Tips of the Week
Job Offers
Dear Students,
Job offers will continue rolling in throughout May and into June. That moment you've been waiting for and worked so hard for arrives-you get the offer from an employer.
Your inclination may be just to say, "Yes, yes, yes!” However, your saying yes is a firm commitment. The employer won't interpret your commitment to mean, "Yes, until and unless something better/paid/closer to home/etc. comes along." When the employer hears yes, they will say no to the other students (often your classmates) who have applied. They will stop their recruiting and go back to the business of law. If you return two weeks or two months later and say, "I'm really sorry, I know I said yes, but...." you will not only have prevented them from hiring their choice #2 or #3 candidate, but will be forcing them to begin the entire recruiting process anew. At the start of your legal career in a small professional community that values language and honors commitments, and where memories are long, keeping your commitments is paramount. The Career Office can share extensive evidence to this point and has already been fielding calls from concerned employers.
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU GET THE OFFER: When you get that offer, just say, "That's great, you've made my day! I'm thrilled. When do you need to hear back?" Wait for them to say rather than volunteering a response timeline -you'll often give yourself less time than the employer would have.
WHAT IF YOU'RE STILL WAITING FOR YOUR DREAM EMPLOYER? The last thing you want to do is sit back, stare at the phone and pray that Dream Employer calls. You are in the driver’s seat of your job search. Taking charge is essential to your success.
Here’s what to do: Pick up the phone and call Dream Employer--let them know that you have an offer, and tell them when the offer is set to expire. Acknowledge that they must be busy and have many things on their plate, but reaffirm your sincere interest and ask if there is any chance they will have their decisions made in time. If true, you can also let them know they are your Dream Employer, and that you would accept their offer. If they ask you where you already have an offer, let them know, but make sure to follow up and explain why you are so interested in them (Dream Employer).
HOW TO NEGOTIATE FOR MORE TIME TO DECIDE: If your dream employer can't finalize decisions in time, it may be possible to go back to the employer with whom you have an offer and negotiate for more time. While this can often work out, there are some risks involved, so make sure to walk through this scenario with an attorney counselor in our office. We have Drop-Ins everyday from 3:15-4:30.
I know that many of you are struggling with a challenging job search. Please come in and speak with us!
Cheers,
Sari Zimmerman
Assistant Dean
In-House Internships
Dear students,
Most students who get in-house internships land them in the spring. A few will find them through postings, but most students will find them in a more informal way; using the resources listed below, participating in the Alumni Mentor Program, reaching out to in-house alums and asking for informational interviews, or by simply identifying alums who are in-house and writing or calling to ask about available opportunities. It’s very important to nurture these contacts and follow up—jobs may take a while to materialize-the better the alum knows you, the more likely they will lobby for you!!
Resources for an in-house job search:
HastingsCareersOnline.com:
- Click on the Search Summer Surveys link and then the Search tab: you can further narrow your search to look for surveys of corporations. This is a great way to find out where students have worked over the past few years and to learn what students thought of the employer. It can also indicate when and how students found their jobs. If the student provided contact information, call or email them and ask for more information.
- Click on the Search Employers tab. This is the Hastings database of approximately 8,000 employers. You can run a search for employer by category (“corporation”).
- Click on the Document Library link. Look for the most recent edition of the in-house opportunities guide. This is published annually by Boalt Hall and includes a small number of internships.
Martindale.com (also available on Lexis): Click on the Advanced Search link and go to the “Law Firm & Organizations” tab, then select “Companies” in the drop-down menu under “Type”. This database is limited, but growing. Once you pull up individual companies, you can click on the People link to the left and identify specific individuals to contact.
Directory of Corporate Counsel: extremely comprehensive directory available in hard copy in the Reference section of the library (the Career Office also keeps a slightly older edition). You can search by location, industry area or by law school.
Calbar.ca.gov: Looking for alums who work at a target company? Go to the Member Search section and then click on the Advanced Search option. Put the company name in the “firm name” box and run your search. Hastings alums are everywhere!
To discuss in-house job search techniques in further detail, call the front desk (415.565.4619) for an appointment, or swing by during drop ins, which start up next week.
Good luck!
Sari ZimmermanAssistant Dean
Tips Archive
Make the Most of Your Summer
Gearing up for a Successful Summer
Exploring In-House Opportunities
Etiquette in the Job Search Process
Identifying Strong References
Interviewing Tips to Successfully Land the Job
How to Handle Multiple Job Offers
The Crucial Next Step: Follow Up
Networking: The Informational Interview
New Year's Resolutions for the Job Search
How to Draft a Persuasive Cover Letter
Use the Holidays to Jumpstart Your Career Search: Part 2
Use the Holidays to Jumpstart Your Career Search: Part 1
Networking or Not Networking, Part 2
What I Did for My Job Search: A 2009 Grad's Story
The Art of Listening: How to Master the Informational Interview
You Are Not Alone, But You Are In Control, Part 2
You Are Not Alone, But You Are In Control, Part 1
How to Draft a Persuasive Cover Letter
How You Can Be A Successful Job Seeker