By: Steve Grumm

Here’s a piece in the ABA’s Young Lawyer entitled “Careers in Legislative Affairs.”  (Access seems to be restricted to ABA members.)  The author, who worked in the Illinois state legislature, reviews the arrays of opportunities available for law grads on the federal, state, and municipal levels. 

He also closes with some advice that highlights the value of networking to land legislative jobs:

Strategic networking is the best way to become aware of opportunities and present your best candidacy for any of the positions described here. It’s helpful to always be reviewing this quick checklist:

• Is my elevator speech tailored to my audience? Can I present my background, skills, and aspirations in a concise and compelling way to engage people in conversation?
• What venues will introduce me to people who can advance my career aspirations?
• Am I regularly tracking my network to ensure that I am engaging every relevant contact to advance my plan? Am I updating my contact list to reflect people I’ve recently met?

As anyone who’s worked, or looked for work, in Washington, DC knows, whom you know can be as important as what you know.  This can be frustrating for the more meritocratic-minded.  The best way to think of it is that whom you know will help you get to a position where you can thrive on what you know.

Here are some other resources on legislative careers and networking:

• Networking tips from Harvard Law’s Office if Public Interest Advising;
• PSLawNet’s Federal Government Careers page;
• PSLawNet’s State and Local Government Careers page
• Yale Law School’s “Working on Capitol Hill” guide

If you know of other good resources please post in the comments section.  Thanks!

By: Steve Grumm

That kind of rhymed.  Anyway, from the Washington Post:

The burden of paying for college is wreaking havoc on the finances of an unexpected demographic: senior citizens.

New research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that Americans 60 and older still owe about $36 billion in student loans, providing a rare window into the dynamics of student debt. More than 10 percent of those loans are delinquent. As a result, consumer advocates say, it is not uncommon for Social Security checks to be garnished or for debt collectors to harass borrowers in their 80s over student loans that are decades old.

That even seniors remain saddled with student loans highlights what a growing chorus of lawmakers, economists and financial experts say has become a central conflict in the nation’s higher education system: The long-touted benefits of a college degree are being diluted by rising tuition rates and the longevity of debt.

Some of these older Americans are still grappling with their first wave of student loans, while others took on new debt when they returned to school later in life in hopes of becoming more competitive in the labor force. Many have co-signed for loans with their children or grandchildren to help them afford ballooning tuition.

As noted, some of this debt was incurred by parents and grandparents who co-signed on others’ education loans.  Nevertheless this story offers a helpful scare about how even our own “first generation debt” can hang with us if we don’t borrow wisely and take full advantage of repayment solutions.  You can learn more about solutions/resources through folks like Heather Jarvis and the people at Equal Justice Works.

From Above the Law:

While the writing and researching experience is invaluable, there are additional opportunities law clerks should look into before their clerkship ends. Now on to the tips….

As a practical matter, actively update a log of the cases and research projects you worked on throughout your clerkship. . . .

Be sure to maximize the additional training and CLEs you have access to for free at a major discount. . . .

In addition to CLEs and training, take advantage of other perks and discounts available to law clerks. Each federal judicial district has different local rules on admittance and practice. Some districts will waive special requirements and fees for current law clerks, and may expedite the process. . .

Master your researching skills on sites like Westlaw and LexisNexis. . . .

Don’t forget to keep your professional network active. . . .

Maximize your free time outside of chambers. This point doesn’t even have to directly enhance your career. Want to train for a marathon? Go for it! Become conversational in a new language? Why not? Consider taking a cooking class? Now is the time! If you are planning on the partnership trajectory at a major law firm, now may be your only shot at activities or goals that can be time consuming and non-legal. Do not look back at your clerkship with regrets — with either your life inside or outside the courthouse.

Read more here.

By: Steve Grumm

We know that some 1Ls and 2Ls are still interviewing for summer jobs. And of course many 3Ls are on the job hunt.  Here are resources for interview tips and best practices:

• Earlier this year we put on a two-part job search webinar series with our friends at Equal Justice Works, the second part of which focused on interviewing and professional networking.   The webinars were focused on the summer job hunt, but the interview tips would apply in the postgrad job interview context also.
• Also check out PSLawNet’s handout, Interviewing Tips for Postgraduate Public Interest Jobs.
• Harvard Law School has extensive tips on public interest interviewing. 

Good luck!

by Kristen Pavón

I know job searching can get frustrating and time-consuming — so, I thought I’d pass along this instructional and hilarious story from a Chicago blogger about the email missteps she has made.

Her first piece of advice? Don’t send an email to a prospective employer while sick with a cold and sleep deprived (I have to agree with her on this one… Wait it out or have someone else proofread for you before sending!).

Dear Readers:

Do not let this happen to you.  Never, and I mean ever, apply for a job at dawn with a cold and little sleep because you might mess up and never get the job.

Here is but one example, if you will.

Dear Serge:

It is essential that you hire me to write for your publication.  I grew up in the area, have a love for the community, which is why I moved back from LA, and I like to write.

Aside from one theatre review, most of my work has been in the opinion genre, though I am interested in branching out.  For now, the links to the following clips will tell you more about who I am and what I can do for your online publication.

Thanks and I will call in about a week for your thoughts or to set up a time to meet.

Sincerely…

What was I thinking?  “It is essential that you hire me?” . . .

Most recently, I emailed an editor and told him that I liked his video about “growing a bear,” and that the accompanying Irish music made me want to do a “jog.”  After I hit send, I reread it and realized that it is impossible to grow a bear as they can grow themselves and that the Irish music wouldn’t make me want to do a jog but a jig.

You can read the rest here.

Moral of the story? Read your message through three times, then read it backwards twice before hitting “send.”

Do you have any email horror stories? Care to share? 😉

By: Steve Grumm

An announcement from Equal Justice Works:

Summer Corps is now accepting online applications for the 2012 program. Due to numerous requests, we have extended the deadline to Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.  All application materials must be submitted by this time. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

 More info on the program at EJW’s Summer Corps page.

by Kristen Pavón

Today, I got an unexpected email from a fellow 2011 law grad who was interested in learning more about the Job Search spreadsheet I use to keep track of all my job applications.

In case any of you want to use my method, I’ve created an Excel template you can try out.

Here’s a screenshot of the template. At the top, I have Employer, Job Title, Location, Materials Required w/ Deadline, Send to, Date Applied, and Notes. Jobs I’ve already applied for are highlighted in green, jobs I applied to but didn’t work out are in gray, and jobs that are in the queue to apply to are in red (you can click on the screenshot to see more details).

The template I’ve included here can also be uploaded onto your Google Docs. I use both Google Docs and Excel (if you use both formats, make sure to keep them updated!). I keep my Excel spreadsheet in my Dropbox folder so I have access to it whenever and wherever.

In addition to this spreadsheet, I also maintain a Networking Spreadsheet to keep track of people I’ve met along the way. You can use my template here.

Here’s a screenshot of my networking sheet:

I know, I know. It’s not nearly as colorful as my job search spreadsheet, but it works. At the top, I have Name, Organization/Employer, Contact Information, Meet Details, and F/U Notes.

Under Meet Details, I usually add a few keywords that will jog my memory on how/where/when we met. I always make sure to include who, if anyone, introduced me to the person. I keep my F/U Notes column updated with my latest contact with a person, including last time we emailed or met for coffee, etc.

I hope this helps! Do you have any other tips for keeping track of your job search efforts?

by Kristen Pavón

A couple of weeks ago, a Twitter follower asked us if we had resources for law grads who want to start their own nonprofits.With more and more law grads getting creative about their job searches and career paths, it’s easy to understand why founding a nonprofit is one of the many alternatives to traditional law jobs. Well, I did my research and compiled 6 general tips on getting the wheels turning to start a nonprofit.

1. Assess yourself. 

Figure out what issues you’re passionate about. It may be that the practice areas you were interested in are transferable for purposes of your nonprofit. Or, not. Either way, brainstorm.

Then, when you’ve written down everything you possibly can about your passions, do the same for your skills. What skills do you have that will be helpful in running your nonprofit? Maybe you were a fundraiser in a past life or a public relations guru — write it down.

2. Assess your community.

Take a look at nonprofits serving your community. What kinds of organizations are there a lot of? Are there organizations that could be doing more? Are there issues that are not being addressed at all? Talk to nonprofit leaders in your community and see what they’re saying.

3. Match up!

After you’ve done your research, it’s time to narrow your nonprofit organization’s focus. Match any needs you found in your community to your passions, interests, or skills.

4. Refine & Plan.

Work on refining what you want to accomplish, who you want to serve, and how you plan on delivering your services. You’re almost there when you can describe your organization’s goal, mission and services in one sentence.

5. Get that money, honey.

Fundraising and finding supporters will be the most important and toughest part of starting your nonprofit. You have to relentlessly reach out to people who may have an interest in supporting your organization’s work and develop relationships with community leaders that can lend credibility to your organization. Also, apply for grants!

6. Incorporate.

Here’s where your lawyering skills come in handy! Go here to find your state’s incorporation forms and information. Nonprofit board members are very important because they will be the champions for your organization. Choose wisely.

Other helpful links:

Society for Nonprofit Organizations

Free Management Library

7 Essentials Tips for Starting a Nonprofit

Nonprofit Incorporation

National Council of Nonprofits

Simple Nonprofit

Ladies Who Launch

I hope this was helpful! Do you have any other tips on starting your own nonprofit?

by Kristen Pavón

My résumé is ever-changing. I have about five or six different versions focusing on different types of jobs with varying templates. However, the one section that I can never seem to improve is my “skills” section.

I never know what is appropriate to include — what do employers expect to see in this section? I have the usual “proficient in XYS legal research engine” and my language skills… but what else goes in there? Should computer skills go on there at all? Should I only have a “language” section?

On Linkedin, you can add skills to your profile. I’ll admit, I went a bit skill-crazy. I’ve added things like strategic development, issue advocacy, counseling, nonprofit management, etc. That got me thinking —  what about on your résumé? Are these the types of skills you should add or should you just stick to computer and language skills?

According to Guerrilla Tactics For Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams, your skills section is for languages, computer skills and other licenses. However, Harvard Law School’s Office of Public Interest Advising suggests omitting computer skills altogether. I tend to agree.

What do you think? What do you include in your “skills” section?

by Kristen Pavón

This morning, I read an interesting Above The Law post on the rise of social media in the practice of law and how Gen Y attorneys are too caught up in the technology craze instead of focusing on traditional methods of lawyering (I came across this post on Flipboard on my iPad, of course).

Here’s a snippet:

While younger generations have always looked at their elders as “stupid,” and not worthy of listening to, it has never been as much a part of the legal profession as it is now. The Gen Y cheerleading squad of lawyers and their marketers believe there actually is a “revolution” in the legal profession and that if those who have come before don’t get with it and move their practices to the iPad, they (we) will go the way of the dinosaur. . . .

While many Gen Y lawyers see the use for mentors, there is little room for the thought from the worst of Gen Y that they could learn something over a cup of coffee or an intelligent email discourse with someone that’s been practicing law (and still practices) longer than four minutes.

And so they continue to wonder why the few clients that call them for legal representation after seeing them “on the first page of Google” don’t seem to have any money but “really like your website.” . . .

I believe their mentors, those they turn to for advice, those they respect, are the webmasters, the SEO hacks, the marketers –- not lawyers, not those who came before them. When your practice is a website, an iPad, some videos, and a price list, why would you want to listen to someone with a bad website, no iPad, no videos, who still markets “organically” – through doing good work and developing relationships with real people? . . .

Futures are built, they are earned, and they are created through hard work. I don’t care what year it is or what new technology or social media site is out, your future will never be something you can purchase from someone else.

Attorney Brian Tannebaum (who practices in my beautiful and sunny hometown of MIA!) makes some good points about the relevance of social media and technology in how we build law practices and a strong client base. I agree that a solid, traditional foundation is the real key to success in our industry. Sure, I think technology can be a way to attract some clients and build a certain level of expertise — but you have to take your efforts offline to be a real player.

However, I (a “Gen Y” attorney) and other newbie attorneys like me do want mentors (and sponsors), not marketers! We do want mentors who will tell us “where they’ve been, where they’ve failed, and  . . . how they became who they are.”

There were two takeaways for me from Tannebaum’s piece on how to snag a well-respected attorney as a mentor:

1. Stalk.
2. Ask if they’ve “got a minute?”

Read the rest of Tannebaum’s post here.

Thoughts?