In the nine months I was unemployed, I have been through it all - getting really close but not getting an offer, taking steps to change my career, throwing anything at the wall and seeing what sticks, sitting at home doing nothing, and so on. I hope what I learned could prove useful for you wherever you are in your job search and for whatever area of law you plan to enter.
- Know what you want, but also keep an open mind. I am currently a staff attorney at a fast-paced, non-profit legal support center focused on capacity building, development, and consulting for legal non-profits in California. I always thought I'd persevere and find work in legal aid, but I'm only two weeks into my job and already love the mission and work product of the organization. I'm glad I kept an open mind because, while I'm not doing exactly what I had envisioned, I'm still meeting the same public interest career goals I had set, but in new and exciting ways.
- Don't assume you're not qualified for a job. There have been so many times I ignored a listing because I flat-out assumed they wouldn't pick me. It's the employer's job to decide whether you're qualified for their position; not yours. Of course, aim within reason. Your time spent searching for work is valuable and hopefully limited, but, if you love the job description, nothing says you can't go for it and apply. Therefore, if you do apply...
- Play up the skills you already have. You've spent three years learning how to finesse your client's side of the story; now it's time to finesse your own. You may not have all the experience the employer seeks (and this is often the case), but you probably have much of the necessary skills from related previous experience. Knowing how to pitch yourself is great; knowing how to tailor your pitch is better.
- Stay present. Stay present in your resume and skill sets through volunteering, pro bono, and contract work, even if you would rather spend more time searching for long-term employment. You never know whom you'll meet and who could lead you to a job. For the same reasons, stay present in your network. Also, stay present in your education. Over the summer, I took a course in electronic discovery and e-evidence just to be more marketable to a broader range of employers, and it definitely helped. The legal community is surprisingly small and very navigable.
GGU's Law Career Services is an invaluable resource; do turn to them! I owe my employment to the great insight and perspective of LCS advisors, as well as the relevance of the materials in their library. Best of luck in your search!
