How To Find a Job

How do I find a job? 

For those who are just looking at this blog, I am a recent law graduate in NYC.  I am currently studying for the bar, but I also have my eye open for a job.  I may have something after I take the bar, I am told, but I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket.  That means I will still be looking for a job and helping others with it.

I have read that many people here are looking for jobs, even after months of searching.  Therefore, I want to share my strategy for finding a job.  I also want to look at some of the reasons why I believe that some people are not finding a job.  Over time I hope to improve this guide so that it helps other people who are in my position.

1.  You can not be picky in today's economy.

I feel that too many people are starting out by being picky. That might work if you live in your parent's basement, but if you have bills piling up and real responsibility, that is not going to work.  As for me, I don't have much of a choice other than work.  That means I have to keep my eye open and take work wherever it may pop up.  That may mean getting a job as a barista, a waiter, a security guard, or whatever pays the bills (as long as it is ethical).

Look on Simplicity (if your school offers it) or any other job bank that your school offers.  This is probably the best place to start, because you will not be competing with the same number (read: legions) of people that you will be on Craigslist.

2.  Consider supplementing your income with sperm and egg donation.

This one really works well for those who are law graduates or have advanced degrees.  Your sperm will be valued, because, for some reason, sperm donation places want donors to have an advanced degree.  They believe it makes the offspring smarter (there is little proof of this).  However, would be parents are paying big money to have a child that has a parent as a doctor or lawyer, so you might as well take advantage of it and run with it. 

Here in New York, you can make about $1,200 a month donating sperm, and you get free health screenings!  For women, you can make even more donating your eggs!  What is really amazing about this opportunity is that you can still work a job on the side, and you should easily be able to pay your rent off $1,200 if you are not trying to live above your means in the East Village.

3.  Network like crazy!

What does this even mean?  I am no networking guru, but I would imagine a good place to start is your school or a school.  See what events are going on.  Talk to your career services office.  If they are not helpful, keep bothering them so they want to get you a job and get rid of you. 

I don't think network means schmoozing or trying to be someone you are not, and I will not do this.  Instead, I think it means using whatever source you can in order to land a job.  You might even be able to network while donating sperm (see #2, above).

4.  Start your own business on the side.

Put an ad on Craigslist saying you will watch people's pets.  I did this, and although I have yet to get a hit, it could bring in a bit of extra money.  Consider cleaning houses, or doing tasks that others need done.  Help people move.  Make something and sell it online.  Do you have some stuff that you could sling on Ebay?  Maybe you could find some things.  Hit some garage sales and give it a shot.  There has to be something you can do!  If not, you might just be being lazy.

And, with your own business, you can network with those who you are meeting.

5.  Consider Africa



Last night I found myself watching this video and wondering if the individuals therein were right.  Perhaps Africa is the place to go.  I just got back from a trip to Africa, and let me tell you, it is a much different place than the U.S. and Europe.  Things are not as comfortable, but the experience you get there could make a huge difference in your life and the lives of others.  I may write more on this in the future, as I thought about looking into it myself.  I am sure Africa needs lawyers just like anywhere else. 

6.  Teach English Overseas

Just be careful with getting into a good TESOL, CELTA or TEFL program.  You want one that has a lot of teaching components.  I have read that the online ones generally are not as good, nor are they accepted in a lot of countries.  Teaching English overseas is a great way to make some extra money and live a pretty exciting life. 

7.  Always stay positive!

Job hunting should not be looked at in a negative way.  Think of it as a game.  Think of it as a treasure hunt.  Don't get down on yourself.  Some people spend over a year looking for a job.  It sucks.  Apply for unemployment, food stamps, anything that you can to stay afloat.  If you have student loan debt, get on IBR or a forbearance immediately.  Do everything you can to make money and get money.  You will likely learn a lot from this process.  Keep a journal, because you will probably be back in this position one day.   

Is LinkedIn Needed for Law Students/Graduates?

Posted from Dahab, Egypt -- Just a few minutes ago I shut down my LinkedIn account.  Why?  First, I never got any use out of it.  Nor have I ever heard of anyone getting a job from using it.  Second, I don't want certain people following me or trying to figure out who I am.  Third, spending time developing an internet profile means time not finding a job.  Although I already have a job, I realize that I am going to be looking for another one when I move to the west coast in a few months.  That means that I will need to do a job search.

But will I need LinkedIn?  No, I will not.  I am 100% convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that LinkedIn serves absolutely no purpose in the job hunt.  While many people state that "every resource is important," the reality is that some resources do more harm than good.  Some are just a waste of time and productivity.  This is where I feel LinkedIn lies.

The internet is great for a lot of things, but it has always been a horrible place to try to find a job.  Many people who have grown up with the internet and who are now in law school may disagree, because they never have found a job in the traditional way.  And for some jobs, such as Burger King, you may need to do a pre-employment personality test.  But, many of Earth's oldest and boldest are the ones hiring the youthful law graduates, and geriatrics, as a whole, are distrustful of the internet.  In short, they want you to show that you are willing to go the extra mile to get a job, and that oftentimes means climbing off your computer and pounding the pavement.  Not the epavement, either.

My LinkedIn account had been non-existent during much of law school, but I let people who may or may have not a financial state in the site (such as those who own LinkedIn stocks) state that I should be on the site.  When fellow students somehow found my e-mail address and invited me to LinkedIn, I caved like a 12 year old man-child.  Then I realized that I was right all along for not being on the site.  I started to feel just icky for spending a good 15 minutes creating my profile.  So, on the shores of the Red Sea, here in Dahab, Egypt, I got rid of that account.  And now it's history -- forever gone.

Read my lips: I will NEVER join LinkedIn again.  Never again; no matter what.  Those days are gone.  Gone -Long-Gone!  I know this will come as a shock to some of my readers who are convinced that such sources that the news-media peddles as 'necessities' are required for the job hunt and a happy life.  But, such things are irrelevant.  LinkedIn exists to make money -- not to get people jobs.  And to think I was so stupid.  Yes, I was wrong!  I actually thought, for some strange reason that having an account would be worthwhile.

I gave in to peer pressure!  And there is nothing that makes me feel dirtier than wasting my time because I gave into the idea that maybe someone else was right.  I am generally proving over and over again that I am right.  Therefore, it's time to say goodbye LinkedIn!  You are out of here!  Goodbye and good riddance!

Mr. Infinity, J.D. is a graduate of a law school in the New York area and is traveling in Egypt, Israel, and The Netherlands before taking the New York Bar exam and moving to the west coast.