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Preparing for the Search for an Associate Position as a 3L

Most law firms avoid posting jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn due to high costs. Instead, they publish them on their own websites, bar association pages, and niche legal boards. LawCrossing finds these hidden jobs, giving you access to exclusive opportunities. Sign up now!

published January 07, 2013

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

It's not unusual in the current job market to be a third-year student without law firm job prospects by the time graduation rolls around. But don't despair and lose complete faith in your ability to find a position as a third-year student or beyond. Increasingly, many firms, especially the small ones, are waiting until after students take and pass the bar exam to hire new associates. This isn't great news if you have to foot the bill for the bar exam and re¬view course and if you have the added anxiety of graduating from law school, heavily burdened with student loan debt, without a job.
 
Preparing for the Search for an Associate Position as a 3L

Click Here to Find Law Student Jobs on LawCrossing

The good news is that law firm positions do exist, but you might have to lower your expectations and look in places you probably haven't thought of to find them. You may find that locating a needle in a haystack isn't as difficult as you thought. Your road has gotten narrower and steeper, but with perseverance and some additional planning, you can locate legal employment, albeit maybe not the dream job you once envisioned, during or immediately after your third year of law school.

THE THIRD-YEAR RESUME

Your third-year resume shouldn't differ much from your first- and second-year versions. Obviously, you should include work and educational experience from your two previous summers and any recent academic honors you might have received. This information should easily fit on one page, unless you have significant work experience. Refer to the sample third-year resume on the following page.

How to Make Your Resume Look Good Despite Setbacks

A big dilemma for many students at this point in their job search is how to positively portray work experiences that didn't lead to job offers. If you received a job offer from a former summer employer, you should indicate that on your resume. And always include all of your past summer legal-related positions on your resume, even if you didn't receive job offers. Obviously, it's improper as well as misleading to omit pieces of your work history. A good recruiter will immediately look for gaps in your work history. Many firms make their new employees, including associates, sign a completed job application, testifying to the fact that their chronological work history has no omissions. But there is a delicate art to handling negative work situations, which anyone seeking employment should learn how to finesse.

Let's face it-it's not unusual in today's working world to have been fired, laid off, or simply not given a job offer. As devastating as any of these experiences can be, most people are able to turn a negative situation around and go on to bigger and better things. Mastering the art of making a bad situation sound good is difficult at best, but not impossible.
Here's list of helpful hints that can aid you in making yourself look good to a potential legal employer:
  1. Use only positive verbs and adjectives on your resume. For example, don't include statements such as "Firm decided not to make offers to any members of the summer associate class," even if it's true. Instead, you would make no reference to receiving an offer, but you might include the fact that your brief was used in an important trial. You only want positive verbiage coming off your page. But also make sure you don't sound overly enthusiastic to the point of appearing desperate. Somewhere in between is a happy medium.
     
  2. Never say anything negative, in person or in writing, about a former employer, no matter how bad the experience. The thinking is that if you'll say something negative about one employer, you'll say something bad about all of them, including future employers. Negative comments send negative messages to the outside world. And people never forget your negative comments.
     
  3. Embellish your experience, and add it to your resume. If you failed to obtain the summer job you wanted during your second summer, add to your resume by volunteering during the school year, or do something that will add to your experience. If nothing else, your work history will look better on paper. For example, if you're interested in litigation, volunteer at the local courthouse, work on litigation cases at the Legal Aid Society, or clerk for a judge during the school year. You may not have a job offer on your resume, but you've added other things.
     
  4. If your grades are less than stellar, leave them off. If you have less than a 3.0 average (on a 4.0 scale) or are not in the top third of your class, omit your grade point average. But if there is a pattern to your grades- your grades have steadily improved since your first year, or you had a good average except for the one semester in which your favorite uncle passed away-include a transcript with your resume, and note the pattern in your cover letter.
     
  5. Attempt to differentiate yourself. At this point in your law school career, you have the ability to differentiate yourself from the rest of your peers. You're the one who held all the offices in law school, a born leader. Every activity you participated in involved your interest in environmental law. You're a well-known equestrian in your spare time, or you have a fabulous golf handicap. Make it appear that you are different from your classmates by bragging about yourself and your accomplishments just a little bit. Don't be dishonest, but bring your strong points to the surface for the reader to see.
REFERENCES

As a third-year student without a job, it's probably best not to include references on your resume. If you don't have a position at this point, you should control who calls whom during this process. You must make sure that all reference checks come out positive, leaving no trace of doubt in any employer's mind. This is absolutely critical at this stage of your job search.
Whom should you use as a reference? Law firms will want to talk to someone who knows your legal skills outside of the academic law school environment. A seasoned recruiting coordinator will ask you for individuals from your two or three most recent jobs. You can include professors, but not to the exclusion of practicing attorneys or judges. Someone should definitely be on your list who worked with you in your most recent job, even if that includes the firm that declined to make you an offer.

When you select one or two attorneys from your last position, talk to them before you give their name out as a reference. Make sure that their stories are the same, including why you didn't get an offer from the firm. Since most people are reluctant to give bad references in our litigious society, it's unlikely that anyone will say anything negative about you. But one of the biggest red flags to a seasoned recruiting professional is when someone is too quick to tell you that they can't say anything or when stories are inconsistent. And very often you can convince people to talk positively about someone "off the record," even if firm policy is to do otherwise.

Click Here to Find Summer Associate Jobs on LawCrossing

As an example of a "red flag," I once checked the references of a woman who had worked for several excellent law firms but never for any length of time. When checking her references, I could hardly get the woman's name out of my mouth when the person on the other end said that he or she could not tell me anything about the candidate. Immediately, I knew something was wrong. Finally, I was able to determine that this woman had numerous personal problems that would make her an undesirable candidate. I inferred from the tone of the conversation that something was wrong, even though nothing negative was ever said.

THE COVER LETTER

The wording and overall message in the cover letter are critical in the case of the third-year student without a job offer. The first question any law firm is going to ask is "Why is this person still looking for a job?" You must learn to be savvy without crossing the boundary of misrepresenting your situation. Your goal is to interest the firm enough so that the negative obstacles can be overcome. Many recruiting professionals indicate that they like to get the overall picture of a candidate by reading the cover letter. Since most of us don't write like Ernest Hemingway, it can be extremely difficult to create such an impression in a few short paragraphs. With some work, however, it can be done. Once you take the time to create a really good cover letter, use it over and over, making minor alterations for different positions. Refer to the ones you used as a first- and second-year student as well.

Stress the Positive

Your primary goal is to stress the positive. You don't have to mention why you are in the market for a job if you leave little doubt in the reader's mind that you are a viable candidate-or at least one worth inquiring about.
United States

For example, you can indicate that while you worked for a firm last year in New Orleans, your focus now is only on the East Coast because your fiance was accepted to medical schools only in the East. Or you can state that your fiance has entered graduate school in Los Angeles, which has made it necessary for you to work in that area. You can come up with numerous reasons to be on the job market at this stage without lying about your situation or misrepresenting yourself. Just don't give the reader the impression that you were passed over, even if you were. Reread your cover letter, and ask yourself if it leaves you with a positive impression. Have several of your friends do the same. Just remember that no one, especially attorneys, wants to be involved with someone who leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth. Review the sample cover letter on the previous page, and note how it stresses the positive, even in a negative situation.

Third-Year Cover Letter

498 Avalon Road, Apartment 12
Gainesville, FL 32611
904-566-7831
November 15,2012

Ms. Elizabeth R. Nelson
Recruiting Director
Truluck & Davis 30
West Hilltop Street
Chicago, IL 60603

Dear Ms. Nelson:

I recently saw your posting for an entry-level litigation associate in my law school placement bulletin. My resume is attached for your review and consideration. As a third-year completing my studies at the University of Florida, I am eager to relocate to the Chicago area, where my fiancee has entered graduate school.

Litigation and environmental law are the two areas in which I am interested. The amount of litigation experience that I possess is atypical for a third-year law student. While clerking in a litigation boutique firm in Philadelphia last summer, I gained hands-on experience with two well-known litigators. In addition, I worked in the Legal Aid Society in Tampa for two years before attending law school, which gave me a unique perspective into the court system.

My job search now focuses exclusively on the Chicago area because of my fiancee's situation. I will be in Chicago starting in mid-December through the end of January and would like very much to talk with you during that time. I will contact you in a few weeks, in the hopes that a mutually convenient time for an interview can be arranged.

In the interim, I can be reached at the above address and phone number. Thank you, in advance, for your consideration, and I look forward to talking with you.

Sincerely,
William R. Evans

CHECKING GRADES AND BAR RESULTS

Another common practice in law firms (and in corporate America as well) is the verification of law school graduation, grades, and bar results. It has become a routine practice for firms to request a final official law school transcript from the registrar's office and evidence of bar membership, if applicable. If you change law firms as a lateral, expect to be asked again for this information. Firms are forced to demand this evidence, as "fake" lawyers have been hired who never completed law school and even passed a bar exam. You can speed up the process by having these needed materials on hand at all times.

Click Here to View the 2015 LawCrossing Salary Survey of Lawyer Salaries in the Best Law Firms

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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