Appointments and Drop-Ins
The Office of Career Services is operating on campus. We are offering in-person and virtual appointments and services. Visit Contact Information and Directions for more information.
Not feeling well? Help keep HLS healthy by staying home. Contact OCS at ocs@law.harvard.edu or call (617) 495-3119. We’re happy to help you switch your appointment to Zoom or help you access our services virtually.
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Scheduling an Appointment in CSM
Scheduling an Appointment in CSM
How to Access CSM
All advising appointments are scheduled in CSM/Symplicity. If you have not used CSM recently please see How to Use CSMfor more information. If you are unable to access your account, clicking the “forgot password” link will send a password reset email to the account we have on file (your HLS email if you graduated after 2010).
Incoming transfer students, see Instructions to Access CSM if you are not able to login.
If you do not have a CSM account and would like to request one be created, email ocs@law.harvard.edu and include: your name (include name as a student if different), graduation year, email, and phone number.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser,
- Navigate to CSM Symplicity and login.
- Click “Schedule an Appointment” found in the section on the right called OCS Appointments.
- Select the type of appointment you want and any other filters, and then click the “check availability” button to see which advisers have open appointments.
Note: Appointments must be scheduled at least one day in advance. The system will not allow same-day appointments. If you have time-sensitive questions or concerns, see drop-in hours below.
Reserve Space for Zoom Appointments
Current students (J.D. and LL.M.) may request space to conduct their virtual appointment. We have space available when OCS is working on campus.
Request Space: When you are scheduling a Zoom appointment in CSM, answer “Yes” to the question, “Do you need to reserve a quiet space to conduct your Zoom appointment?”.
To request space for an existing appointment, email ocs@law.harvard.edu and ask to reserve a quiet space for your upcoming appointment. Please include the date and time of your appointment.
Access Reserved Space: Check in at the OCS front desk (like you would for an in-person appointment) and mention that you reserved a space for your Zoom appointment. Make sure you bring your computer and other equipment needed to conduct your appointment.
Cancelling or Rescheduling
Cancelling or Rescheduling
Cancelling Appointments: If you must cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so through CSM/Symplicity at least 24 hours in advance.
If advance notice is not possible, please email us at ocs@law.harvard.edu.
If you need to make last-minute changes and the office is closed please contact the adviser directly.
Rescheduling Appointments: To reschedule, please cancel your appointment that you cannot attend and book a new appointment. If you cannot find a new booking, please email us at ocs@law.harvard.edu and we will try to accommodate you as best we can.
Attending Your Appointment
Attending Your Appointment
In-Person Appointments: In person appointments will take place in the the OCS Suite, 4020 Wasserstein Hall. Check in at the front desk when you arrive and we will notify your adviser that you have arrived.
Zoom Contact Infomation: If you selected a Zoom appointment, the meeting ID will be provided in your appointment confirmation email. If you do not have your advisers Zoom information, visit J.D. Drop-In Hours and OCS Adviser Zoom Contact Info for instructions on how to contact your adviser for your appointment.
Installing Zoom: For initial installation instructions and troubleshooting see the HLS site on Zoom Videoconferencing for HLS Faculty, Staff and Students.
Drop-in Hours and Chat
Drop-in Hours and Chat
J.D. Students: Visit J.D. Drop-In Hours and OCS Adviser Zoom Contact Infofor contact information.
Please note that drop-in hours are for general advising and should be quick 5-minute questions, and not clerkship questions. You may also email quick questions to ocs@law.harvard.edu.
Clerkship: Quick clerkship questions can be submitted as comments through The Bench clerkship blog (look for the most recent Q&A post.)
LL.M.: LL.M. students should make an advising appointment or email an LL.M. adviser.
Extended Drop-ins for EIP: We offer extended drop-in hours for students participating in EIP. Visit J.D. Drop-In Hours and OCS Adviser Zoom Contact Info for dates, hours, and contact information.
Chat with Peer Advisers: Chat is not available at this time.
Alumni Advising
Alumni Advising
Are you a Harvard Law School graduate who has career related questions? We invite all alumni/ae to make an appointment with the Office of Career Services. We will work with you to define your goals, develop your job search strategy, research potential employers, and find the job you want. An individual career consultation also offers you the opportunity to receive feedback on your resume and cover letter, develop interview strategies, and learn networking techniques.
OCS is currently conducting all alumni appointments remotely via Zoom video conferencing. When you select an advising appointment you will receive a confirmation email with the information necessary for contacting your adviser. See OCS Adviser Zoom Contact Info for instructions on how to contact your adviser for your appointment.
Please note that during certain times of the year many people are eager to speak with an adviser and appointments fill up quickly. We try our best to meet demand, but if you are having trouble finding an open spot please email us at ocs@law.harvard.edu.
Login to CSM/Symplicity to Schedule an Appointment. See Scheduling an Appointment above for instructions.
Types of Alumni Appointments
General Alumni Advising Appointments
Alumni advising appointments are by phone or zoom only. Please select the service called ”Alumni Advising – Zoom”. When you select an advising appointment please include a preferred email for your appointment in the comments. Appointments may be made to discuss career transitions, review your cover letter or resume, conduct a mock interview, or explore other career-related topics.
Please note that during certain times of the year many people are eager to speak with an advisor and appointments fill up quickly. We try our best to meet demand, but if you are having trouble finding an open spot please email us at ocs@law.harvard.edu.
Judicial Clerkship Appointments
Judicial Clerkship appointments for alumni are by phone or zoom only. Please select the service called “Judicial Clerkships – Zoom”. Clerking is becoming quite common for alumni. For advice about judicial clerkships please review the Judicial Clerkship section of our website. If you wish to meet with a clerkship advisor select the service called Judicial Clerkships.
Public Interest Advising Appointments
For those seeking a transition into or within the public sector, please make an appointment with an OPIA alumni advisor.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Before your appointment, please review the alumni section of the website. This will allow you to become familiar with our alumni resources and make the most of your half-hour appointment. The following pages may answer many of your common questions:
Advising Services
Advising Services
OCS advisers, all of whom have law degrees and years of practice experience, are available daily for one-on-one appointments Monday through Friday year-round. OCS advises current students with a focus on private sector careers and judicial clerkships. We work closely with our sister office, the Office of Public Interest Advising (OPIA), who advise students and alumni on public sector career pursuits.
Individual career counseling can cover a range of topics including but not limited to:
- Self Assessment
- Job search strategies
- Mock interviews
- Networking
- Resume and cover letter review
- Career transitions
- Evaluation of offers
Review the OCS Services page for a full list of our services.
Law Teaching Advising
Law Teaching Advising
For law teaching appointments, please contact Susannah Barton Tobin, Assistant Dean for Academic Career Advising at stobin@law.harvard.edu.