Positive News for Legal Careers!

At McCormack Schreiber we are delighted to be experiencing a busy and active legal job market, and this recent New York Times article similarly discusses reasons to be optimistic about legal careers: "Law Schools and Industry Show Signs of Life, Despite Forecasts of Doom".

Music, Sports and Travel

By Karin Hoekstra

One of the most valuable services a recruiter can provide to you as a candidate is to offer constructive feedback about your resume. Recruiters review a high volume of resumes and generally have a good sense of what works and what doesn't work when applying for a new position. While most people are very open to suggestions, they sometimes feel strongly about the "activities and interests" listed on their resumes. In many cases, we encourage candidates to delete this section entirely for some of the following reasons:

1) You run the risk of offending or alienating your reader. The most common examples are highly political activities or even extreme sports fans.
2) Activities and interests can be too generic and fail to pass the "so what?" test. A resume should catch the reader's attention (in a good way!). Many people enjoy music, sports, travel, reading, cooking, etc. so these interests do not set you apart or give the reader a real idea of who you are.
3) Certain activities and interests may give the wrong initial impression. For example, your resume says you are interested in international travel. While this is seemingly benign, a future employer may worry that you will frequently request weeks of vacation at a time.
4) The true focus of your resume should be highlighting your credentials and experience, primarily the experience that relates to the job for which you are applying.

While I encourage many candidates to omit activities and interests from their resume, there are some important exceptions:

1) Recent graduates should feel free to include activities and interests because, contrary to experienced attorneys, they usually have little or no legal work experience. Interviewing for your initial position in the law is much more conversational and about getting to know you.
2) Candidates with particularly relevant activities and interests can stand out in a good way. For example, if you are applying for a position where your legal practice will focus on a specific region of the world, extensive travel in that region and local knowledge will likely be appealing to an employer.
3) Community service, philanthropic activities and serving on a board generally show involvement and networking that most employers value.

Despite these exceptions, more often than not, the activities and interests listed on a resume run the risk of being too specific or not specific enough. I can appreciate that you may not want to work somewhere that doesn't support your quest to visit every U.S. state capital or major league ballpark, but getting a new position requires that you view your resume from the employer’s perspective. Your primary and initial focus should be getting the employer to want you, and you can determine whether you will receive the flexibility or support you desire later in the process.

I also know that discussing your professional experiences during an interview can be challenging, and that it is far more comfortable to discuss sports or other interests. However, you run the risk that a potential employer walks away from the interview knowing only about your passion for gluten-free baking, rather than the fact that you are particularly qualified for the position and genuinely interested in their company. Although it seems harmless to include interests on your resume, keep in mind that there will be plenty of time to discuss your interests once you actually get the job!

Time to Interview? Put Your Best Foot Forward!

By Nancy Carey

2015 seems to be off to a great start! The legal market is very active right now for attorneys who would like to lateral to another law firm or are considering a move in-house. Accordingly, as many lawyers are in the process of interviewing, I thought this would be a good opportunity to set forth a few helpful interview tips/reminders.

Be Prepared. As with most things in life, preparation is key. Before you interview, be sure to read up on the law firm or company and know who they are and what they do. This includes not only looking at their website but also reading any recent news articles about them. If you are interviewing with a law firm, you should know specifically about your particular practice area and the type of work the firm does in this area and the type of clients they represent. Also, review the law firm and LinkedIn profiles of the people you will be meeting with -- use this as a way to find common ground (e.g., if you attended the same college or law school).

Think Through Likely Questions. There will be certain questions that you will most likely be asked, so you should be prepared to answer these questions (or slight variations thereof). If you think through the questions beforehand, you will be more confident and be better able to formulate appropriate and concise answers to those questions during the interview. Here are a few examples of the types of questions that you should be prepared to answer:

1) Tell me about yourself.
2) Why are you looking to leave your current position?
3) Why are you interested in this particular position with XYZ company or law firm?
4) Tell me about your job moves.

You should also be ready to discuss your substantive legal experience and the types of cases or transactions you have worked on, and your level of responsibility on those matters. So be sure to review your resume before the interview and be ready to discuss any of the experience you have set forth on it.

Show Enthusiasm/Be Positive. When a prospective employer does not move forward with a candidate, we often hear the feedback that the candidate just didn't seem that excited about or interested in our firm/this opportunity. For that reason, you should always go into interviews with a positive attitude and be ready to discuss with enthusiasm WHY you are interested in THIS opportunity. Of course, you walk a fine line and don't want to overdo it, but being interested, engaged and enthusiastic about a potential opportunity goes a long way in an interview.

Be Your Own Best Advocate! The interview is your opportunity to tell a prospective employer about yourself and your experience and why you would be a particularly good fit for the position. Don't assume that they have studied and poured over your resume and cover letter -- because they probably have not. You need to tell them who you are and the skills that you bring to the table. I find that candidates are often hesitant to "brag" about themselves -- but in an interview you need to do just that. Only YOU can best sell yourself and your skills.

Finally, be on time and bring a few extra copies of your resume with you. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

By Ali Shapiro

It seems like just yesterday that the recession was in full swing, firms were firing instead of hiring, and recruiters had tons of terrific candidates and not enough open positions. Flash forward a few years to 2015, and the legal market is booming again. Firms are anxious to hire, companies are expanding their in-house legal departments, and associates are being paid bonuses that are larger than most people's salaries. Strong candidates not only have great opportunities to consider again, but are actually receiving multiple offers, something that seemed impossible only a few short years ago. During the recession, lawyers who were lucky enough to receive a solid offer were pretty much sure they would take it even before it came, as opportunities were so few and far between. Now, however, with opportunities more readily available, candidates are once again faced with the question of whether or not to take an offer that is presented, or to stay at their current job and wait for something else to come along. In making these decisions, there are several issues that candidates should consider.

1. Back to Basics

After a lengthy and sometimes stressful interview process, it can be easy to lose sight of the reason why you were looking at other opportunities in the first place. Maybe things temporarily slowed down at work, and you forgot how you are always the last person standing on national holidays. Perhaps once you started interviewing and had mentally checked out, you forgot how much you can't stand the people in your group. Or, maybe you haven't thought for a while about last year's terrible bonus, or how they keep passing you over for partner. Whatever your situation, you need to regroup, and try to remember why you started looking for a new job in the first place. Remember, job offers don't magically appear - there was a reason that you submitted your resume to a firm or company when you did. Try to remember what led to that decision, and remind yourself how this new opportunity will address those issues.

2. The Only Thing to Fear is Fear Itself

Even if you are clear as to the reason you want to leave your current position, some candidates start to develop Stockholm Syndrome and paralyzing fear when faced with the prospect of truly leaving their current firm. All of a sudden, when faced with freedom, that boss who made you miss your grandmother's funeral no longer seems so bad. And billing 3000 hours a year now seems very reasonable and manageable. I'm not sure why it happens, but it definitely can strike the best of us, particularly us risk-averse lawyers who are suddenly faced with a huge change. Just remember - the devil you know is still the devil, and just because something is new doesn't mean it is bad. Most changes are intimidating at first, but change can be a good thing, and just because you are nervous doesn't mean it is a bad decision to leave and accept a new opportunity.

3. Hit the Road

Once you have gotten through steps one and two, and have made the decision to leave, the next step is to give your notice, and ACTUALLY STICK WITH IT. In this market, where firms are competing for top talent, no firm wants to lose one of its top worker-bees, and to be faced with the prospect of having to hire and train someone to replace you. So, not surprisingly, they are willing to offer you cash, partnership, their first born child – pretty much whatever it takes to keep you, to avoid the time, money and hassle of finding your replacement. Accepting such a counter-offer is never a good idea, as you will thereafter always be viewed as the disloyal one on the team, and all of the old problems that exist (see 1 above) will still be there long after you've spent that retention bonus. There's a reason why the vast majority of people who accept a counter-offer still end up leaving their current job within a year. Don't end up as one of those statistics, and don't let your current employer's desperation affect what was a good, well thought-out decision on your part.

In sum, it is great news for employers, candidates (and of course, recruiters) that the legal market has come back with a vengeance, and that opportunities abound. However, with more options come more decisions, and it is important to recognize that a strong offer is still hard to come by, and should not be taken for granted.

Niche Please

By Greg Veza

I know. You don’t need to be reminded.

The class of 2011 is universally known as the class hardest hit by the recession, and subsequent classes didn’t fare much better. Less than a month into the class of 2011’s 1L year, Lehman filed for bankruptcy. The unthinkable had happened. It was a maddening twist of fate, and professional trajectories seemed to take a nosedive before they even began. Unable to land positions with prestigious firms, a fortunate few found employment, but took any legal job, earning meager salaries simply to cover living expenses and service student loans. A few years into practicing, those attorneys no longer feel lucky “just to have a job”–they’re anxious and uncertain about their futures.

However, traditional pathways to legal careers have changed. Legal employers are increasingly valuing specific experience. That’s the good news – employers are looking more to the lateral market as a resource. And, you can still take control of your careers if you focus your efforts, determine your strengths and assets, be able to frame your niche, and develop a personal brand to stand apart from the competition.


Get Smarter. Learn as much as you can. Be inquisitive and curious. Read about new laws in your area of practice, listen to podcasts, attend CLEs, speak with people in the industry, and understand business needs of employers and their clients. This will give you the chops to network and interview effectively.

Get Involved. Get involved in the practice community and be creative. Write articles, speak at bar associations, guest lecture a course. Take on leadership positions—if there aren’t any, create them. People control opportunities and information. The more people you know, the more likely you’ll be to uncover valuable opportunities.

Build Business Competencies. As important as it is to build your knowledge base and network, it’s just as important is to be “business ready.” Studies have determined traits desired by legal employers, many of which aren’t taught in law school such as relationship building, creativity/innovation, and strategic planning. Smart legal employers look at candidates as long-term human capital, so build these skills in your practice and volunteer positions. Be able to demonstrate your upward potential.

Target Your Resume. Another component of your brand is your resume. Its function is to show employers your value based on your experiences. You’re selling a product, so your resume should highlight relevant information, rather than be a compilation of everything you’ve done. Craft your resume to emphasize pertinent experiences and frame those experiences to bolster your candidacy.


You may not have your dream job, but wherever you are right now, it’s a footnote—you can make the transition. At McCormack Schreiber, we work with attorneys from every practice area, and those with a targeted focus and an entrepreneurial approach to their search often have the most success. The path won’t always be straight, but you’re playing the long game, so keep those eyes on the road.

Dear Sir or Madam - - Cover Letters

By Liz Davies

A new year brings us reason to develop better habits and hopefully to change some bad ones. When it comes to your 2015 job search, let’s discuss cover letters. Who likes writing them, and how many people read them? I review hundreds of resumes per day, and I think it's safe to say that when applying for a new position, your experience - as detailed on your resume - speaks volumes. I will read a cover letter, but only after reviewing the resume. If a prospective employer specifically directs you to attach a cover letter, resume, transcript, etc. - attach away! Otherwise, I often find that a brief yet carefully drafted email introducing yourself and attaching your resume is a good practice.

Some important things to DO when emailing a prospective employer:

• DO list the position for which you are applying


• DO mention mutual contacts or referrals


• DO explain any recent job moves


• If you wish to relocate to a new city, DO explain any connection to the city and when you are available to interview, relocate and start the position


• DO proofread all of your submission materials


• DO NOT send form letters

Finally, always keep track of where you submit your materials. Be sure to keep a record of dates of submissions, positions/descriptions, prospective employers, contacts, job codes, websites, etc.

I hope that you have a happy and successful 2015, and good luck with your job search!

Happy New Year From McCormack Schreiber

Tips for Interviewing During Cold and Flu Season

By  Rich Janney

I am coming down with something. I can’t yet discern what virus has come to visit, but it feels powerful. Right now I really don’t want to interact with strangers or with anyone I need to impress. But there are plenty of you out there who are in my situation (or will be soon) and you have an interview on tap right in the middle of the worst part of the cold. Here are some tips on how to survive this process without catastrophic failure.

1. In some cases you will need cold medicine to make it through the interview without leaving a mucous slime trail behind you. Do not ever take untested cold medicine on the day of your interview. Give it a whirl a day or two before. See what happens. Otherwise it’s an episode of Three’s Company just waiting to happen.
2. You know that ad they have recently been running for Tamiflu, the one where the guy is sick and he is giant compared to his surroundings? Try not to look like that.
3. Bring lozenges in case you have a cough. If you’re worried about sick breath, you can bring mints or those Listerine strips. A pack of those mini grandma Kleenexes isn’t a bad idea either. Maybe you should also bring a thermos of chicken noodle soup. If you can’t find a place to store all this on your person, consider wearing a fanny pack.
4. If you are lucky enough to have a cold that has given you ‘sexy voice’, run with it. Say sultry things during your conversation.
5. If you have to cough, try to mask it with some other ambient noise, like an air horn.
6. Hide swollen neck glands with a turtle neck sweater or ascot.
7. Under no circumstances should you look in a mirror before walking into your interview.

I truly feel for you if you have to motor though an interview while you are sick. If it’s the flu or something that really has you knocked down on your back, you might just have to reschedule the meeting though it pains me to tell you this. However, as much as we want to persevere and tough it out, no potential employer will look favorably on you if you were the carrier monkey that got the whole office sick. But hopefully you will have a nice holiday break to get over your sniffles (and maybe get a flu shot) so that when January hits, you are rested and ready for any interviews coming your way. And maybe wear a biohazard suit to any holiday parties--just a thought!

Customize Your Resume AND Your Interview Responses

By  Sabrina C. Spitznagle

Most people know that they should customize their resume for a particular position. A great way to do that is to mirror your resume to the job description or posting for the position to which you are applying. What candidates often forget, however, is to go through that process again when preparing for an interview. It is important to carefully review the job description and posting prior to any interview. If you are able to explain in an interview how your experience matches the skills the potential employer is seeking (ideally using specific examples and buzz words from the job posting), you absolutely will set yourself apart from and above the other candidates. The article "3 Ways to Tailor Your Resume For the Position", written by Gerald Buck for Vault Blogs, provides specific tips for customizing your resume, which are also helpful at the interview stage.

Interesting Article About 2015 Associate Salaries

At McCormack Schreiber, we have found 2014 to be an extremely busy year for associate hiring at large law firms, and we expect 2015 to follow suit. Of course a concern for all of our associate candidates and law firm clients is market compensation, and we thought that the article "Will Law Firms Increase Salaries in 2015?", based on NALP's 2014 Associate Salary Survey, was particularly interesting.