events, so partake! You may even get some good bar exam advice along the way.
- Be Creative. Only you know your interests and passions. Do not throw everything that makes you out the window when you are seeking a job. Think outside of the box and consider being flexible. Are you willing to move to a job? Missouri is a UBE state which means passing the exam here is accepted by a number of other states (Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and soon New York!)
- Get a Handle on your Loans and Repayment Schedule / Options. Thinking about repaying back loans is no fun. But, hiding your head in the sand is counterproductive. Make sure you get a handle on what outstanding loans you have, when you go into repayment, and what your repayment options are. Think about consolidating and research. Don’t know where to start? Start here to retrieve your loan information.
- Volunteer and Pro Bono Work. If you find yourself with sometime between taking the bar exam and employment, use some of that time to do volunteer and pro bono work. This accomplished multiple things: (1) you will continue to learn and keep your legal skills fresh; (2) you will meet great people and continue to develop your network; (3) you can gain experience so there is not a significant gap in your resume; and (4) you can find some mentors to help you and guide you.
Tagged: bar exam, job search strategy
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