Attorneys can work for various organizations and specialize in various areas of law. While their profession can be both intellectually stimulating and fulfilling, it’s essential that a balance be struck between work life and home life.
Becoming an attorney requires completion of an undergraduate degree, law school and practical experience such as clerkships or internships. Below are resources which will assist with finding attorney jobs.
Your Law School’s Career Office
Your law school’s career office can be an invaluable source of guidance in your job search for attorney positions. They can provide job listings, interview tips, resume-writing assistance, mock interviews and much more. In addition, these offices may introduce you to more experienced graduates of your class who work at law firms or have set up their own firms.
John Marshall University in Atlanta offers Career Services that help students attract the attention of prospective employers through various programs and orientations, such as individual counseling, mentoring programs, job fairs, professional associations, cultural events and fellowship opportunities.
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Your School’s Alumni Association
Most universities host alumni associations that organize networking events and mentorship programs for their students. An alumni network can be an effective way of finding attorney employment as it gives you access to professionals in your field of practice.
Networks are also excellent tools for professional growth, providing opportunities such as workshops or speaking engagements. Furthermore, alumni groups offer graduates opportunities for employment by hosting job fairs for current and recent students.
To build an effective alumni association, it is vital to have a well-organized board of directors dedicated to its mission. For maximum effectiveness, vision alignment meetings should be held regularly with directors so as to assess progress and address any obstacles it might be encountering. Furthermore, goals should be set for recruiting new members as well as expanding its reach – in addition to compiling an alumni contacts database in order to maximize recruitment efforts and foster engagement from community members.
Online Networking
Work from home attorney jobs have grown increasingly in demand with COVID-19 still in effect and more attorneys seeking flexible arrangements that enable them to meet client safety while taking on meaningful projects that further their careers.
Online networking gives professionals access, convenience, global reach and diversity not possible through in-person networking. Virtual events, webinars and social media platforms like LinkedIn are powerful ways for professionals to connect and collaborate regardless of geographical distance.
There are various organizations dedicated to connecting professionals to remote work-from-home opportunities. PSJD (formerly PSLawNet) serves as a clearinghouse for public interest jobs and offers an exhaustive listing of internships, fellowships, summer positions and other work from home opportunities; while NGOs and Foundations list job openings as well as grants and fellowships available for international work; LAWCLERK serves freelance legal professionals by connecting law firms and freelance attorneys specializing in overflow work, local counsel or jurisdictional coverage through Clio integration – making their services easy to use for both parties involved.
Face-to-Face Networking
Law students, lawyers and recruiters can build meaningful relationships through networking events. However, mastering this art requires more than simply attending career office events or industry groups’ gatherings – it is also crucial that any new relationships you make are maintained after they have taken place.
At law fairs, it can be helpful to come prepared with a list of firms you would like to speak with and do some background research on each firm beforehand. Furthermore, practicing your pitch in advance can ensure you clearly articulate which areas of law interest you as well as professional experience are being represented at the event.
Attorneys who know how to leverage the hidden job market can find opportunities that don’t appear advertised or receive personal referrals from their networks. Harrison has worked with attorneys with below-market salaries who found roles with higher pay scales; partners looking for change found employment that never went out for consideration; and underpaid associates found higher-paying roles with no previous advertisements being posted online.