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Building a Better Legal Profession

11/21/2008 12:02:29 AM EST

Working with Career Services in a Tough Job Market

By Ann Skalaski

Posted by BBLP

The legal market is cyclical. You have probably heard that, but some of us have lived it. I served as the Asst. Dean for Career Services at the University of Florida, College of Law during the recession of the early 1990’s, and later worked as a consultant to law firms and law schools during the economic downturn which followed 9/11…and I learned some valuable lessons during those times.

For current law students, there is a silver lining to the present slowdown in law firm hiring. When law firm jobs are not readily available, law students have historically been more willing to engage in meaningful career counseling. This often leads students to positions which are more rewarding, and a better long-term fit for their interests and abilities. In order to accomplish this, student must work with, not against, Career Services. Trust me; Career Services understands what you are going through. They recognize that the job market, and potentially your future, looks different now than it did on the day you took the LSAT. But sometimes in their frustration students forget that Career Services is not responsible for the economy or the retracting job market. Like you, they are scrambling to adjust to a new reality. So how do you work collaboratively with Career Services?

Well, to begin with, talk to them…and I mean directly. Do not rely on second-hand information about what the office can or can’t do for you, or embrace a job search strategy that was recommended for another student who may have different goals than yours. You need to meet with a counselor and develop a “game plan” based on your interests, goals and, yes, your credentials. Career Services can help you with this process.

Secondly, while some markets and some practice areas will become almost invisible, others may actually grow. Seek information about emerging opportunities from Career Services, faculty and every practicing lawyer you encounter. Alumni who graduated during the economic downturn of the early ‘90’s or in 2002 may have particularly keen insights to share. Ask Career Services to invite a panel of these alumni to speak on your campus so that they can share their stories and talk about potential growth areas in their geographic markets.

Finally, you have to take ownership of your job search and implement your game plan…but never hesitate to ask your coach, Career Services, for help. This is especially important when you’re feeling frustrated or discouraged. Career Services may be able to offer tangible advice about how you can adjust your game plan, or maybe all they can do is offer the encouragement you need to keep at it. The biggest mistake job seekers can make is to stick their head in the sand and do nothing. There’s an old saying among basketball coaches: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” If you stay in the game and keep taking shots, you will ultimately succeed.

Ann Skalaski, the founder and president of Skalaski Consulting, Inc., has been a legal search consultant since 1997. From 1991-96 she served as the Assistant Dean for Career Services at the University of Florida College of Law where she developed strong ties with lawyers and law firms throughout the state. Prior to her tenure at the University of Florida, Ann spent nine years at Holland & Knight, LLP as the Director of Attorney Recruitment and the firm’s first Attorney Development Manager. Her husband, Charlie, is a football coach.

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