Tips for hiring an effective employer - ie. how to be an effective hire

I came across this article in the Washington Post today in response to a small firm administrator who is having trouble hiring and retaining effective employees. The advice s/he gets is a great insight into what it takes to be an effective hire. So, if you know what employers are looking for, you can tailor your responses to meet their needs. Give it a try at your next interview and reap the rewards.

Interested in becoming a law professor?

Here is a list of teaching fellowships courtesy of the TaxProf Blog.

Why e-resumes are different

It is so easy to submit a resume on-line that it has probably encouraged you to apply to many more positions than you have in the past. However, there is a downside to the ease of electronic submissions. Employers now spend even less time reviewing resumes. Thus, you need to make sure your e-resume stands out from the crowd. Here are some tips from the non-legal world of employment that are certainly helpful to aspiring lawyers. Pay particular attention to the section on using keywords. This is especially important for government employers and others who use resume software as their first-line resume reviewers.

Money to open your own practice

Civil Action Finance, LLC7800 Glenroy RoadMinneapolis, MN 55439-3122Toll Free: 800.328.7171
National International Translations Court Reporting Private Records Public Records Investigations Surveillance


The current economic climate has significantly impacted the prospects in the job market. Recent graduates are faced with the possibility of job loss while upcoming graduates have to deal with the reality of few placement opportunities. Thus, more young lawyers are looking at the advantages of a solo or small firm practice. Civil Action Finance, LLC, through our Young Lawyer Financial Program®, provides the entrepreneurial civil litigator viable options for setting up a law practice to financially compete with the well established firms and withstand the deep pockets of the insurance industry. We work directly with the young lawyer to provide the necessary funding to litigate personal injury and product liability cases. If any of your upcoming or recent graduates have any desire for the solo or small practice “life” please let them know there are financial options for them. If you need more information, I encourage you to contact me personally so we can get the information into the hands of those interested. You might also go to our website at www.CivilActionFinance.com/YoungLawyers.aspx . As with anything worth pursuing, the more options and/or information, the greater the opportunity.
Sincerely, Craig Robbins CRobbins@CivilActionFinance.com Civil Action Finance, LLC Tel: 952.830.8348

www.CivilActionFinance.com

"Be Bold and Valiant" in your job search

I came across an article today that seems both counter-intuitive and perhaps brilliant. The author cautioned law students not to settle and to after their dream job with gusto. The article states "[h]iring partners, career professionals and candidates agree on some basics for seeking work in today's difficult market: Applicants need to be realistic about qualifications and the market, sweat the professional details, and be flexible enough to think about alternative job opportunities." But then goes on to state that "like investing in a down market, the reward for taking the risk to seek that dream job may be stunning." So, while you want to be ruthless with the details, perhaps you also want to be "bold and valiant" in your consideration of opportunities. Check out the article to find out how.

Is contract work right for you?

In a tight legal market, no option should be off the table. For some, contract work is a great alternative to the rigors of firm life. Check out this article from the ABA about the benefits of contract work. If this is a path you'd like to pursue, come see me, and we will strategize the different options. One benefit of contract work is it could be short-term or turn in to your career. The options are almost limitless.

Help at tax time

With everything going on and bad news almost daily, everyone is looking for ways to save money. One way to save is on your taxes. You may be eligible for tax breaks and/or credits for educational expenses. Follow this link for more information.

What's your greatest weakness?

If this isn't the most dreaded interview question, then it's certainly in the top 5. How you answer this question says a lot about you as a candidate and an employee. How to respond? There is really only one option - identify a weakness that does not impede your ability to perform the job responsibilities and highlight your efforts to improve. The Wall Street Journal has some excellent examples and tips for overcoming this question. Whatever answer you craft, make sure you deliver it confidently and with a smile. As always, if you need assistance or guidance with interviewing, visit our office. We're here to help!

What's Hot and what's not

We all know the economy is bad, but there are still opportunities out there. Where are they? Check out this list:

Hot: Restructuring, bankruptcy, health care, alternative energy, family, IP, employment,
immigration, criminal defense (especially white collar crimes)

• Warming: Litigation (especially class actions), environmental (depending on what the new administration does)

• Cool: M & A, private equity

• Cold: Real Estate, Project Finance, Securitization

An area that will be very important in the coming months and years is all regulatory areas. So, if you're interested in a practice area, even one that may be cooling, and there is a regulatory aspect to that practice, check it out and think about that as an option.

Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair

The 5th Annual Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair (HDLJF) will be held August 7-8, 2009, in Kansas City, Missouri. Students who are interested in becoming part of Kansas City’s dynamic legal community should strongly consider attending this event. Students who will be returning to school in August and those graduating in May are eligible to attend the job fair, as employers will be interviewing for both summer and post-graduate positions.

The HDLJF is the result of Kansas City's leading law firms, legal associations, and corporate legal departments coming together to encourage law students to practice law in Kansas City. The HDLJF is designed to expose law students of diverse backgrounds to both traditional and non-traditional legal employers. In addition, the event is a great way t to learn more about living in this wonderful city.

The HDLJF will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. It will kick off with an evening Welcome Reception on Friday, August 7th at the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. The Saturday schedule includes a continental breakfast, interviewing from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and a luncheon at which participants will be greeted and addressed by a special Keynote Speaker.

Please register as soon as possible after registration opens on March 26. Students who register before May 25th will be entered into a drawing for exciting prizes. The final deadline for registering is June 20th, 2009.

Students can register on-line and find more information about the Job Fair at http://www.heartlanddiversity.org/StudentReg.htm. You may also contact Emily Perry at 816-474-4322.

Tips for navigating an unsure future

No matter what the state of the economy, there are ways to make yourself marketable and competitive. Being knowledgeable, about your particular market, the legal market in general, and the state of the profession, is one excellent way to get and remain competitive. While I'm sure many of you regularly read blogs, are you reading the ones that are most helpful to you? An earlier post about the ABA Journal Top 100 Blogs is good place to start. You may also want to check out the Career & Professional Development Blog, authored by experts in the field, for helpful tips and tricks for landing a job.

NALP's 2009 Online Apartment Exchange

Law students seeking summer housing and students with hoursing available for the summer are invited to participate in NALP's free online 2009 Apartment Exchange. It's easy -- Just visit www.na.p.org and follow the link to the Apartment Exchange. The Apartment Exchange will be available from January 15 until May 15, 2009.

Foreign service is hiring

Ever consider a career in the foreign service? Are you intrigued, but don't know what it entails? The New York Times has an excellent article highlighting foreign service and the extent to which the hiring window is open. If you don't mind travel and are looking for a way to contribute to the global community, consider foreign service. As always, we're here to help you pursue this and all other career goals.

Political appointment positions

President-elect Obama's transition website has a direct job application page for political appointment positions throughout the executive branch. It is at http://change.gov/page/s/application. Prospective job applicants who are interested in career, civil service (not political appointment) positions are still directed to the OPM website at http://www.usajobs.gov

Scholarship opportunity

Welcome to LawSchoolVets.com, the online home of the Military and Veterans Benefits Scholarship exclusively for Law Students. We are proud to provide this yearly scholarship opportunity to all Law Students who have served or continue to serve, in the Armed Forces of the United States.
While there are numerous Veteran Benefit programs tied to education: the Montgomery GI Bill, benefits for National Guard and Reservists, and other national scholarships. The costs of attending an accredited law school remain challenging for all students. Our scholarship opportunities have been endowed to help defray the continually rising costs of getting a law school education. Apply now!


DETAILS
Each August, the Military and Veterans Benefits Scholarship Program awards three $2,000 scholarships to 2L or 3L law school students. Qualifying applicants include any student accepted to an accredited law school program, full-time for the associated Fall semester. Students must also have served in a branch of the Armed Forces, or be concurrently involved with a branch of the Armed Forces. These may include: Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Reserve, Marines and ancillary departments and programs.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Our application period opens on May 1st of each year. At that time, we post an essay prompt asking a simple question related to both the service time put in by our applicants as well as their decision to pursue a law degree. The essay responses should be between 2 and 4 pages in length, single spaced.
We ask that each applicant submit their essay response here on our website, by visiting our Submission Page. There, the applicant can fill out a short form listing basic personal information and upload their file. Should you require special accommodations for submitting your application, or should you have questions, please email us at Help.Desk@LawSchoolVets.com.

FUNDING
The Military and Veterans Benefits Scholarship program is funded by personal grants and donations from various military organizations, retired military servicemembers, and fundraising programs. We are continually looking to expand our scholarship offerings. If you are interested in donating to the program, please visit our Donors Page.

Online Registration for the Rebellious Lawyering Conference is now open!

Online Registration for the Rebellious Lawyering Conference is now open! The RebLaw Conference is an annual, student-run conference that brings together practitioners, law students, and community advocates from around the country to discuss innovative, progressive approaches to law and social change.

Where: Yale Law School, New Haven, CT.

When: Friday, February 20–Sunday, February 22, 2009 Cost: Standard registration is $30. (Registration is free for members of the Yale, UConn, New Haven, and Quinnipiac communities)


Go to www.law.yale.edu/reblaw to register. Also check out our schedule, information, and links, including the Reblawg, updated frequently with rebellious tidbits. Love, Reblaw Housing & Registrationrebellious.law.housing@gmail.com.

Surviving the office holiday party

Here's an article that I've previously published, but it is good advice and bears repeating.

Surviving the Holiday Office Party
By Judith Earley

Yes, it’s that time of year again; ‘tis the season for the holiday office party. Holiday parties are typically held to thank employees for all their hard work and to try to motivate them to continue their efforts. Parties are also viewed as great opportunities for coworkers to mingle without the pressure and develop camaraderie. If you dislike your company and the people you work with so much that you don’t want to spend a few social hours with them, you are probably at the wrong job!

You can take advantage of the office party as an opportunity to have some fun and advance your career – or inadvertently crush any chance you had of making partner. Believe it or not, your firm’s holiday party is one of the most important social events you will attend. That’s because it is a rare occasion on which the people you work with will be able to see you as an actual person. And while you might not be one of them, there are people who look forward to hobnobbing with their coworkers on a social level.

The holiday office party is a great time to cut loose – just not too loose. Following certain fundamental rules of etiquette can make you a welcome guest at any office gathering.

To Go or Not To Go

Attendance is not optional. Don’t even think about skipping the event unless you are (or a loved one is) at death’s door. Whether you like it or not, showing up at the office party is an important part of your job. If you absolutely are not the party-animal type, try to approach the evening as you would a business meeting. Grin and bear it.

What Not to Wear

Keep in mind that this is not a night on the town or a party at your best friend’s house. While you will certainly want to look your best and wear an appropriately cheerful outfit, your choice of clothing for the party should be as tasteful as what you wear to work. Save the sexy, form-fitting ensemble for a different type of occasion.

Strangers in the Night

Chances are there will be quite a few people in attendance whom you have not met, such as your coworkers’ dates or spouses. Decide beforehand that you will be the one who makes them feel welcome. Be sure to smile, say hello, and make small talk with as many guests as you can outside of your regular set of work friends. If you do, you will make a better impression on everyone and have a better time in the process.




Why Don’t You Stay Just a Little Bit Longer?

Even if you are not thrilled to be there, stay at the party long enough to see and be seen by your immediate supervisors and the guest of honor, if there is one. If you stay for less than an hour, it will be obvious to everyone that you really didn’t want to come. If it turns out that you are having a great time after all, try to leave half an hour before the scheduled ending time; otherwise, as business etiquette expert Lydia Ramsey puts it, “You just might find yourself on the cleaning crew.”

Going Solo

Even if you really don’t want to go out alone, don’t take it upon yourself to invite a guest unless it specifically says on the invitation that guests are welcome. No matter how successful the firm is, there will be a budget to consider. Plus, you don’t want to put your guest in the uncomfortable position of being the only non-employee there. And always, always, always double-check to make sure that the party will be a family gathering before you bring your children.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

The fact that there is free food is not an invitation to fill up in lieu of eating dinner. Also, because alcohol plus business rarely equals success, bear in mind that less is more. Something that you say or do under the influence now could result in the loss of a raise or promotion down the road – or, even worse, the loss of your reputation. Think of your reputation as your most valuable asset, and do all you can to preserve it.

Flirting, touching, and gossiping are always inappropriate. The best way to avoid the embarrassment and regret of tomorrow is to keep your wits about you today. Saint Augustine once said, “Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.” So if you think there is even a chance that you might overdo it, don’t do it at all.

Finally, don’t be fooled by the party’s less than formal social scene. A holiday office party is still a business function, and your behavior still needs to be moderate, controlled, and socially acceptable.

Summer job funding

Are you seeking a public interest opportunity, but also need to make money? PSLawNet has newly updated their list of summer funding sources. Check early and often as deadlines are tending to be a little bit earlier than in past years.

Job search advice for 1Ls who are scared to death - this applies to 2Ls too

With the tough economy, you may be like many 1Ls who are scared to death about their prospects. Don't despair - there is help. Here's a preview - don't neglect your grades; cast a wide net, but make sure it's landing on specific targets; and be patient and stay professional. Remember, the CSO is here to help. Come see us any time.

Answers to 1L questions about summer associate programs

Annual Sympoisum for Clerkship & Career Development
Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP is hosting its Annual Symposium for Clerkship & Career Development on Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. The two-day Symposium for first-year law students provides a unique, inside look at the recruiting process and summer associate programs, and also focuses on practical aspects of career development. The featured guest speaker this year will be attorney and author Marci Alboher.A sampling of other Symposium sessions includes:What Firms Really Look for and What Evaluation Forms are Used;Don't Let Your Last Name Become a Verb! How to Have a Successful Summer Clerkship;Why Don't Associates Know this Stuff? Classes Not to Miss in Law School and Other Beginner Pitfalls;The Real Power Players! Working with the Non-Lawyers in the Firm;May We Have the Room? An Associate Panel Answers Your Questions and Tells What It's Really Like;Rhetoric or Reality? Learn How to Evaluate Law Firm Diversity and Inclusiveness; andHow Law Firm Economics Really Work and How Hard You will Need to Work.First-year students may apply by completing the symposium application and submitting it along with a resume, transcript (if available) and cover letter by Friday, January 9, 2009. In your cover letter please indicate, to the extent you know, your geographic preference for law practice.Applications may be sent via mail, fax, or e-mail to:Jenny Kiely, Legal Recruiting ManagerHusch Blackwell Sanders LLP190 Carondelet Plaza, Suite 600St. Louis, MO 63105E-mail: mailto:symposium@huschblackwell.comFax: 314-480-1505Please understand that an invitation to attend the Symposium does not guarantee future consideration for employment, and the lack of an invitation does not signal a lack of future employment interest by the firm.

Thanks to our friends at the University of Miami School of Law CDO for the information.