National Jurist - September 2007 - (Page 37)

CAREERHOTLINE OCI advice: Share your passion Q: Should I take the initiative to convey my professional interests and passions during the initial campus interview? A: Generally, it can’t hurt to get across something that’s important to you professionally or personally. After all, your ultimate goal at the interview is to get the right job, not just a job, so it’s important to make sure your interests are in line with what the firm has to offer. In fact, a good interviewer will be listening more than talking, allowing you to take the lead and show your positive qualities, says Thomas Hill, partner and co-chair of national recruiting and head of Washington, D.C. recruiting at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP. So, if you have a health care background and absolutely know you will practice nothing but health law, by all means talk about your passion—but unless you are deadset on a particular field, be careful about limiting your options, Hill says. As a student, it’s perfectly fine not to know what you’ll practice exclusively; in fact, some firms may prefer a genuine interest in the law and in learning how the firm works over a too-zealous and limited interest in a particular field. The same rings true for extracurricular activities and non-legal interests: if you view them as important enough, you can talk about them at the on-campus interview. Law firms prefer well-rounded candidates, so your awardwinning crab cake recipe or first-place finish in that talent competition might just be the thing that sets you apart from other candidates. Beware, though: some recruiters believe there may be a risk in talking too much about your passions and interests outside of the law, and a potential employer might actually view that as a propensity to leave the practice after a few years. On the other hand, if you offend the interviewer by asking whether you’ll have at least some of your weekends free to pursue your non-legal passions, the firm likely wasn’t the right place for you, Hill says. September 2007 By Ursula Furi-Perry, J.D. Whatever you share about your personal and professional interests, the most important advice is to be genuine and truthful. And don’t just share your positive traits, says Hill: the on-campus interview is also your first opportunity to address any weaknesses in your resume or qualifications. For instance, if you did poorly in one semester due to personal issues, the interview gives you a chance to explain your grades. Q: Should I re-draft my entire resume each time I submit it to a potential employer, and should I only rewrite it to submit to firms that are in line with my interests? A: First, a total rewrite is not necessary, says Kristin Oliveri, firm-wide Human Resources Manager at Baker Hostetler, LLP. If you’re submitting to various different types of employers, you might customize your resume to better pinpoint your relevant qualifications and set you apart from others. For instance, have one resume for large firms and another for corporate law departments. But law firms typically like to see a wide range of experience and interests for summer and junior associate positions, so you won’t necessarily take yourself out of the running if you list your law review article on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the firm happens to focus primarily on litigation. Including your professional and personal interests, such as volunteer work and extracurricular activities, is generally a good idea, Oliveri advises. As for submitting only to certain types of employers or boutique law firms, Oliveri cautions students to keep an open mind. If you’re only interested in a particular type of employer — for example, public interest firms — then it may not serve you well to send your resume to others. But limiting yourself to small firms in a sole practice area may make little sense as a law student or recent grad, Oliveri says. You might get into a law firm with pre-set expectations only to discover that the practice area you’ve had your heart set on since college isn’t for you after all. ADVICE Got a career question? Submit to Ursula at furiperry@verizon.net THE NATIONAL JURIST 37

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of National Jurist - September 2007

National Jurist - September 2007 Contents Free Speech Disturbing the Peace For the Record Judge Approves $49 million BAR/BRI Settlement Law School Causes Emotional Stress, Study Finds New Textbook Breaks the Mold Southern Illinois Settles Lawsuit with Christian Legal Society Ave Maria Law Professors Protest School’s Move The Firm Report Student Hoax Shuts Down Hastings Law NCCU Grad Expands Her Program for Troubled Kids Hawaii Grad Finds Excitement in Saving Whales Diversity Hampering Whittier Accreditation? The Paper Chase Chronicles The Supreme Court: An Insider’s View Detroit Mercy’s Innovative Changes Pay Off Career Hotline The J.D. Files

National Jurist - September 2007

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