by Mark Burgin (L’14)
I spent the summer prior to my 3L year applying for jobs, but I had little luck acquiring interviews. As 3L year began, the fact that I did not have a job offer for after graduation, even after investing seven years in an education, was disconcerting.
As the fall semester progressed, I met with advisors in the Career Development Office to discuss my ideal job and geographic preferences, but I still didn’t have any luck getting interviews. I began meeting frequently with one career advisor to work on my resume, cover letters, and other job application materials. I greatly appreciated revisions to my cover letter and resume because they helped me ascertain the language and structure I should have been using all along. I had an increase in the number of job interviews, but by late in the fall semester, there were fewer job listings.
Around this same time, my faculty advisor informed me that I could join the Richmond Bar Association as a law student and attend events and socials. The only thing I can say is I wish I had done this sooner. After joining, I became aware of events such as the RBA holiday cocktail party, the spring cocktail party, and the Litigation Section’s socials. These socials enabled me to meet and network with numerous attorneys. I also realized that law students cannot rely on law school sponsored socials for networking. If a law student wants to network, he or she must take the initiative and reach out to attorneys. This is how I spent most of 3L winter break.
I won’t candy coat the fact that at the beginning of second semester I was frustrated, anxious, and afraid of the fact that I still didn’t have a job after graduation. I knew that there were fewer job postings in the spring semester for 3Ls, so I focused my efforts on informational interviews with attorneys I met at socials or events. These informational interviews were helpful for gaining an understanding of the practice of law and, on a couple of occasions, possible job leads. I just wish I had more time during the spring semester.
When bar review started, the frustration I felt during the winter had turned into a state of acceptance. Although unemployed, it was more important to pass the bar exam than it was to apply for jobs. However, I would still check the job listings, and if there was a job that interested me, I would send out an application. Ultimately, I applied for a job, got an interview, and received a job offer all while studying for the bar exam.
For everyone still searching for a job, keep your spirits up, continue to apply for jobs, and network with attorneys by attending socials or having coffee.