Job Search Logistics

Speaking with someone who has a career you might want to emulate is a great way to think about the big picture while also getting advice. Amicus Student-Alumni Connect provides an easy way for you to connect with HLS alumni.

Rest assured, many 1Ls are still seeking jobs for this summer.

Make sure to check your spam folders for employer communications. From time-to-time these emails (including some callback invitations and rejection emails) are picked up by spam filters.

Not sure what you should be doing this spring on the career front? Stay on-track and organized with the 1L Spring Forward Checklist (bit.ly/ocscareerchecklist).

Still looking for a 1L summer job? In addition, to checking the CSM job bank regularly, check out LinkedIn Jobs for a variety of positions, including in-house legal internships. Search for phrases like “legal intern,” see what positions show up, and apply as directed.

Does a legal internship with Apple or NBC interest you? What about working in the British Virgin Islands or New Delhi? Don’t forget to check the HLS Job Bank regularly.

Now that grades have been released, be sure to send your transcripts to any employers you need to update. Many applications, particularly those with law firms, ask for transcripts as part of the application.

Once you begin applying to employers for the summer, one challenge you may face is identifying the appropriate contact to whom to address your cover letter.

While you may have sent out some applications for positions in December, it is possible that you haven’t received any responses yet. This isn’t unusual. Firms may still be assessing their needs for 1L summer associates and others may be waiting to see a transcript from your first semester.

If you did not submit your resume for review through the OCS 1L Resume Review Program in the fall, it is not too late to get feedback from an OCS adviser before applying to employers.

Thinking about your job search for this coming summer? If you haven’t already, review the Who Worked Where lists and reach out to students who had jobs that you think you would like to apply for to hear about their experience and get their advice.

Remember that December 1 is the first day you can apply to firms according to our recruitment policies, not a deadline by which you need to apply. School and exam preparation should be front and center now, not your job search. If you choose to apply to large law firms for this summer, there is no need to get your applications in immediately after December 1. Students applying to diversity positions should be mindful of deadlines, but even those should be met by applying over winter break.

The Massachusetts Law School Consortium Government & Public Interest Interview Program bid deadline is tomorrow at noon. Many 1Ls get their jobs through this program, so we encourage you to check out all of the employers and get further information on OPIA’s website.

While your academics should be your primary focus now, you may be planning to send some applications out soon. Once you have identified firms that will consider applications from 1Ls using the NALP Directory, check the firm’s website to see how they direct candidates to apply. Sometimes you will be directed to apply through the firm’s website and sometimes by email.

Even if you are focused on the private sector, it is important to consider public interest positions as well. One opportunity to apply for and interview for public sector jobs is through the Massachusetts Law School Consortium Government & Public Interest Interview Program. Bidding is now open (you do not need to wait for December 1) and the deadline is December 1 at noon.

The NALP Directory is one of the easiest sources for finding law firms that hire 1Ls. Once in the database, you need only click on two different drop-down menus. Choose a state and then select “Organizations that hire” 1Ls.

Some law firms award diversity scholarships/fellowships to 1L students who have a diverse background. You can find many of these opportunities in the CSM Job Bank.

Before you begin sending out your applications for this summer’s job opportunities or for networking inquiries, review these tips on professional email etiquette. Most lawyers get hundreds of emails each day.

With December 1 around the corner, we will continually be adding job postings to the CSM job bank. You will find numerous job postings for 1L summer jobs in the private sector, and starting on December 1, you can begin applying for these opportunities.

The majority of the 1L class will work in the public sector this summer. Even if you are focused on the private sector, it is important to consider public interest positions as well.

There are some good and not-so-good reasons for considering a judicial internship for your 1L summer or during a school semester. Check out our webpages about judicial internships (and clerkships) for reference, as well as some specific opportunities already posted in the HLS Job Bank.