Your career advisor has encouraged you to contact attorneys for advice and guidance about your career path and employment search. Where do you find such contacts?
Start with Richmond Law alumni. Current law school students have access to the University of Richmond’s online alumni community. By registering for UR Online, you will have access to the Law Alumni Professional Directory, containing employment and contact information for over 6,000 alumni of our Law School. Upon graduation, your access will expand to include directories for all UR alumni and former degree-seeking students, the ability to manage your email subscriptions, view your giving history and submit class notes. To register for a UR Online account, visit UR Online and complete the ‘create a new account’ form. It may take up to two business days for your registration to be approved and to obtain access to the directory. Click here watch a tutorial video on accessing the directory.
You can also find Richmond Law alumni through the alumni tool in LinkedIn. Click here and filter by geographic area, employer or industry. Use LinkedIn to identify the people already in your network. Often you are only one introduction away from your target employer. Click here to read LinkedIn or Locked Out on the power of LinkedIn for law students. By the way, potential employers will search for you online as well. Your LinkedIn profile will likely appear first in a Google search. Make sure you have an appropriate photo and headline.
Use other resources such as Martindale and the NALP Directory of Legal Employers, and online directories such as Best Lawyers and SuperLawyers. Join the ABA, and your local and statewide bar associations.
You have identified connections and potential employers, but are you stuck on what to say in that initial communication? Click here for suggested email messages to networking contacts.
After you send an initial letter or email, follow up. Busy attorneys may take a week or more to respond, even if they are willing to help. Call or email again after several days. And do it again after another week.
Make an appointment with your career advisor for personalized advice.