Landing a first-year associate position can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. However, with a positive attitude and a strategic approach, you should be better equipped to find that needle. I had a recent email exchange with an articling student who was working at a plaintiff-side personal injury firm. Her firm advised her that they were unable to offer first-year associate positions to any of its articling students. She asked me for advice in finding a first-year associate position. Once I started typing, I couldn’t stop! Drawing from my own job search experience, I realized I had garnered advice, tips and strategies for securing a position in today’s competitive legal job market. Though my advice may not be novel to some, it worked for me, so it may work for you.
1. Don’t take it personally. Do ask for feedback.
Not being hired back as an associate at the end of articling can feel devastating at the time. The actual reason may have less to do with you personally, and more to do with the finances of the firm, legal market and industry in which your firm practices. What the legal market and finances do not affect is your personal and professional growth. Ask for feedback from the firm to understand your individual strengths and areas for improvement. You have gained many transferable skills during articling, such as legal research and writing, drafting, client management and advocacy, to name a few. Focus on these transferable skills and remember: despite your feelings of frustration, you bring value.
2. Ask your previous employer for a positive reference.
You should have at least one written reference from the firm or company at which you articled. Choose a senior lawyer with whom you worked closely and who can describe your work ethic, personality, ability to learn and quality of work product. Some lawyers will ask you to draft the reference letter yourself; use this as an opportunity to craft the message you want potential employers to receive. It is important to have the letter finalized and signed before you leave the firm. Needless to say, if the letter is not positive, keep it to yourself!
3. Reflect on which area of law you want to practise.
Think about what you did and did not enjoy about your articling experience. Often young lawyers end up practising in a certain area of law only because there were positions available – not because that was their dream. You now have an opportunity to reflect on your interests, learn about other areas of law and plan your next career move.
4. Update your resume and craft a cover letter that you can put in the body of an email.
Craft a generic email that you can send to firms. If you have the time, I think a personalized email after some research goes a long way. Regardless of the approach, introduce yourself and describe your background, education, experience and career interests. Think of it as a less formal cover letter and be sure to attach a PDF file of your CV/resume. The more you can pique the reader’s interest in the body of your email, the more likely the reader is to open the attachment. Lawyers are busy people. Some do not have time to open attachments, so make a good first impression, and make it quick. Ask someone you trust to review the email before you begin sending it out. Often a new set of eyes brings a fresh perspective and offers valuable insight. At the end of the email, ask to schedule a phone call or meeting with the individual; be sure to include your phone number. While you are more likely to receive a response to “warm” emails, where you have met the person, I absolutely encourage you to send “cold” emails – an in-person meeting can turn a “cold” contact into a “warm” contact.
5. Ensure your social media is up-to-date and professional.
Review and update your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles and ensure they are current, comprehensive and communicate the experience you have. Consider changing your LinkedIn headline to “Seeking new opportunities as an associate lawyer.” Raise your professional profile by posting an article on LinkedIn. I highly recommend signing up for a one-month free trial of LinkedIn Premium; it allows you to see who has viewed your profile, send InMail to recruiters and increase your visibility over other job applicants. There is also a way to change your preferences to “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities.”
6. Go forth and network, network, network!
Once you have determined which area of the law you would like to pursue – or even if you haven’t – it is essential to network like it’s your job! Attend as many cocktail receptions, CPD/CLE events, seminars and pub nights as you can. Hang out where lawyers hang out. Reach out to alumni from your law school, university and high school. Get involved in outside organizations and associations, both personal and professional. Have personal business cards made up that include your law school, contact information and perhaps a summary of experience (think mini-resume) on the back. You can create your own personal business cards on Vistaprint for $10! Always have these business cards with you. This will leave people with the impression that you are professional, organized and ambitious.
7. Follow up and follow through – networking is more than just handing out business cards.
Immediately add new contacts you make to LinkedIn. If you feel like you made a meaningful connection with someone and would like to learn more about their practice area, ask for their business card and follow up with an email within 24 hours. In your email, you may wish to include your background and experience. More importantly, reference a topic that you discussed with that lawyer in person to solidify your connection with them. Strive to project confidence, not desperation.
8. Ask for advice rather than a job.
People are generally happy to offer guidance and counsel. These conversations can often lead to offers to contact someone on your behalf or pass along your resume. Schedule coffee meetings with the lawyers you meet. Make sure you spring for the coffee! Inquire about their area of law and ask if they have any advice for you as a young lawyer starting out in your career. Ask if they know of any firms that are looking for a junior associate. Lawyers generally know if their firm or other firms are hiring within their industry or personal network. If you hit the timing right, you may find out about an opening before the job is posted and even have cultivated a personal advocate through your meeting. Keep in regular contact with your law school colleagues and alumni association. Your law school alumni association knows where its graduates are working and has a vested interest is ensuring its graduates are employed and successful, as it reflects well on the institution. They can connect you with fellow alumni who can help mentor you through the job search process and might even recommend you to their firm or professional network. Graduates from the same law school tend to help each other out.
9. Hustle harder.
Set daily goals for how many new people you want to contact. Quantity is important – it’s a numbers game. The more positions you apply to, the greater your chances of finding a job. Subscribe to the Ontario Reports and regularly check the Law Job Exchange, the OBA Legal Career Centre and Indeed, Workopolis and Glassdoor job websites. For in-house positions, be sure to check the careers section of the company’s website. There are also recruitment firms that specialize in placing lawyers. Though they tend to place more senior roles, look on their websites to see what firms are hiring. A law degree also makes you a compelling candidate for corporate positions in law-related jobs such as compliance, risk management, government or consulting. Cast a broad net, you are bound to catch a fish – and if you don’t, remember, there are plenty of fish in the sea!
10. Apply beyond “The Six”.
Be flexible geographically. Consider applying for positions in different cities or markets. Go where the opportunity is and leverage that experience to land a job in the market in which you truly want to work.
Summary
Finding a first-year associate position is tough, so be patient and don’t be too hard on yourself. Job-searching can be stressful and is not a skill that they teach you in law school. Be active in the legal community by volunteering in your spare time. Join an Ontario Bar Association section and do some Pro Bono/Legal Aid work. While you mount your search, you can keep your law skills sharp and earn an income by applying to Deloitte, Epiq and Commonwealth for a position in Document Review. Last, and certainly not least, consider starting your own solo practice. I have many friends who have “gone solo” or started a partnership with another colleague. Although it may be difficult to get clients and make money in the first few years, the majority of my friends who have done this are pleased with their decision and value the autonomy, personal fulfillment, flexibility and challenge that it brings.
Most importantly, do not despair. Stay positive. Looking for an associate position can be challenging, frustrating and isolating. Ignore the bravado of law colleagues who summered, articled and were hired by the same firm. In today’s competitive job market, that is increasingly becoming the exception rather than the norm. You are smart, talented and capable, otherwise you would not have gotten into law school in the first place. Everything happens for a reason. Let the process run its course. Best of luck to you in your job search. I hope you succeed in turning your dream into reality!
About the author
Alexandra Mealia was called to the Ontario Bar in 2017. She obtained a Canadian Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor and an American Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Alexandra has experience practising plaintiff-oriented litigation with an emphasis on subrogation within insurance law and insurance defence litigation. Alexandra has worked at prominent insurance litigation boutiques in Toronto. She has experience on a wide range of tort matters, including bodily injury claims, property damage claims, product liability, occupiers' liability and contractor negligence. Alexandra has appeared before the Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Justice and Small Claims Court.
Alexandra currently serves as a Member-at-Large on the executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (Central) Section. She sits on numerous committees and organizes community outreach and networking events on behalf of the Ontario Bar Association. She also volunteers for ALAS (Artists’ Legal Advice Services) wherein she assists with organizing and promoting music education events.
Alexandra is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, the Toronto Lawyers Association and The Advocates’ Society.