Finishing Law School? Here's How to Find a Job Post-OCI

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By Mark Newall2014-01-12 20:55:17 UTC

Every year, law school graduates apply, interview and often receive multiple, simultaneous offers at law firms. This process operates on a set timeline thanks to school-sponsored on-campus interview (OCI) programs. Yet, every year, the majority of law school graduates are still in an active job search once OCI ends. There may be some comfort in the predictability of OCI, but for those who end up without an offer, the program does very little to prepare new lawyers for a typical job search process.

Beyond the structure of law school recruitment programs, the calendar is much more flexible for lawyers on the job hunt. For those who seek a job in private practice, most small and medium law firm offers are received after graduation. Most other employers follow a just-in-time recruitment strategy and hire as needed.

There are options outside of OCI, and now is the time to start preparing. Invest the time to hone certain techniques and best practices that will serve you well as you build a long-term career after graduation.

Best Practices

Conducting Self-Assessment

Start by evaluating your strengths, weaknesses and interests. Think back on your professional and educational experiences. Where is the intersection between the skills you have mastered and the skills you love to exercise? When and where were you happiest? What drives you? Think about what you are — or have been — most passionate about. Assess your functional legal and non-legal skills and start doing your homework on what roles exist within your target universe.

Conducting Market-Assessment

Consider the businesses, companies, firms and organizations within your desired geography to identify where opportunities may lie. You also want to examine these targets with an eye on that employer's capacity to hire. The current version of the economy appears strong and you want to know what kind of roles are out there and where these job or networking opportunities are. Once you are clear on your self-assessment and the market-assessment, you are ready to network.

Networking

The most important component of anyone's (lawyers too) job search is networking. Your formal education may be complete, but the networking and informational conversations you have with practitioners, fellow alumni, business leaders and future colleagues teach you how to become an educated job seeker. These conversations help you become more than just a resume to prospective employers, and it can inform you of opportunities before they are made public. These conversations are often centered on learning more about the company culture or that person's professional journey, but they can also help you penetrate the hidden job market.

If you have not already done so, take steps to develop your network of mentors and supporters, ambassadors who are willing to help you. Start in your own back yard; your fellow alumni and local bar association members are excellent first-stop contacts. Law schools and local and state bar associations offer significant educational and networking opportunities geared toward new lawyers. Embrace LinkedIn to help you connect with those who will meet with you. Bar associations also sponsor boot camp series for new lawyers to help jump start practical skills development.

All job seekers should be prepared to explain their fit for and interest in a position. If you are pursuing a non-practicing lawyer role then be ready to explain what draws you to it. Employers will naturally question whether you are following your passion to non-lawyer work or compromising beyond your comfort zone. If you summered at a firm or organization that typically makes permanent offers then you should be prepared to discuss why you did not receive or accept an offer.

Successful professionals take an active role in driving their own careers.

Consider Alternatives to Private Practice

Corporate Posts

Many law students assume that in-house positions are an option only for experienced lawyers after years of large firm practice. In fact, some legal departments may be large enough to accommodate new lawyers. Many large companies and universities' general counsel offices have legal departments that handle everything from torts to employment and benefits to compliance.

Law Firm Administration

The larger the firm, the more options there are for work outside of practice. In fact, some roles like recruiting, professional development and pro bono administration are reserved for non-practicing lawyers because their experiences in law school and legal positions provided both the substantive depth and empathy that firms want in their representatives.

Government

Lawyers in state and federal government positions exist across all three branches of government and as a result, offer more diversity in experience and functions than many expect. In the US Postal Service alone, lawyers are needed in roles ranging from procurement and government contracting to handling real estate transactions, litigating on behalf of the agency and advising on domestic and international policy. State and local government are also fertile for diversity of work.

Former judicial law clerks often describe their time as clerks as the most meaningful professional experience they have had. Clerkships have gained popularity as an option for graduates. If you decide to pursue to large firm practice in the future, many firms value a clerkship so highly that they will pay in bonuses to former clerks, regardless of when their clerkship was completed.

Loan repayment or forgiveness often help relieve financial pressures when adjusting to a government salary.

Public Interest/Non-profit Work

Many lawyers in non-profit organizations address a broad array of substantive issues in rolls ranging from legal officers to fundraising and government relations. One of the rewards of working for an organization on behalf of its constituency is achieving positive change for entire communities through impact litigation, policy work and community development. Lawyers may also provide individual service through legal services and public defender roles.

As an added incentive, lawyers dedicated to full time work in the public interest may qualify for loan forgiveness.

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Image: Flickr; PeggyDavis66 Topics: Business, Job Search Series, Jobs, lawyers