Career and Professional Development Center Resource Book
The mission of the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) is to partner with students in fostering a culture of career education and exploration that inspires students to chart their individual career paths with an intentional emphasis on developing student professionalism, self-awareness, resourcefulness, resilience, ethical decision-making, and confidence that leads to successful employment outcomes unique to each student.
We will provide you with individualized coaching and career education on the many options available to law school students and graduates. We will also help you to build and expand your professional network as you develop essential job search skills.
Resume
Your résumé is one of the very first samples of your persuasive writing skills that a prospective employer will read. And first impressions count and are often lasting.
While employers do not usually hire on the basis of a résumé alone, they may decide not to interview an applicant on the basis of a poorly prepared or presented résumé. Therefore, preparing excellent content and following a traditional legal format are vital to your success. Employers assume that your résumé represents your best work and is indicative of your general work product in terms of clarity, organization, accuracy, and appearance.
Create a positive image and strong first impression by developing a polished and professional looking résumé that highlights your skills and potential fit with an employer. Use this guide to help you prepare your first résumé and then as a reference when making future updates.
Your résumé serves one purpose — to convince a potential employer to meet with or interview you. A well-crafted résumé tells the “story of you”, a narrative of your academic and professional life reflecting your development over time. It may be helpful to think of your legal résumé as a living document, one that you will revise, update, and edit many times during law school and throughout your career.
Remember, your résumé is a highlight of your accomplishments—not a complete historical list. This document can provide the reader with a broader glimpse into your values, talents, strengths, and other abilities too. A well- written résumé demonstrates your professional and academic interests and can help emphasize aspects of your background that qualify you for the internship or job you are seeking.
Reflect on Past Accomplishments and Skills
Begin by inventorying your skills and accomplishments. What skills are you most proud of and why? Then, make a list of the experiences that help to distinguish you individually, academically, and professionally. It may be helpful to describe each experience using the P-A-R (Problem-Action-Result) formula. First describe a Problem, or a challenging situation, you faced in a job or internship. Next, describe the Action(s), or steps you took to reach your objectives and/or goals. And finally, what was the outcome, or Result? Can you identify and potentially quantify your accomplishments?
Conduct a Self-Assessment
Consider how your values, interests, skills, strengths, personality, and workplace preferences will impact the narrative you present to a prospective employer. Need a refresher? There are a number of online assessment tools (free and fee-based) that can help you uncover key information about yourself and your preferences. You may want to start the VIA Character strengths survey that measures your positive character strengths. By bringing this foundational information to a conscious level, the process of writing your résumé (and preparing other application materials) becomes easier as you develop the language to best describe your attributes and showcase your achievements.
Tips for Recent College Grads
Make a list all of your work experience since high school and include your extracurricular activities, hobbies, and interests. Use the following prompts to help you draft descriptions for each of your experiences:
- What were your primary responsibilities?
- What skills did you develop? Be specific as possible.
- Provide examples of tasks or projects you completed or contributed to.
- Did you work for different supervisors and contribute to different types of projects?
- Was your work recognized with an award or honor?
Understand Your Audience
You may need to tailor your résumé for different types of employers, depending on your educational background, employment, and skills. By highlighting experiences and skills relevant to a particular type of employer (e.g., law firm vs. public interest organization), you can create a résumé that helps you stand out. Review job postings; learn to craft documents that reflect your understating of the language and terminology used by different types of employers. When responding to a job posting, it is advisable to note key requirements and qualifications listed, so you can include on your resume any matching skills you may have. Research skills and/or qualifications that are unfamiliar to you. This might help you tease out past experiences or skills that you can highlight on your résumé and cover letters. And, if you have varying interests, remember you may need to create more than one résumé.
What Inspires an Employer’s Interest?
As you research prospective employers, take note of their needs and how your experience can help them accomplish their goals or fulfill their mission. Reflect on the decisions you have made, including your choice of a major in college, activities, internships, academic achievements, honors,
and awards. Does your profile match what the employer is seeking? For example, if you are seeking a legal internship with a public interest organization that serves children and families, and you worked as a camp counselor in college, highlight your demonstrated successes. Examples to describe this experience might include: communicating camp policies and procedures with diverse populations; utilizing language skills to interpret camp documents for parents; and using influence and persuasion skills to help children learn to problem solve with each other.
Legal Employers and Position Types
Legal employers have different hiring criteria and expectations based on the position they seek to fill (e.g., legal intern, summer associate, judicial intern, clerkship, associate) and the educational requirements (e.g., 1L, 2L, 3L, recent graduate, experienced alumni) needed for the candidate to be successful. As you evaluate legal opportunities, research a variety of legal employers (e.g., small to large private law firms, businesses, government, judiciary, public interest, and nonprofit organizations). Use LinkedIn, Martindale.com, and Glassdoor to dig deeper into an employer’s hiring needs, job postings, employee profiles, and to identify Albany Law alumni.
An effective résumé can be measured, in part, by your success in landing interviews since it is usually your first contact with a potential employer. As a result of this first contact, employers will determine whether your qualifications and background warrant an interview.
You may need to modify an existing résumé to craft a legal résumé. This may include consolidating information in different sections, as well as eliminating some content altogether. Remember, the goal is to produce a résumé that is professional in appearance and easy to read. Pay close attention to detail; be consistent with spacing, indentations, punctuation, capitalizations, bolding, font styles, font sizes, and your use of bullet points. For example, if you italicize your title for one job, italicize all job titles. Inconsistencies are distracting and cause employers to question your attention
to detail. Prepare your legal résumé by following these formatting guidelines.
Legal Résumé
A legal résumé follows a specific reverse chronological format that includes your name and contact information, education, and experience. Additional sections may be included, but the goal is to be concise and efficient. A legal résumé may not include one’s entire employment history.
Legal résumés are the preferred format for applying to employers seeking to fill legal internships and full-time positions. For the purpose of this guide, all examples included will follow the legal résumé format.
Font Sizes and Styles
Select a standard font style (e.g., Times New Roman) and a font size that is easy to read, but not too large. 11pt. or 12pt. works well for content; 12pt. to 14pt. for your name. Always choose black ink (no other font colors) when crafting application materials for a legal audience.
Margins and White Space
A well-crafted résumé should include a balance of text and white space. Your margins should be no less than a half-inch all the way around.
Résumé Length
Legal employers prefer that law students limit their résumé to one page. Learning to write efficiently and succinctly will be essential to your future career as a lawyer. Employers tend to skim résumés quickly to sort out candidates to interview. When considering what to include in a description, or how much detail to provide, ask yourself: “Is this past experience significant to the position I am seeking, and is it potentially relevant to this employer?” Your answer will help to determine if your experience warrants adding a second page.
Labeling Additional Pages
If you have extensive professional experience, or enjoyed another career prior to attending law school, you may need a two-page résumé. On the top of the second page, add the first initial of your first name, your full last name, and the page number.
For example: M. Jones, p. 2
If a two-page résumé is warranted, be sure the content on the first page encourages the reader to move on to the second page and that you have sufficient content.
Paper Quality and Printing
When you present a paper copy of your résumé to an employer, use high-grade quality white, off-white, or a pale grey shade. Choose 25% (or greater cotton) bond paper (8½-inch x 11-inch). Some employers will require, or may prefer, that you mail a printed copy of your résumé and other documents to be considered for an internship or a full-time position. Federal judges often request documents by mail.
Most decisions about what to include and how best to present information in your résumé are based on your personal assessment of your skills, strengths, and the positions you are seeking, your own taste and style, and your knowledge of how résumés in the legal profession traditionally look and read. To ensure you are obtaining up-to-date advice and information on how to write your legal résumé, contact your career counselor.
GPA, Grades, and Class Rank
Not all employers consider grades or law school rank in the same manner when evaluating applicants for interviews. Large law firms tend to use class rank more often as one criterion for inviting students to interview, and are more likely to utilize this information to inform their hiring decisions. However, public service, not-for-profit, some government agencies, businesses, smaller law firms, and solo practitioners may not rely as heavily on grades and rank, but rather experience and skills.
It’s advisable to include your class rank if you are in the top 30% of your class. If your GPA is 3.0 or higher, you are encouraged to include it on your résumé. You must round your GPA out to the hundredths decimal position. Ask your career counselor for advice on how to best highlight your academic profile and achievements. Any falsification or misrepresentation of your law school grades, records, recommendations, or other qualifications may result in your discontinued consideration by employers and may impact future participation in recruiting programs.
Sections
A legal résumé consists of a few basic sections: a letterhead (your name and contact information), an education section, an experience section, and potentially, a skill and interests section. Other sections may be added if needed. Following are some examples.
Name and Contact Information
Include your full name, address, city, state and zip code, along with your mobile phone number and email address. Adding preferred pronouns to your resume has become a more common practice. If you choose to add your preferred pronouns, add them in your letterhead. Use the same exact letterhead (font size, style, and layout) on all of the materials you create for your job search including cover letters, the writing sample cover page, and your list of references. Consistency across documents shows your attention to detail.
For current law students, it’s best to use your Albany Law email address. If you have a permanent address in or near the location you are applying, consider including this address in addition to, or in lieu of, your current address.
Reminder: Always include a comma between the city and state; do not include a comma between the state and zip code.
Education
Your education section should be listed first on your résumé. List your educational credentials in reverse chronological order by the date your degree was awarded. When listing your law degree, you may write out Juris Doctor, or abbreviate it as J.D. or JD. But remember, your law degree is not a “Juris Doctorate”.
If you choose to abbreviate one degree (i.e., J.D.), be consistent and abbreviate all of your degrees (ex: B.A.). Always include your degree, major, and the month and year your degree was officially awarded (i.e., B.A., Political Science, May 2020). Under each institution, use sub-sections to list relevant honors, awards, and activities in that order of importance.
Pursuing a Joint Degree? Include details for both schools and degrees under your Education section.
Latin Honors? If you were awarded Latin honors at your college graduation, they should be italicized but not capitalized and inserted between your degree and major.
Pursuing a Two-Year Accelerated J.D.? If you were accepted into this two-year program at the time of your admission, add your program type and expected graduation date.
January Start J.D. Student? Add your GPA and indicate your start date by providing details.
Experience
All entries in the Experience section are listed in reverse chronological order; your current, or most recent, position should be listed first. If you have been accepted to an internship, field placement, or clinic for the upcoming term, include a placeholder for this new experience and list this as the first entry under your Experience section. Do not add a description until after you begin this new experience. You may use to “commence” for your anticipated start date.
If you have acquired significant work experience prior to attending law school, you may consider listing your legal (or relevant experience) and non-legal experience separately. In this case, label the new section, “Other Experience” add this section below your primary “Legal Experience” section. To save space, you may reduce or even eliminate position descriptions within this section. However, do not remove experiences if doing so will create large time gaps in your experience.
Interests and Language Skills
Adding one or two lines about your interests, hobbies, or travels can be invaluable for employers seeking to break the ice in an interview. Consider adding special skills and languages. Community service or volunteer activities can be included under the “Skills and Interests” section, however, you may want to create a separate section to highlight these experiences. Be specific.
Additional/Optional Sections
- Bar Status/Bar Admission (for law graduates who have sat for and passed the bar exam)
- Community Service/Volunteer Activities
- Professional Associations
- Bar Association Memberships
- Professional Licenses/Certifications
- Publications
To showcase law-related publications, including a Note or Comment for a journal, create a separate Publications section. Add this new section between Education and Experience.
Citations for legal pieces should generally follow the blue book format. Other publications may also be included— speak with your career counselor if you have questions.
Tip: If you choose to include publications on your résumé, you will likely be asked about them during an interview.
Always refresh your memory and review your publication(s) and writing sample(s) prior to interviewing.
Omit
Do not include on a legal résumé
- Objective or Summary
- High School Information (unless your high school has a specific network you would like to utilize)
- LSAT Scores
- Graphics, Tables, Photos, or Artwork
- List of References*
- Salary Requirements*
*NOTE: The only exception to this rule is if an employer specifically directs applicants to include this information on their résumés.
Should I disclose personal information on my résumé?
It is your decision whether to disclose or reveal ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs on your résumé. Consider in advance how this information may inform a prospective employer’s interview selection process and hiring decisions. While the decision to include personal information on a résumé is up to each individual job seeker, talking it through with a trusted advisor or career counselor may be helpful.
When do I add journal participation on my résumé?
You should add journal if/when you have confirmed your membership. Add it as an honor under Albany Law School.
When should I include my GPA and/or Class Rank on my résumé?
You should include your GPA if it is a 3.0 or above, and your class rank if it is in the top 30%. Remember to focus on highlighting your skills and experience to illustrate your interest and fit with an organization.
My GPA improved significantly in my second semester of my 1L year after a rough start. Can I just list my spring semester GPA, and omit my overall or cumulative GPA?
You may highlight your spring semester GPA, but you must also include your cumulative GPA. There are professional ways to highlight an especially strong semester. Ask your career counselor for assistance.
Should I still include a job if the employer is no longer in business or has changed their name?
The short answer is “yes”, if this experience is relevant or formative. Since this is a common business occurrence and is no way a reflection of you, meet with your career counselor to determine how best to add or describe this situation on your résumé.
I graduated and passed the bar, but am not yet admitted. How do I add this information to my résumé?
After you graduate and pass the bar exam, you will add a new section on your résumé entitled, “Bar Status”, above “Education”. Ask your career counselor for the appropriate language to represent your status prior to being admitted. After you have been admitted, change the section to “Admission”, and add the state(s) and year(s).
I am an experienced alumnus/a who has been admitted to the bar. When is it appropriate for me to move my “Experience section above my “Education” section?
After being admitted and employed professionally for several years, you can move your “Experience” section above your “Education” section, but below the “Bar Admission” section.
Can I request feedback on my résumé before applying for a field placement or clinic?
Yes! Email your résumé (Word doc format is preferred) to your assigned career counselor and request a résumé review. If you prefer, request a counseling appointment through AlbanyLaw Link to meet in person, virtually, or by phone to discuss your résumé and ask questions.
Use this checklist to update your current résumé. Please proofread and edit your résumé prior to sending it to your career counselor for a review. Follow a legal résumé format.
Proofread your résumé before sending to an employer to ensure your grammar is correct and the document is perfect. This effort demonstrates respect for your reader; a professional looking résumé will help you to make a positive first impression with all prospective employers.
General Tips: Use only one font style throughout your entire résumé, and on all application materials you prepare. Consistency and attention to detail matters: your formatting must be consistent throughout the entire résumé (e.g., use of italics, underlining, and bolding); content is balanced to fill the page (adequate white space); all margins are set to no less than .5 in.; avoid the use of personal pronouns (e.g., I, me, my, our, we); use black font color (digital and print copies); résumé length = one page (for most law students); relevant experience and key skills are evident – even with a quick read; and your overall résumé looks polished, crisp, and professional.
Letterhead & Contact Information
- Address is up-to-date; phone number and e-mail address are included
- No unnecessary commas or spaces (this is correct: Albany, NY 12208)
- Permanent address included if it shows a geographic tie to target market
- Full name included; font size 12 pt. - 14 pt.; bolded and capitalized for impact
- Font size for content is easy to read (11 pt. to 12 pt.)
Education
- Albany Law School is listed first; other institutions follow in reverse chronological order
- Juris Doctor degree is listed correctly (not Juris Doctorate) and graduation month and year are accurate (e.g., Juris Doctor Candidate, May 2024)
- GPA and Class Rank have been added or updated
- List of scholarships, awards, and/or honors is up to date
- Journal membership included (added, if participating)
- Student leadership roles updated (e.g., 1L Class Representative, SBA)
- Study-Abroad included (name of the academic institution attended, location and dates)
- Joint degree or special program type added (e.g., Two-Year J.D. Accelerated Program)
Experience
- Current internship/job added; jobs/internships are listed in reverse chronological order
- Full name and location of each employer is listed correctly (e.g., XYZ Law Firm, LLP, Albany, NY)
- Academic experience added or updated
- Employment dates include month and year (e.g., January 2022 – May 2022)
- Research Assistant position? (add this experience here and provide details)
- Use bullets and order descriptions according to significance for target audience
- Descriptions begin with action verbs (past tense verbs for past internships/jobs; current tense for positions for currently held internships/jobs)
- Descriptions are written as phrases, not full sentences
- Ample white space is provided, format is easy to read and document is error-free
- Abbreviations and terminology have been checked (if in doubt, spell it out)
Additional/Optional Sections
-
Used as needed
Click to Download
Click to Download
Choose an action verb, or a descriptive word, to illustrate your experience and showcase transferable skills.
- accomplished
- accrued
- achieved
- acquired
- adapted
- addressed
- administered
- advised
- allocated
- analyzed
- answered
- appear
- applied
- appointed
- appraised
- approved
- arbitrated
- arranged
- assessed
- assisted
- assumed
- assured
- attended
- audited
- awarded
- bought
- briefed
- budgeted
- calculated
- cataloged
- chaired
- changed
- classified
- closed
- coached
- collected
- combined
- commented
- communicated
- compared
- compiled
- completed
- composed
- computed
- conceived
- concluded
- conducted
- conceptualized
- considered
- constructed
- consulted
- continued
- contracted
- controlled
- converted
- convinced
- coordinated
- corrected
- counseled
- counted
- created
- credited
- critiqued
- cut
- dealt
- decided
- defined
- delegated
- delivered
- demonstrated
- described
- designed
- determined
- developed
- devised
- devoted
- diagnosed
- directed
- discussed
- distributed
- documented
- drafted
- dramatized
- earned
- edited
- eliminated
- encouraged
- endorsed
- enlarged
- enlisted
- ensured
- entered
- established
- estimated
- evaluated
- examined
- expanded
- expedited
- experienced
- experimented
- explained
- explored
- expressed
- extended
- filed
- filled
- financed
- focused
- forecasted
- formulated
- fostered
- found
- fathered
- graded
- granted
- guided
- handled
- helped
- identified
- implemented
- improved
- incorporated
- indexed
- initiated
- influenced
- innovated
- inspected
- installed
- instructed
- insured
- interpreted
- interviewed
- introduced
- investigated
- involved
- issued
- joined
- kept
- launched
- learned
- leased
- lectured
- led
- licensed
- listed
- logged
- maintained
- managed
- matched
- measured
- mediated
- met
- modified
- monitored
- motivated
- moved
- named
- negotiated
- observed
- opened
- operated
- ordered
- organized
- oversaw
- participated
- perceived
- performed
- persuaded
- planned
- prepared
- presented
- processed
- procured
- programmed
- prohibited
- projected
- promoted
- proposed
- provided
- published
- purchased
- pursued
- qualified
- ranked
- rated
- received
- recommended
- reconciled
- recruited
- reduced
- regulated
- related
- replaced
- replied
- reported
- represented
- researched
- responded
- revamped
- reviewed
- revised
- saved
- scheduled
- selected
- served
- serviced
- set
- solved
- sorted
- sought
- spearheaded
- specified
- spoke
- started
- streamlined
- strengthened
- studied
- submitted
- substituted
- suggested
- summarized
- supervised
- surveyed
- tackled
- targeted
- taught
- tested
- toured
- trained
- translated
- transported
- traveled
- treated
- turned
- updated
- used
- visited
- worked
- wrote
Cover Letter
A cover letter is an instrumental part of the legal job search process. It introduces you to a potential employer, serves as your first writing sample, and individualizes your application for a position. Its purpose, along with the resume, is to make an impression that motivates the employer to invite you for an interview.
Length/Content
The cover letter should be brief (not more than one page, typically 3- 4 paragraphs). Focus on how your skills meet the needs of the prospective employer. Identify your main selling point, something about your background that would spark an employer's interest and lead to an invitation for an interview. Convince the reader of your value as a prospective employee. This value may include your genuine interest and/or commitment to the practice area. Demonstrate that your knowledge and experience is relevant and useful to the work that the employer does.
Avoid generic cover letters; individualized letters receive greater consideration.
Show the employer that you are worth interviewing. The stronger the argument you can make, the better.
Format
Use proper business format. A sample block style formatted cover letter is provided. The tone should be formal (e.g., do not use first names, contractions or casual language). Always use a colon, not a comma, after the salutation in a business letter.
Proofread
Misspelled words and grammatical errors may cost you the interview. Read everything out loud at least twice and then have at least one other person proofread it. Do not rely on spell-check software as it cannot detect grammatical errors. Read your letter from the bottom to the top.
Proper spelling of names and titles are critical.
Always check address information.
Letterhead
Use your contact information as your “letterhead” at the top of the letter. Your “letterhead” should mimic the “letterhead” on your resume.
Address
Address your letter to a specific individual. Contacts and employer addresses on ALBANYLAW LINK are located in the bottom left-hand corner of the job posting.
Do not address your letter to “Hiring Attorney” or another generic title, unless the posting directs you to do so.
If the announcement does not contain a specific name, call the organization or check the website and ask for the name of the person who reviews summer job applications, and confirm the spelling of that person’s name. If it is not possible to determine the name of the hiring person, then you may use “Recruiting Coordinator ”.
Salutation
The preferred format is the full name, first and last, of the person to whom you are writing (Dear John Smith:), unless the job posting specifies a specific salutation such as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. If you are applying to a position with a judge be sure to use the appropriate title in the address section (honorable) and salutation (justice or judge).
Ex: Honorable Jane Smith
1200 Court Road
Albany, NY 12222
Opening
The first section of your cover letter should address the question of why you are writing.
Do not open the letter with, “My name is . . .” Your name is already at the top of your document.
The typical format starts with an introductory paragraph that explains who you are and what you want (“I am a first-year Albany Law student and am interested in a summer internship with your organization.”), then a paragraph or two that address your specific interest in the employer and what you have to offer, and closes with a brief statement about availability and thanks the employer for their consideration.
Contact/Referral
If someone referred you to the position or hiring contact, indicate that individual’s name in one of the first sentences.
Main Body
The most challenging section is usually the second section because you need to make some significant points in limited space. As you craft your cover letter, ask yourself:
- “Why this employer?”
- “Why this field of law?”
- “Why should they select me?” - This goes somewhat into your experience/skills, but on a broader level than just citing past work tasks and skills. What distinguishes you from other applicants?
- “Why is my past experience relevant to this employer?” - This is similar to the previous question but more specifically points out to the potential employer how specific experiences you have had are relevant. Rather than repeating the details available on your resume, think of this as a one sentence “road map” that highlights how you want the employer to view your resume.
In the main body of the letter, tell the employer what you can do for them. Study the position description carefully. Then select one or more themes that prove how well you fit the position (e.g., practical skills, coursework, and experience). Try to link major job dimensions with your related past performance and experience. Highlight key skills/attributes and tie these points to your accomplishments and experience. Group similar items together in a paragraph, then organize the paragraphs in logical sequence. Place the most important items first, supported by facts (your cover letter does not have to be in chronological order).
Closing
The final part of the cover letter should suggest the next step in the process.
Typically, this is where you tell the employer that you will wait to hear from them (e.g., “I look forward to hearing from you and can arrange to meet with you in your office.”) and thank them for their consideration. There is no need to say you will be calling.
The last paragraph is also a good place to emphasize your interest in the employer's geographic location. If you have ties to the geographic area, tell the employer. Advise the employer you are willing to travel to meet with them.
Do's
- Tell the employer who you are (e.g., a first-year student at Albany Law School) and what you are seeking (e.g., a summer intern position).
- Show that you know about the particular employer and the kind of work the employer does.
- Demonstrate your writing skills and emphasize any other experience or skills you have that relate to the employer’s work.
- Provide information highlighting your individuality. A positive, confident and enthusiastic tone is recommended, rather than a formal dry one.
- Use active tenses with clear and concise sentences. Avoid overly wordy and formal sentences with multiple clauses. One sentence should not take up 4-5 lines.
- Tell out-of-town employers if you will be in town at a certain date and available for interviews.
Don'ts
- Avoid vagueness. For example, “I am interested in your firm because of its size and reputation” is too generic. Instead try, “I am writing in response to your opening for an environmental law associate. My academic experience and practical training focus on land use planning and commercial real estate development.” This approach is much more specific and gives the impression that you have researched the employer and have a genuine interest. Demonstrate an understanding of what the employer does.
- Do not restate your resume. Briefly highlight achievements that exemplify your qualifications for the job. For example, if you have moot court experience and the firm concentrates in litigation, emphasize the development of both your oral advocacy and your legal research and writing abilities. Describe the competitiveness of making a particular team.
Warning!
Do not copy “Sample” Cover Letters. A recruiter at a law firm reported receiving a stack of cover letters from students at the same law school, where every cover letter contained the identical wording. Apparently the students were using the template the career services office provided verbatim. It should go without saying that these students ruined their chances at obtaining an interview.
Click to Download
Choose an action verb, or a descriptive word, to illustrate your experience and showcase transferable skills.
- accomplished
- accrued
- achieved
- acquired
- adapted
- addressed
- administered
- advised
- allocated
- analyzed
- answered
- appear
- applied
- appointed
- appraised
- approved
- arbitrated
- arranged
- assessed
- assisted
- assumed
- assured
- attended
- audited
- awarded
- bought
- briefed
- budgeted
- calculated
- cataloged
- chaired
- changed
- classified
- closed
- coached
- collected
- combined
- commented
- communicated
- compared
- compiled
- completed
- composed
- computed
- conceived
- concluded
- conducted
- conceptualized
- considered
- constructed
- consulted
- continued
- contracted
- controlled
- converted
- convinced
- coordinated
- corrected
- counseled
- counted
- created
- credited
- critiqued
- cut
- dealt
- decided
- defined
- delegated
- delivered
- demonstrated
- described
- designed
- determined
- developed
- devised
- devoted
- diagnosed
- directed
- discussed
- distributed
- documented
- drafted
- dramatized
- earned
- edited
- eliminated
- encouraged
- endorsed
- enlarged
- enlisted
- ensured
- entered
- established
- estimated
- evaluated
- examined
- expanded
- expedited
- experienced
- experimented
- explained
- explored
- expressed
- extended
- filed
- filled
- financed
- focused
- forecasted
- formulated
- fostered
- found
- fathered
- graded
- granted
- guided
- handled
- helped
- identified
- implemented
- improved
- incorporated
- indexed
- initiated
- influenced
- innovated
- inspected
- installed
- instructed
- insured
- interpreted
- interviewed
- introduced
- investigated
- involved
- issued
- joined
- kept
- launched
- learned
- leased
- lectured
- led
- licensed
- listed
- logged
- maintained
- managed
- matched
- measured
- mediated
- met
- modified
- monitored
- motivated
- moved
- named
- negotiated
- observed
- opened
- operated
- ordered
- organized
- oversaw
- participated
- perceived
- performed
- persuaded
- planned
- prepared
- presented
- processed
- procured
- programmed
- prohibited
- projected
- promoted
- proposed
- provided
- published
- purchased
- pursued
- qualified
- ranked
- rated
- received
- recommended
- reconciled
- recruited
- reduced
- regulated
- related
- replaced
- replied
- reported
- represented
- researched
- responded
- revamped
- reviewed
- revised
- saved
- scheduled
- selected
- served
- serviced
- set
- solved
- sorted
- sought
- spearheaded
- specified
- spoke
- started
- streamlined
- strengthened
- studied
- submitted
- substituted
- suggested
- summarized
- supervised
- surveyed
- tackled
- targeted
- taught
- tested
- toured
- trained
- translated
- transported
- traveled
- treated
- turned
- updated
- used
- visited
- worked
- wrote
Writing Sample
The writing sample is an important tool in screening applicants. Employers seek candidates who can write clearly and concisely and understand the mechanics of legal research and writing (e.g., proper citation format, brief and memorandum format).
Candidates should be prepared to advise prospective employers of the nature and extent of their training in legal writing. Writing samples submitted as evidence of a candidate’s legal skills should be wholly original work (not something written jointly). Where the writing was done with others, the candidates’ contribution should be clearly identified.
Confidentiality Issues and Client-Identifying Information
Writing samples from law-related employment must be redacted adequately to preserve client confidentiality and used only with the permission of the supervising attorney. Be sure to make it clear to a prospective employer on a cover page that you have obtained the employer's permission to use the materials.
Include a Cover Page
Create a cover page for your writing sample. Include your name and contact information in the same format as your resume letterhead, as well as a brief summary statement (see below).
State the Circumstances
Make clear why, and when, you wrote the sample (for a seminar in a particular course, as part of a memorandum for an employer, for a particular journal). For example, if the writing sample was a lawyering assignment, give the name of the class and a brief description of the assignment. If your assignment contained limitations (the type of research you were allowed to conduct, the side of the argument you are required to take, etc.), explain those limitations on the cover sheet. If your writing sample has been accepted for publication, be sure to indicate that.
If you are excerpting from a longer document, add whatever background is necessary to provide context (e.g., if you are planning to use a journal note, you might send a discrete section, with a synopsis of the balance). Include this in your cover page.
What is an appropriate Writing Sample?
Legal employers care about legal analysis, demonstrating your ability to legally analyze a complex set of facts clearly and concisely. A legal memorandum or a brief is preferred over a research paper, and a legal topic is preferable to a non-legal paper. It should be compelling, “crisp”; employers are evaluating style. The ultimate criterion however, is the quality of the writing.
Your writing sample can be a memorandum from a summer job or portion of a brief, or part of a memorandum or brief that you wrote for Lawyering, or a law journal note. A legal writing course assignment, a paper or an essay submitted for a law school course are other choices. If you decide to submit a paper written for a law school course never submit it with the grade or the grader’s critical comments. Be sure to make any edits suggested by your professor.
Is the topic important?
The topic you select is not necessarily important unless you are trying to demonstrate background in a particular practice area. It is typically not of concern for law firms. Public interest organizations may be more interested in something written about their area of work. It offers an additional indication of the applicant’s interest in the subject. However, a writing sample on a different topic is not disqualifying (and legal employers recognize that first-year students have limited choices for writing samples). Judges also generally are not concerned about the topic of the writing sample.
When is a Writing Sample Necessary?
If you are sending an application to prospective employers, you should only include a writing sample if specifically requested. A number of employers want writing samples at the initial stage of the application process to screen candidates. For example, nearly all judges require a writing sample as part of the clerkship application. Some employers use writing samples to narrow down their list of finalists. Your writing sample should be as perfect as you can make it because writing samples can be tie breakers. You will want to bring a writing sample to your interviews in case it is requested.
What is the appropriate length?
Although there is no definitive ideal length for a writing sample, brief samples (typically 5-7 pages) typically serve the purpose of demonstrating your writing ability. If the work you wish to use is lengthy, consider using an excerpt from that work as your writing sample (e.g., one argument from a longer brief).
Proofread Carefully!
Watch punctuation, spelling, grammar and syntax. Check your bluebook citations, and make any changes recommended by a supervisor or professor. Errors give the impression of sloppiness and poor writing skills. Submit “clean” copies.
Editing
The less outside editing is better (previously published pieces are not automatically at the top of the list). If you are sending a sample that has been edited by someone else, indicate the circumstances. Be aware that some employers, including judges, request a sample that has not been substantially edited by another person.
Writing Sample Critiques/Peer Writing Assistance Program
The CPDC does not critique writing samples. If you are planning to have an Albany Law School faculty member critique it, please plan several weeks in advance when placing a request.
The law school also has a Peer Writing Assistance Program with trained writing assistants available to help you. Peer writing assistants hold office hours each semester in the Career and Professional Development Center.
Click to Download
References
A Reference List is a separate document. Do not include references on your resume or indicate that “References are available upon request” on the resume.
Purpose
Employers often want independent verification of a job applicant’s abilities.
When a prospective employer asks for references, be ready to furnish the names, business addresses, e-mail, and telephone numbers of your references.
Provide a list of references only when requested or when your references are personally known to the employer and you believe the connection will enhance your application. A reference list can be particularly important when a past employer is closely associated with your prospective employer.
You should have a reference list available at every interview in the event an employer requests it.
Most legal employers require a “List of References” as opposed to “Letters of Recommendation” (one exception is judicial clerkships; in this case judges want “Letters of Recommendation”).
Potential References
Employers are interested in references who can describe you in terms of those skills deemed important to the success of any entry level employee, including legal analysis and writing, ability to assume responsibility, and interpersonal skills.
References should be individuals most closely associated with you and your work (i.e., supervisors, not colleagues or department heads). Do not select References for name recognition only, if you do not know the individual well.
Employers are seeking more than character references. Your references should include a law professor who is familiar with your work. If one or more of your references are law school faculty members, be sure they know you well. Choose professors who know you from your class participation, from conversations outside of class, or from research or other independent work that you performed for them.
Other references could include supervisors from volunteer work.
Number, Order of References
Three references should be sufficient, in most situations, and can be listed on a separate sheet using the same letterhead used for your resume and cover letter.
Put references in the order you would like the employer to contact them.
How to ask for a Reference
Before starting your interviews, make sure that the individuals you intend to use as references are willing to serve as such. You never want references you list to be unaware that you will be relying on them, and you never want to use anyone as a reference who is not willing to enthusiastically support you.
Take some time to speak to your references about your career interests as they relate to the employers who may be contacting them. This will help references focus on what they will say about the student. Provide them with a copy of your resume so they can become familiar with your background and prior experiences.
Click to Download
Informational Interviews
Why is it helpful?
Informational interviewing is one method of obtaining current information from a knowledgeable, reliable source. A well-planned informational interview is a candid and dynamic conversation that opens the door to great professional connections.
What can I hope to learn?
Your conversation may cover a wide variety of topics and provide valuable insight into a particular legal practice area and the job market for that employer/practice area. You may also get advice on first steps you can take to gain experience for the type of job you eventually want, all while practicing your professional communication and presentation skills.
How should I structure an info interview?
First, recognize that if you asked for the interview you must take the role of the interviewer and be prepared to lead the conversation. An informational interview gives you the opportunity to set yourself apart from everyone else. By preparing for the meeting, you can demonstrate your drive, initiative, and willingness to learn, all of which are traits of the most desirable job candidates. It is best to develop a few targeted questions that are focused on your top areas of professional interest. As you prepare, write your questions to encourage clarity, logic and a flow of conversation. Try using open-ended questions and follow-up with words, such as “how”, “why”, or “in what way”? Demonstrate your desire to gain a deeper understanding.
How should I prepare?
Research the person, company, and industry in which the interviewee works. Do not ask questions you could answer on your own through research. Instead, be able to ask more personalized questions based upon your research. A good informational interview will provide both parties with an interesting conversation.
- What are your priorities in a typical day, week, or month?
- What percentage of your time do you spend alone, in teams, with peers, with superiors, with subordinates, in meetings, in travel?
- What background did you bring to this job? What experience, education, expertise, and skills do you need/use in your work? What personality, values, interests, and skills best fit this job? How did you get to this position?
- Why did you come to this company or law firm? Describe the company work environment, the culture, and the people.
- Describe the profile of a successful person in your department/company.
- What is the career path in this industry/company/job and how can I move in a forward direction?
- What do you like most/least about your work? What are the rewards and satisfactions? What opportunities do you have for professional development?
- What are the lifestyle implications of your work?
- How do you keep up with the changes in this field?
- What do you wish you knew before you chose this path? What do you wish you knew about the industry/company/job before you began?
- How can I learn more about the field/industry/company/job? What should I read? With whom should I talk? Should I join a professional association?
- What experience, education, and qualifications should I emphasize on my resume for jobs in this practice area? What obstacles will I face and how can I overcome any deficits or problems?
How should I arrange one?
Upon first contacting your interviewee by phone or by email, be prepared to tell that person why you would like to meet and the particular focus of your conversation. Your outreach should be concise, polite, and should include your contact information and your resume as a way of providing the interviewee with your background.
How can I make the most of one?
Make a great first impression, dress professionally, arrive on time, and be gracious to everyone you come into contact with. To establish rapport, be an excellent active listener and be enthusiastic. Use this interview to learn what the practice/job is really like and to understand how the organization works.
How should I wrap up?
Watch and listen for cues that indicate the interviewee is ready to end the meeting. Remember, your interviewee has work to do and be mindful of time. A twenty to thirty-minute interview is plenty of time and you should not take more than that. At the conclusion of your interview, be sure to ask for names of additional contacts to whom you can reach out and ask if it is permissible to use the interviewee’s name when reaching out. Be sure to get a business card from your interviewee and to send a thank you note. Let the interviewee know you will stay in touch with updates on your progress.
“Cold” Outreach Email (no mutual connection or previous introduction)
Click to download
“Warm” Outreach Email (mutual connection or previous introduction)
Click to Download
Professional Email
One of the most common things you will do in law school and in your career is write professional emails. Whether it is to apply to a position, follow up on an interview, clarify an assignment, or schedule a time to meet, the words and tone you use will not go unnoticed by the recipient.
Before You Start
Make sure you are sending it from either your school email address or an otherwise professional sounding email address.
Check what time you are sending it. Unless you know that the recipient is okay with receiving emails no matter the time, or it is an emergency, the accepted standard is to send the email within business hours (9am to 5pm Monday through Friday).
- If in doubt, schedule the email to send within business hours. For example, if you are writing the email on Friday at 7pm and it can wait until Monday to be seen, schedule the email to send at 8:30 or 9am the following Monday.
- This may change depending on the workplace and their expectations.
Subject Line
Your subject line should be concise, short, and informative.
- For thank you letters after an interview, a short “Thank you” or “Thank you for your time” will work nicely
- For asking your professor a question, “Question about Homework #3” or “Clarification on Memo Assignment” are viable options
- For asking a supervisor a question, “Follow-Up on Noise and Wind Turbine Research Assignment” is an example of how to specifically identify the issue.
Greeting
- “Dear” is generally the most accepted greeting, especially when it is your first time emailing someone. Formality may change depending on the recipient and how often you email them, but you should never assume in your first email the level of formality with which the recipient is comfortable.
- Stay away from “hey”, “hi”, “what’s up”, etc. when first emailing someone. These are usually reserved for close friends.
- Once you have established more of a professional relationship, “Hello” is usually acceptable.
Do NOT assume you are on a first name basis with someone. Use their first and last name unless a specific salutation or title is provided.
- E.g., “Dear John Smith” or “Dear Jane Smith” or “Dear Professor Smith”
- Always use a colon after the salutation in the first email. A comma implies familiarity
Body of Email
The body, no matter the length of the email, should be concise, and your intention for writing the email should be clear from the first sentence.
You should include all necessary information. For instance, if you need research assistance with an assignment from your supervisor, do not say “I need help on my research. I’m really confused about the Fourth Amendment.” Instead, explain what you are working on and the specific thing you need help with.
- “I am writing a brief on the Fourth Amendment for Attorney Philips, and I am having trouble finding cases from the Second Circuit about when there is probable cause. Do you have any resources or past briefs on this subject or an idea on where I can look?”
Do not use acronyms (LOL, IMO, TBH, etc.), slang, emojis, or GIFs.
Attachments
If you intend to send any kind of document, you should make sure you attach the correct document to the email and say what it is that you attached (e.g., Attached is my resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript).
Make sure the name of the document is unambiguous (e.g., Smith_Resume).
Closing
Depending on the subject of the email, a closing regard such as “Please let me know if you have any questions”, “Please let me know what time you are available to meet”, or “It was a pleasure meeting with you, and I look forward to hearing from you soon”, may be appropriate.
“Sincerely”, “Best”, and “Thank you”, are three of the most common closings you will both see and use.
- “Sincerely” is commonly used for introduction emails and for those with whom you are unfamiliar or are acquaintances.
- “Best” and “Thank you” are both acceptable for most emails to those with whom you have more of a more familiar relationship.
Signature
Your signature can include positions you hold, but it should not include everything, past and present.
Things that may be under your signature name include:
- Classes for which you are currently a teaching assistant
- Journal membership
- Executive/Editorial Board positions
- Fellowships (e.g., Fellow | Government Law Center)
Before sending, be sure to proofread your work, attach any files, and make sure the attachments are correct.
Thank You Letters
Candidates often experience a great deal of anxiety about whether to write a follow-up note and what to write in one. Here are some tips to make the most of this step in the recruiting process:
Why send a thank you note?
A well-written thank you note will show enthusiasm and follow through on the part of an applicant. It should be thoughtful, with a personal touch that reminds the interviewer of the candidate’s genuine interest in the position.
To whom should it be sent?
Once you decide to write a thank you note, the next question is to whom you should write it. It is best to send a thank you note to everyone you met during your interview. This includes all of your interviewers as well as the recruiting contact or administrative assistant during your interview. Try to differentiate the notes you send to each individual adding specifics that relate to your meeting with that person. Everyone you met is a potential reviewer, and you will want to ensure that all of them have a favorable impression of you.
If you interviewed with several people, but you do not have contact information for all of them, you can select one person to write to and ask that individual to extend your appreciation to the others.
What should I write?
Thank the interviewer for their time and refer to something you talked about during the interview. Reminding the interviewer of some connection you made will evoke positive feelings in the interviewer. For example, if you discussed your shared passion for the Yankees, mention that you enjoyed talking about the Yankees during your interview.
What is the Format?
Thank you letters can actually be harmful to your candidacy if not perfect. All employers agree that letters should be well written, without any errors.
- Letters should be short and to the point.
- Address it to the right person with all names spelled correctly. If you are unsure of the spelling of the attorney’s name, check the website.
- Use a professional business format and tone.
- Poorly written correspondence will remove you from consideration. Your letter should reaffirm the employer’s decision to hire you or give the employer a reason to take another look at your application.
- Keep in mind that letters sent to interviewers often end up in the same file; therefore, never send obviously computer-generated form letters.
When should I send it?
It is best to write a follow-up note as soon as possible after the interview. Within 24 hours of the interview is ideal when the interview is still fresh in your mind. Some employers will discuss your candidacy a week after your interview, while others will make a decision immediately following the interview. Since it will be difficult for you to know the timeline for each employer in advance, the best approach is the sooner the better when it comes to thank you notes. Above all, you will want your thank you letter to arrive before a decision is made.
Emailed or Hand-written?
They can be emailed or handwritten on professional note cards, using proper business tone and format. Emailing the note will ensure that it gets to the recipient before a decision has been made on your candidacy, and it also enables the recipients to forward it on to others within the office.
Sample 1 - (Email) Thank You Letter:
Click to Download
Sample 2 - (Email) Thank You Letter:
Click to Download
Sample 3 - (Email) Thank You Letter:
Click to Download
Sample 4 – (Handwritten Note) Thank you Letter:
Click to Download
Sample 5 – (Handwritten Note) Thank you Letter:
Click to Download
Business/Professional Attire
“Dress for Success”, is much easier said than done, especially with the ever-growing number of combinations of “business”, “casual”, “formal”, etc. Below are some common standards for attire you will see in your career, what you can wear, and appropriate options. REMEMBER, your appearance is the first thing that employers, co-workers, and other professionals will notice about you. Make sure it is sending the message you want them to receive.
General Tips
- Clothes should not have holes, rips, stains, or tears.
- Wear clothes that make you comfortable. If you are uncomfortable, it will show!
- When you get a new blazer, skirt, or dress and it has a vent (vertical slit in the back of the article of clothing), make sure to remove the “X” stitch holding it closed; it is supposed to be removed before you wear it. Some jackets also have stitching holding the pockets shut, you can remove those as well.
- Some suits have a label sewn onto the bottom of a sleeve, you should remove it.
- If you don’t know the expected attire, it is usually safest to dress more formally until you know how your coworkers/peers/supervisors dress for work or an event.
Business Casual
Business casual dress refers to a style of attire that is less formal than traditional business professional attire but still maintains a professional and polished appearance. It is typically worn in professional or office settings that do not require strict adherence to formal business attire.
Options of What You Can Wear
- Business casual generally combines elements of professionalism with a more relaxed/comfortable style
- Slacks, chinos, khakis, pencil skirts
- Sweaters, blouses, button-downs, blazers, jackets, cardigan (shirts should be solid or simple patterns)
- Sheath dresses, knee-length A-line or pencil skirts
- “Dressy” sneakers if allowed by your office, closed toed shoes like flats, boots, heels, loafers, or sandals
Business Professional
Business professional dress refers to a style of attire that is considered appropriate for formal business settings. Business professional dress conveys a high level of professionalism. It is typically worn in corporate environments, meetings, interviews, court, and other formal business events.
Options of What You Can Wear
- Suits, mostly in dark or neutral colors
- Collared button-down shirts or simple blouses
- Solid colored or simple patterned ties
- Closed-toe shoes like oxford, loafers, pumps, or lower heels in dark or neutral colors
Business Formal
Business formal is the most formal and professional style of attire typically reserved for the most formal business occasions and events. Business formal attire requires a sophisticated, elegant, and polished appearance. It is commonly worn in settings such as formal galas, black-tie events, or other prestigious legal/business functions.
Options of What You Can Wear
- Suits: stick to black, dark gray, or dark blue
- Button-downs, solid colored ties, blouses
- Cufflinks may be appropriate depending on the event.
- Dress suits and skirts suits are usually acceptable but some events may call for formal gowns. Be sure to read the invite and ask around if necessary.
- Pumps, low heels, dress shoes, formal sandals
Interviewing
Take Advantage of a Mock Interview
With practice, interviews will become easier. If you are asked a question that catches you off guard, take time to consider the question carefully and then answer. The more interviews you complete, the more relaxed you will feel. Know yourself, and your experience. By doing this, you reflect the type of confidence employers want to see. Make sure that when you leave, your interviewer knows that you are professional and personable. Arrange for a mock interview through the CPDC.
Merits Employers Typically Evaluate
- First Impression (eye-contact, form of acknowledgment)
- Credentials (academic achievement and relevant experience)
- Intellect (analytical, articulate, detail-oriented, sound judgment)
- Interpersonal Skills (ethical, independent, self-confident, and team-player)
- Presentation/Confidence (thoughtful, mature)
- Motivation (committed, client-oriented, initiative, and quality commitment)
- Responses (direct, thoughtful)
- Interest in “XYZ employer” (ties to geographic area of interest)
- Preparation for the Interview
- Desire and Interest
- Leadership Ability
- Work Experience
- Undergraduate/Graduate Achievement
- Thoughts Presented Clearly and Logically
- Observations: Intelligent, Thoughtful, Sincere
- Would candidate interact well with colleagues, clients and opposing counsel?
- Could candidate handle requirements of practice and commitment necessary?
- Particular accomplishments or distinguishing skills?
- How does this candidate envision the progress of their career (short term and long term goals)?
- What experience did they identify as being the most indicative of the type of person they are?
- What is the apparent work ethic of this candidate?
- Would you recommend a full interview?
- Did the candidate have a legal job last summer? Did the candidate receive an offer to return?
Social Media: Feedback from an Employer
Your interviewer will already have researched you before the interview using social media platforms. You should be sure that any public postings are professional. Be careful to make any private accounts not accessible by others.
“I was surprised with the number of applicants who had so much information about themselves publicly available in social media sites - Facebook, blogs, etc. We do regularly look up every applicant, and I'm sure that we're not alone. LinkedIn doesn't bother me so much, since its generally fairly professional, but some of my partners and I were very much turned off by the unflattering way that many applicants chose to portray themselves on other sites.”
Ask Questions
Thoughtfully prepare 3 to 5 questions to ask the interviewer that demonstrate your research -- not asking the right questions could be interpreted as a lack of interest on your part. You should ask questions to let the employer know that you are genuinely interested in the position. In addition, the answers will tell you if this is the place where you would like to begin your career. Also, do not waste valuable time asking questions that you could have found out by checking the website or reading information that is publicly available. However, you may want reference information you learned during your research and ask follow-up questions.
Research the Employer
Research the employer before the interview. Know what they do (especially practice areas and types of clients) and be able to answer the question, “Why XYZ Employer?” If possible, research the individual who will be conducting the interview.
Achievements
Distinguish yourself. Know your strengths and transferable skills. Promote yourself and your education at Albany Law School. Try to stress your achievements when discussing your qualifications for the position. Be specific in showing why you would be an asset to the employer.
Experience
Be direct with your experience. Give specific examples of skills and build confidence.
Resume
Know all of the information contained on your resume and be prepared to discuss it. Refresh yourself on any papers listed or summarize accomplishments at past jobs.
Distractions
If possible, try not to read from notes or take notes during the interview as this could distract the interviewer and reduce the opportunity to make a connection. Try to stay present and to demonstrate you are an active listener.
Comments
Keep a positive attitude when answering questions. Do not apologize for your grades, but do be prepared to answer questions about them. Be prepared to answer the question, “Why did you choose Albany Law School?” You must develop a good (and hopefully) sincere explanation for why you want to practice law; “Why do you want to be a Lawyer?”
Maturity
Display poise and maturity. Err on the side of formality – including language and attitude.
Communication
Display that you are a great communicator. Always acknowledge your interviewer and maintain eye contact during the interview. Convey the feeling that “Employer XYZ” is where you want to be. Bring your best manners, your energy and enthusiasm. Remember to smile. Relax and be genuine. Try to view the interview as a conversation.
Tie into the Geographic Location
Be ready to articulate why you want to work in the employer’s geographic location (e.g., ties to the area).
“Tell me about yourself”
Formulate and commit to memory at least three strengths and examples of each from your experiences (academic or work). Your answer needs to be succinct and hit key points about which every employer cares. Feel free to share something about your personal experiences that demonstrates who you are outside of school and/or work.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Know your strengths and weaknesses and use an anecdote to support you claim. Following are some qualities employers look for in entry level employees: punctuality, diligence, ambition, and resourcefulness. For example, instead of saying, “I’m punctual,” you might say, “I really like to get to work a few minutes early to review what I need to do for the day ahead. I do the same thing in class. I find if I arrive a few minutes early, I am better organized.”
The same thinking applies to your weaknesses. One method to explaining your weaknesses: give an example of a weakness and finish the sentence one way you are improving on the weakness. For instance, “My friends say I take work a little too seriously, sometimes at the expense of my personal life; however, I am working on setting aside time each week to focus on the things I like to do outside of school.”
Interviewer Feedback
- “I was very impressed with the students. The questions asked revealed they had taken the time to review the information about our agency. Some students obviously did a lot of research regarding the agency - it made a good impression and a much more interesting/in depth interview.”
- “Students need to be prepared to engage in a substantive discussion of a legal issue. Interviewers like to test a student’s ability to think critically about a legal problem.”
- “Students should be comfortable telling potential employers why they would be an asset.”
- “I am always amazed by the number of students that claim they have read our website but then ask how we structure our summer associate program when it is clear it is a rotation program. I was also surprised that none of the candidates seemed to dig into my bio/practice areas to formulate good questions.”
- “Generally, candidates should do more research on firms and think about and prepare to talk about why they want to work at that particular firm. With few exceptions, candidates did not know XYZ firm from any other firm. Some had wrong information. Even a 20-minute survey of our very comprehensive website would have been appreciated.”
- “Students could do a better job with pre-interview research on firms. I find students at callbacks have a much better sense of the firm.”
- “Some students were very knowledgeable about our firm. Others not as much. Definitely helps if someone shows knowledge of the firm.”
- “Too often students were not prepared with questions to ask, and did not have a satisfactory answer as to why they were interested in the firm. Also, rehearsed or canned answers are a turn off, and are not persuasive.”
- “Some students were too informal during the interview – language and overall presentation. This would not play well to our clients. Others were more polished.”
- “While there were several very good candidates, some had not thought about why they would like to work at our law firm beyond its obvious size and diversity of practice areas (as opposed to any other location or firm that with many practice areas). I also felt our international practice was more of an attraction as a potential travel opportunity than as an opportunity to work with foreign clients or on transactions raising issues of foreign law.”
Common Job Interview Mistakes
- Arriving late. Arriving too early.
- Leaving your cell phone on or using it while waiting for an interview to begin.
- Bad-mouthing previous supervisor/boss.
- Lying about skills/experience/knowledge/employment.
- Wearing the wrong (for this workplace!) attire.
- Forgetting the interviewer's name.
- Wearing too much perfume or aftershave.
- Failing to research the employer in advance.
- Failing to demonstrate enthusiasm.
- Unable to explain how your strengths and abilities apply to the job in question.
- Failing to make a strong case for why you are the best person for this job.
- Not bringing a copy of your resume and/or portfolio.
- Failing to remember contents of your resume.
- Being unprepared to answer the standard questions.
- Failing to listen carefully to what the interviewer asked.
- Interrupting your interviewer.
- Not matching the communication style of interviewer.
- Yawning. Slouching.
- Bringing along a friend, or a parent.
- Chewing gum, pen, hair.
- Saying “you know”, “like”, “I guess”, and “um ”.
- Name-dropping, bragging, sounding like a know-it-all.
- Being falsely, or exaggeratedly, modest.
- Shaking hands too weakly, or too firmly.
- Failing to make eye contact (or making continuous eye contact).
- Becoming angry or defensive.
- Complaining about waiting (or anything!)
- Speaking rudely to the receptionist or support staff.
- Over explaining why you lost your last job.
- Being too familiar and jokey.
- Checking the time.
- Over sharing.
- Sounding rehearsed.
Skills
These Skills Are Recognized By The American Bar Association (ABA) As Necessary For Competent,
Successful Legal Practice
- Legal analysis and reasoning
- Legal research
- Factual investigation
- Communication (generally and including legal writing and oral argument)
- Counseling
- Negotiation
- Litigation and alternative dispute resolution procedures
- Organization and management of legal work
- Recognition and resolution of ethical dilemmas
Factors Vital To Lawyer Competence
- Problem solving
- Advocacy
- Practical judgment
- Communication skills
The Skills Of Legal Professional Competence
- Self-awareness
- Active listening
- Questioning
- Empathy
- Communication
- Resilience
Qualities employers firms look for in junior associates:
- Punctuality
- Diligence
- Ambition
- Resourcefulness
- Meticulous
Six Tips for Developing Leadership Skills in Law School
By Todd Belcore - former Equal Justice Works Fellow with the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.
Listen
Leaders help others to solve problems. As a leader you must be able to discern the needs and interest of your audience – whether it’s clients, coworkers, or others - as quickly as possible. The good news is that people usually tell you what their needs and interests are. The bad news is that we advocates are sometimes too busy to really hear them. Listening is a perennially underrated skill that informs or implicates nearly all others. In law school, just like any other setting, you have the opportunity to learn more about interests, personalities, opinions and perspectives of others. Listening does three invaluable things: 1) it will broaden your perspective; 2) make you communicate in a more responsive and responsible manner; and 3) help inform how to approach an issue in a way that addresses others’ needs rather than simply your perception of their needs.
Make Ideas Come To Life
Everyone has ideas. Fewer can turn ideas into real programs, events, classes or policies. Leaders get those results. This phenomenon is actually a developed skill. If there is something your law school doesn’t offer, a program that hasn’t been implemented, an event that hasn’t been made available, an organization that hasn’t been formed, don’t be afraid to come up with some ideas and mobilize around changing that. This process alone will require you to plan, gather resources, build a base of contacts, and determine the audience you must convince to make that idea come to fruition. This process will essentially be mimicked no matter the level of the project you take on so the more experience you get with it, the better.
Make Yourself Uncomfortable
A leader has to be in touch with his or her limitations. However, in order to learn precisely what those are, you must challenge any assumptions you have of yourself. What are you uncomfortable doing? Do you perceive that to be a weakness? Can it change? There is no better opportunity to answer those questions than in law school where there are a plethora of curricular and extracurricular opportunities. I have friends who came to school “knowing” they would never be oral advocates who are now on the trial team because they challenged their assumptions.
Don’t Be Afraid To Make Mistakes
Leaders know they may have done something well, but they can always do better. Don’t be afraid to admit and learn from mistakes. There is often no better way to grow and learn than to make a mistake and ask for constructive criticism. Fortunately, law school is typically a good place to receive feedback but in the event you are not getting any or enough feedback, seek it out. You can’t fix areas that could use improvement unless you know about them, so ask for feedback.
Learn To Manage Personalities
All leaders need help, and good leaders know how to get it. As society becomes more diverse and complex, it becomes more vital than ever to be able to work with – and influence – people with varying personality types, backgrounds and power. (Even amongst people with similar backgrounds and personality types, differences in work style will emerge; you should learn to notice those and learn how to work with all people based on their individual characteristics.) Law school provides you with an opportunity to recognize personality traits and work styles of your peers and coworkers, and to learn how to work efficiently with them. Take advantage of this opportunity as frequently as possible.
Find Your Voice
Leaders are true to themselves. Law school is the ultimate place to not just learn about case law, but to learn more about yourself. However, it is also a place where you can lose yourself amidst the briefs, reading and argument. Therefore, it is critical to think about who you are, who you want to become and how law school will help you get there. Don’t just engage the law, but consider the law in light of your personal history and experiences. Don’t just take a side, but let that side be informed by loved ones and people you have met along the way. Finding your voice is not only personally fulfilling; it makes everything easier to communicate. It also reflects a level of comfort with oneself that makes a favorable impression on those around you. Every law school experience is a chance for you to find your voice, and to use it.
Below are life skills and characteristics you will develop in your career that will lead to effective lawyering.
- Use experiences outside classroom to enhance skills
- Intellectual and cognitive strengths
- Research and information-gathering capacity
- Excellent communication skills
- An ability to plan and organize work production
- Conflict resolution skills
- Entrepreneurship
- A disposition to work well with others
- Analysis and Reasoning - Uses analytical skills, logic, and reasoning to approach problems and to formulate conclusions and advice.
- Creativity/Innovation - Thinks “outside the box", develops innovative approaches and solutions.
- Problem Solving - Effectively identifies problems and derives appropriate solutions.
- Practical Judgment - Determines effective and realistic approaches to problems.
- Providing Advice & Counsel & Building Relationships with Clients - Able to develop relationships with clients that address client’s needs.
- Fact Finding - Able to identify relevant facts and issues in case.
- Researching the Law - Utilizes appropriate sources and strategies to identify issues and derive solutions.
- Speaking - Orally communicates issues in an articulate manner consistent with issue and audience being addressed.
- Writing - Writes clearly, efficiently and persuasively.
- Listening - Accurately perceives what is being said both directly and subtly.
- Influencing & Advocating - Persuades others of position and wins support.
- Questioning and Interviewing - Obtains needed information from others to pursue issue/case.
- Negotiation Skills - Resolves disputes to the satisfaction of all concerned.
- Strategic Planning - Plans and uses strategy to address present and future issues and goals.
- Organizing and Managing (Own) Work - Generates well-organized methods and work products.
- Organizing and Managing Others (Staff/Colleagues) - Organizes and manages others work to accomplish goals.
- Evaluation, Development, and Mentoring - Manages, trains, and instructs others to realize their full potential.
- Developing Relationships within the Legal Profession - Establish quality relationships with others to work toward goals.
- Networking and Business Development - Develops productive business relationships and helps meet the unit’s financial goals.
- Community Involvement and Service - Contributes legal skills to the community.
- Integrity & Honesty - Has core values and beliefs; acts with integrity and honesty.
- Stress Management - Effectively manages pressure or stress.
- Passion & Engagement - Demonstrates interest in law for its own merits.
- Diligence - Committed to and responsible in achieving goals and completing tasks.
- Self-Development - Attends to and initiates self-development.
- Able to See the World Through the Eyes of Others - Understands positions, views, objectives, and goals of others.
AlbanyLaw Link
Access
The link to AlbanyLaw Link can be found on your Albany Law student portal. You can access the portal on the Albany Law website and then log in with your credentials.
Once in the portal, under “My Bookmarks”, click or tap on “Career Center (CSM)”.
At the Log In screen, your username is your Albany Law email address. For first time users, you will need to click on “Generate or Reset Password” located under the “Log In” button.
An email will be sent to your Albany Law email address to create a password.
Jobs & Internships Section
Here, you will be able to browse jobs and internships that are posted by the CPDC as well as view the jobs you have saved, and applications you have submitted.
You can search by keyword, location, position type, employer type, whether it is remote, and at which class level the position is targeting.
When you find a position you are interested in, click or tap the star icon on the right to save it.
To view your saved applications, click or tap the “Saved” tab within “Jobs & Internships”.
Interview & Recruiting Programs
During the academic year and at the end of summer, Albany Law hosts what is known as On- Campus Interviews (OCI) where students apply for interviews with participating employers through AlbanyLaw Link.
Information about OCI and recruiting programs is shared closer to the application period.
Multi-Media Library
This resource can be found on the home page in the tiles under the main banner.
This area contains helpful resources like guides to cover letter and resume writing as well as tips for interviewing.
Events
Here is where you will find postings for networking events, information session, and panels geared towards professional development, career skills, and information gathering.
If there is an event posted that you would like to attend, just click or tap the “Attend” button and an email will be sent with the details.
Employers
This section allows you to find and follow employers, quickly access their current postings, events they are hosting or attending, and contact information for those who work there.
Counseling
Here, you can request an appointment with your career counselor by viewing their availability, whether it is in person or over zoom, and what type of appointment you would like to schedule.
To find your career counselor, click or tap on the circle in the top right with your initials, the go to “My Account” --> “Personal Information” --> “Assigned Career Counselor”
Resources
AlbanyLaw Link provides a variety of different resources for students to browse ranging from employer research to career exploration and more.
Timelines
August Start - Timeline
This is a general timeline intended to provide some guidance and expectations around opportunities for career development. We encourage students to meet with their career counselors and faculty academic advisors at least once a semester to ensure they are creating individualized plans unique to their goals.
1L
First Semester
Acclimate to law school, meet career counselor, explore internships.
September - Look for AlbanyLaw Link login.
October - Meet with career counselor. Attend career education program and employer information sessions.
Identify organizations that hire 1Ls using AlbanyLaw Link, psjd.org, Idealist, and job search websites.
Winter
Finalize resume, cover letter, writing sample, and research possible summer internships.
December - Create and perfect your legal resume. Apply for summer positions with early deadlines. Participate in the mock interview program and prepare to participate in Spring on-campus virtual interviews.
2nd Semester
Assess coursework to ensure selections reflect field of interest; make plans to gain experience.
February - Participate in spring on-campus recruiting.
March - Learn about field placements and in-house clinics.
Summer
Gain legal experience and think about extra-curricular activities such as journal, moot court, and student organizations.
June - Meet with your career counselor to prepare for summer associate hiring and early fall on-campus interview program. Participate in the writing competition for the journals.
July - Begin to research and interview for summer associate programs for after your second-year. Explore programs with federal agencies.
2L
3rd Semester
September - Compete in the Domenick L. Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Competition. Meet with career counselor on summer employment and spring internships. Participate in early fall on-campus interview program.
November - Update resume and apply for spring clinic or field placement. Learn about employers participating in spring recruiting.
Winter
Continue to build network and set up alumni interviews.
January - Begin to apply for Federal clerkships.
Reach out to alumni to grow network. Set up informational interviews for spring break.
4th Semester
Assess coursework to ensure selections reflect field of interest and plan to gain experience.
April - Compete in the Donna Jo Morse Client Counseling and Negotiations Competitions; try out for Moot Court Travel Teams.
May - Prepare for summer legal experience.
Summer
Prepare to participate in spring semester recruiting.
June - Think about a possible semester-in-practice for your final semester of law school.
Prepare applications for state clerkships.
Continue to build your network and prepare for your final year of law school.
3L
5th Semester
Review skill set and develop action plan to develop missing skills.
August - Update your resume and LinkedIn account to reflect your summer experience.
October - Meet with your career counselor to develop a plan for your after-graduation job search.
Conduct informational interviews and build your network.
Winter
Review action plan for after-graduation job search and ensure all course requirements are met, and understand what is needed to sit for the Bar Exam.
December - Make sure you have met all your requirements for graduation.
6th Semester
February - Apply to positions on AlbanyLaw Link, Indeed, LinkedIn, and other websites.
Use spring break to conduct informational interviews with alumni and practitioners in your field of interest.
April - Meet with your career counselor to conduct your exit interview.
Summer
May - Commencement
June - Make sure your resume is included in the recent graduate resume book.
Prepare for Bar Exam and secure a faculty mentor for Bar study.
July - Sit for the July Bar Exam. After the bar exam meet with your career counselor to discuss your job search.
January Start - Timeline
This is a general timeline intended to provide some guidance and expectations around opportunities for career development. We encourage students to meet with their career counselors and faculty academic advisors at least once a semester to ensure they are creating individualized plans unique to their goals.
1L
1st Semester
January - Become familiar with AlbanyLaw Link and resources. Meet with your career counselor and create your individual career plan.
March - Identify organizations that may need help using AlbanyLaw Link, psjd.org, and Idealist.
Finalize legal resume; apply to summer volunteer opportunities.
Summer
Volunteer for a public interest org. or pro bono opportunity.
May - Join a bar association and take advantage of professional development resources.
July - Identify areas of interest and work with your career counselor to identify alumni in those areas. Conduct 1-2 informational interviews with alumni and/or professionals to build your network.
2nd Semester
Assess coursework and make plans to gain experience during spring semester.
October - Update resume to reflect summer position and professional affiliations.
November - Learn about spring field placements and n-house clinics; apply during registration for spring courses. Meet with your Career Counselor & Academic Advisor.
Winter
Prepare to participate in recruiting programs during spring semester.
December - Research summer internships with government agencies & nonprofits.
Become familiar with recruiting programs on AlbanyLaw Link.
Identify possible summer internships to target during January/February recruiting programs.
2L
3rd Semester
Complete experiential learning/journal/moot court.
January - Build experience through clinic or field placement.
March - Compete in the Domenick L.Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Competition.
Participate in Mock Interviews and Prepare for summer recruiting programs; Learn about Summer in Practice.
Summer
May - Gain additional legal experience throughout summer through legal internship or Summer in Practice.
July - Participate in recruiting programs for Summer Associate positions & Explore Summer Honors Programs with federal agencies.
Consider what experience to gain in fall; Learn about Semester in Practice.
4th Semester
October - Compete in the Donna Jo Morse Client Counseling and Negotiations Competitions; try out for Moot Court Travel Teams.
November - Update resume and apply for spring clinic or field placement.
Learn about organizations participating in spring recruiting.
Winter
Prepare to participate in recruiting programs during spring semester.
December - Reach out to alumni and grow network.
Participate in pro bono opportunities.
Update resume and application documents for spring recruiting program.
3L
5th Semester
Complete experiential learning/journal/moot court.
January - Complete Semester in Practice or field placement/clinic.
March - Participate in and/or lead student groups.
Meet with Career Counselor about summer plans.
Summer
Gain experience in a field/setting that aligns with postgraduation goals.
May - Research post-graduate opportunities that have fall application deadlines and apply for Judicial Clerkships.
July - Complete Summer Associate or Law Clerk Position or Summer in Practice. Apply for Fellowships and/or D.A. Offices and/or federal honors programs.
6th Semester
Assess coursework and be sure resume highlights transferable skills for field of interest and begin to apply for post-graduation positions.
October - Compete in the Karen C. McGovern Senior Prize Trials Moot Court Competition.
November - Complete Semester in Practice or field placement/clinic. Reach out to alumni and grow network; Update resume and apply for postgraduate positions.
December - Prepare for Bar Exam.
February - Bar Exam. Update resume and application documents & meet with Career Counselor.
May - Commencement.