Page 7 - Untitled

07

Overlooked Forms of Networking

Alumni

Alumni are another invaluable yet largely untapped resource. Having a common
educational background with someone is another connection. You can perform an
advanced search for alumni from both your law school and/or alumni from your
undergraduate institution. There are ways to do searches on legal research engines
that you already have access to. Send them an e-mail or letter introducing yourself and
perhaps request an “informational interview” as described below. Alumni Associations
even have committees, sections, or divisions within them that have a specific focus or
appeal to certain demographics.

Overlooked Forms of Networking

Informational Interviews

Use legal periodicals to keep abreast of the premier attorneys in the areas of law
that are of interest to you. Note that some of them may be professors in your law
school. These periodicals will give the name of the person and the firm that the
individual works for. You could look up their contact information on the firm's website,
the bar's website, or on Martindale-Hubbell. Write to the individual. Say that you are
familiar with their work, be sure to mention a few key points about their work, and
request a meeting with them to gather suggestions about that particular area of law.
This meeting is often referred to as an "informational interview" and it typically lasts less
than an hour. Make sure to take notes. Some questions you should ask during this
informational interview include: ‘what do you like the most about working in this area?
The least? What suggestions do you have for someone interested in pursuing a career
in this area? What do you know now that you wish you would have known about this
area of law when you were in law school? Do you have any suggestions about which
courses I should take and when? Are there certain things in my resume that I should
highlight over others? Anything that I should avoid? Any suggestions regarding the
writing sample?’ Keep in mind that this meeting is to gather information not directly ask
for a job. Just guidance. Be sure to follow this meeting up with a thank you letter.

This pamphlet contains copyrighted
material. All rights reserved.