Were you Dorothy Mantoothed? I may not be a saint, but I definitely had this stunt pulled on me.
Now, chances are that there is a reason why we were wined, dined, and dismissed with or without a call/letter/post-it note. I can think of two situations in particular where I was convinced I had the job, and yet wound up drinking my tears afterwards. Dramatic? Yes. But my hopes had been so high it was a particularly difficult blow to deal with. After the tears stopped flowing and I stopped the repeat showing of Love Actually (and yelling at Snape for being such a wanker), I started to think. Irrespective of each interviewer telling me I basically had the job after the interview, there were definite red flags. So, I would like to share a revelation I gleaned from each experience. These may or may not be why I didn't get the job, but they are good things to avoid. So, read, hopefully don't laugh too hard at me, and learn from my second date stand-up.
One piece of advice I've always tried to follow is be in control of the interview. It helps relax me, fills awkward silences, lets the interview become more like a dialogue while showing the interviewer I am prepared and interested. These are all good things. But, you need to watch that it does not turn against you. If you find yourself across the table from tears or snort-laughter, you may be in trouble.
1. Keep the interview on course. In the first interview, there was too much laughter. I was so in control of the conversation that the interviewer didn't realize he was interviewing me. He stopped asking me relevant questions and instead was asking me about my favorite kind of beer while regaling me with stories of his colleagues' drinking parties. Basically, my interviewer was telling me frat stories, thoroughly enjoying himself and my company, but completely oblivious to the fact that I was interviewing for a serious position that I really wanted. In my head I thought, people like talking about themselves. So this is good, right? Laughter is good? He's comfortable, so that's good? No. No. No. It was not. He may have enjoyed the interview, but he had barely two sentences to report back to his partners regarding my capabilities or ambitions. That is not a good thing. I let the conversation get steered too far away from what matters. I've since learned ways to steer conversations back to my skills and desire for the job, and I employ these tactics whenever I start hearing about drinking games, awkward or unethical stories, or snort-laughing.
2. Don't ask questions you don't know the answer to. This is true for cross-examination, and it is true for interviews. It is good to ask the interviewer questions, but you do not want to ask questions that may upset the interviewer. A question may seem harmless. Maybe on the firm's website the attorney's biography mentioned involvement in an organization that you are interested in. You instantly think, by gum, we have something in common. This is going to be great! But what if the attorney hated the organization or was forced out or had a fist-fight over a knock-off Prada purse with another member? Now, you likely have no way of knowing if this is the case. And since it was on the firm's site, you assumed it was a safe topic. So you bring it up and the attorney clearly and immediately gets visibly upset, and almost starts crying as you try to resteer your question, without knowing why the question or topic is so upsetting. This is awkward beyond all belief and highlights the potential problem with asking questions you don't know the answer to. The issue is that the interviewer will now associate you with an unpleasant part of their past. While this may not be irreversibly damning, it is bad. So, stick to non-personal topics and to questions that you at least have some inkling of what the answer is going to be.
Like getting dumped, getting rejected from a job is emotionally draining, confusing and filled with ice cream. But don't worry, you'll rebound or you'll find that great job that isn't a rebound and doesn't dump you and you eat ice cream together because it's fun and not to fill a void. I mean, you'll be in job heaven. But til then, we have rebounds and bad breakups and ice cream.
My most recent rebound was riddled with fur, left my feet aching, and provided me the opportunity to freak out a bank employee. All I will say about my rebound job is that I made a lot of tips, in one evening, in small bills. I took 100 singles, bound them with a rubber band, and proceeded to my local bank branch to deposit this money into my bank account. I waited in line for awhile until a male teller called me over to his window. I handed him my deposit slip and the giant wad of cash. He started to count the money and asked casually if I was a server, assuming I would say yes. The "No" caught him off-guard. It became obvious that he was both curious about the singles and also mortified as he started to handle them much more gingerly. I'm not sure if it took longer because he wanted it to or because he was trying to have as little contact with the bills as possible, but I just smiled as he counted and handed me my deposit slip several minutes later. He did not see my smile though, as he was unable to speak or make eye contact after the revealing "No." So the next time you want to freak out your bank teller without the fear of going to jail, get singles, lots of 'em, and not from waiting tables. Plus you'll be $100 richer. It's a win-win.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
I'm thankful for you, potential employer
Happy Thanksgiving! This year I am thankful for spending the day back home with my family, no more tests, and leftover blooming onion for breakfast. And while I wish that I could say I'm thankful for being gainfully employed when we go around the table later today, I am thankful that I still have active applications and a good support network.
Today, it is important to remember one very important person that we should thank all year: the potential employer. I know, I know, some may say that we shouldn't be too thankful until they become our actual employers, that we're being overly optimistic. But thank you notes play an important strategic role in turning potential employers into actual employers. Now, writing an exemplary thank you note will not erase a terrible interview, inadequate credentials or the fact that you vomited on the interviewer, but a bad thank you note (or no note at all) basically tells employers that we are disinterested, disorganized, lazy, forgetful. Obviously none of these are characteristics that an employer wants, and thus the dangers of writing a bad thank you note are great, so we may as well put the effort into writing a great one.
After your next interview, as soon as you can (but don't write it while driving) follow these tips:
1. Be traditional. Handwriting and regular mail may be relics of the past, but they go a long way with lawyers and employers. It may be the case that a potential employer prefers email - they will likely tell you that. Otherwise, stick it in the blue box. And, horror of horrors, write it by hand. It shows that you put time into it. While we may be doctors of law, we are not medical doctors and thus should not have illegible writing. If your handwriting is illegible, then type it and sign it. But really, it's a second grade skill and you don't need to be ambidextrous, so maybe that's a skill you should work on.
2. Be professional. You may have great Mr. Bean cards that you use for thank you's to your family, but those are probably not acceptable to use for a potential employer. Use a professional salutation, professional language and an appropriate card. For the outside of the envelope, follow the first rule: handwrite the address and return address. Again, if your handwriting is terrible, type it, but keep the Avengers address labels for something else. It's alright to show some personality, but just be smart about it.
3. Remind them who you are and why they want you. In your note incorporate something from the interview that reminds them who you are, and why they liked you. If they remember who you are, they will actually consider you for the position. Remind them of why you would be great for the position in one sentence, and reassert that you want the position. You can find templates online for more information on what should be in a thank you, but basically you want to be succinct, thank them, remind them who you are and why they want you, and that you want them.
4. Send it promptly. For it to be effective, you should send the note as soon as possible after the interview, ideally within a few hours. If the interview is far away, maybe bring your stationary with you and write it in a coffee shop immediately after the interview. The earlier they get it the quicker they can be reminded that they like you and be assured that you are interested, organized and thoughtful.
5. Send it to the right person. Keep track of who interviewed you. This is important for saying their name correctly before you leave and for being able to address your thank you notes. If four people interviewed you, write four thank you notes (and make sure they are unique). Doublecheck spellings of names before sending them. Receiving a business card will be the easiest way to do this, but you may need to do some investigatory work otherwise to get the information.
6. Proofread. Proofread the note, the name, the address, the amount of postage, everything. Thrice.
If you follow these rules, you should be able to avoid the terrible thank you note and hopefully send a stellar thank you note instead. This likely will not be your last correspondence with the employer. When you hear from them again, send another thank you letter re:
1. ACCEPTANCE! Accept the job offer in the way they require. This may be by mail, by email, by phone, or via Facebook, if they're strange and stuff.
2. Rejecting their offer - Do this in the manner they require and in a very respectful way. Also, why?! And can you send them my way?
3. A rejection letter. Now, if your experience has been like mine, most of these rejection letters are form letters. They do not give a real reason for why you didn't get the position, do not include a personal touch of any kind, and sometimes they even forget your name ("Dear [Insert Name]:"). However, you applied to this position for a reason - you wanted to work there. So, thank them for their consideration and implore them to keep you in mind should similar positions become available in the future. This has a slim possibility, but consider this situation: They hire X and reject you. You send a scathing letter after their rejection. X doesn't work out and they want to hire you. They receive said scathing letter. You do not get the job. Obviously this is oversimplified, but the fact remains that thank you notes are important.
This holiday reminds us of the importance and power of saying thank you. So be sure to thank all those potential employers, even if you're upset or crying or busy. Though maybe wait until those tears dry before writing. Salty, sloppy letters generally are not professional. If you're looking for more information, check this out. And remember, the thank you note may not necessarily make us, but it can certainly break us. So take the time and write out a thank you note to all those potential employers. And maybe they'll realize they're thankful for you, and hire you.
Now, go enjoy those three helpings of carbs, desserts, and turkey. Later today I will be writing a thank you note to food comas, on my Hogwarts thank you cards.
Today, it is important to remember one very important person that we should thank all year: the potential employer. I know, I know, some may say that we shouldn't be too thankful until they become our actual employers, that we're being overly optimistic. But thank you notes play an important strategic role in turning potential employers into actual employers. Now, writing an exemplary thank you note will not erase a terrible interview, inadequate credentials or the fact that you vomited on the interviewer, but a bad thank you note (or no note at all) basically tells employers that we are disinterested, disorganized, lazy, forgetful. Obviously none of these are characteristics that an employer wants, and thus the dangers of writing a bad thank you note are great, so we may as well put the effort into writing a great one.
After your next interview, as soon as you can (but don't write it while driving) follow these tips:
1. Be traditional. Handwriting and regular mail may be relics of the past, but they go a long way with lawyers and employers. It may be the case that a potential employer prefers email - they will likely tell you that. Otherwise, stick it in the blue box. And, horror of horrors, write it by hand. It shows that you put time into it. While we may be doctors of law, we are not medical doctors and thus should not have illegible writing. If your handwriting is illegible, then type it and sign it. But really, it's a second grade skill and you don't need to be ambidextrous, so maybe that's a skill you should work on.
2. Be professional. You may have great Mr. Bean cards that you use for thank you's to your family, but those are probably not acceptable to use for a potential employer. Use a professional salutation, professional language and an appropriate card. For the outside of the envelope, follow the first rule: handwrite the address and return address. Again, if your handwriting is terrible, type it, but keep the Avengers address labels for something else. It's alright to show some personality, but just be smart about it.
3. Remind them who you are and why they want you. In your note incorporate something from the interview that reminds them who you are, and why they liked you. If they remember who you are, they will actually consider you for the position. Remind them of why you would be great for the position in one sentence, and reassert that you want the position. You can find templates online for more information on what should be in a thank you, but basically you want to be succinct, thank them, remind them who you are and why they want you, and that you want them.
4. Send it promptly. For it to be effective, you should send the note as soon as possible after the interview, ideally within a few hours. If the interview is far away, maybe bring your stationary with you and write it in a coffee shop immediately after the interview. The earlier they get it the quicker they can be reminded that they like you and be assured that you are interested, organized and thoughtful.
5. Send it to the right person. Keep track of who interviewed you. This is important for saying their name correctly before you leave and for being able to address your thank you notes. If four people interviewed you, write four thank you notes (and make sure they are unique). Doublecheck spellings of names before sending them. Receiving a business card will be the easiest way to do this, but you may need to do some investigatory work otherwise to get the information.
6. Proofread. Proofread the note, the name, the address, the amount of postage, everything. Thrice.
If you follow these rules, you should be able to avoid the terrible thank you note and hopefully send a stellar thank you note instead. This likely will not be your last correspondence with the employer. When you hear from them again, send another thank you letter re:
1. ACCEPTANCE! Accept the job offer in the way they require. This may be by mail, by email, by phone, or via Facebook, if they're strange and stuff.
2. Rejecting their offer - Do this in the manner they require and in a very respectful way. Also, why?! And can you send them my way?
3. A rejection letter. Now, if your experience has been like mine, most of these rejection letters are form letters. They do not give a real reason for why you didn't get the position, do not include a personal touch of any kind, and sometimes they even forget your name ("Dear [Insert Name]:"). However, you applied to this position for a reason - you wanted to work there. So, thank them for their consideration and implore them to keep you in mind should similar positions become available in the future. This has a slim possibility, but consider this situation: They hire X and reject you. You send a scathing letter after their rejection. X doesn't work out and they want to hire you. They receive said scathing letter. You do not get the job. Obviously this is oversimplified, but the fact remains that thank you notes are important.
This holiday reminds us of the importance and power of saying thank you. So be sure to thank all those potential employers, even if you're upset or crying or busy. Though maybe wait until those tears dry before writing. Salty, sloppy letters generally are not professional. If you're looking for more information, check this out. And remember, the thank you note may not necessarily make us, but it can certainly break us. So take the time and write out a thank you note to all those potential employers. And maybe they'll realize they're thankful for you, and hire you.
Now, go enjoy those three helpings of carbs, desserts, and turkey. Later today I will be writing a thank you note to food comas, on my Hogwarts thank you cards.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Thanksgiving : Turkey : : Post-grad Law Job : _______ Hint: it needs to be less creepy looking than a wild turkey
November marks the beginning of loan repayment for many. This is not (I assume at the risk of making asses of you and me) a pleasant experience for anyone. Therefore, we need something to look forward to this month other than that first piece of paper that is not stamped "This is not a bill." I have three things that I always look forward to. And since Fall is implicated in two of these, I shall verb this triumvirate of awesomeness "autumn." And while autumning does not have the same sanctioned helpfulness of summering, I still stand by it.
What is autumning? One: Halloween. Halloween is amazing, whether you enjoy it for its creepy haunted houses, candy (especially when people leave out abandoned bowls) or its socially sanctioned scantily clad mandatory dress code. No matter the reason, Halloween is always a good time. If you missed Halloween, I recommend going to a store, buying a discount costume, and dressing up with some friends. Though maybe don't knock on people's doors asking for candy at night. Two: Sex. This is not Fall-specific, but it can certainly be enjoyed in the Fall. And should, maybe even in a hay stack (that makes it more autumnal). Just watch out for foreign objects in the hay, and stay away from lantern kicking cows, for numerous obvious reasons. Three: Thanksgiving. The FOOOOOOOOD. And the company, and thanking friends and family and other stuff. But really, the food. Ok, meat, carbs and dessert? Multiple helpings of each? It's almost as good as one and two. Almost. It certainly puts me in a lovely coma, just like indulging in sex and (halloween) candy (thank you Marcy Playground).
You're probably wondering how this fun stuff can be helpful. One part of this triumvirate of awesomeness will help us get a job. Three guesses which one...
Sechs. Get help with your resume.
See what I did there? Sex, while thoroughly enjoyable, most likely (I'm not suggesting or not not suggesting anything here) will not help with The Resume.
That Girl's Guide lists getting help with your resume as number 6, and that is what we shall explore here.
I started out following CSO's advice like any scared 1L newbie: read the manual, do as the examples do, make yourself unique, then bring it to CSO where they turn it into a form resume so that everyone's resume ends up looking the same. They told me to change my resume so many times that it just ended up looking like my original resume after the seventh edit from them. So I moved on and up. Granted, this is not always an option and not necessary. Some schools require you to follow their template before they allow you to send out your resume for OCI or through the school's job boards. I have many things to say about this, but I will limit myself to this: follow the template when you have to; otherwise find a way to have an amazing resume that helps you stand out. Maybe your CSO office is awesome and can help you do this. Or maybe you need to look elsewhere. Which is where we are going now.
The internet abounds with advice. But a lot of it seems to come in the same form as CSO advice, so I was not overly impressed. And then I thought, as I watched the opening credits to True Blood, some of my friends actually have post-grad law jobs. I should look at their resumes* to see if that's really what makes or breaks us. After looking at them (and maybe staring at the wall in disbelief after seeing some of my friends' GPAs or graduation honors or lies) I am none the wiser on that front. I honestly do not know if it is the resume that will land you the job. My few employed friends all come from very different backgrounds, did different things while in law school, and got their jobs in very different ways; so I do not think there is one set formula for finding a job. But the fact remains, the resume is certainly very, very (a third very?) important. And so I have compiled a few tips I picked up from friends' resumes (those lucky employed bastards), slightly fewer from CSO and the internet, and then some from personal experience.
In the spirit of autumning and to show how truly timely I can be, my advice is to dress it like a Thanksgiving turkey. Don't worry, I have a recipe for this. Just maybe don't try it on an actual turkey. I have no idea how to actually cook a giant bird that looks like its brains are on the outside.
*If you borrowed your friends' (or "friends'") resumes to help you with yours, do not get discouraged if some have ten years worth of relevant experience or if others got Order of the Saiyan or Hippogriff or some other mythical creature. Yeah, you might get upset and throw a temper tantrum at first. We all need to act like children sometimes (though I suggest dressing up as Princess Jasmine or Buttercup over floor tantrums). But guess what? It doesn't matter. There's something in your resume or in your personality that they do not have. Because you're you, and that's who you're selling (not to sound preachy with this, but self-esteem and self-confidence go a long way, especially in our profession). So before you alter your resume to oblivion, sit down with yourself and figure out what makes you you, what makes you the ideal candidate for each position, and figure out a way to sell that in your resume. There are reasons we can't and shan't pull a Tonya Harding. It really doesn't matter what is in your competitor's resume. A competitor may get a job over us based on their resume, but we can only improve our own resume, our own application materials, and our own awkward interview styles. So let's focus on improving our resumes and start with that.
THE SECRET RECIPE
1. Gut it.
- Five pages long?
Think seriously about whether there is a reason your resume is over a page long. If you have good reason and you think anyone is going to read the second or third page, keep it. If not, shorten it. Smaller margins can help get your resume onto one page without crunching all of your information together or cutting anything out.
- Obscure award
Think about what awards or activities you've included. You might be proud of something, but it could be irrelevant, or worse, show some kind of weakness. On my first resume I had a Mandarin language award from college. I was damned proud of it, and that's why I included it. However, I made the mistake of not keeping up with the language throughout college, and now cannot speak or read it at all. This is a problem. It was a conversation starter, sure. But it was also a conversation ender. "I see here that you speak Mandarin? That's wonderful. We could really use someone like you at our firm to help with important contracts work." "Oh, well, I didn't actually keep up with the language. But I'm great on Westlaw. Did you see my open research memo grade?" See, bad. When I relearn the language, I will add it back on there. Until then, it is not going back on my resume.
Big but here --> if it is something you are proud of, that distinguishes you, and you can talk intelligently about, keep it.
- Senior thesis
Everyone writes one. If it wasn't published or terribly interesting, or you can't speak intelligently and relevantly about it then it probably doesn't need to be on there.
2. Stuff it.
- Job description
Look at the job description. Look at whether it is a bar-requirement job, a JD advantage job, a professional job (other than law), or a tie-over job only requiring a high school diploma. Consider what skills you have that make you a great fit for this position, and alter your resume to reflect that. This means you may have multiple resumes for different positions. You should. Employers appreciate a resume that is crafted to what they are looking for. It makes it easier for them to decide that you fit their need. I recommend having a base resume that you then adapt for each position. Some may require more changes than others.
Note: Look at what experience the position requires. It is acceptable to demonstrate through a cover letter or resume that while you don't fit their exact qualifications, you have the requisite experience that they desire via another format. But do not apply to a post-grad job requiring ten years of jury trial experience when you're a 1L. Unless of course you somehow have that experience. A firm looks for completely different things depending on whether you are applying for a post-1L summer postion or a full-time position post-grad or a lateral hire. Adapt your resume and expectations accordingly.
- Personal ad
Don't deny who you are, but be smart about what you reveal upfront. There are many who counsel against including anything relating to your political, economical, philosophical or religious persuasions. I will not go so far as that. It may be useful, or it may just be something that you feel should be included for a practical reason. There may be consequences of including such information on your resume, but as long as someone is aware of that I think they can determine for themselves whether to include it or not. But maybe save the "long walks on the beach" for your ad on craigslist.
3. Let it bake for a long time.
Leave it alone for awhile and come back to it with fresh eyes. Do something fun in the meantime. Like another autumning activity. Or a combination. Definitely a combination.
4. Ladle the juices over top of it periodically.
Once you have a solid base resume that you feel comfortable with do not forget about it. Come back to it at least once a month, but preferably once a week, to see if anything has changed. Alter it as needed. And don't forget step 2 when actually applying to make sure it is crafted to that particular position.
5. Test it.
Have friends, CSO, professors, former colleagues in the legal profession, your Hooters Girl read it and critique it. Put something in there that is wrong (a typo or something) so that you know if it is someone who is reading it carefully and capable of giving you honest feedback. If someone is too fragile to give you honest advice, move on to someone else who won't coddle you. Coddling will not get you a job. Once you find several someones who are willing and able to critique your resume, give them a few varieties to see if they would make the same changes you did.
6. Dress it next to other tasty dishes.
For instance, an on-point writing sample (a criminal opinion if applying to be a criminal law clerk, a summary judgment brief if applying to work in civil law, and memoranda on issues that you would likely get are always fetch (Mean Girls anyone?)). A well-crafted cover letter. Stellar and poignant letters of recommendation. You know, that sort of thing. If you're feeling Elle-sy, put it on some colored paper and spritz it with your best, low-key yet professional, perfume. Though I cannot attest to that working outside the world of make-believe and manicured lap-dogs, so maybe don't.
7. Share.
Hopefully without giving anyone food poisoning, but instead enticing them to ask for seconds.
OK, so that's where I currently stand on NUMBER SIX: THE RESUME. I've been working on this since graduation, and I can say that my resume has gone through many permutations, and my hard drive is littered with hundreds of different resumes for different jobs.
Obviously, though, I am still writing this blog. As a jobless J.D. So please, if anyone has advice or a different recipe on how to improve a resume, please share it here. For some it may be helpful to see what kinds of experiences look good on a resume so they can pursue those, but for us graduated folk I think the most helpful thing for us is working on the format, learning about new approaches and tips on how to make a resume standout. So, whether you have advice on what should go into a resume, what should stay out of a resume, or what a resume should be styled like, PLEASE SHARE. After all, it's almost Thanksgiving. And don't you want me to thank you on this blog for your input?
What is autumning? One: Halloween. Halloween is amazing, whether you enjoy it for its creepy haunted houses, candy (especially when people leave out abandoned bowls) or its socially sanctioned scantily clad mandatory dress code. No matter the reason, Halloween is always a good time. If you missed Halloween, I recommend going to a store, buying a discount costume, and dressing up with some friends. Though maybe don't knock on people's doors asking for candy at night. Two: Sex. This is not Fall-specific, but it can certainly be enjoyed in the Fall. And should, maybe even in a hay stack (that makes it more autumnal). Just watch out for foreign objects in the hay, and stay away from lantern kicking cows, for numerous obvious reasons. Three: Thanksgiving. The FOOOOOOOOD. And the company, and thanking friends and family and other stuff. But really, the food. Ok, meat, carbs and dessert? Multiple helpings of each? It's almost as good as one and two. Almost. It certainly puts me in a lovely coma, just like indulging in sex and (halloween) candy (thank you Marcy Playground).
You're probably wondering how this fun stuff can be helpful. One part of this triumvirate of awesomeness will help us get a job. Three guesses which one...
Sechs. Get help with your resume.
See what I did there? Sex, while thoroughly enjoyable, most likely (I'm not suggesting or not not suggesting anything here) will not help with The Resume.
That Girl's Guide lists getting help with your resume as number 6, and that is what we shall explore here.
I started out following CSO's advice like any scared 1L newbie: read the manual, do as the examples do, make yourself unique, then bring it to CSO where they turn it into a form resume so that everyone's resume ends up looking the same. They told me to change my resume so many times that it just ended up looking like my original resume after the seventh edit from them. So I moved on and up. Granted, this is not always an option and not necessary. Some schools require you to follow their template before they allow you to send out your resume for OCI or through the school's job boards. I have many things to say about this, but I will limit myself to this: follow the template when you have to; otherwise find a way to have an amazing resume that helps you stand out. Maybe your CSO office is awesome and can help you do this. Or maybe you need to look elsewhere. Which is where we are going now.
The internet abounds with advice. But a lot of it seems to come in the same form as CSO advice, so I was not overly impressed. And then I thought, as I watched the opening credits to True Blood, some of my friends actually have post-grad law jobs. I should look at their resumes* to see if that's really what makes or breaks us. After looking at them (and maybe staring at the wall in disbelief after seeing some of my friends' GPAs or graduation honors or lies) I am none the wiser on that front. I honestly do not know if it is the resume that will land you the job. My few employed friends all come from very different backgrounds, did different things while in law school, and got their jobs in very different ways; so I do not think there is one set formula for finding a job. But the fact remains, the resume is certainly very, very (a third very?) important. And so I have compiled a few tips I picked up from friends' resumes (those lucky employed bastards), slightly fewer from CSO and the internet, and then some from personal experience.
In the spirit of autumning and to show how truly timely I can be, my advice is to dress it like a Thanksgiving turkey. Don't worry, I have a recipe for this. Just maybe don't try it on an actual turkey. I have no idea how to actually cook a giant bird that looks like its brains are on the outside.
*If you borrowed your friends' (or "friends'") resumes to help you with yours, do not get discouraged if some have ten years worth of relevant experience or if others got Order of the Saiyan or Hippogriff or some other mythical creature. Yeah, you might get upset and throw a temper tantrum at first. We all need to act like children sometimes (though I suggest dressing up as Princess Jasmine or Buttercup over floor tantrums). But guess what? It doesn't matter. There's something in your resume or in your personality that they do not have. Because you're you, and that's who you're selling (not to sound preachy with this, but self-esteem and self-confidence go a long way, especially in our profession). So before you alter your resume to oblivion, sit down with yourself and figure out what makes you you, what makes you the ideal candidate for each position, and figure out a way to sell that in your resume. There are reasons we can't and shan't pull a Tonya Harding. It really doesn't matter what is in your competitor's resume. A competitor may get a job over us based on their resume, but we can only improve our own resume, our own application materials, and our own awkward interview styles. So let's focus on improving our resumes and start with that.
THE SECRET RECIPE
1. Gut it.
- Five pages long?
Think seriously about whether there is a reason your resume is over a page long. If you have good reason and you think anyone is going to read the second or third page, keep it. If not, shorten it. Smaller margins can help get your resume onto one page without crunching all of your information together or cutting anything out.
- Obscure award
Think about what awards or activities you've included. You might be proud of something, but it could be irrelevant, or worse, show some kind of weakness. On my first resume I had a Mandarin language award from college. I was damned proud of it, and that's why I included it. However, I made the mistake of not keeping up with the language throughout college, and now cannot speak or read it at all. This is a problem. It was a conversation starter, sure. But it was also a conversation ender. "I see here that you speak Mandarin? That's wonderful. We could really use someone like you at our firm to help with important contracts work." "Oh, well, I didn't actually keep up with the language. But I'm great on Westlaw. Did you see my open research memo grade?" See, bad. When I relearn the language, I will add it back on there. Until then, it is not going back on my resume.
Big but here --> if it is something you are proud of, that distinguishes you, and you can talk intelligently about, keep it.
- Senior thesis
Everyone writes one. If it wasn't published or terribly interesting, or you can't speak intelligently and relevantly about it then it probably doesn't need to be on there.
2. Stuff it.
- Job description
Look at the job description. Look at whether it is a bar-requirement job, a JD advantage job, a professional job (other than law), or a tie-over job only requiring a high school diploma. Consider what skills you have that make you a great fit for this position, and alter your resume to reflect that. This means you may have multiple resumes for different positions. You should. Employers appreciate a resume that is crafted to what they are looking for. It makes it easier for them to decide that you fit their need. I recommend having a base resume that you then adapt for each position. Some may require more changes than others.
Note: Look at what experience the position requires. It is acceptable to demonstrate through a cover letter or resume that while you don't fit their exact qualifications, you have the requisite experience that they desire via another format. But do not apply to a post-grad job requiring ten years of jury trial experience when you're a 1L. Unless of course you somehow have that experience. A firm looks for completely different things depending on whether you are applying for a post-1L summer postion or a full-time position post-grad or a lateral hire. Adapt your resume and expectations accordingly.
- Personal ad
Don't deny who you are, but be smart about what you reveal upfront. There are many who counsel against including anything relating to your political, economical, philosophical or religious persuasions. I will not go so far as that. It may be useful, or it may just be something that you feel should be included for a practical reason. There may be consequences of including such information on your resume, but as long as someone is aware of that I think they can determine for themselves whether to include it or not. But maybe save the "long walks on the beach" for your ad on craigslist.
3. Let it bake for a long time.
Leave it alone for awhile and come back to it with fresh eyes. Do something fun in the meantime. Like another autumning activity. Or a combination. Definitely a combination.
4. Ladle the juices over top of it periodically.
Once you have a solid base resume that you feel comfortable with do not forget about it. Come back to it at least once a month, but preferably once a week, to see if anything has changed. Alter it as needed. And don't forget step 2 when actually applying to make sure it is crafted to that particular position.
5. Test it.
Have friends, CSO, professors, former colleagues in the legal profession, your Hooters Girl read it and critique it. Put something in there that is wrong (a typo or something) so that you know if it is someone who is reading it carefully and capable of giving you honest feedback. If someone is too fragile to give you honest advice, move on to someone else who won't coddle you. Coddling will not get you a job. Once you find several someones who are willing and able to critique your resume, give them a few varieties to see if they would make the same changes you did.
6. Dress it next to other tasty dishes.
For instance, an on-point writing sample (a criminal opinion if applying to be a criminal law clerk, a summary judgment brief if applying to work in civil law, and memoranda on issues that you would likely get are always fetch (Mean Girls anyone?)). A well-crafted cover letter. Stellar and poignant letters of recommendation. You know, that sort of thing. If you're feeling Elle-sy, put it on some colored paper and spritz it with your best, low-key yet professional, perfume. Though I cannot attest to that working outside the world of make-believe and manicured lap-dogs, so maybe don't.
7. Share.
Hopefully without giving anyone food poisoning, but instead enticing them to ask for seconds.
OK, so that's where I currently stand on NUMBER SIX: THE RESUME. I've been working on this since graduation, and I can say that my resume has gone through many permutations, and my hard drive is littered with hundreds of different resumes for different jobs.
Obviously, though, I am still writing this blog. As a jobless J.D. So please, if anyone has advice or a different recipe on how to improve a resume, please share it here. For some it may be helpful to see what kinds of experiences look good on a resume so they can pursue those, but for us graduated folk I think the most helpful thing for us is working on the format, learning about new approaches and tips on how to make a resume standout. So, whether you have advice on what should go into a resume, what should stay out of a resume, or what a resume should be styled like, PLEASE SHARE. After all, it's almost Thanksgiving. And don't you want me to thank you on this blog for your input?
Friday, November 16, 2012
Post-bar passage hibernation revelation
I hate admitting this...
My name is Dany and I had a mid-way-to-finding-out-bar-results crisis. Unlike the slightly more common mid-life crisis, I did not have the financial capabilities to buy a motorcycle, a new wardrobe, or go on an extravagant trip. Fortunately, I did not require the toupee or sordid affair either, so I guess it balances out. I was half-way to finding out bar results in early September, and the only income I had was from a part-time gig (we're talking like 20 hours a month max at minimum wage) that only required a high school diploma. I had not had any interviews in months for a law job, and even doc review wasn't looking like it would happen. Needless to say, I was a little down. And when down about not having a law job, trying to write a pithy, humorous blog about not having a law job turns into a pity blog with lots of depressed rants. And as there are enough of those on reality television shows (I assume, I can't afford cable), I figured I would spare you.
I had two anniversaries in September. The first was with my SO. And while I turned the coq au vin purple by using the wrong kind of wine and cried at inappropriate moments, it was surprisingly not a disaster. Actually, it was really great. But I will be keeping those details to myself, thank you very much.
The second anniversary was a significantly less enjoyable occasion, especially since it did not involve any home-made ice cream. With September came the realization that I'd been applying for a full-time post-law school job for over a year. With no full-time job to show for it. I'd even applied to Hooters with no success. This, my friends, prompted the mid-way-to-finding-out-bar-results crisis.
Fast forward another month or so, and I found out that I passed the bar. With passing the bar I received a wonderful hangover and my first doc review gig. Not something to necessarily write home about, but it is something that allowed me to buy more of those forever stamps to use on future letters home (or on applications, more likely). Now, in the past doc review had been a fall-back. It was what many law grads did until they found their dream job. It paid well, was relatively steady, and mind-numbingly boring. It still pays well. It's still mind-numbingly boring. But at least in a 75 mile radius from where I live, it is no longer steady. But I got a gig. I thought, hey, this is the turning point. I'll work steadily, make some money, and keep applying for jobs. The project lasted three days. It was 75 miles away. And it happened to be on the same day as my sporadic part-time job needed me to work. So I got to leave my apartment at 5am, drive 75 miles, stare at a computer screen and check boxes for ten hours, drive 75 miles to my other job while trying not to spill my tuna dinner on myself (nobody wants an employee who smells like fish), work another four hours, go home, and repeat for two more days. Woot. In all honesty though, doc review can be interesting. My third day I got to do stuff that was more relevant to a trial, and not just clicking boxes. Plus there's free coffee. Lots of free coffee. And as you learned in law school, always take the free food (or coffee) when you can. And the pay is good. And technically speaking, it is legal experience.
But it was only three days. So since graduating, I have worked a total of three days (roughly 30 hours) in a position requiring a law degree. Not great, but still better than some of my friends, so I can't complain. But as a I said, doc review is in a lull at the moment, just like the rest of the legal market. So the job that once was a steady fall-back for us leftover kids is no longer steady. Plus there's more of us leftover kids. I recently read an article in the Washington Post entitled Will Law School Students Have Jobs After They Graduate? that put this into perspective. In a nutshell, there are more and more law students graduating, with fewer law jobs available. And given how mathematics work (I am taking their word on this, math is not my strong suit), the problem will only get worse as there are significantly more law students graduating each year and entering the market than there are new law jobs becoming available, and there are still thousands of unemployed law grads from previous years. This is a scary statistic, but it's real and unfortunately we have to deal with it.
So now what? Even in bleak times, we can not just give up and go into hibernation. Life keeps moving. I only got three days in as a lawyer, and my part-time job is very sporadic. Therefore, I am still treating job searching like a full-time job, as you should try to do too. My tips so far:
1) Network. I hate it, but it's necessary. If you've passed the bar, join the local bar association. Usually it is free the first year for new lawyers. If there is an area of the law that you're interested in, join a committee or two. But make sure you are active in these committees, and not just writing them on your resume. Employers will ask about them. Plus being involved means you will meet people who do what you're interested in, and that can't be a bad thing.
2) Play Where's Waldo. Search for jobs every way you can. Searching is not a passive activity, you need to be proactive. Create a Monster account, a LinkedIn account, an Indeed account. Keep searching your law school's career website. Look for other types of job search engines. Post your resume on different sites. Search daily. Twice daily. As often as you can. Assume that you have not found Waldo and keep looking. Even if you get an interview keep looking. Look until you have accepted that offer letter and you're packing your lunch for that first day of work.
3) Search outside the box. You have more skills than a law degree. Find out what they are and look for jobs that match that. Sometimes you have to come to the realization that you will not get your dream law job right away. Hell, we may never get it. But you still need to pay back those loans, and it's November - payback time. Plus maybe some of those other jobs will be more up your alley, or at least provide an avenue from your current status to your future law job.
4) Update. Keep all your application materials current and looking great.
So, even though I really thought I'd have a job by now, I'm not giving up. I've come out of hibernation. I am in full search-and-network mode. I am retrying some of the advice I've gotten. I will report on this soon. I'm even trying this one piece of advice, something about a glass half full. I hope that means I'm doing the right thing by always refilling my bourbon once its down to one finger. Anyway, I'm out of hibernation. Just in time for Thanksgiving and loan repayment.
My name is Dany and I had a mid-way-to-finding-out-bar-results crisis. Unlike the slightly more common mid-life crisis, I did not have the financial capabilities to buy a motorcycle, a new wardrobe, or go on an extravagant trip. Fortunately, I did not require the toupee or sordid affair either, so I guess it balances out. I was half-way to finding out bar results in early September, and the only income I had was from a part-time gig (we're talking like 20 hours a month max at minimum wage) that only required a high school diploma. I had not had any interviews in months for a law job, and even doc review wasn't looking like it would happen. Needless to say, I was a little down. And when down about not having a law job, trying to write a pithy, humorous blog about not having a law job turns into a pity blog with lots of depressed rants. And as there are enough of those on reality television shows (I assume, I can't afford cable), I figured I would spare you.
I had two anniversaries in September. The first was with my SO. And while I turned the coq au vin purple by using the wrong kind of wine and cried at inappropriate moments, it was surprisingly not a disaster. Actually, it was really great. But I will be keeping those details to myself, thank you very much.
The second anniversary was a significantly less enjoyable occasion, especially since it did not involve any home-made ice cream. With September came the realization that I'd been applying for a full-time post-law school job for over a year. With no full-time job to show for it. I'd even applied to Hooters with no success. This, my friends, prompted the mid-way-to-finding-out-bar-results crisis.
Fast forward another month or so, and I found out that I passed the bar. With passing the bar I received a wonderful hangover and my first doc review gig. Not something to necessarily write home about, but it is something that allowed me to buy more of those forever stamps to use on future letters home (or on applications, more likely). Now, in the past doc review had been a fall-back. It was what many law grads did until they found their dream job. It paid well, was relatively steady, and mind-numbingly boring. It still pays well. It's still mind-numbingly boring. But at least in a 75 mile radius from where I live, it is no longer steady. But I got a gig. I thought, hey, this is the turning point. I'll work steadily, make some money, and keep applying for jobs. The project lasted three days. It was 75 miles away. And it happened to be on the same day as my sporadic part-time job needed me to work. So I got to leave my apartment at 5am, drive 75 miles, stare at a computer screen and check boxes for ten hours, drive 75 miles to my other job while trying not to spill my tuna dinner on myself (nobody wants an employee who smells like fish), work another four hours, go home, and repeat for two more days. Woot. In all honesty though, doc review can be interesting. My third day I got to do stuff that was more relevant to a trial, and not just clicking boxes. Plus there's free coffee. Lots of free coffee. And as you learned in law school, always take the free food (or coffee) when you can. And the pay is good. And technically speaking, it is legal experience.
But it was only three days. So since graduating, I have worked a total of three days (roughly 30 hours) in a position requiring a law degree. Not great, but still better than some of my friends, so I can't complain. But as a I said, doc review is in a lull at the moment, just like the rest of the legal market. So the job that once was a steady fall-back for us leftover kids is no longer steady. Plus there's more of us leftover kids. I recently read an article in the Washington Post entitled Will Law School Students Have Jobs After They Graduate? that put this into perspective. In a nutshell, there are more and more law students graduating, with fewer law jobs available. And given how mathematics work (I am taking their word on this, math is not my strong suit), the problem will only get worse as there are significantly more law students graduating each year and entering the market than there are new law jobs becoming available, and there are still thousands of unemployed law grads from previous years. This is a scary statistic, but it's real and unfortunately we have to deal with it.
So now what? Even in bleak times, we can not just give up and go into hibernation. Life keeps moving. I only got three days in as a lawyer, and my part-time job is very sporadic. Therefore, I am still treating job searching like a full-time job, as you should try to do too. My tips so far:
1) Network. I hate it, but it's necessary. If you've passed the bar, join the local bar association. Usually it is free the first year for new lawyers. If there is an area of the law that you're interested in, join a committee or two. But make sure you are active in these committees, and not just writing them on your resume. Employers will ask about them. Plus being involved means you will meet people who do what you're interested in, and that can't be a bad thing.
2) Play Where's Waldo. Search for jobs every way you can. Searching is not a passive activity, you need to be proactive. Create a Monster account, a LinkedIn account, an Indeed account. Keep searching your law school's career website. Look for other types of job search engines. Post your resume on different sites. Search daily. Twice daily. As often as you can. Assume that you have not found Waldo and keep looking. Even if you get an interview keep looking. Look until you have accepted that offer letter and you're packing your lunch for that first day of work.
3) Search outside the box. You have more skills than a law degree. Find out what they are and look for jobs that match that. Sometimes you have to come to the realization that you will not get your dream law job right away. Hell, we may never get it. But you still need to pay back those loans, and it's November - payback time. Plus maybe some of those other jobs will be more up your alley, or at least provide an avenue from your current status to your future law job.
4) Update. Keep all your application materials current and looking great.
So, even though I really thought I'd have a job by now, I'm not giving up. I've come out of hibernation. I am in full search-and-network mode. I am retrying some of the advice I've gotten. I will report on this soon. I'm even trying this one piece of advice, something about a glass half full. I hope that means I'm doing the right thing by always refilling my bourbon once its down to one finger. Anyway, I'm out of hibernation. Just in time for Thanksgiving and loan repayment.
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