By: Kandice Thorn
I frequently mention that one of the best ways to network is to go where the lawyers go. Since all practicing lawyers are required to complete a certain number of CLE credits every two years, lawyers can always be found congregating at Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses.
You do not need to feel like you have to "work the room" in order to make CLE attendance worth your while. If you get only 2-3 contacts to follow up on (including, even, the names of presenters), you will be in a good position. You can then follow up with requests for informational interviews or other questions relating to the presentation.
While many CLE courses are expensive, you should not hesitate to reach out to the organizers to ask if they award scholarships or fee waivers for students. Many organizations will happily do this. Check bar association websites for their CLE offerings, as well as private companies such as PLI (Practising Law Institute).
Don't forget to dress professionally when you attend a CLE. Also be sure to show up on time and look engaged with the presentation in order to put your best foot forward.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Bookmark This (LLM-UNITED)
By: Kandice Thorn
My Monday schedule has just been completely thrown off. Why? Because I just spent the past hour immersed in the wonderful articles on the LLM-UNITED website. I hadn't been on there for a while, so I wasn't aware of the latest updates, and I must say, if you are not checking this website regularly, you should be. LLM-UNITED is a network of LL.M. students and alumni, and features straightforward advice from someone who has walked in your shoes.
To get you started, here are links to three of my favorite articles on the website:
Your To Do List for Finding a Job in the U.S. With Your LL.M. Degree
Networking Advice: The Power of Names
Networking: How to Write a Forceful Email
My Monday schedule has just been completely thrown off. Why? Because I just spent the past hour immersed in the wonderful articles on the LLM-UNITED website. I hadn't been on there for a while, so I wasn't aware of the latest updates, and I must say, if you are not checking this website regularly, you should be. LLM-UNITED is a network of LL.M. students and alumni, and features straightforward advice from someone who has walked in your shoes.
To get you started, here are links to three of my favorite articles on the website:
Your To Do List for Finding a Job in the U.S. With Your LL.M. Degree
Networking Advice: The Power of Names
Networking: How to Write a Forceful Email
Monday, March 10, 2014
Preparation is Key for Interviewing (So Start Now!)
By: Kandice Thorn
Imagine the following scenario: You are sitting at home one day studying, when your phone rings. You don't recognize the number, but you pick it up and on the other end is a recruiter from a law firm to whom you had sent your resume. "We liked your resume and we would like to bring you in for an interview. How about Thursday?" the voice on the other end asks. "Of course, Thursday is great!" you reply enthusiastically. You work out the details and you hang up. At first you are elated, but after a moment the panic sets in. You realize you only have two days to prepare for the interview and you have no clue what you're doing.
Over the next two days, you scramble to pull together the right outfit, figure out how to respond to common interview questions, research the firm, etc. You go into the interview a bit frazzled, and the interview goes okay, but you know you could have done much better if you had more time to prepare. Still, they only gave you two days notice for the interview - there's nothing you could have done, right? Wrong! Below are a few concrete steps you can take now so you will be prepared when you get that call.
Imagine the following scenario: You are sitting at home one day studying, when your phone rings. You don't recognize the number, but you pick it up and on the other end is a recruiter from a law firm to whom you had sent your resume. "We liked your resume and we would like to bring you in for an interview. How about Thursday?" the voice on the other end asks. "Of course, Thursday is great!" you reply enthusiastically. You work out the details and you hang up. At first you are elated, but after a moment the panic sets in. You realize you only have two days to prepare for the interview and you have no clue what you're doing.
Over the next two days, you scramble to pull together the right outfit, figure out how to respond to common interview questions, research the firm, etc. You go into the interview a bit frazzled, and the interview goes okay, but you know you could have done much better if you had more time to prepare. Still, they only gave you two days notice for the interview - there's nothing you could have done, right? Wrong! Below are a few concrete steps you can take now so you will be prepared when you get that call.
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