Organization and Research
An effective job search is an organized job search.
- Commit the necessary amount of time that a successful job search requires
- Commit to the "follow-through"
- Pursue all leads
- Maintain communication with established contacts
Researching prospective employers is critical for a successful job search. The following steps will help organize your research:Research the practice areas in which you are potentially interested. Graduate Career and Professional Development, the J.D. Office of Career Services and the Office of Public Interest and Community Service resource libraries contain information describing various employment settings, including private practice, government, non-profit, corporate in-house and non-legal fields.
- Generate a target list of at least 20 employers in your chosen geographic region.
- Create a separate binder for each type of employer (e.g., one binder for law firms, another for government agencies and a third for international organizations).
- Each time you take any action regarding your job search, take careful notes and document the action taken. When things become hectic later on, this will keep your information organized. Keep copies of all correspondence with each employer, including e-mail.
- Identify upcoming deadlines for each employer and create a timeline for yourself.
Back to LL.M. Career Planning Strategies
