Are You Unemployed and in Transition? 16 Job Search Strategies to Consider to Get Back Into the Legal Market
Question: I am a lawyer who left my job four years ago to take care of my newborn. I am ready to return to the workforce. My challenge is that the job search process has been slow and discouraging. I apply to jobs, but hear nothing. Unfortunately, I don’t know people at the law firms and companies where I am applying. I feel like the jobs are already filled before I even apply. I am at a detriment because I have been unemployed for four years and my resume has this huge gap. What is the best way to conduct a job search after having taken some time off from the workforce?
Answer: You are not alone. Others have taken time off for personal and/or family reasons. It is understood that it can be extremely frustrating to search for months on end for a position with barely a nibble of interest. You may be looking diligently on LinkedIn and legal job boards in search of a position that is a great fit for you, and you may feel as though you have exhausted all of your options. However, as an attorney, you have some great opportunities to enhance your job search in a number of ways, and you may even be able to supplement your income while you are in transition by taking a few steps.
Below are 16 strategies you can take to learn about new positions, to network with industry professionals and even to refine your skills and make extra money while you are looking for full-time work.
- Hire a Professional Resume Writing Service
If you have submitted your resume to many law firms and/or corporations with underwhelming interest, there may be a problem with your resume. You may have a typo that you missed. Your format may not be right. Also, it may be the case that if you are applying online to corporations, your resume does not contain the right “key” terms to even get your resume considered. It can be challenging to jazz up a legal resume, make it sound interesting and address your gap, but a professional resume writing service may be able to work some magic. By hiring a professional to revamp your resume, it may finally get you the recognition you deserve.
- Get on LinkedIn and Update Your Profile
Make sure that you are on LinkedIn and that your profile is up-to-date. Many companies and recruiters reach out to candidates directly through LinkedIn. There are career counselors that can polish your LinkedIn profile as well.
- Network with Law School Alumni
In the legal industry, who you know can often help you to get your foot in the door with a great company. A smart idea is to reach out to a few old law school friends. Invite them to lunch to chat about your school days, and mention that you are looking for a new job. You can also reach out to them on LinkedIn and Facebook and later connect through telephone. Some may be aware of an opening in their firm or in other places, and they may be able to put in a good word for you.
- Check Legal Organizations’ Websites
There is a seemingly endless range of professional organizations with websites with job postings. As a given, check the CCWC website as well as other organizations’ websites from around the country to see what opportunities are available.
- Attend Industry Conferences
To make in-person contacts, you should expand your job search by attending industry conferences. If funds are limited, you can check to see if the organization offers a scholarship or free registration for lawyers in transition.
- Contract With a Job Placement Firm
If funding is not an issue, another idea is to hire a job placement firm to do some headhunting work for you.
- Publish Legal Articles and Blogs Online
If you have a knack for writing, you can gain recognition in the legal community by publishing legal articles and blogs online.
- Visit a Job Fair in Your City or Out of Town
Job fairs typically bring together dozens or even hundreds of employers who are actively looking for individuals to fill their positions. Attend legal as well as non-legal job fairs. By attending these fairs, you may be able to hand your resume to numerous human resources personnel personally and even get an introductory interview completed on the spot.
- Pick Up the Telephone and Hand-Deliver Your Resume
One step you can take to set yourself apart from the masses and get the recognition you desire is to hand-deliver your resume directly to the hiring manager. With everyone communicating now on LinkedIn, people do not make personal phone calls like they did in the past. So put a personal touch on it. Call the hiring manager or the general counsel. If you can get them or someone on the telephone, try to make arrangements to hand-deliver your resume.
- Volunteer Your Legal Services to a Charitable Organization
Many charitable organizations are in need of legal services, and you can keep your skills up-to-date and relevant while making new contacts by offering your legal services to one or two organizations for free. If the organization has some money, offer to provide legal counsel for a flat fee. Many non profits need help with contracts, privacy, governance, compliance, etc. This work can be a great opportunity to grow your skills in new areas and these skills can be added to your resume as well to help your resume stand apart from the rest. In some cases, the charitable organization may even decide to offer you a full-time position.
- Offer Legal Services to Family and Friends
If you have been searching for a job for several months or longer, funds may be dwindling, and you may be eager to find any work to generate cash flow. One idea is to offer professional legal services to family and friends. You may not charge them your full hourly rate, but you can get some money deposited into your bank account and keep your legal skills polished.
- Look for Contract Work
When you are unable to find a full-time position, you may consider the alternative of contract work. Often, with contract work, you can charge a higher hourly rate. In addition, you may generate so much contract work from your efforts that you no longer need to find a salaried position.
- Think About Part-Time Positions
Another idea is to look for part-time positions to generate income. Ideally, a full-time job is preferred by most lawyers, but part-time work at least puts another position on your resume and can help to pay the bills while you continue to search for full-time work.
- Consider a Change in Location
If you have only been looking in your current metropolitan area such as Los Angeles or New York City for a position, you may want to expand your search territory. In fact, you may want to look outside of your home state in areas where lawyers are in high demand. You may be required to pack up and move, but this can increase your likelihood of getting hired.
- Get a Real Estate License
In some cases, enhancing your professional skills can go a long way toward getting a full-time position. One idea is to get a real estate license. With your license, you may start practicing real estate, but you can also use your new knowledge and skills in this market to qualify for a niche real estate law position. Check with your state bar. Some, like the New York bar, do not require you to take a real estate course or real estate exam if you are already barred as a lawyer by the state.
- Stay PositiveThe biggest challenge in long-term unemployment is allowing the frustration you are feeling to become an impediment to your job search and perpetuating the cycle. Lots of lawyers take time off at some point in their careers and eventually find themselves back in the flow of a rewarding career.
If you can put these tips into action, it will keep you active during your quest for a new job and will hopefully land you in the position you desire.
Kathy Richardson is the Founder and Principal of HR Legal Search. She supports in-house lawyers and law firm partners in their career development and has successfully placed hundreds of lawyers nationwide.