On the Job and Professionalism

As you start your summer job, you may already be thinking about what’s next and considering a change of firm or market next summer/after graduation. We encourage you not to start this summer with one foot out the door.

This summer, you want and need to know how you are doing on the job and how your work is being perceived.

Every piece of work you turn in should be the highest quality that you are capable of. Even if you are asked for a “draft,” you should take the time and effort to turn in a polished piece of work. Check your citations and proofread carefully. Do not rely on spell-check. Make sure you follow up after the assignment for feedback as well.

As you prepare to begin summer jobs, keep in mind a few key resources that may prove useful this summer. First, Hotshot Legal (you can create an account using your HLS credentials) can get you up to speed on law and business topics quickly on-the-job or before you start work.

Beginning with the first day of your summer job, you should try to work with and speak to as many attorneys as possible, and try to start cultivating relationships with attorneys who can serve as mentors to you.

Make sure you are ready to put your best foot forward this summer. If you haven’t already, review the Professionalism section of our website, including the Summer Associate Success Memo (pdf) and the Professionalism Primer (pdf). If you are working remotely, we also encourage you to watch Summer Success in a Remote Setting.

April 19, 12:30-1:30pm in WCC Milstein West Congratulations on finishing up law school! Now please join Assistant Dean Mark Weber and members of the OCS staff as we discuss your first years of "Real World" practice.

Want to know more about what Big Law practice is all about as you head into the summer? We’ve partnered with Hotshot (a digital learning provider for the legal industry) to create 3 self-directed learning tracks to give you a taste of Big Law practice: Intro to Big Law, Intro to Legal Practice: Litigation, and Intro to Legal Practice: Corporate.

If you want to decline an offer, remember that even declining an offer is an opportunity to build your reputation and cultivate a relationship. Handle it professionally by following these guidelines.

With law firm receptions on the horizon, understanding RSVP protocol is important. Firms track which students RSVP and attend their events, and consider this information when considering a candidate.

At this point in the 1L summer job search, you may be receiving offers from some positions while still interviewing for others. If an employer has extended you an offer with a deadline that does not allow you enough time to interview with and decide between other employers, you may ask the first employer to extend their decision deadline.

During your 1L year, employers will host numerous events, including virtual employer chats and in-person reception-style events. Starting next semester, the number of these events will increase substantially.

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.

Looking ahead to your summer job search, review your professional presence to make sure that all of your possible interactions with potential employers show you in the best and most professional light.

We would like to remind you that if you participated in EIP and were fortunate enough to receive multiple offers, make sure you have tied up all loose ends. If a firm asked you to let them know where you decided to go and you haven’t already done so, send a quick email to again thank the firm for the opportunity to interview and let them know where you will be going next summer.

If you participated in EIP and were fortunate enough to receive multiple offers, take stock of whether you have tied up all loose ends from the process.