Information Session 2013

Career Services Office

Job Fair at New York University

Held on January 23rd & 24th, 2014

Employers interview candidates on these dates

Students register in advance and bid on interviews

A “bid” is when a student submits his or her resume to be considered for an interview with an employer

Like an application for employment

Requires a resume; may also require a cover letter, writing sample, and/or transcript

Employers review the materials they receive from student bids and select the students they wish to interview at ISIP

Large Law Firms Corporations Accounting Firms Banks Both within the U.S. and around the world NOTE: most positions are NOT located in the

United States ◦ Even if a U.S. employer, positions are likely to be in

international offices ◦ Within the U.S., more positions are available in New

York than in Chicago

October 14th: Student bidding begins at https://law-isip-csm.symplicity.com/students/

◦ Username: Your kentlaw email address

◦ Password: isip2013

November 4th: Student bidding ends

December 11th: Interview results available

January 3rd: Deadline to accept or decline interviews

◦ NOTE: You MUST accept an interview by this deadline; if you do not, it will be canceled.

January 7th: Second round bidding opens

January 9th: Second round bidding closes

◦ NOTE: You CANNOT cancel any interviews you receive through the second bidding round

January 15th: Final interview schedules available

You may also seek employment in the United States through 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) IF: ◦ F-1 immigration status

◦ Have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year

◦ Employment must be related to the current field of study

◦ http://www.iit.edu/~internat/

◦ http://www.iit.edu/~internat/OPTNEW/

American Resumes One page long

NO Objectives statement

Neat format

Chicago-Kent College of Law ◦ Not Chicago Kent College of Law

◦ Not Chicago-Kent School of Law

No commas between Month Year ◦ Right: September 2012

◦ Wrong: September, 2012

First section: Contact information ◦ Name

◦ Address

◦ Phone Number

◦ Email

Francisco J. Perez Ferreira 3241 S. Wabash Ave.

Chicago, IL 60616

312.222.1111

fjperez@kentlaw.iit.edu

Jonathan M. Doe 900 West Green, #3B, Chicago, Illinois 60657 • 773-222-1111 • jmdoe@kentlaw.iit.edu

Examples: Contact Information

Bar Admission ◦ First section of the page, right after Contact Information ◦ List the jurisdictions you are admitted to and the date of

your admission ◦ List the jurisdictions you are waiting for admission to or

where you are registered to take the bar exam and those dates

◦ Examples Member, Bar Council of India, Maharashtra & Goa, July 2010

Admitted to New York State Bar, November 2012

Passed the July 2012 New York State Bar Examination, Awaiting Admission

Sat for New York State Bar Examination, July 2012 (Awaiting Results) Sitting for New York State Bar Examination, February 2013

Education ◦ List Chicago-Kent FIRST

◦ Masters (if you have this degree)

◦ Bachelors (first university degree)

◦ For each school:

Line 1: School name, Location

Line 2: Degree obtained, date of graduation

Line 3: GPA and/or Class Rank

After this: bullet points with academic achievements, awards, student group involvement

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois

LL.M. Candidate, International and Comparative Law, May 2013

Government Law College, Bombay, India LL.B., June 2010 Rank: Top 10% ● Best Student of the Year Award, 2008-2009, 2009-2010 ● Represented India at Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court

Competition, Washington, DC 2010; Ranked 18th at international rounds

● General Secretary, Moot Court Association, 2009-2010

Examples: Education

Legal Experience ◦ Legal and law-related positions

◦ As attorney/professional and student

◦ Both paid and volunteer

◦ Includes legal research

◦ Law-related = legislative, policy organizations, city council, etc.

◦ Format:

Line 1: Employer name, Location

Line 2: Job title, Dates

Following: bullet points describing work and any achievements

Chambers of Advocate Shyam Divan, Bombay, India Attorney, June 2010 - August 2012 ● Developed independent practice and briefed by leading solicitor firms to

appear before Bombay High Court and Securities and Exchange Board of India.

● Conducted arbitration and administrative hearings, interviewed clients and witnesses, and prepared, reviewed and analyzed interrogatories and discovery documents.

● Counseled environmental and consumer groups in numerous public interest law suits.

Kanga & Company, Bombay, India Student Intern, June 2008 - October 2009 ● Assisted attorneys in all areas of litigation at district and high courts;

assisted in preparing transactional documents and corporate due diligence reports.

● Drafted pleadings, briefs, motions and correspondence, researched issues and prepared memoranda in all areas of corporate law.

Examples: Legal Experience

Chicago- Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois

Research Assistant to Professor Henry H. Perrit, Jr., May 2013 - Present

● Research and draft papers for Global Chicago project, with recent articles examining expansion strategies for law firms and role of multidisciplinary practices in the legal services industry

● Coordinate activities for Global Law and Policy Initiative and LLM program.

Executive Assistant to Assistant Dean Edward Harris, August 2012 - April 2013

● Managed law school's India projects, and traveled to India to identify and develop partnerships with institutions there.

● Coordinated faculty visits and seminars in India with Ministry of Information Technology and Consul General's office.

Examples: Legal Experience

Professional/Other Experience ◦ After Legal Experience

◦ Format:

Line 1: Employer name, Location

Line 2: Job title, Dates

Following: bullet points describing work and any achievements

Buduburam Liberian Refugee Camp – Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Volunteer, Jan 2008 – Feb 2008

● Participated in refugee-led community outreach regarding HIV/AIDS prevention as part of local NGO

Eagle Spring Camp, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Med Brother, June 2006 – August 2006

● Worked one on one with individuals with mental and physical disabilities

Examples: Professional/Other Experience

Publication(s) ◦ Legal = After Education; Non-Legal = After Experience

◦ Example

"Export Processing Zones," Offshore Outlook, Issue 48, United Kingdom, February - April, 2007

Languages ◦ Examples:

Fluent in French and English, Basic in Spanish

Fluent in Mandarin, Proficient in English

Interests ◦ Examples:

Enjoy cross-country running, squash, music, reading

Cricket, motor sports, western classical music, travel

A cover letter covers your resume

Functions of a cover letter:

◦ Expand on resume

◦ Introduce yourself to employer - RESEARCH

◦ First writing sample

Format:

◦ One page

◦ 3 to 4 paragraphs

◦ Business letter format

◦ Same heading as on your resume

Proper address format: Example:

Date

Contact Name

Job Title

Firm/Company/ Organization Name

Street Address

City/State/Zip or other

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

September 26, 2012 Jane Doe Hiring Partner Example Law Firm 123 North Michigan

Avenue Chicago, IL 60661

Dear Ms. Doe:

First paragraph:

◦ Who you are (LLM student at Chicago-Kent)

◦ Why you’re writing the letter (to apply for a position)

◦ Where you learned of the position (job site, referral)

◦ Why you’re interested in the position (firm’s practice areas, location of organization, clients they work with, etc)

◦ Why they should consider you – what skills and abilities do you possess that will allow you to succeed in the position?

First Paragraph

◦ DO NOT:

Write “My name is..” – this is evident from your heading

Tell the employer what the employer can do for you

Use the incorrect firm name or position title

“I am currently attending Chicago-Kent College of Law, and I will earn a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) in International and Comparative Law in May 2013. After graduation, I would like to gain some experience in an American law firm and would enjoy the opportunity to discuss employment opportunities at Example Law Firm. I hope that my strong communication skills and international employment law experience will help me to make an immediate impact at your firm.”

Example: First Paragraph

Second (and possibly Third) paragraph(s) ◦ Discuss key skills you can offer the employer, e.g.

strong legal research and writing skills

previous experiences with client contact

◦ Link your background to the employer, e.g.

Knowledge of particular practice area

Prior experience in employer’s industry

◦ Elaborate on items on your resume

◦ Discuss experiences not suitable for resume

◦ DO NOT:

Begin all sentences with “I”

Say “I believe” or “I think”

“I received my law degree from the University of Cape Town, South Africa where I graduated first in my class of 210 students. After graduating from law school, I worked for three years with the South African law firm Ball, Sinclair & Hope where I handled labor litigation on behalf of trade unions, and analyzed employment and labor issues for American and international clients working in South Africa. As an attorney for Ball, Sinclair & Hope, I developed strong writing and communication skills by advising foreign employers in South Africa, and by drafting employment agreements and client correspondence. It was in this position that I first learned of your firm and its extensive legal work in the area of international employment law.”

Example: Second Paragraph

Closing Paragraph ◦ Final paragraph of the letter

◦ Request for an interview

◦ Contact for further information

◦ Thank employer for his/her time

“My English writing and speaking ability, combined with my experience in all aspects of employment law with both American and international clients, will enable me to succeed as an associate with your firm. I welcome the opportunity to talk with you further about my credentials and am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.”

Example: Closing Paragraph

Finished Cover Letter

Cover Letters JONATHAN M. DOE

900 West Green, #313, Chicago, Illinois 60657

(773) 222-1111 ● jmdoe@kentlaw.iit.edu

September 26, 2012

Jane Doe

Hiring Partner

Example Law Firm

123 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60661

Dear Ms. Doe:

I am a recent International and Comparative Law LL.M. graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law,

and I am very interested in the law clerk position with Example Law Firm. I am drawn to your firm’s

practice in insurance and personal injury defense. I would be excited to use my legal research, writing

and analytical skills, and practice area knowledge to further the interests of your clients.

While obtaining dual degrees of Masters of Law and Translator in Professional Communication

degrees from Saint-Petersburg University of Humanities, I developed strong analytical and research

skills. I utilized these skills in my work as an in-house attorney for Renaissance Insurance, Ltd and Kit

Finance Insurance, Ltd, two leading Russian insurance companies. At the subrogation department of

Renaissance, I was in charge of initiating litigation and representing clients’ company interests in these

claims. In that capacity, I filed and managed more than 100 lawsuits each month in the courts of

general jurisdiction and commercial courts. By managing multiple cases, I furthered my ability to

work under strict deadlines. I also conducted extensive legal research on various issues regarding

property, personal injury, subrogation and regression. Similarly, at Kit-Finance Insurance, I defended

the company’s interests in the court of general jurisdiction and drafted legal memoranda on insurance

coverage issues. In this position, I had a chance to hone my communication skills by answering client

questions and by interacting with the adversary parties in the litigation.

Although I enjoyed practicing law in Russia, my strong interest in international and intellectual

property law led me to continue my legal education at Chicago-Kent College of Law. While there, I

learned the workings of the American legal system and had an opportunity to enhance my legal

research and writing skills through my legal writing and seminar courses. I sat for the New York State

Bar Examination in July 2012 and am currently awaiting my results. I would welcome the chance to

begin my legal career in the United States at Example Law Firm, and make an immediate contribution

to the work of your firm.

My education and professional experience would make me a strong addition to your practice, and I

would welcome the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications with you. Please contact me for

any further information. Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jonathan M. Doe

Enclosure: resume

The counselors in the Career Services Office will review your resumes and cover letters.

To make an appointment: ◦ Come to the Career Services Office, suite 360,

across from the cafeteria

◦ Tell the receptionist you are an LL.M. student and you want to meet with a counselor

DEADLINE: Friday, October 25th