Posted: December 22nd, 2011
As the semester is winding down, it is important to think about ways to make the most out of your time off over winter break. These few weeks off provide a great opportunity for you to work on your career plans without the time demands that you face throughout the semester.
Here are several things to do over winter break to make effective use of your time.
Finalize your resume and cover letter. You’ve probably already met with your career coach (and if you haven’t yet, try to fit it in before break!). Use your down time to make sure your resume and cover letter are polished, incorporate suggestions from your career coach, and be ready to hit the ground running in January.
Set up informational interviews. Winter break is a great time to meet with professionals in the field(s) that interest you. Start researching employers as soon as possible, then contact them to set up a time to meet during your break. Keep in mind that many people take time off over the holidays, so the sooner you contact them to schedule a meeting, the better. Also, try to be as flexible as possible as to the day and time of your meeting to make it convenient for the professional. Don’t forget to follow up by sending a personal note to the person who took the time to meet with you.
Set up a job shadowing opportunity.Ever wonder what asset securitization lawyers do all day? Following one around might be the perfect opportunity to determine what type of practice you’re drawn to.
Join professional associations. Affiliating with professional associations provides access to networking contacts, educational opportunities, and information about local job markets. Consider a student membership to the American Bar Association, your local bar association, and other specialty bars such as the American Intellectual Property Association or an association of women attorneys. Most groups have a minimal cost for student membership.
Create a master job search “to do” list and develop a job search tracking method. This can be as simple as an Excel spreadsheet or Word chart, including the name of the employer, contact information, date of application, and notes on follow-up. See page 41 of your Career Planning Guide for an example.
Visit prospective employers – If you are applying for jobs at home, your winter break is a good time to follow up in person with potential employers. An in-personvisit to the employer’s office can leave a lasting impression and can make you stand out from other candidates. Of course, you want to make sure that you are leaving a positive lasting impression, so be sure to dress professionally and be considerate of the employer’s time.
Check e-mail and Symplicity over break. The OCPD staff will continue to update job postings over break and may send out emails with important announcements.
