Networking is One of the Best Ways to Identify Jobs
by Donna Gerson

On-campus interviews, which reward top grades and high academic achievement, account for a miniscule percentage of jobs. Most law students find jobs either through networking or self-initiated contact with employers—often a combination of the two.

Before you conclude that networking is loathsome (as too many students do), let’s define the term: Networking is simply the process by which an individual gathers information and, in turn, shares information with others, creating and enhancing connections for mutual benefit. You can network about anything: identifying a good doctor for an ailing parent, scoring tickets to a U2 concert, or finding a job that’s right for you.

The most common complaint I hear from law students when I mention networking is: “But I don’t know anyone!” Oh, really? Students assume that only the well-connected and wealthy have access to those in a position to hire. While some of your classmates enjoy access to a web of contacts, the fact remains that intelligent, resourceful, and focused individuals (this means you) can tap into and develop a network that will help them find jobs and enhance their careers.

Students who shun networking are often operating under the false notion that networking is merely about using people. To the contrary, networking represents a reciprocal process, a give-and-take. While you may be on the asking end of the networking equation today, you will certainly do your share of giving back later. View networking not merely as a means to find a job, but as a lifelong process of creating and enhancing a web of personal relationships in ways that enrich your life. This includes not only subsequent job searches, but also client-getting and professional referrals, with all the friendships and acquaintances you’ll make along the way.

If you haven’t tried to network because you don’t feel you have any contacts, consider the following resources:

Law school faculty. Many law professors remain active in the profession and know who’s who in the legal community. Faculty also have access to former students who may be partners in law firms or judges. In fact, some professors are asked by local practitioners for advice and names of prospective hires. Being on the faculty radar helps increase your chances of being tapped should an opportunity arise. Even if your grades aren’t so good, don’t be shy about scheduling a meeting with a professor who teaches in an area that interests you to learn more about the field. By expressing your interest in a genuine way, you can open doors.

Through your faculty contacts, you can gather information by asking open-ended questions such as, “Who are the most respected litigators in town?” or “Which small firms do high-quality work in the area of business and finance?” Eliciting this kind of information goes beyond what you’ll find in law firm directories and will therefore help distinguish your cover letter and résumé from the rest of the pack. Instead of a letter that begins, “I am a second-year law student ...,” imagine a cover letter that begins, “Professor Leslie Jones, my family law professor, recommended that I contact you because of your reputation in the legal community and expertise in the area of divorce law. ...”

Career panels and speakers. Visit your career services office and pay attention to fliers posted by student organizations at your school to learn about the resources that can connect you with practitioners locally and nationally. Educational programs often showcase practitioners (typically alumni) who are eager to speak with law students about their professional experiences and offer advice. By taking the time to attend, you can hear about the latest developments, explore your compatibility with a practice area, and meet lawyers informally. Some students who are shy about asking questions or introducing themselves at an event can send an e-mail saying thank you and initiating a contact.

If you are an evening student who works or has other commitments during the day, don’t be discouraged by the daytime scheduling of educational programs that interest you. At the very least, find out whether your school videotapes presentations for later viewing. Alternatively, it may be a good investment to use personal leave or vacation time to attend a program occasionally, if you think it will be worthwhile. If your schedule simply prevents you from attending, take note of who the speakers are and contact them yourself by e-mail or phone. Most lawyers are listed in the Martindale-Hubbell directory (www.martindale.com).

Mentoring programs. Find out if either your career services or alumni relations office provides information about alumni mentors. A mentor program is a ready-made opportunity to contact a graduate who has expressed an interest in giving back by helping a student to learn more about the legal profession. In addition, investigate whether your law school offers an American Inns of Court program (www.innsofcourt.org), an excellent opportunity to meet practitioners and network. Inns of Court bring together judges, lawyers, and, in some cases, law professors and students to study law, ethics, and professionalism on a monthly basis. Many Inns of Court are general; others focus on particular areas of practice, such as appellate litigation. Take advantage of the wide variety of programming opportunities during law school to build your network.

Bar associations. Ask your career services office for a list of state, local, and specialty bar associations that offer student memberships at nominal cost. Bar associations are organized by geography (state, city, county) and by practice area specialties. In addition, the ABA and other bar associations offer memberships in their various practice-related sections and committees.

Specialty bar associations focus on a particular segment of the lawyer population and provide services specifically for those members. Examples of specialty bar associations include women’s bar associations, minority bar associations, and religious and cultural bar associations.

Bar associations offer continuing legal education programs, speakers, networking events, and sometimes mentoring programs for law students. These are vehicles to connect with lawyers and expand your network beyond your law school environs. For example, if you’re interested in intellectual property law, attend the next bar association program on patent infringement. There may be a small fee to attend, or call and ask if you can attend for a discount because you’re a law student. Introduce yourself to the lawyers in attendance and politely inquire about the possibility of meeting later for an informational interview.

College and graduate school faculty. Keep in touch with college professors and classmates, whether through e-mail, letter, or phone. Let them know what you’re doing and ask if they can suggest contacts for you to pursue. Don’t demand names and addresses; an open-ended letter that describes your career aspirations might result in a networking lead.

For example: “Dear Professor Smith: You’ll be pleased to hear that I’m enjoying my first year of law school. I appreciate the time you spent writing a letter of recommendation, and I believe I’ve made a good career choice. I intend to remain in Wisconsin this summer and am looking at various options. If you know of any litigators in Milwaukee who might be interested in a hard-working, earnest first-year student, please pass along my name. Right now, I’m interested in gaining experience and simply talking to a practitioner about sound career choices.”

Family and friends. Everyone forgets to mention career plans to family and friends for two reasons: first, a profound fear that asking for help will be perceived as failure; and, second, disbelief that family or friends know anyone who might help. There’s no harm explaining to family and friends about what you’re aiming to achieve. Under the theory that “you never know who someone knows,” you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that your neighbor’s college roommate is now an appellate court judge and that he would be pleased to help make an introduction.

To learn more about networking, I recommend Secrets of Savvy Networking, by Susan RoAne, and Networking, by Douglas B. Richardson. Both books offer common-sense advice about the steps you can take to become an accomplished networker and enhance your career potential.

“Networking is one of the best ways to identify jobs" by Donna Gerson, published in Student Lawyer, Volume 34, No. 4, December 2005. © by the American Bar Association. Reprinted with permission..

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