LCS Grad Fellow
Browsing Craigslist for jobs and sending out boilerplate cover letters is not exactly the best way to get the job you want. The key is to work hard at finding work. Be persistent and driven. Jeena Cho, co-founder of JC Law Group, explains in her article, "The Art of the Hustle," that one of the biggest problems she notices when she talks to recent graduates who are looking for jobs is "[t]he lack of hustle." Ms. Cho then describes eight ways to "Hustle Your Way to Career Success."
- Get out of the house. Meet as many lawyers as possible. Research each attorney, send a personalized email introducing yourself, and ask them to meet for coffee.
- Power of saying "hello." Don't just go to CLEs or networking events and not talk to anyone. Say hello to at least one person and ask for a business card
- Listen. You don't have to always try to think of the next thing you are going to say. Instead, listen to what the attorney has to say.
- Hustling takes work. Ms. Cho suggests shifting your mindset from "I must find a job" to "If I make enough connections, I'll find a job."
- Follow up. If you ask for a business card, remember to follow up! Add professionals that you meet on LinkedIn and Twitter.
- Ask! Simply asking people for a job does not always help because "it is unlikely that the person has the perfect job for you -- at that moment." Instead, at the end of your conversation, ask for names of other attorneys that would be willing to talk. Follow up with a request for another meeting a few months down the line.
- Offer help. Think about specific skills you have that make you stand out, such as setting up an online blog or configuring an electronic file management system. When you are meeting people, keep an ear out for tasks they might need help on and offer your help!
- Every connection holds the key to your success. While the Bay Area legal community may seem large, there is only a two degree separation between lawyers. Take advantage of this by meeting as many lawyers as you can and by showing them you are a hard worker. "Chances are, you're never two connections away from finding what you're looking for."
- Networking for the introverted.
- What to focus on doing each year that you’re in law school to further your future career.
- How to begin building your community of lawyers while you’re still in law school.
- Approaches to obtaining your dream job.
- Thinking now about managing student loan debt after graduation; and more.
