Career Search Survival Guide
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2019-2020 @FSULAWCAREERS | 850.644.4495 [email protected] CAREER SEARCH SURVIVAL GUIDE Florida State University College of Law Career Services and Professional Development Office For quick access to any topic listed below just click on the listing and it will take you directly to the relevant page. TABLE OF CONTENTS HOW WE CAN HELP OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 1-3 WHAT TO DO AND WHEN FIRST-YEAR CHECKLIST..................................................................................................... 4-6 SECOND-YEAR CHECKLIST ............................................................................................... 7-9 THIRD-YEAR CHECKLIST ............................................................................................... 10-11 POST-GRADUATION CHECKLIST ....................................................................................... 11 PLANNING YOUR CAREER SELF-EVALUATION .......................................................................................................... 12-14 LAW DEGREE FLEXIBILITY ................................................................................................. 15 PERSONAL WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA ............................................................... 16-17 NETWORKING ................................................................................................................... 18-22 PROFESSIONALISM AND ETIQUETTE .......................................................................... 23-25 BEEF UP YOUR RESUME WITH EXPERIENCE ............................................................. 26-27 JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS ......................................................................................................... 28 LEGAL RESUME OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 29-32 RESUME EXTRAS .............................................................................................................. 33-39 References .............................................................................................................................. 33 Letters of Recommendation ................................................................................................... 33 Writing Samples ..................................................................................................................... 34 Transcripts ......................................................................................................................... 34-35 Customize Your Resumes ................................................................................................. 35-36 Resume Reminders ................................................................................................................. 36 Resume “Do Not’s” ................................................................................................................ 36 Action Verbs to use in Resume ......................................................................................... 37-38 SAMPLE RESUMES ........................................................................................................... 39-55 COVER LETTERS & OTHER DOCUMENTS COVER LETTER: OVERVIEW .......................................................................................... 56-62 COVER LETTER STRUCTURE: GENERAL..................................................................... 58-60 COVER LETTER STRUCTURE: JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP APPLICATIONS .................. 61-62 Judicial Clerkship ................................................................................................................... 63 FORMS OF ADDRESS & SALUTATION ............................................................................... 64 SAMPLE COVER LETTERS .............................................................................................. 65-68 OTHER DOCUMENTS ........................................................................................................ 69-76 Sample Reference List ........................................................................................................... 69 Sample Request for Referral, Advice, and Information ......................................................... 70 Sample Informational Interview Request ............................................................................... 71 Thank You Letter: After Initial Interview .............................................................................. 72 Sample Thank You Letter: Standard ................................................................................. 73-74 Sample Confirmation of Offer Letter ..................................................................................... 75 Sample Rejection of Offer Letter ........................................................................................... 76 USING EMAIL EMAIL TIPS .............................................................................................................................. 77 SAMPLE JOB INTEREST & NETWORKING EMAILS .................................................... 78-81 AFTER SENDING THE EMAIL .............................................................................................. 81 ON CAMPUS INTERVIEWS AND JOB POSTINGS OCI PROGRAM ........................................................................................................................ 82 RESUME REFERRAL ............................................................................................................. 82 TIPS ON INTERVIEWING INTERVIEWING TIPS ........................................................................................................ 83-97 Preparation for the Interview .................................................................................................. 84 Relocation .............................................................................................................................. 85 Know Your Documents .......................................................................................................... 85 Dress/Handshake/Documents to Bring ............................................................................. ….86 Voicemail……………………………………………………………………………….……86 Body Language…………………………………………………………………………...86-87 Tips on Video Interviews…………………………………………………………………….87 Call Back Interviews……………………………………………………………………...87-88 Travel Arrangements ......................................................................................................... …..88 Thank you Letters/Notes………………………………………………………………….88-89 Handling Offers ................................................................................................................. ….89 Ethics in Accepting Offers…………………………………………………………….….89-90 Reminders……………………………………………………………………………….…...90 Handling Discriminatory Interview Questions .................................................................. 90-92 Potentially Discriminating Questions and Possible Answers…………………………….91-92 Interview Checklist………………………………………………………………………….93 Questions You May Be Asked by the Employer ............................................................... 94-95 Suggested Questions to Ask the Employer ....................................................................... 96-97 TOUGH QUESTIONS TO ANSWER.................................................................................. ….98 SALARY……………………………………………………………………………………….99 DECLINING AN INTERVIEW .............................................................................................. 100 ONCE YOU GET THE JOB 5 TIPS FOR SUCCESS............................................................................................................ 101 RECIPROCITY POLICY ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER LAW SCHOOLS .................................................................. 102 REQUESTING RECIPROCITY ............................................................................................. 102 APPENDIX LAW EMPLOYER RESEARCH WEBSITES ........................................................................ 103 HOW TO RESEARCH LAW FIRMS ..................................................................................... 104 JOB POSTINGS WEBSITES ........................................................................................... 105-107 SEARCHING THE ALUMNI DIRECTORY TIPS ................................................................ 108 NOTES…………………………………………………………………………………...…...109 HOW WE CAN HELP Overview: This Career Search Survival Guide introduces students to the many services provided by the Career Services and Professional Development Office at Florida State University College of Law. It is a collection of information to assist you with the many phases of your job search and career development. Mission Statement: Customized Job Search Strategies The Career Services team offers law students and graduates a collaborative approach to professional development and employment search strategies. To create individualized job search strategies, our experienced staff coordinates with a wide range of resources throughout the law school, including the Externship Office, the Offices of Academic Programs and Student Affairs, our faculty and administrators, as well as FSU Law’s extensive and supportive alumni network and career mentors. Advising and Professional Development Through advising and professional