Do jobs before law school matter if you're a year out Forum

[corporatelaw87]

Hey Guys, here is my situation. I had been working as a paralegal since November. The deal was since they knew I was going to law school this August, they said they would try to keep me busy until then. Unfortunately, work slowed down and they had to keep the permanent paralegals busy before they could staff me on work, so they let me go early. Now I am looking for temp work just until probably July (then I'll relax until school starts). My problem is I don't want to do something medial ( a lot of temp jobs are), put it on my resume then have employers question me as to why I went from being a paralegal to doing data entry (or something of this sort). So my real question is do employers really care what you did before law school if you've only been out a year? I can understand if you've been out 5 years, then they may care, but one? Also, I know some of you may say just not to include the temp work on your resume if it won't look good. However, then they may ask me what I did from May until when school started. What are your thoughts on my situation. Thanks!

[NayBoer]

Just don't list it on your resume if the job is embarrassing. If it's only going to be for 4-6 weeks then you really don't want it on your resume anyway. And who's going to hire you for non-menial work for only a month or two?

List your resume jobs only with years, so make your paralegal slot 2009-2010. Then it fits nicely with 2010-2013 law school. Give specific dates if directly asked.

[Kochel]

Hey Guys, here is my situation. I had been working as a paralegal since November. The deal was since they knew I was going to law school this August, they said they would try to keep me busy until then. Unfortunately, work slowed down and they had to keep the permanent paralegals busy before they could staff me on work, so they let me go early. Now I am looking for temp work just until probably July (then I'll relax until school starts). My problem is I don't want to do something medial ( a lot of temp jobs are), put it on my resume then have employers question me as to why I went from being a paralegal to doing data entry (or something of this sort). So my real question is do employers really care what you did before law school if you've only been out a year? I can understand if you've been out 5 years, then they may care, but one? Also, I know some of you may say just not to include the temp work on your resume if it won't look good. However, then they may ask me what I did from May until when school started. What are your thoughts on my situation. Thanks!

Don't worry. Employers looking to hire lawyers won't care about a three-month, pre-law school summer gap on your resume.

[goodolgil]

These days it's hard to even find menial temp work. You're unlikely to find anything substantive that would only last a few months. Just don't list it on the resume.