Graduate Fellow
Law Career Development
You passed the bar!
Congratulations! Now what? Still looking for work as an attorney? This post may help you land a job that you’re
underqualified for. If you are actively seeking work, you may
notice that most employers seek qualified attorneys who have two to five years
of experience in a particular practice area or skill. You might find a job that matches all of your
qualifications, but not quite since you lack experience in that practice area
for the requisite number of years. This
is especially true if your career is only beginning.
JuliaMalacoff of Glassdoor suggests that you should still apply for jobs that you are
underqualified for when your qualifications match 75% to 90% of what the job
requires. Also, still apply when
you’re unequivocally certain that you have the capacity to jump into your new
role with ease. It also helps when you
can persuasively articulate why you’re the ideal candidate as opposed to
another applicant who is more seasoned for the job.
Knowing someone who is in the firm or organization is the
easiest way to get noticed. In those
cases, hiring committees may overlook that you lack certain qualifications because
they are familiar with your work, work ethic and personality or someone they
trust can assure them that you’re capable of doing the job well. Make connections with attorneys throughout
law school either through interning, volunteering or networking in the specific
practice area(s) that interest you.
If any of the above situations apply to you, definitely
apply for that position even though your qualifications don’t match perfectly with
what the hiring committees are seeking. In
short, if you have demonstrated an interest or passion in a specific practice
area, do not hesitate to apply for your dream job even if you’re slightly
underqualified. But, as always, meet
with a career counselor at Law Career Development for specific advice.
