Nova Law Careers Blawg

Informational Interviews: Yep, they still count

By Heather Diersen

“The informational interview is an interview with someone who has a career that you’d like to know more about. These interviews do not necessarily lead to employment or an internship, but are a great way to figure out if a certain field might be right for you, and to find out more about the types of internship opportunities that would be available at that company or in that field.” (internshipfinder.com)

Prior to law school I had never heard of an “informational interview.” After being told by attorneys and professors that I must attend informational interviews to fuel my career, I made a goal to attend two to three a month during my final year of law school. Despite also being told that informational interviews are not meant to get me a job, I still thought they were my ticket.

I received my first job out of law school with a judge, not due to an informational interview, but a recommendation by a professor. While a law clerk, I again attempted to attend three informational interviews a month. I received my next position from a new-to-this-state attorney who had never heard of me (or anyone in this state), but who relied heavily on the recommendations of my judge and a partner at a firm that I clerked for in law school. So I am two for two on “great recommendations get you jobs” and zero for 100+ on “informational interviews get you jobs;” which is exactly the point.

What my informational interviews did give me that networking at a CLE or bar event did not, was candid advice on the legal market, perspectives on law firm/company life and practice, and resources for my future practice. I would not trade those 100+ interviews for one great “real employment interview” and here is why:

1. I met lawyers that inspired me to stay in this practice.

2. I met lawyers that I hope never to imitate.

3. I actually made a few friends, some even good friends.

4. In a few rare occurrences, I was able to offer something to the interviewee.

5. Free lunch or coffee (you always offer to buy, but when I made less than $43K a year as a law clerk, free lunch was great…I’m just saying).

6. I met attorneys in fields that I do not practice and I now refer business.

7. Several of the attorneys I met have been great resources for areas of law I am just jumping into, others have sent me forms and research or recommended an expert or service, and a few have invited me into ‘unofficial’ practice groups or invited me to join a committee. Having colleagues outside my company has made my transition from clerking to practice much smoother.

I may not have found a job doing informational interviews, but it turns out the exercise is more valuable now than while I was job hunting. Helpful websites:

http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/careers/students/explore_options/informational_interview.cfm

http://www.blog.chelsearecruiters.com/2010/02/quick-information-on-informational.html

http://www.clacareer.umn.edu/informational_interviews/

http://www.stthomas.edu/law/current/career/build%20your%20career/networking.html

informational interviews, networking

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See this full article, and readers' Comments, at the Minnesota Lawyer's Blog: JD's Rising

7 Little-Known Reasons You're Not Getting Hired

By KAREN BURNS

Posted: May 12, 2010

If you’re job hunting you’re surely aware of the most egregious and common no-nos: showing up for the interview ten minutes late; answering your phone during the interview; handing over a resume riddled with typos; using a silly-sounding E-mail address; failing to demonstrate you’ve researched the employer; bad-mouthing your last boss; neglecting to follow up. You’re not doing any of that, are you? Of course not.

But you may not have considered some of the less-discussed, under-the-radar issues. Give this list a look and ask yourself, "Do any of these sound like me?"

1. You have unreasonable expectations.

2. You’re relying too much on one search technique.

3. You use the word “I” too often in your cover letter.

4. You are not demonstrating long-term potential.

5. You are unknowingly repeating mistakes.

6. You have not rehearsed.

7. You put your job search on hold while waiting to hear back.

See Karen Burns' entire post on the US News & World Report Careers Page, which you will find at this link: US News & World Report

New Report Finds Increase in Women Making Partner

Project for Attorney Retention's Cynthia Thomas Calvert calls the increase "heartening" but adds, "celebration would be premature"

Nate Raymond
New York Law Journal

April 23, 2010

Law firms have made "significant advances" in promoting women to partner, according to a new report. Women made up 34 percent of their 2010 new partner classes, compared to 28 percent the year before, according to a recent report by the Project for Attorney Retention (pdf).

At nearly 20 percent of the firms tracked by the San Francisco-based non-profit, women comprised half or more of the new partner classes.

Sullivan & Cromwell and Weil, Gotshal & Manges topped the list with all-female U.S. partner promotions. On the flip side, 14 firms nationally had all-male U.S. classes, including Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy.

"The increase in the number of women promoted to partner is heartening," Cynthia Thomas Calvert, the group's director of research, said in a statement. But she added that "celebration would be premature." Women overall make up only about one-fifth of firm partnerships, she said. And the survey, she noted, made no distinction between equity and non-equity partners.

Read more at: Law.com

Working for the Department of Justice!

Career Café

 

Tomorrow, April 1^st (no joke! J)

  12-1 pm in the Faculty Study

 

Department of Justice

 

Presented by:

Fred Sheffield

Attorney for the Executive Office for Immigration Review

 

 

Come learn about volunteer & employment opportunities available during law school and after graduation within the Department of Justice!

 

Open to ALL students!

 

Pizza & Soda will be served

The CDO video records all Career Café presentations 

Exploring Small Firm Practice

Career Café

 

Tuesday, March 16^th 

  12-1 pm in the Faculty Study

 

 

Exploring Small Firm Practice

 

Presented by:

 

Monica Elliot, JD, PhD

NSU Alumna and Executive Council Member of the FL Bar’s General Practice, Solo and Small Firm section (GPSSF)

 

Come learn about the benefits of practicing in a small firm, how small firms hire, and what you can do to obtain employment in a small firm!

Open to ALL students!

Pizza and Soda will be served

 

The CDO video records all Career Café presentations, find them at:  http://www.nsulaw.nova.edu/career/cs/career_cafe.cfm

 

How to Launch an Effective Job Search!

Career Café

 

SPACE IS LIMITED - REQUIRES RSVP:  www.lexisnexis.com/myschool

 

Firehouse Subs will be served

 

 

Tuesday, March 9^th 

  12-1 pm in the Faculty Study

 

Launching an Effective Job Search

 

Presented by

 

The Career Development Office &

Come learn how to target and research employers as you embark upon your summer or post-graduation job search

 

Open to ALL students!

The CDO video records all Career Café presentations, find them at:  http://www.nsulaw.nova.edu/career/cs/career_cafe.cfm

Asset Protection Law - Career Cafe

Career Café Speaker Series 

 

Wednesday, February 17^th 

  12-1 pm in the Faculty Study

 

a$$et protection law

 

 

Presented by Attorney / Author

Hillel L. Presser, Esq.

 

Learn how to protect your assets as well as future clients’ assets from lawsuits and creditors.

 

Open to ALL students!

Pizza and Soda will be served

 

The CDO video records all Career Café presentations, find them at:  http://www.nsulaw.nova.edu/career/cs/career_cafe.cfm

Don't be a Day Late and a Dollar $hort!

Please join the Career Development Office for our “Critical Career Deadlines Program”

Tuesday, 2/9 at 12 pm and 5 pm

Faculty Study

 Don’t be a Day Late and a Dollar $hort! 

 

We will be covering 1L, 2L and 3L/4L timelines to ensure that you make the MOST of your law school experience!  We realize it’s difficult to keep track of all the job/internship application deadlines you face throughout law school, which is why we’re developed a written timeline to guide you.  You will have an opportunity to ask questions and will walk away with a better sense of where you are now and where you’re going.  This is critical, especially given today’s tough economy. 

 

We also have copies of the timeline available in our office or on our website at http://www.nsulaw.nova.edu/career/cs/publications.cfm. 

 

Make sure to attend either the day or evening session … Don’t be a Day Late and a Dollar $hort! 

Career Cafe Wednesday - Learn the Essential Skill of Relationship Building

Career Café

Wednesday, 2/3 @ Noon in the Faculty Study

 

Business Development for Lawyers:

Attract the Clients you want and

Build lasting relationships in the industry

 

Please join us this Wednesday for the first Career Café of the semester!  John Remsen of the Remsen Group will be leading an exciting and important discussion on how to build a book of business in the legal field.  As recent events have demonstrated, firms place a very high priority on recruiting attorneys who are able to generate business.  It’s never too early to start thinking about ways to develop lasting relationships … in fact, the time to start “making friends” outside the law school walls is NOW!  Your livelihood depends on it!

 

Please join us - pizza & soda will be served.  And, if you can't make it, you can watch the video on our website.  For more information, visit John Remsen's website at www.theremsengroup.com. 

Career Cafe Wednesday - Learn the Essential Skill of Relationship Building

Career Café

Wednesday, 2/3 @ Noon in the Faculty Study

 

Business Development for Lawyers:

Attract the Clients you want and

Build lasting relationships in the industry

 

Please join us this Wednesday for the first Career Café of the semester!  John Remsen of the Remsen Group will be leading an exciting and important discussion on how to build a book of business in the legal field.  As recent events have demonstrated, firms place a very high priority on recruiting attorneys who are able to generate business.  It’s never too early to start thinking about ways to develop lasting relationships … in fact, the time to start “making friends” outside the law school walls is NOW!  Your livelihood depends on it!

 

Please join us - pizza & soda will be served.  And, if you can't make it, you can watch the video on our website.  For more information, visit John Remsen's website at www.theremsengroup.com.