Top tips to keep your foot in the door
As you wrap up your summer associate program, you’ll be among thousands of other summer associates keeping everything crossed that they secure an offer of a full-time position.
This anticipation is a big deal. According to In Law360 Pulse’s 2024 Summer Associate Survey, 37% of law students said their biggest concern was not getting an offer at the end of their summer internship programs.
It’s not all anticipation though – it’s out-and-out hard work landing an offer. Law360 Pulse also found that students underwent an average of 4 interviews during their early interview week.
You want to be one of the successful ones. You’re prepared to do the work as you’ve done all summer. Here are some final tips to ensure you make a lasting impression and turn your summer position into a full-time offer.
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| Show them what you’ve achieved |
| Best foot forward |
| Be sure you actually want the offer |
| Get ready for the interview |
Show them what you’ve achieved
You’ll have been given plenty of casework to do. If you followed our tips in our previous summer associate blog, you’ll have kept a journal of your activity.
Now’s the time to put your accomplishments together in an organized way, so that you can provide them and present them if someone asks. Or, even better, you offer to present them to the partners you’ve been working with. Showcase how your unique skill set and experience will translate into a successful career as an attorney.
Best foot forward
It’s a given that you’ll have been on your best behavior all the way through. But you shouldn’t assume a job offer is a foregone conclusion.
As we mentioned earlier, many students may be anxious about their job prospects or about how they will be perceived by their law firm. But – easier said than done – try to avoid worrying about factors outside your control.
What you can control is doing excellent work and having a great attitude. Also, there is no typical mold that firms are looking for in applicants. You may be able to bring a valuable new perspective that others might not have, so be your authentic self and show how you can add to the culture at the firm.
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Be sure you actually want an offer
This may be an unexpected twist, but you need to feel 100% certain that the firm where you’ve spent the summer is the best fit for you and your career.
In Law360 Pulse’s 2024 Summer Associate Survey, the law firm Kirkland was the top choice for students if they had their pick of firms, followed closely by Latham and Jones Day.
But not everyone wants to work for those firms. Most law students have to cast their net wide. According to the survey, students reported applying to an average of 14 firms in their campaign to secure an associateship.
Prestige should never be the only factor in deciding where you want to work, anyway. Far more important is the ability to learn, do work you find rewarding, and build your career for the long term, whether you remain at the firm or move on eventually to a different type of legal work.
Here are some questions to consider:
Does the firm practice in the areas that interest you?
It’s crucial to assess whether the firm practices in areas that align with your interests. This alignment not only enhances your professional development but also ensures that your time at the firm is engaging and fulfilling. Working in practice areas that you are passionate about can provide valuable experience and help you build a specialized skill set, making you a more competitive candidate in the future legal job market.
What is the firm’s approach to professional development?
Who will mentor you? What does career advancement look like? What training will be available? It’s important to how you can gain skills and experience within the firm, however long you stay. Here are some topics on development that will help guide your thinking.
Does the culture fit you and your needs?
This is something only you can decide. For example, diversity is an important consideration – does the firm tell you about diversity and related programs, or just ask you a lot of behavioral questions? Remote working is another one. In Law360 Pulse’s 2024 Summer Associate Survey, roughly a quarter of respondents expressed virtual work as an important factor.
Get ready for the interview – and a big step in your career
Whichever firm you have your heart set on, be sure to use the interview as an opportunity to showcase your soft skills, unique characteristics, and insights that will differentiate you from other applicants.
Show your passion for the profession too, and take this golden opportunity to learn and ask meaningful questions – for example, where is the firm going? How are clients’ needs evolving? What are the firm’s growth plans over the next 5-10 years?
Asking questions like this will help set you apart as a confident, engaged, and aware candidate. Just the kind of people good firms like to hire.
So, well done for making it through the summer and best of luck landing that full-time position.
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