Foreign LL.M. Absolutely Need to Network

This week we welcome guest blogger Desiree Jaeger-Fine.  

Getting Past the Resume Screen

By: Kandice Thorn

With many people submitting resumes for summer or permanent positions these days, I thought it would be worthwhile this week to write a post about how to get your resume noticed. This is a question I get frequently, especially as the use of online systems to manage application processes has proliferated.  Often it can feel like your resume is being sent off into a void. Indeed, you can never know what's happening on the "back end" when you apply this way (or even when you are applying via email), but there are a few things you can do to increase the odds of securing an interview.

Pefect Your Resume Today

By: Kandice Thorn

If you haven't had time to perfect your resume, now is the moment!  Your resume is an extremely important aspect of your job search.  It is the first example of work that a potential employer will usually see from you.  Furthermore, you must assume that the people against whom you are competing for jobs will have flawlessly edited resumes - because they likely will!  Needless to say, your resume must be flawless in order to compete effectively.  

Conducting an Efficient Job Search

By: Kandice Thorn

In the U.S., when we apply to college, we are told to look at three kinds of schools: "Dream Schools," "Match Schools," and "Safety Schools."  Dream Schools are, of course, the schools we really really want to go to, but have very little chance of getting into.  Safety Schools are those that we can be reasonably certain to  be admitted into with no problem.  Match Schools are those that are a good match for our credentials, and thus we have a reasonable chance of admission.  Students are told that they should apply to a small number of Dream Schools and at least one or two Safety Schools, but that the majority of their efforts should be focused on Match Schools.

While there are obvious differences between the college application process and the job search process, I do think there are some parallels to be drawn that may be helpful in formulating a successful job search.

Procrastination and the Job Search

By: Kandice Thorn

The year has flown by and we are already fast approaching spring semester finals.  Around this time of year, as many of our students prepare to graduate, I start getting queries from people who previously hadn't thought much about the job search but suddenly are realizing that the entire year has passed them by.  The far off haze of post-graduation employment is suddenly coming sharply into focus.

"How do I start looking for a job?" they ask. "Should I start networking now?"

Obviously, you're much better off if you began preparing your resume, networking, etc. early on.  But if you didn't do this, are you without hope?  No!  It's never too late to start.  Here are some tips to help the procrastinators among us make up for lost time.

Using Martindale.com For Networking

By: Kandice Thorn

In preparing for a small group meeting last week, I was reminded of a fantastic resource that everyone should be aware of for networking purposes.  Martindale.com is a website with a powerful search function that allows you to conduct very specific searches for lawyers or law firms.

For foreign lawyers, Martindale.com can help you connect with lawyers from your home country who have managed to settle into positions in the U.S.  Using the Advanced Search, simply enter the name of a law school from your home country in the "Law School" field (especially look for your own foreign law school!).  Try a few different spellings or formulations if nothing comes up at first.

Start making a list of people who you are interested in meeting and try setting up some informational interviews!

The Importance of Building a Strong Reputation

By: Kandice Thorn

In the job search, we focus a great deal of attention on networking and making connections.  In this context, we often mention the importance of making a good impression.  But rarely do we take that a step further to talk about the importance of building your reputation.

...But I Don't Have Time!

By: Kandice Thorn

I know I have to draft my resume.

I know that networking is important.

I know that I should do some research into the job market.

I know all of this, but I don't have time!

Tackling the job search can seem like a tremendous project.  This post is about helping you see that you can advance your job search with just little pockets of time here and there - that you DO have time if you take it little by little.

Preparing for an Interview? Practice Your Elevator Pitch!

By: Kandice Thorn

At the end of this month, dozens of Fordham LL.M. students will participate in the International Student Interview Program (ISIP), an annual job fair that brings together LL.M. students and employers from around the world.  For students who will be participating in interviews, a little bit of advance preparation will be crucial.  In this article, I will focus on what I consider to be the hardest interview question: "Tell me about yourself."

This question is the cue to launch into your "elevator pitch."

The Job Hunter's Holiday Wish List

By: Kandice Thorn

The holidays are just around the corner and that means gifts galore for everyone!  As you prepare your wish list, please allow me to suggest a few things that might help you on your way to finding your dream job.

Eat, Drink, Be Merry... and Strategize

By: Kandice Thorn

Did anyone notice the chill in the air this morning?  Winter is rapidly approaching, bringing with it the end of the fall semester.  Before you know it, you'll be handing in your last final and running off to enjoy a few weeks of well deserved rest.  As you should.  But I also want to encourage you to consider winter break as a time to review your career strategy.

Engage Your Senses for Powerful Proofreading

By: Kandice Thorn

I am constantly emphasizing the importance of a *PERFECT* resume and cover letter, and today I'm going to give you a powerful tool to help you get there: using your senses.

Obviously, I am not suggesting that tasting or smelling your resume will bring it to the next level - that would be gross and creepy and ultimately useless.  But here is how engaging your senses of touch, sight, and hearing can help you make your document perfect.

Acquiring the Skills for Your Dream Job

By: Kandice Thorn

It's the classic job seeker's paradox: you can't get a job without experience; you can't get experience without a job.  This is not just a problem for students or recent graduates who are looking for their first "real" jobs; it can also be an issue for anyone seeking to change practice area or jurisdiction.  It can seem like the cards are stacked against you right from the start, so what is a job seeker to do?

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

The Best Way to Jump Start Your Networking

By: Kandice Thorn

If you are looking for a good way to jump start your networking, in my opinion there is no better place to start than with membership in a local bar association. Most bar associations offer student memberships at a steeply discounted rate. Some of the benefits of bar association membership include:

• Opportunities to work alongside prominent practitioners in a variety of areas through committee membership
• Career-related programming
• Programs and conferences in substantive areas
• Social events
• Pro bono opportunities

Bar memberships simply give you a lot of bang for your networking buck, giving you access to tons of practitioners with whom you can interact in a variety of settings. Joining is easy and can be done online. There are many bar associations out there, but we recommend two that are local and are particularly active: the New York City Bar Association and the New York County Lawyers' Association. Make it a goal to join one of these organizations by the end of the month and you'll be surprised by the number of opportunities that come your way.

When It Comes to Networking, Use What You Have

Networking isn't solely an exercise in chatting people up at cocktail receptions or academic conferences. Networking can come in many forms; you may have already established networking channels without having realized it. The environment you create for yourself – be they in the classroom, study groups, the workplace, or other extracurricular settings – can provide the potential space to compare notes and explore opportunities. Although it is always important to remain vigilant for new networking prospects, taking a “use what you have” mentality towards networking can help you establish a base, and lead you to realize that networking doesn't have to be an extremely daunting project. Many networks endemic to the basic elements of your educational experience – especially in the classroom – may go unnoticed and unexplored.

Deadlines

Higher education presents a time wherein academic and professional responsibilities are no longer mutually exclusive. Internships, practical experience, classes, conferences, and journals are all relevant to establishing yourself. These discrete components of education and employment may have different benefits for your career, but they all have one thing in common: a time frame. Deadlines are a crucial component of nearly every aspect of academic and professional life. Although deadlines are occasionally flexible, students and professionals negatively impact both themselves and others when they do not submit a paper, hand in a résumé, or RSVP for an important event in a timely manner. A few things to consider when dealing with a deadline:

Resume Drafting: It's All About the Details

By: Kandice Thorn

What is the purpose of a resume?  Most people would answer that the purpose of a resume is to convey your credentials to a potential employer.  While this is true, the purpose is actually much broader than that.  Your resume is also a sample of your very best work.

An employer who reads your resume is not just looking at the content, but is also looking at the resume's composition for attention to detail, organization skills, and professional judgment.  Having a resume that demonstrates these skills can land you an interview even if your background is not a perfect fit for the position; likewise, even if you have the ideal credentials, sloppiness can land your resume in the "no" pile.  Think of it like interview attire: if you show up to an interview in your pajamas, it doesn't matter what you say in the interview, you aren't getting the job!

Graduation, Bar Results, and Summer Break

By: Kandice Thorn

Whew!  This year has flown by, and I can't believe summer is already upon us.  This will be my last blog post of the academic year, as I will be taking a break from blogging over the summer.  Keep your eyes open in August, though, when I promise I will return to delight you with more nuggets of career-advising wisdom!  And if you get really itchy for more advice while I'm gone, I urge you to explore the blog and read past posts that may be of interest.

For my final blog post of the year, I have messages for three different groups of people: (1) students who will be graduating on Sunday, (2) alumni who have just found out their February bar results, and (3) students who are currently finishing up this semester and will be returning to us in the fall.

Should I Accept a Position as a Paralegal?

By: Kandice Thorn

"Should I accept a position as a paralegal?"

This is a question I get a lot from students and alumni looking to get a foothold in the challenging U.S. legal job market.  Job seekers realize very quickly how competitive attorney positions are, and those who are especially intent on staying in the U.S. begin to look for ways to broaden their job search.  In this context, the question of paralegal positions often comes up.