Planning Ahead for Summer 2016

September 8, 2015 No comments

It’s pretty crazy to start thinking about next summer already, but – whether you’re participating in OCI or not – it’s good to plan ahead. Quite a few of you have been participating in OCI over the past few weeks, which is a great opportunity to secure an opportunity for next summer (and potentially post-graduation). For most students, summer opportunities will come from outside of OCI. Taking advantage of Symplicity, networking, and reflection can make the process seem much less daunting!

Symplicity – Summer opportunities will appear on the job board any time between now and next May, so it is a good idea to designate one day a week to peruse the postings to see if any new opportunities have appeared. Have your applications materials teed up and ready to go so you can apply quickly – sometimes a few tweaks to your cover letter is all it will take. Additionally, some firms look to hire part-time clerks during the school year with the hopes that a mutually beneficial relationship will lead to a summer opportunity. Smaller and solo firms are often interested and in need of help during the summer, but don’t always have the resources and time to post on Symplicity. It’s easy to get discouraged if an opportunity through OCI didn’t work out, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until May to start searching again.

Networking – Participate in as many networking activities as you can! While an employer may not have a summer position open right now, if you make a great first impression and continue to follow up, you can be one of the first students they reach out to when an opening becomes available. Chat with your fellow law students – and not just those in your class. Where did they work over the summer? How did they find that opportunity? Don’t let wanting to feel like you did everything on your own keep you from leveraging your connections! Upcoming networking events co-sponsored by the Career Center include BLSA Speed Networking and a Bar Association/Student Organization Leaders Luncheon. Informational interviewing is also a great way to network. Check out the “Interviews – Informational Interviewing” guide in your “Resources” tab through Symplicity for tips and tricks.

Reflection – Another aspect of planning ahead for the summer involves reflecting on whether you can pursue an unpaid internship or an internship for course credit. Working during the school year might help you save some money that can make these types of opportunities feasible. Are you planning to study abroad over the summer? How can you also fit in a few weeks gaining experience in a firm? Locking down the dates for when you would be available can help you begin to actively and purposefully search for opportunities.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Career Center along the way with any questions about interviewing, negotiating, or accepting/declining offers!

5 Tips – Preparing for Behavioral Interviews

August 31, 2015 No comments

Each year our office offers at least one workshop on interviewing. Today, we will focus on a type of interview that is relatively new, yet being used more and more in the legal field: behavioral interviewing. Statistics suggest behavioral interviewing is 55% predictive of future on-the-job behavior because behavioral interviewing asks that you explain and provide context for your past behavior. Traditional interviewing is only 10% predictive. Here are 5 tips to help you master the art of behavioral interviewin

1) Use the STAR Technique

STAR stands for Situation Task Action Result.

The situation provides the context of the story and helps you set the stage.

The task describes the challenge or event you faced and the outcome you expected.

Action (using “I” or “we”) describes what was done in response to the challenge or event.

The result allows you to discuss what was accomplished (or not accomplished!) and what you learned from the experience.

This technique is similar to IRAC, where Situation = Issue; Task = Rule; Action = Application; Result = Conclusion

2) Focus on the competency

Behavioral questions are designed to help an interviewer assess core competencies (or, as we generally call them, skills). As you prepare for an interview, try to come up with examples of experiences that can help identify multiple key skills that are relevant to the position. For example, if a firm asks a question like: “We expect our interns to jump in with both feet, but we don’t want them to drown. Tell me about a time you started a task and realized partway in that you weren’t quite sure what you were doing,” core competencies you could speak to might be communication, problem solving, or initiative/independence.

The most common competencies assessed in a behavioral interview are: communication, analytical/problem-solving, teamwork/interpersonal, integrity, ethics, leadership, initiative, adaptability, self-awareness, time-management, entrepreneurial

3) Relate ANY past experience

Even if you don’t have a great deal of work experience, you can speak to experiences you had from undergraduate or graduate school, campus activities, volunteer work, membership in an organization, etc. It’s great to talk about various areas of your life and not just focus on one experience. Ultimately, the interviewer is concerned with the BEHAVIOR and not the setting in which the behavior was performed (work vs. school).

4) The best way to prepare is to…reflect!

You’ve made it to law school, which means you have great experiences to share! The hard part is actually REMEMBERING when you’ve made a mistake or a time when you had a misunderstanding with a co-worker. Spending just a few minutes coming up with example stories that are adaptable can ensure you are setting yourself up for success. Don’t just reflect on positive experiences! Have at least one negative experience in your arsenal that you can share in order to explain how you made the best of the situation or established a positive outcome.

5) Quantify your results

When you are sharing the result part of the STAR technique, make sure you quantify. Numbers always impress employers!

 

3 Job Search Apps You Need to Download Today!

August 24, 2015 No comments

This post contributes to our (unofficial) technology theme for the month of August! While this blog has extensively explored traditional aspects and tasks for the job search (writing a resume, interviewing tips, getting involved in the community), today we are going to identify three apps that will improve your efficiency and effectiveness with 1) creating an e-signature; 2) leveraging your connections; and 3) networking.

1) SignEasy

Our own Alyssa Baker (Administrative Assistant at the Career Center) is a huge proponent of SignEasy. SignEasy is FREE and has a phone (supports Apple and Android devices) AND a web app. No more printing your cover letter, signing your name, and scanning your cover letter back into Symplicity! This app allows you to important your file, sign using a mouse or your finger directly on the document, and re-save the file with your signature

 

2) Discoverly

Discoverly is a Google Chrome app that is designed to integrate Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn with Gmail. If you are only connected to someone (ex. an employer) on one platform, it identifies mutual connections you may have across other platforms. Information is power! Mutual connections help turn “cold calls” into real possibilities for networking to lead to a new internship or post-graduate opportunity.

 

3) LinkedIn 

Before you groan and click away from this blog post, hear me out. Obviously, our office recommends that you have a profile on LinkedIn. It can be intimidating and daunting to imagine building your professional network online, but think of the LinkedIn app like a professional Tinder. You’re sitting, waiting for class to start and, instead of swiping left or right, you swipe through connections the site suggests for you. Spending just 5 minutes a day sending connection requests can ensure you’re up to date in no time. Also, you can quickly send a connection request to someone right after a networking event – while you still remember their name and they still remember yours. In addition, if you need a starting point, be sure to check out the UMKC School of Law Alumni, Students and Friends group on LinkedIn as well.

5 Classic Email Templates for the Job Search

August 17, 2015 No comments

No matter where you’re at in the job search, crafting the perfect email is a necessary skill. This week, inspired by my daily email from The Muse and reflections on my own job search experience, I will be sharing five classic email templates for the job search.

1) Asking for an Introduction

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with where your network and connections are in their careers (see last week’s post for tips on using social media in the job search), make sure you reach out to anyone who might be able to help you land your next job. Here’s an adaptable email template that can help:

Subject: Introduction to [contact name] at [organization/company/firm]

Body: 

Hi [contact name]:

I hope all is well! I see you [fill in the blank with an observation about their life (ex. Recently graduated, got a new job, got a new pet, etc).] I am in my [year in law school or a recent graduate/alum] of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. I’ve been pursuing jobs in [industry/practice area] and came across a position that would be a great fit: [position name and/or link to the posting] at [organization/company/firm].

I noticed you’re connected to [target name], who is a [job title] at [company name], and was hoping that you could introduce us via [LinkedIn and/or email]. If you feel comfortable doing so, your referral would be much appreciated!

Here’s a quick blurb about me and I have attached my resume to provide context about my interest and qualifications. [Insert blurb here]. Please let me know if anything else would be helpful.

Thank you in advance for your help,

[Your name]

*don’t forget to actually attach your resume!

*include your LinkedIn link for an added bonus

2) Setting Up an Informational Interview

Informational interviews are a great way to assess if a particular organization/company/firm or industry/practice area is a good fit. They can also be useful if an organization/company/firm doesn’t have any current openings – making connections can pay off down the line when something does open up. Here are two adaptable email templates that can help:

1.Subject: Informational Interview

Body:

Dear Mr./Ms. [insert last name]:

My name is [your name], and I’m [a little about your current and previous work experience]. Current, I am exploring [insert your area of interest that also corresponds with the job or company of the individual you are emailing]. I’d love to learn more about [two or three things you’d like to learn from the person] and thought you might be a great person to reach out to because [reason for targeting this individual].

Please let me know if you would be able to take some time from your busy schedule to meet for coffee, breakfast, or lunch sometime in the next few weeks. I will also follow up with a phone call.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

[Your name]

OR if someone has referred you to the individual you are contacting:

2. Subject: Informational Interview

Body:

Dear Mr./Ms. [insert last name]:

[Insert name] referred me to you: My name is [your name], and I’m [a little about your current and previous work experience]. Current, I am exploring [insert your area of interest that also corresponds with the job or company of the individual you are emailing]. I’d love to learn more about [two or three things you’d like to learn from the person] and thought you might be a great person to reach out to because [reason for targeting this individual].

Please let me know if you would be able to take some time from your busy schedule to meet for coffee, breakfast, or lunch sometime in the next few weeks. I will also follow up with a phone call.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

[Your name]

*once the opportunity is confirmed, you can attach your resume

3) Following Up on Your Application

If, after a week or two, you haven’t heard back from the hiring manager, following up is a great way to reaffirm your interest and gain more insight into their timeframe. Here’s an adaptable email template that can help:

Subject: Following Up on [Position Title] Application

Body:

Dear [hiring manager name]:

I hope all is well! I’m sure you have received a lot of applications for the [name of position] position. I submitted my application materials on [date] and wanted to check in on your decision timeline. I am still very interested in the position and am excited about the opportunity to [whatever it is that you’re most excited about connected to the position].

Please let me know if I can provide any additional information as you make decisions about the next stage. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you,

[Your name]

4) Sending a Thank You – First-Round Interview

You should ALWAYS send a thank you note after an interview. Not only are thank you notes expected, but they provide a way for you to remind them what you can bring to the organization/company/firm/position. A handwritten thank you note is best, but if you anticipate they will be making a decision sooner rather than later, an email can supplement (thank them while indicating a handwritten note is en route) or substitute the note. Here’s an adaptable email template that can help:

Subject: Thank You!

Body:

Dear [hiring manager name/interviewer name]:

Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview for the [name of position]. I really enjoyed sharing more about [insert two to four skills/experiences you identified in your interview that relate to the skills/experiences they are looking for]. It was great to learn [insert at least one specific thing you learned that demonstrates you are personalizing the note]. I put a handwritten thank you note in the mail [whenever you mailed the note], but wanted to follow up via email as well.

I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding the next step in the hiring process. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

5) Sending a Thank You – Second-Round Interview

It’s tough to write a second thank you note for an organization/company/firm without sounding redundant, but you want to convince them you are still interested and the best fit. Here’s an adaptable email template that can help:

Subject: Thank You!

Body:

Dear [hiring manager name/interviewer name]:

Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview again for the [name of position]. Learning more about the position reaffirmed that I am a perfect fit. As I was able to further share, my interests, skills, and strengths greatly align with the responsibilities of this role [here you can be as specific as possible!]. I put a handwritten thank you note in the mail [whenever you mailed the note], but wanted to follow up via email as well.

I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding the opportunity to join [name of organization/company/firm]

Sincerely,

[Your name]

 

 

Unique Ways to Use Social Media in the Job Search

August 10, 2015 No comments

We’ve all heard the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” In the age of social media, it’s easier than ever to leverage your connections and make this adage true in your job search. It’s important to know the right people for two reasons: 1) to find new opportunities; and 2) to ensure the organization/company/firm is the right fit for you. The key is strategically finding helpful information amidst a plethora of pictures, rants, and life updates. Here are three ideas to help you make the most of social media in the job search.

1) WWW.TWITJOBSEEK.COM

Twitjobseek is a Twitter job search tool that connects to the traditional Twitter search bar to allow you to search using ‘job’ related words (ex. Counsel, law) and identify a specific geographic area (ex. Kansas City, MO).

2) INSTAGRAM

Most people don’t think of Instagram as a social media platform connected with the job search. While it’s unlikely you will learn about a job opportunity through social media, you can gain valuable insight about organizational culture that can help you discover and articulate why you know an organization/company/firm is the right fit. All you need to is to do a simple search for the organization/company/firm. I recommend looking at the organization/firm/company as a location – that way you can see all the posts from people who have been there (typically these individuals are employees). Are there office party pictures? Company-wide lunches? Birthday celebrations? Did it really happen if it’s not on Instagram?

3) FACEBOOK 

Have you kept track of where all your Facebook friends are employed? Probably not – especially if you haven’t gone on an unfriending binge since high school or college. To see whether any of your Facebook friends work at an organization/company/firm you are pursuing, type: “people who work at _______” in the main search bar. Even if you don’t have any friends who work there, Facebook will identify people who work there with whom you have mutual friends. Using Facebook in this way mirrors the capabilities of LinkedIn, but helps you tap into connections with individuals who might not be on that platform.

For more tips and tricks on how to get hired using social networking, check out Amanda C. Ellis, Esq.’s book The 6Ps of the Big 3 for Job-Seeking JDs. Attend events and workshops hosted by the Professional & Career Development Center for a chance to win her book or throw it in your cart on Amazon as you gear up for the next round of textbook purchasing and rentals.

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