The Questions:
- When can first year students begin to utilize the services of the Career Development Office and apply for jobs?
- There don't seem to be many jobs listed in the Digest. Where do I find other opportunities?
- What is self assessment and how can it help me?
- What information should I include in a cover letter?
- I didn't get any interviews through fall recruitment. What should I do now?
The Answers:
1. When can first year students begin to utilize the services of the Career Development Office and apply for jobs?
In accordance with the guidelines set forth by the National Association of Law Placement, first year regular division students may not use the Career Development Office until November 1 and may not apply for a legal position until December 1.
2. There don't seem to be many jobs listed in the Digest. Where do I find other opportunities?
The jobs found in the Digest are the updates to fall and spring recruitment and information about and special internship and networking opportunities. We have many other resources for your job search including our on-line job bank, numerous job fairs, law firm list, judicial contact lists and public service opportunities.
3. What is self assessment and how can it help me?
Self assessment is a process involving a set of self-administered tests and activities that will help you ascertain your best skills, attributes, values, goals and needs. It will help you focus on what your priorities are in the job search process, and will provide you with a much better idea of the kind of work and environment in which you would find fulfillment.
4. What information should I include in a cover letter?
A cover letter should highlight your skills and qualifications as they relate to your targeted employer. Your cover letter should not repeat verbatim the information contained in your resume, but instead, demonstrate how your skills can meet the employer's needs
5. I didn't get any interviews through fall recruitment. What should I do now?
First, don't be too discouraged. Nationally, the jobs advertised during fall recruitment comprise only 10-15% of the total available job opportunities and, therefore, represent a very small ³piece of the pie². Come in and talk to the Career Development counselors immediately regarding other avenues that you may utilize. We would like to partner with you to explore alternatives matching your career goals.