Student FAQs

Each year, misinformation about the job search process circulates through the law school grapevine.  Consequently, students often come into CSO with questions based on things they ve heard via the law school rumor mill. The following frequently asked questions and their answers are intended to shed some light on common job search issues.  As always, feel free to come into CSO for a counseling appointment or during drop-in hours for answers to any and all questions.

I HEARD ... that if you re not in the top ten percent of the class, it will be tough to get a job.
 
Law students tend to stress about how grades will impact their job search until they consider this:  ninety percent of all lawyers were not in the top ten percent of their class and fifty percent of all lawyers were in the bottom half of their class. The truth is that different employers place varying degrees of emphasis on grades, and grades are not the only (or the most important) hiring criteria.  While large firms tend to emphasize grades, mid-size and small firms, and government and public interest employers generally attach a great deal of importance to work experience. Therefore, do your best academically but also concentrate on getting relevant experience through internships, externships, clinics, and volunteer work that will make you attractive to employers.

I HEARD ...  that Fall OCI is the main way to get a job.  

The Fall On-Campus Interview program (OCI) can be one part of the job search, but it s certainly not the only means of getting a job.  In fact, approximately one-third of students get their jobs through OCI, and the majority of students (the other two-thirds) get their jobs through their self-directed job search efforts.  The CSO has a wide array of resources (the calendar of workshops on job search topics, resources posted in the Document Library of HastingsCareers.com, the Alumni Mentor Program and Mock Interview programs) to help you with your individual job search, so come to the CSO to discuss your job search whether or not you decide to participate in OCI.

I HEARD ... that OCI is all big law firms, but I don t think that I want to work for a big firm.  Should I just skip it? And how do I find a job if I do?

First, you might consider participating in OCI after all, because large law firms are not the only employers who interview on campus   mid-size firms, as well as public sector and public interest employers take part as well.  So be sure to review the entire list of OCI employers and bid on those that interest you.  Second, whether you interview on campus or not, be sure to conduct self-directed job search activities as well.  Why?  Because different employers have different hiring procedures and, consequently, OCI is not the preferred method of hiring for many employers such as plaintiff-side and small law firms and public sector and public interest employers.  That s generally because these employers don t have the resources to conduct on-campus recruitment and/or they cannot anticipate their hiring needs so far in advance.  If you need assistance with exploring your career direction, researching employers or creating a job search strategy, come to the CSO for a counseling appointment. 
 
I HEARD ... that there aren't that many jobs listed on HastingsCareers.com.  Are there other sites with more job listings?

Yes, there are other sites.  PSLawNet (www.pslawnet.org) lists public interest and public sector jobs and fellowships.  JustAdvocates (www.just-advocates.com) lists private (plaintiff-side) public interest law firms.  Emplawyernet (www.emplawyernet.com) also offers legal job listings.  While it s fine to check these sites, as well as www.hastingscareersonline.com, on a regular basis and to apply to listed jobs,  it is extremely important that you do not make online searching your only job search activity.  Because most jobs (over 80%) are never listed at all, most law students get their jobs through networking, informational interviews, and contacting employers directly.  Come to the CSO and we ll help you with all of these activities.

I HEARD ...  other students say that they are mass mailing their resumes to hundreds of legal employers.  Is that a good idea?

NO! Most students who have spent a great deal of time and money mass mailing  resumes to employers without establishing any personal contact with them have generally not met with much success.  Targeting employers who genuinely interest you and contacting them personally, however, is more cost-effective and better use of your time.  The CSO's counseling staff can help you with the process of identifying and initiating contact with prospective employers. 

I HEARD ... that it’s important to network and conduct informational interviews, but that sounds too time-consuming.   Isn’t there a faster way to get a job?

It’s understandable that busy law students are concerned about making time for their job search. That’s why it’s so important that you use your time wisely. Given that over 80 percent of jobs are landed through self-initiated contacts, establishing relationships with attorneys who could ultimately hire you (or lead you to someone else who could hire you) is a very effective use of your time.  If you need help with networking and informational interviewing, come to the CSO and we ll help you get started.

I HEARD ...  that if you don t have a summer job lined up by early spring, then it s too late.  If I don t have a job at that point, should I just give up? Or study abroad?

No and No.  Employers simply have different hiring timelines, and some hire later in the semester than others.  That s why, each year, many students get their jobs late in the semester, or even in the beginning of summer.  So it s critical to continue your job search efforts even if it s getting late in the semester.  It s also important to be flexible   for example, if you haven t secured a paying legal job (which can be tough for 1Ls), you could always split your summer between part-time unpaid legal work and part-time paid work.  Your law school summers offer incredibly important opportunities to get real-world work experience and to test your interest in a particular practice area; that s precisely why we strongly discourage students from doing study abroad programs.  If you ve got the travel bug, then take a vacation rather than sacrifice the chance to enhance your resume and gain valuable work experience.

I HEARD ... that once you land your second summer job, you re set because it will lead to a post-graduate job.

That depends. While some students do receive offers of post-graduate employment from their summer employers, it s never guaranteed, especially in a more challenging economic/legal job market. That s why it s important to do your best work, don t take anything for granted, and be sure to expand your network of potential employers constantly.  What if you don t receive an offer from your summer employer?  CSO career counselors are available to discuss how to move forward on your job search and Chapter Nine of Kimm Walton s terrifically useful book Guerilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams (available in the CSO) discusses this very topic in detail.

I HEARD ... that it s financially impossible to do public interest legal work after law school because of low salaries and high student debt.

It s not impossible, but it does require research and planning.  Each year, Hastings graduates accept public interest jobs and manage to pay their rent and student loans, and have a life.  Research different employers, and see how salaries vary among public interest and public sector employers.  Learn about Hastings loan forgiveness (PICAP) program and create a budget (worksheets are available in the CSO).  The CSO s career counselors are always available to discuss budgeting and debt management strategies, and alumni mentors with public sector/public interest jobs can also share their insights and strategies regarding finances.