3 Tips on How to Land a Job After a Judicial Clerkship
Hey everyone! Welcome to Poised. Here, you will find career and style tips, but more importantly, Poised is an outlet for us to share our hopes, goals, and dreams. If you've visited my blog before, you know that I am currently practicing healthcare and commercial litigation for a BigLaw firm in Washington, DC. I am excited to write this blog post. I receive numerous DMs asking how I landed a position with a BigLaw firm after my judicial clerkship? Below are three tips that helped me land a job after my judicial clerkship that I hope will be helpful for anyone going through the job search process.
First, I think a little background information about judicial clerkships and my personal experience would be beneficial. I graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 2018 and worked for a state judge in Maryland. For those who might not be familiar with the process, judicial clerkships are very prestigious positions. There are two types of clerkships: state and federal.
Employers value judicial clerkships because it is an excellent opportunity to develop and refine your research and writing skills. Plus, you receive invaluable insight from working one-on-one with a judge. However, most judicial clerkships are one (sometimes two) years. Therefore, most clerks are hunting for their next job while clerking.
In 2019, I was searching for a post-clerkship job. I had no idea I would end up in BigLaw. That is because most BigLaw firms hire their new associates during the 2L summer through the On-Campus Interview (OCI) process. OCI consists of firms interviewing candidates from the top elite schools to work for their firm over the summer, with the hopes they will work for them after graduation. If you ask any law student or lawyer, the OCI process is very competitive. Law firms are looking for a specific type of student; students with high GPAs and journal and internship experience. I did not participate in the OCI process for two reasons: (1) I did not want to work for a BigLaw firm (I was frightened by the horror stories), and (2) I was discouraged from applying to law firms because I did not attend a top 15 school and was not in the top 10% of my class. I was told I did not fit BigLaw's "criteria." Regardless of having good grades, journal experience, serving as President of BLSA, and participating in various internships across different sectors, such as in-house and the federal government. Fast forward to the present day; I defeated the odds! I am working for a BigLaw firm, learning a ton, and growing each day into a better attorney.
How did I get here? I started looking for jobs in January of 2019. I knew my clerkship concluded in August 2019, so I wanted to give myself enough time to search and apply for jobs. Nonetheless, if you have not begun searching for or landed a job post-clerkship, do not get discouraged. I did not hear back from employers until late April and did not get my current position until June. The time to start looking for jobs is now! Keep reading for three tips on how to land a job post-clerkship.
Networking is key!
Networking is essential to landing a job after a judicial clerkship. I would not be in my current position without the help of a former trial team classmate and my mentor. Not only did they connect me with the right people to ensure I landed an interview, but they also reviewed my materials and helped with interview prep. Therefore, I encourage you to use your network diligently. Here is a list of resources and contacts you should engage with when searching and applying for jobs after a judicial clerkship.
Former classmates and alumni (law school and undergrad)
Career development office
Fraternities & Sororities (if applicable)
Mentors
Bar associations
Family & Friends
LinkedIn
Your judge
Be Flexible
Do not get discouraged if you do not hear from employers right away. A lot of positions available post-clerkship are need-based. Meaning, employers only hire new associates where there is a need. Therefore, there is no set time to apply for a job. The key is to be diligent in searching for jobs, connecting with people, and ensuring your materials are ready when a great opportunity becomes available. I also encourage you to be flexible in the type of positions you apply to. I had no healthcare experience before joining my firm. However, I knew the healthcare group had a robust litigation practice. I had significant litigation experience through participating on the National Trial team, interning with a federal and state appellate judge, and clerking. I decided to focus on my litigation experience as an asset that could add value to the group, although I lack substantive healthcare experience. If you find a job that is not 100% in line with what you want to practice, discover if there are added benefits to the job opportunity.
Be Diligent. Keep Pushing Forward!
You are going to hear a lot of No's during the job search process. Sometimes you might not hear back from employers at all. However, I want to encourage you to keep your head up and keep pushing. An employer's rejection is not an indication of your worth or the type of attorney you will be. Keep applying to as many positions as possible and use your network to get your foot in the door. Stay on top of deadlines, ensure your materials are strong and be diligent with the process. Remember, there is no one like you. The right employer will recognize your gifts and talents, and you WILL land that job after your judicial clerkship! "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21). Speak victory over your life and put in the work; I promise you will be victorious!
I hope these tips are helpful! If you need any additional advice or help with the job search process, feel free to schedule a call using the Book A Call link. I would love to chat and encourage you through the process!
xoxo,
Taylor
