Career Planning: Getting Involved

Getting Involved

The approach you have taken is to decide first on the field you want to be in. Now you should get involved. Let's say you have decided that your goal is to provide legal services to reduce the dangers to society arising from damage to our environment. You should begin immersing yourself in the issues and concerns of environmental law, so you can say to yourself "I AM an environmental lawyer." Take courses, work or volunteer on a part-time basis, and join a bar association committee or other professional organization of environmental activists.                 

lf your choice is immigration law, join the board of the local chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association or take a case for an organization that represents individuals at deportation or asylum hearings. If you are interested in families and children, join the family law or mediation committee of a bar association or an alternative dispute resolution organization.

Many make the mistake of not joining a local, state, or national bar association until after they start their first job as a lawyer. To delay until you have a position would be consistent with the passive "placement'' mentality. Take control. Act now and get involved with those who work in your area of interest. In addition to the satisfaction you will receive from your volunteer efforts, you will learn a lot and have opportunities to meet those who share your concerns. Many will become aware of you, your competence, your commitment, and are likely to refer you for positions you would be suited for.

SELLING YOURSELF

One of your contacts calls you and says that a friend of his needs some help and, based on your contact's comments, would like you to forward your resume to her

Email your resume and a short cover letter. In three or less sentences, tell why you are right for the position. Include information that would not be on your resume, e.g., your career objectives, why you chose this particular area of law and why you are interested in the law firm. For example, your letter might include the following wording:

As my resume indicates, I am interested in working on behalf of senior citizens, and have had a number of internships with organizations which represent them and others underserved by the legal profession. My interest in elder law issues began when I tried to help my parents resolve my grandparent's problems with nursing homes. I understand that your firm is well known for its work representing elderly clients.

Getting Involved & Selling Yourself is part of our ongoing Career Planning Series with Ronald W. Fox, Esq.

Previous installments include:

Understanding Career Planning

Evaluating Experience and Skills

Narrowing Your Options

Finding Your Area of Practice Preference

Is Solo Practice Right for You?

How to Search for a Satisfying Position

Packaging Yourself

The "Six Bullet" Resume

Researching Potential Employers

Building Your Professional Network

Ronald W. Fox is the principal of Career Planning for Lawyers.  Since 1990, he has provided individual guidance to law students and lawyers in transition helping them search for and locate positions consistent with their personal values and their professional goals.