Now that a new semester is upon us, it’s time to think about how you can start building a foundation for success in the job search. We’ve mentioned before that it’s important to think of the job search as a marathon, not a sprint. In a world where we’ve become accustomed to instant gratification, it’s hard to become motivated to plan ahead. The Career Center has put together a timeline for each class that outlines our recommendations for what you can focus on now to make the future that much easier:
1Ls – January to March
- Update your resume once you have received first semester grades and class rank
- Reach out to your lawyer contacts and schedule some informational interviews
- Bid for Spring OCI (beginning on Jan. 14)
- Participate in the KCMBA Mock Interview Program (Week of February 8)
- Attend the Career Center’s professional development panels and workshops
- Schedule an appointment to meet with a Career Center advisor to discuss your career goals and questions
- Review the Job Board on Symplicity for summer employment opportunities
- Use Spring Break to interview with out-of-state employers
2Ls – January to March
- Get ready to interview during January for spring interviews, which begin in February through OCI
- Update other application materials by requesting an updated transcript as soon as your fall grades are reported; perfect writing samples; identify and arrange recommenders. If you have not already done so, make sure you have a copy of your final transcripts for any other higher education institutions that you have attended
- Continue to apply for summer positions; check the Career Center announcements and Symplicity weekly
- Participate in Spring OCI, if applicable
- Talk to professors in the substantive areas you enjoy about your job search and ask about any contacts or advice they may have
- Follow up with those to whom you have sent applications, prospecting or networking letters, to schedule job or informational interviews during spring break. Reconnect with the connections you made over fall semester and winter break
3Ls – January to March
- Check the Career Center announcements and favorite on-line job search sites weekly.
- Federal Clerkships: Monitor the judicial clerkship lists for updated announcements, including of newly-appointed judges (who may need to hire quickly)
- Participate in Spring OCI, if applicable
- Talk to professors in the substantive areas you enjoy about your job search and ask about any contacts or advice they may have
- Follow up with those to whom you have sent applications, prospecting or networking letters, to schedule job or informational interviews for spring break. Reconnect with the connections you made over fall semester and winter break. Utilize the blog and exercises available at coffeelunchcoffee.com and contact the Career Center if you need help getting your contact list started (or restarted)