Understanding Hiring Cycles and When to Apply

by Susanne Aronowitz

In real estate, it’s all about “location, location, location.” If the house is on the wrong side of the tracks, you’re not likely to even take a look inside. When looking for a job, it’s all about “timing, timing, timing.” If your application arrives when an employer is not in a hiring posture, they are unlikely to take the time to review your application to discover how wonderful you are.

Understanding when an employer wants to hear from you is essential to getting heard. With some advance planning, you can learn how to time your applications effectively. For example, large law firms and many government agencies expect to receive your application at the start of the second year of law school for their summer associate and internship programs. Failure to take advantage of this window of opportunity will likely foreclose your chances of securing an entry-level attorney with these offices upon graduation. (This is why we put so much emphasis on our Fall Recruitment program.)

Perhaps the most extreme example is the timeframe for federal judicial clerkship applications. Applications for clerkships beginning in September 2009 must arrive at the courts on Wednesday, September 3. Applications that arrive earlier may be tossed; applications that arrive later will be ignored.

While it may seem overwhelming to plan so far ahead, small law firms tend to hire only when they have an immediate need. In other words, applying for entry-level attorney positions with these employers too far in advance may be a waste of your time.

On top of understanding these hiring patterns, you should also take note of any market conditions that may have an impact on hiring. Is the firm you are interested in contemplating a merger with another firm? Is there a budget crisis in the agency where you want to work? Situations such as these can have a dramatic impact on an organization’s recruiting practices.

To learn how to predict when your target employer wants to hear from you (and what the employer wants to hear from you), work with a counselor at LCS to understand the various hiring cycles for legal jobs. Your time is limited; be strategic with how you use it.