OPP’s 2L Job Search Advice for 1Ls
Monica Sandu ‘24
Staff Editor
The 2L private practice job search has begun—and that’s terrifying. Like many of my fellow 1Ls, I have yet to secure a position for this upcoming summer. Thinking about next summer and, ultimately, post-graduation employment, can be overwhelming. For those of us interested in private practice, the time to start is now, and the Office of Private Practice (OPP) offers resources and advice to help make the process as effective—and as painless—as possible.
First and foremost, you will be fine. If you don’t have a 1L summer job yet, it’s not all over. The 1L and 2L job search run concurrently. Keep working with your counselor, no matter what office they’re in. If you’re interested in private practice and do not currently have an OPP counselor, request a referral as soon as you can. If your summer job plan isn’t moving forward, talk with your counselor about a backup. People get job offers as late as April. However, the main 2L recruiting season runs from now until September.
Relying solely on OGI is no longer the name of the game. For the sixth straight year, UVA Law students found more jobs outside of OGI than through it. According to OPP, the current market for people looking to go into private practice is one of the best in years. Across cities and practice groups, hiring has been robust. Further, strong preparation will serve you well, regardless of how conditions may change.
Many firms recruit in the preseason, but most start when second-semester grades come out around the middle of June. At that point, you will need to have your documents updated, be prepared to interview at the drop of a hat, and formulate and carry out a networking strategy. Dedicate yourself to a few extracurricular activities—whether through the Law School or not—which you’re passionate about. Overloading yourself for the sake of a beefy resume is counterproductive. Focusing primarily on classes, and then the job search, will help maximize your chances of landing that 2L summer associate position. However, even knowing where to begin can seem daunting.
Networking is key. OPP describes it as a “non-negotiable” part of the 2L firm search, and the earlier you form a networking strategy and engage with employers, the better. There is no such thing as a law firm “soulmate.” Many excellent firms would likely be a good fit for you. The purpose of networking is to form a relationship with employers while learning about where you want to work and what kind of environment you see yourself in. With most events now being virtual, it may be harder to get a personal sense of the firm. Luckily, virtual events are easy to attend. Review the SBA newsletter, look at regional affinity group emails, and regularly check for events as they are posted on Symplicity.[1] There will be several city days throughout the semester, which are the best way to learn about specific markets if you are at all interested in them.
When it comes to grades, it’s important to remember that they are, as is often repeated, just one piece of a larger puzzle. A particular firm’s grade sensitivity simply tells you how that firm has chosen to recruit its summer associates. The goal is to find a firm that’s good at the things you want to do, regardless of how they use grades. If you have concerns about how your first semester grades may impact your job search, talk to your OPP counselor.
Lastly, a little practical advice: Avoid missing important information by making sure you read OPP’s emails. And practice. Practice your interview answers. Practice giving your elevator pitch about yourself. Many virtual recruiters, including for Winter OGI, use FloRecruit. Make sure that you have all your technology set up prior to your interview time. Center the image of your interviewer right underneath the camera so that it appears like you are making eye contact. And, if anything goes wrong, remain calm. There’s perhaps no better way of showing a prospective employer that you are professional and work well under pressure. It’s extremely important to develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress and be self-aware when you start to burn out. Your health and well-being are of the utmost importance.
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ms7mn@virginia.edu
[1] OPP’s website even has a video on networking for introverts.