Timing For Out-Of-State Employers

A second year law student recently contacted us with the below question:

"I am a rising 2L and interested in working outside of Florida next summer (specifically big firms in Atlanta, D.C. and North Carolina). From talking with 2 and 3rd years, I know that many non-Florida employers don't travel to Gainesville to recruit on-campus. When would you recommend contacting these employers with my resume? How do I even find out who to apply with? Thanks."

While our on-campus interviewing program is one of the largest in the Southeast, many employers (both private and public) may find it inefficient to travel to every law school in the country to interview candidates. For those employers, it is essential to get your information to them in a timely and professional manner.

1. Identify where you want to apply. If you have an idea about where you want to be geographically, make a list of the employers in the area that interest you. Use websites including the NALP directory, Martindale, and local bar associations.


2. Compile a list of their interviewing dates to determine when your best time to send in your resume for consideration. For example, let's say that you are interested in sending your resume to Jackson, Abdul, & Cowell LLP - a firm not visiting UF Law. You go to their website and learn that the firm will be interviewing at local schools in the area in September and October. In this example, you would want your resume and cover letter to be in their hands in mid to late August/early September for consideration. Then you would calendar to follow up with the employer in September. If you wait until after October to initiate contact, the chances are high that they have already filled their summer positions.


3. Start working on your materials now. When you apply with out-of-state employers, you will need a strong cover letter explaining why you want to work in that particular area and for that particular employer.

For more advice and information, check out the Out-Of-State Job Search strategies guide -- located in the CCS. Click here and request a copy if you can't make it to the office.

What The Employers Are Saying . . .

Turn Off Your Cell Phone

Stop Texting During Meetings

We Hate Your Blackberrys

Ringing Cell Phone = Unprofessional

It's true. Employers are becoming increasingly more irritated with associates using their personal cell phones and PDA's during work hours. The legal work environment is not the place for your Britney ringtone or the newest Blackberry Tetris game. Start practicing good habits now. Turn off your cell phones before law school meetings or programs. Remember there is a world happening around you while you text away while listening to your IPod. DO NOT BRING YOUR CELL PHONE TO AN INTERVIEW. Employers are noticing who does and does not have good technology etiquette. You do not want to be "THAT student" who was not offered a second interview because his or her cell phone went off during the initial conversation.

All students are eligible to participate in the 3rd Annual Legal Diversity Career Fair sponsored by Vault and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA). This year, the Career Fairs will be held in New Orleans, New York and San Francisco and will feature 100 top legal employers from law firms, corporate counsels, not for profit organizations and government agencies actively looking to hire diverse and talented candidates.

In addition to the Career Fairs, students are also invited to complimentary breakfast and lunch sessions featuring speaker topics including:

· Interviewing Preparation And Techniques
· Planning And Advancing Your Legal Career
· Exploring New Legal Opportunities And Practice Areas
· Finding A Mentor
· Making The Most Of A Summer Associate Position
· Joining A Bar Association
· Networking Do’s And Don’ts

There are no fees associated with participation in this event. For additional details on the events please click HERE.

FACT

Law students across the country are already meeting future colleagues, learning about job opportunities that are never publicized, and building their professional networks in areas they want to be ...

If you want to stay competitive, boost your resume, network with attorneys, and become part of a legal community while still in law school, you should absolutely become involved with a local bar association. Most local bar associations offer reasonable membership rates to law students and offer a wide variety of ways to get involved including luncheons, speakers, volunteer work, meet and greet opportunities, social networking, and MORE!!! If you know you are moving to a certain city or geographic area after graduation, it only makes sense to get involved in the bar association now.

The Hillsborough County Bar Association in Tampa is just one example of an active Florida Bar Association with an online calendar of upcoming programs. Check out the Links to the right to see if your target area is listed and get involved now.

Breaking News ....

The Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has just been added to the list of MALRC employers looking to interview UF Law students. Make sure you check your email for more information, details about this exciting employer, and registration instructions.

Interested in Charlotte, NC?

Are you a rising 2L student interested in learning more about practicing law in Charlotte, North Carolina? All rising 2L students are invited to an Open House and informal discussion about Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft's 2009 Summer Program on Tuesday, July 25th in Charlotte. For more information or to RSVP, click here.

Ever Thought About A Judicial Clerkship?

It's never too early to start thinking about a post-graduation federal clerkship. The benefits from clerking are countless and there is arguably no better way to compliment your legal education then through a federal judicial clerkship. If you are graduating in 2009, your application period for clerking is open NOW. Make sure you have signed up for the judicial list-serve by sending a blank email here to keep up-to-date with important information. Also, check OSCAR weekly for new federal judicial clerkship openings. Some positions that have been posted this week and caught our eye include ...

Judge Susan Bucklew - United States District Court Tampa, FL

Applications accepted: Jun 18, 2008 - Sep 30, 2008

Term Start: Aug 1, 2009

Judge Cecilia Altonaga - United States District Court Miami, FL

Applications accepted: Jun 20, 2008 - Dec 31, 2008

Term Start: Jan 3, 2010

Judge Cecilia Altonaga - United States District Court Miami, FL

Applications accepted: Jun 20, 2008 - Dec 31, 2008

Term Start: Jun 7, 2010

Judge J. Forrester - United States District Court Atlanta

Applications accepted: Jun 20, 2008 - Dec 20, 2008

Term Start: Aug 10, 2009

Questions about the application process? Do not hesitate to contact Jocelyn.

Have You Updated Your Account?

The bidding for OCI is right around the corner (opens July 15th) and the Job Bank continues to be updated daily. Make sure to complete all of the below steps to make your job search and bidding processes go as smoothly as possible.

1. CHANGE your Profile by updating your class year. (i.e. 1L to 2L or 2L to 3L) If you do not update your account, you will not be able to bid for employers for OCI or see job postings relevant to your class year.
2. UPDATE and re-upload your newest and error-free resume. Include your summer experience with a great description about what you are doing. Need help or want a counselor to review it? Just send it here and we are happy to assist you.
3. SIGN the updated Policies & Procedures form and fax into our office. Most of you have completed this step, but if you are not one of them, you'll want to add it to your list of things to do.

Save the Date: Lavender Law Kick Off Party

Coming back to where it all began 20 years ago in San Francisco, the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA) and its colleagues and co-founders of Lavender Law, the Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Lavender Law with a mid-summer celebration and kick off party. The NLGLA and BALIF would like to extend a complimentary invitation to all friends of Lavender Law, including judges, attorneys, law students, members and non-members alike, to join us for an evening of celebration, art and wine.
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San Francisco Mid-Summer Celebration and Lavender Law Kick Off Party
Wednesday, July 23, 2008,
6:00-9:00pm PDT
Varnish Fine Art Gallery
77 Natoma Street, San Francisco, CA
Click HERE to RSVP