Law Students: Why Should a Law Firm Hire You?

Originally published by Cordell Parvin.

I was in Phoenix last Friday. I very likely coached my final lawyer. I very likely made my last presentation to a group of lawyers. I very liked worked for the last time.

When you reach a certain aga, (I believe it is 65), you receive a report from the Social Security Administration which shows what you earned every year you worked. I looked at mine when it came to me and was reminded I had worked and had income every year from age 14. It reminded me that I was first employed by the Lombard, IL Park District to teach baseball and umpire Pony Tail league softball games.

I went to law school year-round from September 1969 to September 1971. Even then, I worked at the law school and at the Virginia State Prison.

So, 2018 will be a different kind of year for me and I know it will take time to get used to the idea that I am no longer working.

I have not recently written anything specifically focused on law students. Before I quit writing, I want to share with students my thoughts on positioning themselves to be hired.

If you are a law student, graduating in 2018, your school’s placement director has likely given you advice on how to position yourself to be hired. Having hired many graduating law students, I want to give you my two cents on the subject.

Other than your performance in law school, what sets you apart? How can you demonstrate you went to law school because you REALLY want to be a lawyer?

Here is a partial list, in no particular order, of things that might set you apart:

• You worked in a particular industry or worked in a law firm between college and law school
• You served in the military doing_____
• You were a leader in college, law school
• You were active in the bar as a student
• You juggled many responsibilities while you were a student
• You studied abroad or you speak a foreign language
• You performed well in Moot Court
• You have written books, short stories, poetry
• You played a sport, played in the band or acted in plays while in college
• You volunteered or you were active in a charity
• You grew up in a family business in some particular industry
• You interned in some particular industry

One final thought: If you were planning on working with a large law firm and that hasn’t worked out, open your search to smaller firms. Many of those firms are thriving and, even though you may be paid less, there is a good chance you will have more valuable experiences.

 

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