If you are fortunate enough to have secured a position, congrats! You’re now in a position to support your classmates as they look for jobs, conduct mock interviews and review interview documents. If, on the other hand, you have yet to secure a position, it’s time to start looking. As a 2L, a summer associate job can serve as an “audition” for what will become your post-law school position, so finding a good one is important. Here are some tips to make sure you stand out and get called for the screener interview.
1) Take your cover letter seriously
Many people send generic cover letters with their resumes. Don’t let this be you. Take the time to tailor each letter in a specific way. Maybe you met someone at the firm during a law school event, or maybe you really like an aspect of their government agency. Now is the time to use that information to make your cover letter unique and attention-getting.
2) Be confident but humble
Confidence in your abilities is great, just remember that there is a fine line between confident and arrogant. Employers want to know if you can be a team player, that you can follow instructions and if you can fit into their culture.
3) Be prepared to simply chat
Many students think that an OCI will be solely an interview. They are surprised to find that a lot of interviews will involve general chatting. Your OCI may not involve many questions about your resume, the law or the future. Instead, you may be asked about your hobbies, passions and activities outside of law school. Be prepared for both scenarios.
4) Have questions ready for the interviewer
Read the employer’s website and find something interesting to discuss. Go beyond just asking about the culture and billable hours to demonstrate a real interest in the work the employer does. Also, be sure to check out the bios for the people who will be interviewing you to see if you have something in common.
5) Send those thank you letters
When you finish your interview, wait until the end of the day or until the next morning and then send out your thank you letter(s). The letters don’t need to be lengthy, but they should be personalized to each interviewer and include a brief recap of something that you talked about. Learn about the art of the follow-up.
6) Keep applying
While you’re waiting for OCI callbacks, keep sending in applications, utilizing your career development office and tapping into the legal network you’ve been building. It’s worth reaching out to your previous professors to see about possible connections.
7) Take a deep breath
OCI season and job hunting in general can be exhausting and stressful. Take time for yourself so you’re rested and prepared. Here are some easy self-care ideas to work into your day.
No matter where you are in the OCI process, we’re with you every step of The BARBRI Way to provide helpful tips and an OCI checklist.