Law Career Services

Resources

Career Programs and Videos

Our office organizes numerous skills-based workshops and other career programs, most of which are captured digitally and made available on-line. You can access these workshops and programs by consulting the Digital Library on Symplicity.

Conducting an Out of State Job Search

Every year, many DePaul students and graduates conduct a job search outside the state of Illinois. Job searching outside Illinois can be difficult, but it’s not impossible! We are here to help make it a little easier. If you should encounter any difficulties in your search please let us know. To get started, be sure to check Symplicity for an updated list of job postings from across the country.

Cover Letters

The purpose of a cover letter is to expand upon your experiences, skills and abilities highlighted in your résumé. Like your résumé, your cover letter needs to be unique to each position you are applying for. A good cover letter could be the difference between getting an interview and not getting a call back.

A detailed guide on composing Cover Letters can be found within the Document Library in Symplicity. The guide includes samples of cover letters, follow up letters, thank you letters and other sample letters to assist you in your job search.

Establishing Legal Credentials

Establishing meaningful legal credentials and enhancing your law school experience will strengthen your résumé and attract prospective employers. At the College of Law, you have many opportunities at your disposal to accomplish this step. There are innovative classes, research and employment opportunities, extracurricular activities and competitions all geared to improve requisite writing and research skills and to provide hands-on experience in practice situations.

Field Placement (Externships)

Externships allow students to gain valuable career experience while making important professional contacts. Course credit is offered in exchange for placements with various government agencies, members of the judiciary, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations.

For additional information and requirements please see Field Placement Program.

Interviewing

The purpose of an interview is to secure a job offer. Something in your previous contact with the employer – your résumé, cover letter, persistence, mutual friend, whatever – has given him or her the idea that you may be a good addition to the organization. The interview is where the employer makes sure you are what you represent on paper and that the employees like you enough to want to work with you. As you prepare for an upcoming interview, be sure to refer to the Job Interview Guide found within the Symplicity Document Library.

Networking

Networking is a great way to meet and mingle with new people that could have a profound impact in your law career. DePaul’s Corporate Connectors and Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) are excellent resources to help you build your network. Networking involves not only meeting new contacts, but also keeping in touch with former colleagues, classmates and employers. Area associations are another great tool for meeting new contacts.

Be sure to check the law school and Symplicity event calendars for upcoming networking events offered through Law Career Services and area bar associations.

Offers, Acceptances & Salary Negotiations

NALP Standards for the Timing of Offers & Decisions

DePaul adheres to the NALP standards concerning the timing of offers and acceptances. These standards were developed to promote fair and ethical practices for the interviewing and decision-making process. Every student needs to be familiar with these standards. The NALP standards can be found by visiting the NALP website.

Please contact your assigned career advisor with specific questions about offers, acceptance and salary negotiation. A reference guide on salary negotiation can be found within the Document Library in Symplicity.

References

Employers may ask for a list of references whom they might contact after interviewing you. It is very important to ask references for their approval prior to listing them as a reference. Informing your references of the types of positions you are applying for can assist them in providing relevant information about your abilities and character.

For guidance on identifying and compiling a list of references, please refer to the Reference Guide found within the Document Library in Symplicity.

Résumés

The purpose of a résumé is to provide a summary of your skills, abilities and accomplishments to an employer. Your résumé is a marketing piece to assist you in securing an interview. You should tailor your résumé specifically for the position you are applying for. Résumés are not "one size fits all". As you draft, or update, your résumé, be sure to refer to the Résumé Writing Guide found within the Document Library in Symplicity.

Summer Employment Opportunities

It is important for law students to get legal experience and begin building legal credentials as soon as possible. Acquiring legal experience and credentials over the summer will give you an advantage in the second year while pursuing summer associate and intern positions for the following summer, and in the third year, and fourth year if part-time, while pursuing full-time post-graduate employment.

To learn more about some common ways to gain valuable legal experience over the summer, please see the Summer Job Opportunity Guide found within the Document Library in Symplicity.

Writing Samples

Writing samples provide employers with examples of how you organize and express your thoughts on paper. The purpose is to convince an employer that you can create the kind of writing and do the kind of work that is expected of the attorneys who work with and for that employer. Because writing is an integral part of practicing law, you will need a very strong writing sample. Some employers will review writing samples first, before even glancing at an applicant’s cover letter or résumé. For guidance on selecting a strong writing sample, please refer to the Writing Samples Guide found within the Document Library in Symplicity.