I participated in an CLE for the Maricopa County Bar recently that was focused on job searches for newly licensed attorneys.  As a legal recruiter, I only work with lateral attorneys but sometimes get calls from new graduates. Here are a few suggestions for those looking for their first position as a lawyer:

Your job is getting a job so work on your search every day and keep detailed notes of contacts you have made including date, and status.  In addition to your school placement office and informational interviews with alums and attorneys you know, you might want to consider developing a website and writing a blog about your job search.  Also social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are great ways to stay connected. Just be sure to use them correctly.  

When using LinkedIn make sure you maintain a polished updated profile and try to connect with as many people as possible. Those looking to hire often use LinkedIn to find lawyers.  This is the place you can post your detailed bio and a recent head shot photo. The more people you are connected with on LinkedIn the better so connect with people with whom you would consider exchanging a business card.  In addition to contacting as many people you know, you might ask your contacts for an introduction to some of their contacts.  You can also write a brief introduction to someone you recently obtained a business card from or join a group and identify new contacts within the group.  Try not to let your status become stale so change it every week or so and don’t write the same update each time.  You can comment on your contacts’ status updates, share articles, and participate in group discussions.  You can also send an e-mail message through LinkedIn to drive people to your profile.  LinkedIn can be used to find networking events, see who’s looking at your profile and check on job openings that are posted. 

Facebook is your best referral network because it is comprised of those who know you and are likely to refer you for jobs.  You can also use it to keep people updated on your job search.  For “Everyone”, be sure and list your hometown, education, e-mail address, bio and links to your website, LinkedIn and Twitter.  For your profile picture you might have something a bit more casual than on LinkedIn but something you might consider placing in your office at work.  Remember that when you select Everyone, that means the entire Internet has access to this information.  This includes those who are considering hiring you so select the “Friends Only” setting for your birthday, political and religious views, photo albums, interests, lists of friends, and other pages.

Twitter is a good way to establish new relationships.  You can meet new contacts on Twitter because it is conducive to conversation that leads to relationships.  Use Twitter to connect to people you might like to talk to at a cocktail party.  Some law schools and bar associations have Twitter accounts and you might check out TweetLaw, AmLaw Tweeple, TwitJobSearch, LexTweet, and Legal Birds as well as others.  Make sure your user name is short and linked to your profession and try to include as much information about yourself on your profile as possible. 

Lastly, when using any networking site or event, always avoid negative comments about job interviews, current or past jobs or anything that may impact you negatively.  Oh, and try not to sound desperate.

A cover letter is your sales pitch — its importance must not be underestimated.

Like any effective sales pitch, it, first and foremost, must be tailored to the “prospect.” Make sure your message does not appear to be mass marketed. “To whom it may concern” or email “To” lines that include multiple recipients guarantee a hasty push of the delete button.

So how can you improve your chances of having your resume opened?

First, send the letter to the correct person, with their correct title. Don’t use fancy phraseology, or too much jargon and abbreviations — keep it short and simple. Spell check and proof it — twice.

The first paragraph should state which position or type of position you are applying for. If someone has referred you, list that person’s name.

A second paragraph can contain additional information not found on your resume. You can also highlight some part of your background that will make you a particularly good fit for that position. If salary information is requested, this is a good place to mention it.

Your closing should thank the addressee for their consideration, request an interview and list the best way to reach you.

And, as usual, contact me first, not last.

I find that some of the worst crafted resumes are submitted by partner-level candidates.

Is this because they have not written one in years? Or, perhaps, they feel so much has gone on in their lives they couldn’t abide to not include every little detail?

Whatever the reason may be, let’s start with what doesn’t belong on a resume: Photos, marital information, names and ages of children, race, birth place, height, weight, condition of health, religion, political information and unrelated activities or “honors” (Who’s Who, Book of the Month Club, etc.). You also don’t need an “objective.” And please, do not write a resume in first person.

Here’s what to include: Name, address, cellphone number and personal e-mail address. Begin with a summary description of your practice, then your employment history in reverse chronological order, including dates. Education (with dates) is listed after employment history followed by professional memberships and affiliations, professional honors, publications and speaking engagements.

Last, if you want to have help managing your search on a confidential basis, contact me.

As the market becomes tighter, I am receiving many more calls than normal from associates looking for help. Since I cannot work with everyone, and goodness knows I wish I could, here are some tips that might prove helpful in your job search.

Plan to attach a resume (more on that in a minute) a copy of your law school transcript, and a separate sheet highlighting your representative transactions if you are a corporate lawyer. If you are a litigator, a writing sample should accompany the other documents. (Remember to use something that has been filed — please don’t compromise your current firm or their clients with privileged information).

Here’s what I like to see on a one page resume:

It should include your name, home address, cell phone number and personal, (non provocative) e-mail address. Don’t include an objective — your objective is to change jobs.

Begin with your Education and include any honors or journals, and GPA or class ranking if you are proud of them.

Next is Legal Experience. List the name of your current position, date to present, and describe your background, including both the functional duties and types of matters you handle — this section can be several sentences. Prior jobs are listed in descending chronological order with shorter descriptions.

Non Legal Experience is only included if you had a career between undergraduate and law school. Leave off jobs held during school. You can list that you financed all or part of your education without the particulars.

Memberships and Affiliations are next. Include state bar memberships, federal court or circuit admissions, professional organizations and sections, etc. Civic activities can be included here, but do not include political or religious affiliations.

If you have them, mention publications, speaking engagements or other languages you speak. Forget “references upon request,” it is assumed.

Oh, and send it to me first, not after being rejected by everyone in town. I can’t help you then.

From the Phoenix Business Journal

If you don’t know your destination, how will you know when you’ve arrived?

Whether you are a languishing associate or a partner who wants a bigger slice of a bigger pie, the decision to leave your current firm should not be taken lightly. A bit of self-reflection, before polishing that resume, will make for a more successful move.

Begin by reviewing both your short- and long-term goals and preferences. Questions to consider:

• Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
• What is the best way to get there?  
• What do you like most about your current situation? What do you like least?
• Do you need additional training in a particular practice area? 
• Is moving now going to help or hurt your career? 
• How have your goals changed since you began with your current firm?

Self-assessment is crucial to determining where you want to go, and will give you the confidence to stay on track.