Private law firms of two to ten attorneys employ the vast majority of graduates from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Nationally, nearly 60% of jobs such as these are acquired through professional networking or personal referrals.
Only about 20% of these jobs are acquired through responding to active job listings.
Here is the problem:
A large percentage of applicants attempt to find a job through the direct application approach by applying to existing job postings while a very small percentage of applicants attempt to find a job through networking and personal referrals.
Networking and personal referrals are underrated and underused, yet very effective, job search methods. Something must be done! Here are a few ways to do remedy the situation:
Build a professional network with Nebraska Law alumni, your undergraduate alumni, former employers and professors, and your family and friends. One alumnus I know found his job by striking up a conversation with the man next to him on a flight, another I know got her start by introducing herself to her neighbor who happened to be a lawyer. You never know where the leads will come from! Unless you are vocal in sharing your hopes and dreams people will not know how to assist you. Make sure you can clearly and positively articulate your search.
Network! Attend CLE's, join groups such as the Young Professionals, join bar associations as soon as you are qualified to do so, or set up a lunch with a local attorney to discuss his or her practice. Most affinity bar associations do not require bar passage before joining. Nebraska Women's Bar Association, for example welcomes students and recent alumni and just this year the NSBA started student memberships. If you haven't already joined, do so!
Consider applying for a transitional job, which is a short-term contract position that allows you to earn money and gain experience while networking with attorneys. This is usually a step to take after the bar exam has passed, but you might want to start researching what opportunities, if any, exist for this type of work in the city and state you are searching in.
Volunteering while you search is a great way to build both your skills and your network. We will have more on ideas of where to look in next month's issue.