Sua Sponte

It’s April – spring is in the air (as is the pollen), the cherry blossoms are in bloom (and the tourists are still swarming around them), exams are right around the corner (dear god…). The last thing on any 1L’s mind is finding a job for the summer – or at least the ones who have them. Back in December, you could hear the trees screaming in fear as 1Ls across the nation printed thousands upon thousands of resumes and sent them off to firms and nonprofits everywhere. With bated breath and hope in our hearts, we waited for that fateful phone call asking us to sign up for our summer dream job. But even though most of us have jobs, there are some of our first-year brethren whose phones have remained silent – though not for lack of trying! Sure, some 1Ls were playing Wii or even – surprise – studying, while the rest of us were knocking on doors around D.C. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost! Compiled from the CDO, upper-class students, and my own creative weirdness, here’s a top 10 list of “buts” that could be getting in the way of finding a last-minute summer job – and please feel free to post more advice in the comments!

10. “But it’s APRIL already…” A lot of unemployed students feel like it’s already too late to find a job, all the good ones are taken, positively NO ONE is looking for an summer intern. But that’s just not true – for one thing, other students’ plans change. People start hearing from summer abroad programs, get better offers from other companies, and drop their current plans. Or organizations find out that they have a bigger project than they expected and need extra hands for the summer. Set a manageable goal for yourself, like applying to five new jobs a day by mail or email. The key is don’t give up hope – there’s a place for you out there, even if it is unexpected!

9. “But I already HAVE a resume…” I hate to break it to you, but if you haven’t heard from a single employer since you did your first mass mailing, you might need to reevaluate your resume. I have a 2L friend at another D.C. school who sent out 70 resumes in December of her 1L year – and didn’t hear back from a single organizations. She had no clue what was going on and thought that it might just be rudeness on the part of employers – but then she went to her school’s career office and they clued her in to more than 10 typos and misspellings on her resume. Take a fresh look at your resume, ask friends and family to review it, make an appointment with the Career Development Office, or even take it to a networking event and see what a real employer has to say. Sometimes changing the line-up late in the game can be exactly what you need to win the game.

8. “But I want to get paid…” Along with reevaluating your resume, you also might need to reevaluate the type of jobs you’re applying for. Sure, it would be nice to get a big fat paycheck your first summer – especially since you’re probably feeling the weight of loans and living expenses. But the reality is that most 1Ls don’t get the swanky firm jobs that 2Ls and 3Ls do because firms know that we have another summer to go elsewhere. My 1L friends who got paying firm jobs either had a family or friend who worked at the firm, major legal experience before law school, or simply got lucky. Suck it up and research nonprofit internships in your area of interest. Keep checking Symplicity for last-minute postings and even go outside that database and look at Careerbuilder, the Washington Post job sites, or Monster.com. It may not line your pockets with cash, but at least it’ll be legal experience on your resume.

7. “But, no, I HAVE to get paid…” Ok, fully acknowledging that there are people out there who have to each cash this summer. So, if you really HAVE to get paid this summer, go off the beaten path – take a paying job at Express or Starbucks and supplement with legal temping. Or ask your professors if they need a research assistant for the summer. Also ask 2Ls and 3Ls what they did for money that first summer – they might be rolling in the dough now, but I’ll bet they remember what it was like to be a poor summer 1L.

6. “But I don’t want to work in Milwaukee…” When I think of being a summer associate next year, I think of boarding the subway in my snazzy suit, briefcase in hand, bagel with lox in the other, and heading off to my big-city office. But sometimes you have to think outside the box and expand your city search. Take a second look at firms and organizations in the suburbs or maybe even in an entirely different city. If you’re concerned about getting housing for the summer, look into other law school programs where universities offer up dorms for rent or apartment exchanges. Or find out where your friends are working – maybe you can stay on a couch for a few weeks or they know of another friend who is subletting for the summer. Craigslist is also a fantastic option. I even had a friend who lived with his girlfriend’s parents for the summer outside of Atlanta – slightly awkward, but he was employed! Cast a wider net than the first time around and you’ll not only find an unexpected job, but you’ll also discover a new area of the country.

5. “But I hate the Career Development Office…” Self-reliance is a great thing, really – it encourages responsibility and confidence, knowing that you can do anything by yourself. But now’s the time to cut the crap and admit that you need help. Even if you did visit the CDO way back when for a consultation about general planning, now is the time to make an appointment with your CDO counselor and let them know that you are fast-approaching the panic point. Keep in mind, it is THEIR job to help YOU get a job – they get paid to evaluate, edit, and encourage. Put your tuition to work and make an appointment ASAP.

4. “But I hate networking…” I’m a social person. I’m chatty to the point of annoying, especially after a visit to Starbucks. But I hate the word networking. I think it scares people more than it has to. So, I choose to think of networking more as just plain socializing – which you are already doing. Find out where your friends are working, especially 2Ls and 3Ls – do their firms have legal temps? Do their nonprofits have part-time work, even administrative help? Ask your parents if they know anyone looking for help. Sometimes you won’t get a positive answer right off the bat (“Oh, I’m SO glad you asked, here’s a job RIGHT NOW!”), but that question will stick in their mind so that when they DO know of a job opportunity, they’ll think of YOU asap.

3. “But I already sent out eleventy billion resumes…” There is a lot going on right now – exams, bar reviews, life. But don’t just sit on your butt – FOLLOW UP! Make a list of everywhere you’ve applied and cross off employers that you’ve heard from and then follow-up with the others with phone calls or emails if you really, really don’t have time to call. Make sure to offer up updated resumes with new extracurricular positions or skills boards. Offer to come in an interview or answer any questions about your applications. Remind them that you’re ready, willing, and wanting to be the best summer intern they’ve ever had!

2. “But exams are coming up…” Oh, outlines, how I hate thee…Exams are coming up and this is probably adding to your stress. If you haven’t found a job yet and it’s crunch time for exams, forget the job and focus on your grades. Now, after all this advice to do more and more work to find this mythical last-minute job, this tip may seem like a “WTF moment” – but realize that, while it’s ideal to have employment lined up, the worry isn’t worth failing exams. Just repeat after me – “I can always do legal temping, I can always do legal temping…”

1. “But what if my summer sucks…” Once you get a job, even if it’s not your dream position, promise yourself that you’ll make the most of the summer. Plenty of 2Ls and 3Ls say that it’s your last summer of freedom, to have fun and try an area of law that you’re curious about. But also use this opportunity to learn new job skills and make contacts that will help you in the Fall Recruitment Program and beyond. With a little work, this summer can prepare you for a long and successful legal career – no ifs, ands or buts!