1

JOB SEARCHING IN TODAY’S MARKET

Casey Tippens Delaney

According to NALP, the Class of 2010 law graduates faced the most difficult job market since the mid-

1990’s.1 The good news is that employment is again on the rise, and University of Oklahoma graduates

were fortunate to be fairly insulated from the falling market. Having just returned from serving in a

career office where the state’s economy is truly failing, it is refreshing to be in a place where

government internships pay and where firms are steadily hiring.

To be successful in today’s market you must be proactive. What you cannot do is simply sit back, do

nothing and expect a career to fall in your lap. At the end of the day, you are in charge of your own

career. In large part, people obtain jobs through former employers’ recommendations, friends and

family introducing you to an attorney they know, or simply by cold-contacting a firm to express an

interest in working there. Many firms are busy but not to the point where they have thought about

placing a job advertisement in the bar journal. However, if you show up at their door and offer relief to

their busy schedule, they may very well be ready, willing and able to hire you.

The Role of Career Services: Our office is here to assist you in every way we possibly can.

We are calling hundreds of firms, government employers and companies asking them to hire our

students, and we are making great progress in the number of employers being added to our

hiring database. We are educating employers on the value of an OU degree and the training

students are receiving through our clinical/externship/internship programs before they

graduate. We are here to review your resumes, cover letters, and application materials to make

sure that they are perfect. We are here to review draft e-mails to employers and alumni. We

review job boards daily and post positions on Symplicity frequently. We conduct mock

interviews to get you ready for your interview. We guide you in choosing the best writing

sample. We will be there for you through every step of the process and encourage you to

contact us throughout your job search. No question is too small – we want to help.

Permanent Hiring Timelines

Third year students often come into my office in “panic” mode in January because they do not have a

job lined up. It is true that some fortunate students will leave their 2L summer with an offer; however,

the large majority of students will still be applying throughout their 3L year and through the bar exam.

It is helpful to think of your job search from the employer’s point of view, as opposed to the student.

School Year. Some employers are willing to interview you and consider you during the school

year because they have an immediate need for assistance. You can work as a law clerk until you

take the bar exam, and then begin as an associate after passing the bar. When applying to firms

during the spring of your 3L year, it might be beneficial to offer to work as a spring law clerk so

1 http://www.nalp.org/2010selectedfindingsrelease

2

that they can get to know you and your legal work, and you can make sure the firm is also a right

fit for you.

At Graduation. Another section of employers wait until graduation so that you can begin full

time and work through June (always try to take off at least the entire month of July to focus on

the bar exam). These employers wait until you can commit full time before making their

decision to hire.

After you pass the bar exam. A large group of employers wait until bar results come out before

deciding to interview and hire. While this seems extremely far away, it makes sense from the

employer’s point of view. Until you pass the bar exam, you are a “risk.” They want to know

when they hire you, that you are a licensed attorney simply needing to be trained.

These timelines should not be stressful, but rather to give you peace that there are different periods

within which employers hire. Thus, there should be no panic that a position has not been obtained in

January.

What do you do now?

This does not mean that you should just wait to search until after graduation. You should be

using the Spring of your 3L year to apply to the postings that are listed, reach out and network

with attorneys in the practice areas of interest, cold-contact firms, attend bar events, and gain

experience. Just because there are different times within employers hire does not mean you

should be lazy in your search now – you never know when that dream job is going to be

available and you do not want to miss it!

Making Yourself Marketable

Get experience! One of the most common problems I see when I have a graduate struggling to obtain a

job is that they did not take the time to get any legal experience while in law school. In addition to

internship positions, there are also amazing opportunities through the law school’s legal clinics,

externship program and researching for professors. Put simply, the only way to graduate without

experience is to choose to. We also have numerous opportunities through Students for Access to Justice

where you can volunteer to do mediations, assist low income families with tax returns and help victims

of domestic violence fill out VPO forms at the courthouse. Even if you are a 3L and thinking it is too late

to get experience, it is not! Take the opportunity this spring to volunteer and build your legal skills.

Also, get involved in meaningful organizations. When a student tells me that they want to practice

energy or oil & gas, the first question I ask them is whether they are a member of the Energy Resources

Law Student Association. Putting this organization on your resume, and highlighting the relevant energy

courses you have taken, tells an employer that you are serious about the field that you have chosen and

that you doing everything you can to be involved in energy. Activities can sometimes offset the lack of

“practical” experience you might have in your area of interest.

3

Symplicity

The University of Oklahoma College of Law contracts with Symplicity, a third party vendor, to provide a

comprehensive job search database. The large majority of law schools across the country utilize this

system. All employers that express an interest in hiring at OU Law are entered into this database and

positions are posted under the “Jobs” tab.

es

Unfortunately, many students either sign in infrequently, or have never signed in. This is the first place

you should be looking each week to search the employers that have expressed a direct interest in hiring

at OU Law. Failing to log in to Symplicity each week may mean that you lose out on the opportunity to

apply for a position that you really want.

If you are not familiar with Symplicity, do not be embarrassed to come to my office and ask for a one-

on-one session to go through the program. I am more than happy to go through it with you!

Using your Contacts

One of the most frequent comments I get from a student is that they “do not know any lawyers” and

how unfairly easy it is for those that do. A large number of law students enter law school without

knowing a single attorney. Other students enter with family that are lawyers but expect them to get a

job on their own because that is what they had to do. Remember, contacts that can help you are not

only attorneys. Think about all of the business owners that use attorneys to assist in their legal matters.

Think about non-profit organizations and foundations that use attorneys to set up these entities, and

many hire attorneys to work for their organization. Think about civic or community groups that you are

a member of that may have attorney members. Think about social or religious organizations that have

attorney members. You can find introductions to attorneys everywhere; you simply need to think

outside of the box! Let people know that you are looking so that they can help you.

4

Remember, no contact is a bad contact. Another myth is that a lawyer who is not looking to hire is a

“waste of time” or “not a good contact.” Any contact you build is a good contact to have. It may be

someone that refers you a case later down the road. It may also be that they are not looking to hire, but

that after speaking with you, they forward your resume on to 20 friends in their e-mail address book.

Never assume that because they are not hiring, they cannot help you.

Cold Contacting

It is easier than you think! You are absolutely right, those first few e-mails or telephone calls certainly

do not feel natural. However, once you get into the swing of things, you will be contacting

firms/companies/organizations left and right. It is just getting through that initial awkward phase to

help you. I once interviewed someone for a position that would involve a lot of cold-contact telephone

calls and she said “the phone does not weigh a thousand pounds.” That statement really stuck with me;

I am not sure why we dread that cold phone call so much. Just pick up the telephone and do it! If you

are like me, an e-mail may be a more natural first contact. It allows the attorney to get back to you

when it is convenient to them. However, always make sure to follow up on your e-mail 1-2 weeks later

with a telephone call.

Caution Regarding Alumni: It is perfectly fine to contact alumni; in fact, I suggest that you use our

alumni as resources. However, as compared to cold contacting, you should approach alumni for

“advice” as opposed to directly soliciting a job.

Example E-mail to University of Oklahoma Alumnus/Alumna:

Dear [Name]:

I am a third year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law writing to seek your

advice regarding practicing employment law in Houston. As a native Texan, it is my

professional goal to return to the area to practice following graduation in May. I would

genuinely appreciate any advice you might have into practicing in the Houston area as well as

any specific professional groups you would suggest I join. I have attached my resume so you

can see what I have accomplished thus far. I will be in the Houston area during Spring Break,

[Dates], and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you. I am also available by

telephone at your convenience.

Thank you in advance for your help. I truly appreciate your time and assistance.

Sincerely,

Frank Student

5

Example E-mail to Non-Alumni, Direct Contacting Firm

Dear [Name]:

I am a third year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and I am writing to express my interest in an associate position with XYZ Firm. My specific interest in your firm stems from my professional goal of practicing employment litigation following graduation in May, and XYZ Firm’s status as one of the top employment firms in the state. It would be an invaluable opportunity to join the best lawyers in the area in which I want to practice. I am confident that my background and education have prepared me to be a valuable asset.

This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern with Employment Firm 2. In this position, I drafted numerous substantive motions, interrogatories and requests for production. I also assisted in deposition and trial preparation. I am certain this experience has prepared me to be a successful associate with XYZ Firm.

Attached please find my resume for your review. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Frank Student

Job Search Websites

There are numerous websites that can assist you in your job search, including:

Symplicity https://law-ou-csm.symplicity.com/students/

Oklahoma Bar Journal http://www.okbar.org/obj/

Oklahoma County Bar www.okcbar.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=6

Public Interest www.pslawnet.org

Federal Government www.usajobs.gov

https://www.lawcrossing.com/lcoffer.php (Contact OPCD for Free Access Code)

www.indeed.com (pulls from corporate websites)

State of Oklahoma http://www.ok.gov/opm/State_Jobs/index.html

City of Oklahoma City http://www.okc.gov/jobs/joblist.html

City of Tulsa http://www.cityoftulsa.org/our-city/jobs.aspx

City of Norman http://ci.norman.ok.us/hr/hr-job-postings

University of Oklahoma www.jobs.ou.edu

Texas District & County Attorney http://www.tdcaa.com/job_bank

Arizona Honors Handbook

https://www.law.arizona.edu/career/GovHonors11-12/tablecontents.cfm (Contact OPCD for free password)

State Bar of Texas http://l.tx.bar.associationcareernetwork.com/JobSeeker/Jobs.aspx?abbr=L.TX.BAR

Additional job search databases (legal and non-legal) including:

www.abanet.org/careercounsel www.theladders.com www.attorneyjobs.com

www.attorneyjobsonline.com www.brassring.com http://careers.findlaw.com

www.emplawyernet.com www.findlawjob.com www.hierosgamos.org

www.hrsjobs.com www.iHireLegal.com www.judicialclerkships.com

www.law.com www.lawcentral.com https://oscar.uscourts.gov/

6

www.lawjobs.com www.lawyersweeklyjobs.com www.legalemploy.com

www.careerbuilder.com www.craigslist.org (Use in larger cities and remove personal address from resume)

www.jobhunt.org

www.execu-search.com www.latro.com (Hispanic and Bilingual)

www.mediabistro.com (Media Professionals)

www.hound.com www.linkedin.com www.jobfox.com

www.simplyhired.com www.monster.com www.bestjobsusa.com

www.careers-in-business.com www.aftercollege.com www.bilingualcareer.com

www.careers-in-finance.com www.mbajungle.com www.careercast.com

www.wetfeet.com www.careerpark.com www.jobcentral.com

www.hotjobs.yahoo.com www.gojobs.com www.jobalot.com

www.computerjobs.com www.careerjournal.com www.efinancialcareers.com

www.jobsinthemoney.com www.accounting.com www.dice.com

**Before paying for a website, make sure to ask yourself whether it is a reputable company, see if an address and telephone number is listed, and review the refund policy. There are many great free job search websites so use caution in your decision to use a paid website.

Networking

It sounds cliché, but networking is one of the best things you can do to get a job outside of applying to

actual job postings. These networking contacts will also be extremely beneficial throughout your career.

Your professor in this course, Judith Maute, is an inspiring networker. No matter which

conference/event she goes to, she is always networking and getting to know people that will help our

law students. Literally you can ask her on any topic, and she can tell you someone that might be able to

assist you with that issue.

Many students tell me, “I understand that networking is important, but where do I go to do it?” The

truth is that you can network everywhere. For example, did you know that it is free for students to join

the Cleveland County Bar Association? The CCBA hosts regular CLE’s and events where attorneys will be

present. You have the opportunity to both learn and meet people in the legal profession. The

Oklahoma Bar Association holds annual conferences, CLE events and many other educational meetings

that you as a student are allowed to attend. The various professional Inns of Courts seek out student

members to participate in educational meetings alongside attorneys and judges. The Oklahoma County

Bar Young Lawyers Division invites students to participate in many of its events (including a chili cook-off

and bowling tournament). All of these events are excellent places for a student to have the opportunity

to visit with an attorney about their practice area of interest.

If you are interested in employment law and the Oklahoma Bar is having a CLE on employment law, sign

up to attend the event. Not only will you be learning in the area you are interested, but you will also be

there with employment lawyers who are getting their continuing legal education credits. This is a great

place to shake a hand on a break and explain that you are student wanting to enter the practice area. If

CLE or Bar Events are too expensive, call the Oklahoma Bar and offer to volunteer or do anything to

reduce the price or attend for free.

7

In addition to these legal events and associations, you can also network throughout the community.

Whether you are in Rotary, Junior League or involved in raising money for Make A Wish, there will be

attorneys also involved or people who know attorneys. Always get to know people and let them know

who you are and what your professional goals are. You never know when they might be able to help!

When networking, always ask for a business card. You can follow up after the meeting, tell the person

how nice it was to meet them and open the door to get to know that individual better. Once someone

gets to know you, the more willing they will be to help you in your job search or in giving you sound

career advice.

Once you have networked, how do you use it?

To develop a strong mentor relationship

To inquire as to possible job opportunities

To volunteer to get experience

To seek advice regarding a particular practice area

To learn about a job market in another city

Remember, networking goes two ways. You must also give! Offer to give back to those who are helping

you, and to also help future students when they contact you for advice.

Social Networking Sites

Employers are regularly checking social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter to research

prospective employees. Realize that everything you write is a reflection of you. Posting a photo that

might be funny to your friends, but completely unprofessional to a potential client, will cause an

employer to second guess whether you are right for the job. Make sure that your social media reflects

the person that you want to be! Do not assume that because your account is marked private, that

employer cannot see it. Often current associates or clerks who are your “friend” will log in to allow an

employer to see your posts and pictures, and there are companies that specialize in getting this

information for prospective employers. ALWAYS USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT! If the post is something

that you would be embarrassed if a prospective employer got a hold of it, then do not post it.

There are other professional networking sites that are extremely beneficial in your job search. The

OPCD highly suggests setting up a LinkedIn account which can be used to make contacts, set forth your

skills and express an interest in being contacted regarding legal positions. There is also a job search

database feature that is also very helpful.

Social media is your friend in job searching if you use it appropriately!

Follow Up

If you make the effort to cold contact or e-mail alumni, please take the time to follow up on your efforts.

Lawyers are busy! Emails get buried! I always share with my students a personal story, and it is truly

8

embarrassing, but I think it helps. One day when I was in practice, I was working on a brief that had a

strict deadline that day. My telephone rang and it was a student from another law school who asked if I

could give her a few minutes of my time to discuss law school, job searching and what practice was like

at my firm size. I told her that it was not a good time and asked if I could please call her back. I wrote

her number on a little yellow sticky note which was never to be found again. To this day I feel terrible

that I did not know how to get a hold of her. I am sure she is out there somewhere thinking I am not a

very nice person, when in reality, I was a busy associate. For this reason, I urge my students to follow up

on their initial contacts. You should wait 1-2 weeks to let the attorney or alumnus/alumna to contact

you back, but at least try them a second time. I joke with students that after 4 contacts I feel like a

stalker, but there is no reason you should not try 2-3 times to get in touch.

Do Not Settle – But Be Realistic

This might be one of the most difficult topics in career advising. On one hand, I will have a student come

in and tell me that they are only willing to take an in-house legal job. While this is a great career goal, it

is often hard to go straight in to an in-house counsel position right out of law school. Students may not

be able to land that immediate “dream” job but must be thinking about the things that they can do to

get into that dream job. For example, if you are interested in working in-house for an insurance

company, spending 2-5 years at an insurance defense firm would provide you with very necessary and

marketable skills to be hired by an insurance company. This does not mean you should not be applying

for in-house jobs, it just means that you need to “widen your net” to other jobs that will make you

marketable for the dream job down the road. You must be realistic in your search and apply for a broad

range of jobs that will lead to your ultimate dream job.

The other example I have is when students are nervous about the job market and take the first job that

comes along. It may be with a firm that practices in an area which the student has no interest, or that

the firm has a less than desirable reputation within the legal community. However, students frequently

jump on the first offer that comes along because they are afraid that another job may not be right

behind it. Do not settle early in your job search for something that you know you do not want to do!

You are the only one that knows the time frame of when you must obtain a job in order to make your

rent payment, student loans, etc. Know the realities of your finances, but do not accept any job simply

because you are worried the right legal job will not come along. I have been working with many

students who accepted that first job and are now faced with backing out of their acceptance or staying

in the job for at least a year. That is not a position you want to put yourself in! I have had students

choose to volunteer at the DA’s office while working a non-legal job on the side (to pay rent) because

they want to be in criminal prosecution. I cannot tell you how many times it has benefited them to get

experience in the area they are interested in while waiting on a DA’s position to open.

9

A Legal Resume

The framework of a legal resume is typically different than that of a business resume, or the resume you

used to apply to law school. Your resume is your primary marketing piece as you begin to seek a legal

job and it should highlight key aspects of your background including your academic and employment

experiences, as well as your unique accomplishments, additional skills and any personal qualities that

you wish to share.

A few helpful tips when drafting your resume include:

Be brief! If you can keep your resume to one page, employers prefer this. One exception

includes students that have held careers prior to coming to law school and are now beginning a

second career.

Present your information in a well-organized, neat fashion. The readability and appeal of your

resume are extremely important.

o As shown in the examples herein, it is very helpful to put all of your honors and

academic accomplishments under the university from which they were obtained.

o The resume should be organized in chronological order.

o Important information should be easy to locate. The OPCD suggests right aligning dates

and time periods for employers to easily determine how long you were in each position.

o Use bullet points to increase the readability of your resume but be brief in your

descriptions.

Proofread. Your cover letter and resume are essentially your first writing sample! Represent

your ability to write well, proof and pay close attention to details.

BE ACCURATE. Your resume should never contain dishonest, inaccurate or misleading

information. It must be 100% honest.

o A misrepresentation on your resume can result in severe consequences with the

American Bar Association, state bars and the University of Oklahoma.

Identify Transferable Skills. Show skills from past experiences, or from your law school

education that transfer to the position for which you are applying. Do not worry if your previous

experience is not legal, an employer will also be looking for demonstrations of leadership,

productive use of time and motivation.

Highlight legal skills. A legal resume will ideally highlight experience in research and writing,

analytical thinking, leadership abilities and success in oral presentations or advocacy.

Legal Resume Do’s

o Be positive!

o Be accurate!

o Provided detailed information!

o PROOFREAD! Have a friend proofread!

o Use proper grammar!

o Use a professional e-mail address: cdelaney@ou.edu, NOT golferlady12@gmail.com

o Use a telephone number that you frequently use and with a professional greeting

10

o If you are seeking employment out of Oklahoma, you may choose to use a local address

reflecting a tie to the area

o When listing dates, spell out month names and do not abbreviate

o GPA/Class Rank – it is up to you whether or not to highlight your academic standing.

Your resume should highlight what you are most proud of. If you choose to include it, it

must be as exactly calculated by the school.

o Relevant Coursework. You may highlight relevant coursework that is applicable to an

employer on your resume.

Legal Resume Don’t:

o Draw attention to negative aspects or to attempt to “explain”

o Use abbreviations that are not common or understood by all, it is always a good practice

to spell out acronyms

o Only say “proficient” or “fluent” if you truly are

o Never use personal pronouns in a resume such as “I, we, they”

o Do not list LSAT scores or personal information such as marital status

11

STEWART P. STUDENT

123 University Way • Norman, OK 73071 • (405)555-1234 • Stewart.Student@ou.edu

EDUCATION

University of Oklahoma College of Law Norman, OK

Juris Doctor Candidate May 2012

Class Rank: Top 33% (8.792 / 12.0)

Activities: Students for Access to Justice, President

Honors: Dean’s List (every semester)

Academic Achievement Award (Highest Grade): Torts II

Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK

Bachelor of Science, Accounting May 2009

Activities: Student Government Association, Vice President

Freshman Follies, Participant (Second Place Team Overall)

National Social Sorority, Membership Chairman

Honors: Top Ten Freshman; Top Ten Senior; Outstanding Accounting Student

EXPERIENCE

Ward & Glass, LLP Norman, OK

Legal Clerk Summer 2011 – Present

Conducted extensive legal research on a variety of employment and personal injury litigation matters.

Drafted substantive motions for filing including motion for summary judgment, motion to dismiss and

various motions in limine.

Collaborated with attorneys regarding case analysis and strategy.

Participated in client meetings and drafted follow-up client correspondence.

University of Oklahoma General Counsel’s Office Norman, OK

Legal intern Summer 2010

Conducted legal research pertaining to university matters including employment law, athletic

compliance and vendor contracts.

Drafted legal memoranda for utilization in advising university officials.

Corresponded daily with University counsel and gained direct insight into numerous legal aspects

affecting large public universities.

Oklahoma Lawyers for Children Oklahoma City, OK

Legal Clerk Summer 2009

Performed initial case intakes and determined applicable services available.

Conducted legal research for parent termination trial.

Assisted attorneys at trial through filing of various trial briefs, and managing exhibits and evidence.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Languages: Spanish (Proficient)

Community: American Red Cross, Volunteer; Make-A-Wish, Fundraising Committee

12

SALLY A. STUDENT

123 University Way • Norman, OK 73071 • (405)555-1234 • Sally.Student@ou.edu

EDUCATION

University of Oklahoma College of Law Norman, OK

Juris Doctor Candidate May 2013

Activities: Organization for the Advancement of Women in Law

Sports Law Society, Secretary

Courses: NCAA Compliance, Contracts, Employment Law

Honors: University of Oklahoma Pro Bono Honor Award

Michigan State University Lansing, MI

Bachelor of Science, Sports Marketing May 2008

Activities: Sports Management Society, Founder

Scholarships: Full Tuition Merit Scholarship

EXPERIENCE

National Football League New York, NY

Legal Clerk Fall 2011

Conduct legal research pertaining to player contracts, sponsorship agreements and various legal issues

affecting the league.

Exposed to all aspects of the business and professional football though speaker presentations,

mentoring relationships and networking opportunities.

University of Oklahoma Athletic Compliance Office Norman, OK

Legal Compliance Intern Summer 2011

Conducted research to ensure University is in full compliance with NCAA regulations.

Monitored recruiting process and initial eligibility of athletes.

Assisted with development of comprehensive compliance program.

Revised compliance manual and student athlete handbook.

Dallas Mavericks Dallas, TX

Sports Marketer May 2008 – August 2010

Corresponded daily with clients and media.

Participated in budget negotiations and maintain relationships with clients

Managed business development, promotional and branding activities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Interests: Running Marathons; Baking Mediterranean Cuisine; Reading Historical Novels

Marathons: Boston, New York, Oklahoma City

13

Cover Letter

The cover letter is one of the most important pieces of your application because it is your first writing

sample, and also states the very reason you want to work for that employer. An employer wants to hire

someone that understands what they do and has taken the time to research that specific employer. A

generic cover letter will get thrown into the trash. Take the time to research the specific employer and

show in your cover letter that you know who they are and what they do.

It is extremely important that this document be free of typographical or grammatical errors. If a firm is

going to trust you to write letters on its behalf, your cover letter needs to show that you are capable of

doing so.

The basic functions of a cover letter include:

Who you are (“third year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law”)

Why you are writing (“writing to apply for the associate position with XYZ Firm”)

Demonstrate your interest in that employer (“My specific interest in your firm stems from its

expertise in insurance defense”)

State why you are qualified (“I am confident my background and education have prepared me to

be a valuable asset”)

Provide specific employment experience that has transferable skills to the position for which

you are applying

Request the opportunity to meet and discuss your candidacy

Thank the employer for taking the time to consider your application

Additional Tips:

Do not send generic cover letters or mail merge versions, these will get tossed! Instead, draft

targeted letters to each employer.

Always use a name and title for your applications. This might take research on your part but

drastically enhances your application. If you must use a generic greeting, use “Dear Hiring

Manager” and never “To Whom It May Concern.”

Be concise. One of the main complaints we get from employers is that cover letters are “too

long” and “ramble.” Your cover letter should never be more than one page and should often be

much shorter.

Be confident. Do not highlight a perceived negative in your cover letter (“I know I do not have

the experience you require, but…”). You immediately give a negative tone to your letter or

point out a lack of qualifications. Instead, highlight all of the great skills that you do have!

Make sure to be genuine when conveying an interest in their firm/company/organization.

Out of State. Make sure to point out any ties you have to the geographic area, or to show your

motive for moving to that area.

Non-Profits. Demonstrate your commitment to public service, public interest work and to the

specific mission of that employer.

14

STEWART STUDENT 12345 Dornoch Ln. • Norman, OK 73072 • (405) 555-4321 • stuart.student@ou.edu

January 29, 2012

Alice Attorney, Esq.

Jones & Jones, P.C.

100 West Main Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Dear Ms. Attorney:

I am a third year law at the University of Oklahoma, and I am writing at the suggestion of Professor

Judith Maute. It is my professional goal to practice employment law following graduation from law

school, and it would be an invaluable opportunity to join Jones & Jones, P.C. as an associate. My specific

interest in your firm stems from its prestigious reputation as a leading employment law firm in

Oklahoma. I am confident that my background and education will serve to make me a valuable asset.

Prior to coming to law school, I worked for three years as a paralegal at a small employment law firm in

Altus, Oklahoma. This experience confirmed my desire to pursue a legal career and, in particular, in the

employment law sector. In this position, I corresponded with clients daily, assist with legal court filings,

and composed discovery. I also interviewed witnesses and prepared deposition summaries to assist in

trial. While in law school, I have interned with the University of Oklahoma General Counsel’s Office and

with Employment Firm 2 where I researched numerous employment law issues, drafted discovery and

participated in client meetings. This experience can give Jones & Jones, P.C. confidence that I

understand the nature of the employment law practice and will be a knowledgeable first year associate.

My leadership skills are reflected through my serving as President of the Organization for the

Advancement of Women in Law and participation on the Dean’s Council. In addition to experience and

leadership, I also have strong oratory skills and was named Top Ten Speaker in the Calvert Moot Court

competition.

Enclosed please find resume for your review. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look

forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Stewart Student

Enclosure

15

The Interview

One of the best things that you can do to be prepared for an interview is to participate in a mock

interview. The OPCD offers a formal mock interview program in the fall and spring where we invite

attorneys from various areas of the law to mock interview our students. We are also available

throughout the year to conduct mock interviews in our office to help you get ready for a specific

interview.

There are practice questions that you can go over with friends, family or in front of the mirror to be

prepared and in the interviewing “mindset.” These include:

A. Personal Background Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. What personal accomplishment are you the most proud of?

3. What is your biggest weakness?

4. What item on your resume to view as most important?

B. Educational Background

1. What is your undergraduate major and why did you choose it?

2. What made you decide to attend law school?

3. Why did you choose to use the University of Oklahoma for law school?

4. What is your favorite class and why?

5. What is your least favorite class and why? [TRICK QUESTION: Make sure to never

blame a professor for why you did not like a class].

6. Do you think your grades are a true reflection of your understanding of legal subject

matter?

7. What activities are you involved in at OU Law?

C. Employer Specific Questions

1. Why did you decide to apply with our firm/organization/company?

2. What qualities do you possess that make you think you will be successful with our

firm?

3. What are the top 3 reasons you think we should hire you?

4. What experiences do you already possess that will make you a valuable associate?

5. What do you think distinguishes us from similar employers?

6. Are you interviewing anywhere else and, if so, where?

D. Work Experience

1. What positions have you held in law school and how have they prepared you for this

position?

2. What substantive legal experience do you have?

3. Have you had any client interaction?

4. What skills do you feel you have developed in your internship positions?

5. What did you dislike about any of your previous jobs? [TRICK QUESTION – Never talk

bad about a previous employer!]

16

E. Career Objectives

1. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

2. What attributes do you possess that make you think you will be a successful lawyer?

3. What would be your dream position?

4. What made you decide on [area of law]?

5. What are you looking for in an associate position?

6. How important is a firm’s partnership track?

F. Public Interest Specific Questions

1. Why are you interested in a career in public interest?

2. What about your background shows that you have a genuine interest in serving the

public?

3. Tell me about the most meaningful community service project in which you have

participated.

4. Why do you feel you are a strong fit for our organization?

5. OR, why do you not have a lot of volunteer experience?

6. DA/PD Specific Question. What are you views on the death penalty and why?

Illegal Interview Questions

As law students, you are likely aware that certain federal and state laws prohibit employers from asking

questions about race, gender, religion, marital status, ethnicity, age, or sexual preferences. Put simply,

questions should be job-related and not for the purpose of eliciting personal, irrelevant information.

You have a few options when asked an improper or illegal question:

1. You can answer the question knowing that you are giving personal information you are not

required to give.

2. You can refuse to answer the question.

3. You can give a proper answer to an improper question. For example, if asked “were you born in

the United States.” You could answer, “I am legally authorized to work in the United States.”

If you feel you have been subjected to improper interview questions, know that it is well within your

rights to conclude the interview and leave. If you have questions as to further actions that can be

taken, please schedule an appointment with me and I will be glad to assist you through the process.

Interview Dress

The OPCD gets frequent questions regarding what to wear for interviews. We are not trying to change

your personality or who you are, but we want to make sure that you do not wear anything that would

distract from the content of your interview. You want to be well-groomed and professional. A few

general tips include:

Attorneys are considered a conservative business field so suits are expected.

Dress slightly above what the position you are applying for might require.

17

Jewelry should be kept to a minimum.

Hair should be pulled back away from your face (or neatly styled).

Keep makeup to a minimum (no bright red lipstick, glittery eyeshadow, etc.)

Avoid strong perfumes, colognes, etc.

Shoes should be clean and polished.

Clothes should be pressed and clean. (I once had a student who was asked to remove his jacket.

He had only ironed the front of the shirt, and the rest was a crumpled mess. To say the least, it

was an embarrassing moment to remove the jacket).

Neutral colors like black, gray, navy and tan are always safe.

Choose an outfit that you are comfortable in. This will make a huge difference in your interview.

A frequent question is with regard to tattoos and nose piercings. Our advice is to use your best

judgment. If the firm represents conservative clients who may not appreciate a nose piercing, then

using a clear spacer shows that employer you have good judgment in when to wear and when not to

wear that piece of jewelry.

Skirts vs. Pants. Another frequent question from my female students is whether they have to

wear a skirt to interviews. I interviewed for my last two jobs in a black pant suit and felt that I

dressed appropriately. It is fine to wear a nice fitting pant suit to a job interview. The one

caveat that I would give is if you are interviewing with a federal judge, you should consider

wearing a skirt and hose. In various clerkship panels that I have participated in, this has been

the general consensus advice. It is professional and often viewed as a sign of respect. Will it

be the deciding factor in whether you are hired? Probably not.

Suits at a Bargain. I remember when I was a law student, and even in my first year as an

attorney, I suddenly found myself in need of several suits. It can be difficult to add nice suits

to your wardrobe on a student’s budget. I found that Ross Dress for Less (and other discount

department stores) would carry the exact same brand of suit found in Dillard’s and Macy’s for

a fraction of the cost. I was able to buy 5 suits at $50 instead of one suit at $300. There are

also many great second hand stores that have suits that are brand-new or barely worn. You do

not have to have a lot of money to find great professional attire.

Day of The Interview - What To Take With You

Wake up early the day of the interview. Nothing can get an interview off to the wrong start

than feeling rushed and behind.

Arrive early! Leave early enough to account for an accident on the freeway, trouble finding

parking, etc. If you get to the interview an hour early, go grab a cup of coffee and relax for a

minute. Check in to the interview 15 minutes in advance of your scheduled time.

It’s wise to carry an extra shirt in the car in case you spill coffee or tear a button.

Always bring extra copies of your resume, cover letter, references and writing samples.

Use a leather padfolio with a notepad to hold all of your extra materials. It looks professional

and allows you to take notes following the interview. Try not to write notes during the

18

interview, but you should write down certain aspects you want to remember immediately after

you leave.

Always call the interviewer by their last name (i.e., “Mr. Smith”) until they ask you to call them

by their first name.

Handshakes are important – have a firm grip! It sounds silly, but practice your handshake with

family and friends to get it right.

Be prepared with genuine, specific questions about the firm or the interviewer.

Remember – a first impression is incredibly important! Be confident, be yourself, be pleasant

and be genuine.

Thank You Notes

You must send a thank you note to an employer within 24 hours of your interview. It is perfectly

acceptable for you to send an e-mail thank you note. Again, the one caveat is for a federal judge. A

thank you to a federal judge should always be hand-written on stationary and mailed within 24 hours of

the interview.

The thank you note may be brief and should include a few specific things: 1). Thank you for the

opportunity to interview, 2). One specific note over something you enjoyed in your conversation with

that person, and 3). A reiteration of your interest in the position.

For example:

Dear Mr. Smith,

Thank you for the opportunity to interview with Smith, Smith and Smith P.C.

today for an associate position. I truly enjoyed our conversation regarding

your decision to practice in employment law, and I am confident that my

professional goals fit well with the firm. Following our conversation, I would

like to reiterate how interested I am in an associate position with Smith, Smith

and Smith, P.C.

Should you need anything additional, please do not hesitate to let me know. I

look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Sally Student

If you interview with multiple attorneys or parties, you should send an individual thank you note to each

person. It is wise to immediately write down notes about each conversation when you get to your car

so that you will not forget something specific you can write to each person with whom you interviewed.

19

Salary Requirements

It is becoming more common for a job posting to ask for your “salary requirements.” You have a few

options:

1. You can ignore the question but run the risk of being excluded from the applicants for

failing to answer the question.

2. You can state that you salary is negotiable based on the responsibilities and total

compensation. Again, you have not really answered the question but perhaps have

provided more than option 1.

3. Provide a bracketed range based on research you have done of the legal market in that

geographic region for that firm/company/organization size. Resources are available through

NALP, glassdoor.com and the OPCD to assist you in coming up with your range.

4. Provide the exact salary you are hoping to earn, but at the risk of pricing yourself out of the

position.

I have learned that most students have success in using a statement such as “The salary is negotiable

based on total compensation and duties, but I am looking for a salary in the range of $55,000 - $65,000.”

The OPCD is here to assist you in setting forth salary requirements.

Following Up After An Interview

If an employer tells you that they will be making their decision by the end of the week, do not contact

them prior to Friday of that week. Always respect the hiring timeline given by the employer. However,

if no timeline is given and it has been more than 1-2 weeks following your interview, it is appropriate to

call or e-mail the employer. You can tell the employer that you are just inquiring as to the projected

hiring timeline, and that you wanted to reiterate your sincere interest in the position. When in doubt as

to whether or not to contact an employer, contact the OPCD and we will guide you through the process.

Conclusion

You are absolutely not alone in the job search process. The OPCD, deans, faculty and staff are here to

advise and assist you along the way. We are proud of our students and graduates and are excited to see

you succeed in your careers. To schedule an appointment with the OPCD, please contact us directly:

Casey Delaney cdelaney@ou.edu 325-4860

Elizabeth Base ebase@ou.edu 325-4035

Melissa O’Brien mobrien@ou.edu 325-4717