How to Start the Job Search: A Guide for New Attorneys

The post-call job market can seem overwhelming. New lawyers are everywhere, competing for the same positions. However, with a deep understanding of your own skill set, you can improve your marketability in the new attorney job search. Here are some tips to get started.

Inventory Your Skills and Experience

If you’re fresh out of law school, you might assume you have no experience to highlight. But take some time to reflect on any volunteer opportunities or extracurricular activities you’ve been involved in. Perhaps you participated in a legal clinic, engaged in mock trial competitions, or worked with a nonprofit in your spare time. These experiences can set you apart from the competition. Create a section on your resume that lists these experiences.

You may also have skills-based coursework that firms find valuable. Note those advanced legal writing and research courses, as well as any familiarity with professional software. Your undergraduate degree might also come in handy: if you studied biomedical sciences, for example, you might be the perfect fit for firms representing the pharmaceutical or drug industries. Additionally, highlight coursework in data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI), as these specialized skills can attract firm interest.  

Engage in Networking Opportunities

Networking is an essential way to connect with others in the legal profession. Online networking platforms like LinkedIn are indispensable, but don’t overlook the value of in-person professional gatherings. The business of law often thrives in face-to-face interactions, making these events an excellent place to start building meaningful connections.

Attend legal conferences and consider joining your local bar association. Participate in meetings for practice area groups and young lawyer sections. While it’s likely you’ll meet many other new attorneys looking for their first roles, these events are great opportunities to get to know people and gather insights about the local job market.  

Cold Call Firms 

Many attorneys are intimidated by the thought of calling up a law firm or showing up at an office with a resume in hand. But remember, there’s a hidden job market in law, just like in other industries. The hidden job market refers to positions that are not publicly advertised and are instead filled through referrals, internal promotions, or recruitment agencies.

Start by compiling a list of firms that specialize in your area of interest. Send a personalized resume and cover letter to each firm. Address it to the managing partner and clearly outline your interest. It’s important not to send the same letter to every firm — tailor your correspondence to reflect each firm’s specific focus. This approach may increase your chances of landing an interview. 

Update Your Social Media Profile

Speaking of recruitment agencies, it’s crucial to make it easy for them to find you. Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and complete. List your skills, experience, and interests in detail. Indicate you’re open for work and invite firms to reach out to you. 

You can also connect with agencies that specialize in legal recruitment. Be cautious, though — you may find many agencies ask you to sign up for their services. Some of these agencies can help you get a position, but many take on more clients than they can place. Meet with a recruiter in person, ask about their placement rate, and make sure your goals align before signing on. 

Use Your Law School’s Career Office

Even after graduation, your law school’s career office may still offer valuable support. Their primary goal is to assist with job placement, so if you’re not already on their mailing list, be sure to sign up. Reach out to your career officer to ask if they distribute post-call opportunities. It’s likely they do, and they may even have relationships with firms that are looking for new associates. 

A complement to the career office is your school’s alumni association. Sign up for class lists to keep in touch with fellow recent graduates. You can also use social media and legal registry sites to find alumni practicing in your preferred area. Consider inviting them for coffee to discuss their work and ask for guidance on how or where to find a suitable position.

Polish Up Your Interview Skills

A candidate who looks great on paper can appear very different in person. The legal profession is as much about relationships between people as it is about the law. Therefore, when looking for work as an attorney, it’s critical not to rely only on strong grades or an impressive resume alone.

You can do a mock interview with a partner or even an AI tool. It won’t be a perfect simulation of an actual interview, but it gives you the chance to practice talking about yourself. If you have an interview with a firm lined up, use this opportunity to learn more about the firm and prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the conversation.

Consider Contract Work

It might be tempting to focus solely on securing a permanent role with a firm, but consider signing up with a contracting or temp agency that partners with law firms. This can help you gain more exposure to various areas of practice. You might also explore positions in firms that aren’t strictly legal, such as legal assistant or document researcher roles. While these roles require skills you may not have learned in law school, your previous work experience or coursework might qualify you.

Contract work can also help relieve some of the financial pressure you might be feeling post-call. If possible, try to find an agency that can place you in an attorney role. This can ease the transition to a full-time lawyer position, either through the contract itself or after it has ended. 

Build Your Own Practice With Martindale-Avvo

The digital marketing team at Martindale-Avvo partners with new lawyers in small or solo firms looking to grow their practice. Contact us today to learn how our strategies can help you grow your legal business.