Attn: those of you who secured a post-LS job during 3L... Forum

[AVBucks4239]

The mass mail advice on here is complete bullshit and a waste of time. Instead, target firms that match your resume and really put yourself out there. You never know who you will run into or what will happen.

I think this is bad advice. It's obviously a numbers game but it's worth the effort if you are one of the lucky few to strike gold.

Stats: T60. Top 30%. LR. 2L through 3L clerkship with a firm that does the practice area of my new firm (no offered because of financial reasons)
Employer: BigLaw in my target market.
Applied: Around Feb.
Offered: End of March
Found the job: Mass mailing.
Advice: Until you have a job try different search techniques. I ultimately got it through a mass mail, however, I did targeted emails for firms that were a great fit, networked, and had lawyers at my previous firm put in calls. Checking symplicity, linkedin, indeed, etc is a must. Do everything you can think of until you have a job offer.

If you can, clerk with a firm in the area you want to practice. It will either lead to a job, build resume line, or they can help you find a job.

I mean, we're both speaking from anecdotal experience.

I was a little harsh on mass-mailing. My overall point would be this: don't just draft a "stock" letter/resume. Craft everything to that employer. Take the time to do it. It separates you from a lot of applicants.

And if you can really target a firm (see my above post), do it. It can't hurt.

[Anonymous User]

The mass mail advice on here is complete bullshit and a waste of time. Instead, target firms that match your resume and really put yourself out there. You never know who you will run into or what will happen.

I think this is bad advice. It's obviously a numbers game but it's worth the effort if you are one of the lucky few to strike gold.

Stats: T60. Top 30%. LR. 2L through 3L clerkship with a firm that does the practice area of my new firm (no offered because of financial reasons)
Employer: BigLaw in my target market.
Applied: Around Feb.
Offered: End of March
Found the job: Mass mailing.
Advice: Until you have a job try different search techniques. I ultimately got it through a mass mail, however, I did targeted emails for firms that were a great fit, networked, and had lawyers at my previous firm put in calls. Checking symplicity, linkedin, indeed, etc is a must. Do everything you can think of until you have a job offer.

If you can, clerk with a firm in the area you want to practice. It will either lead to a job, build resume line, or they can help you find a job.

I mean, we're both speaking from anecdotal experience.

I was a little harsh on mass-mailing. My overall point would be this: don't just draft a "stock" letter/resume. Craft everything to that employer. Take the time to do it. It separates you from a lot of applicants.

And if you can really target a firm (see my above post), do it. It can't hurt.

OP def agree. Also, if you are going to mass mail, I would suggest don't just have one blanket resume/cover letter. I had four different resumes I used that would broadly tailor to a firm (ie, emailing real estate group so I would play up my real estate experience, same with corporate, litigation, and bankruptcy).

I think targeting is really the best bet - but even if you are a great fit there might not be an opening. You need luck to be on your side (ie, spread your luck out if possible).

[Anonymous User]

Stats: UT/Vandy/UCLA, top 40%
Employer: Prosecutor's office in my target market
Applied: March 2015 (almost a year after graduation)
Offered: End of March 2015
Found the job: Job posting website, networking
Advice: I think I could've found a job closer to passing the bar, but I knew exactly what I wanted to do. That meant I had to wait. In the mean time, I worked at a prosecutor's office for free and got tons of experience. When jobs actually became available in the spring, I got a lot of interviews because I was miles ahead of the other 2014 grads. If you can get relevant experience while you are waiting, DO IT. It was a super long wait, but totally worth it to get essentially my dream job.

[Anonymous User]

Stats: T40 Bottom 50%
Employer: Land brokerage firm/self
Applied: Aug 2013
Offered: Aug 2013, 3 days later
Found the job: Symplicity
Advice: Investigate job posting boards. I got lucky (which is sometimes what it takes) checking Symplicity and taking a flyer on an oil and gas brokerage firm posting. I'm still riding it out. Best job I've ever had. Pay is similar to midlaw, work probably 30 hours a week.