4 answers
David
Student
Castroville, CA
3
Questions
Asked
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to all lawyers i have few questions ?
How busy or stressful is your job? Is it stressful? How should you get ready for an interview? and What are key things to put on your resume?
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4 answers
Brenna Smedley
talent acquisition director
5
Answers
Farmington, Utah
Updated
Brenna’s Answer
Ex-lawyer here! I went to law school and practiced civil litigation in CA before I changed careers, but I have family and close friends who are attorneys. I think every job worth doing carries a certain amount of stress because you care about results and the people who are relying on you. I've never had a job in my professional career (attorney or other) that didn't have some level of stress. The amount and consistency of the stress depends on a lot of things, especially the individual person. Attorneys in larger defense firms with billable hour requirements have a lot of extrinsic stress and tend to be very busy because of the high demands of the firm's clients and the partners plus their yearly billable targets. I also know many lawyers who have their own practices (or opened small practices w/ 2-3 other lawyers) and while they have more control over their schedules and the type of work they take, they also have to sustain a business and collect money from their clients. In-house/corporate attorneys and government lawyers have their own unique stress and challenges and are very busy. But I also don't think being busy is a bad thing, as long as you enjoy what you do and find purpose in it. Stress management is important so if someone is in a job where they aren't sleeping and stress/anxiety has taken over, they should change something. The attorneys I know who do litigation, tax and M&A work tend to be the busiest, while estate planning usually offers the most balance (but often lower salary).
Interview prep depends on the type of role and area of law. If you're interviewing for a summer associate job during law school or a role immediately after passing the bar/getting licensed, you should be prepared to speak about your grades, the classes you took in law school, and experiences you had during internships or summer associate jobs. If you have a background or degree that is relevant to the type of law you want to practice, that can be a great thing to include on a resume and talk in an interview to explain why you want to work for that firm in that particular field of law and the unique skills/experience you can offer. For example, you worked in for a luxury brand (i.e. Chanel) before law school and you want to practice trademark law. The more years out of law school you are, typically the less grades matter because you have real world experience to show your ability and success as a lawyer. Law school networks can be important so you can also reach out to alumni and ask them for guidance and advice when it comes to interviews or making connections. Interviewers will want to see that you are personable, have very strong communication skills (verbal and written), are motivated and hard working, and have direction/purpose. Someone who shows up to an interview having done no research about the firm or that practice won't get the job so do your homework and ask a lot of questions.
Interview prep depends on the type of role and area of law. If you're interviewing for a summer associate job during law school or a role immediately after passing the bar/getting licensed, you should be prepared to speak about your grades, the classes you took in law school, and experiences you had during internships or summer associate jobs. If you have a background or degree that is relevant to the type of law you want to practice, that can be a great thing to include on a resume and talk in an interview to explain why you want to work for that firm in that particular field of law and the unique skills/experience you can offer. For example, you worked in for a luxury brand (i.e. Chanel) before law school and you want to practice trademark law. The more years out of law school you are, typically the less grades matter because you have real world experience to show your ability and success as a lawyer. Law school networks can be important so you can also reach out to alumni and ask them for guidance and advice when it comes to interviews or making connections. Interviewers will want to see that you are personable, have very strong communication skills (verbal and written), are motivated and hard working, and have direction/purpose. Someone who shows up to an interview having done no research about the firm or that practice won't get the job so do your homework and ask a lot of questions.
Jonathan Whitcomb
Credit Analyst
63
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Being a lawyer can be stressful. There is usually a lot riding on your actions. It also costs a lot to be a lawyer which can also be stressful. Having a demonstrated good Nyerere can help you become a kawyer with a number of nterndhips, law review, or moot court good to have on your resume.
Ashunda Hampton
Attorney
7
Answers
Jackson, Mississippi
Updated
Ashunda’s Answer
Stress in this profession is more common than you might think. We deal with others' problems and often neglect the self-care needed to ensure we stay in a good place with our own lives and health. After all, it’s a job focused on resolving human conflicts which can often be quite complex and controversial.
As far as getting ready for an interview, you should always be prepared to discuss any specific experiences or skills listed on your resume. Also, consider which are the most important skills and experiences you would bring to the role as well as questions you have about the organization and the position. Each of your answers should be concise, organized and meaningful. Also, be sure to research any employer you meet with, so you have an understanding of their strong practice areas, major clients, policies, and recent newsworthy cases.
Be sure to include writing samples with your resume.
As far as getting ready for an interview, you should always be prepared to discuss any specific experiences or skills listed on your resume. Also, consider which are the most important skills and experiences you would bring to the role as well as questions you have about the organization and the position. Each of your answers should be concise, organized and meaningful. Also, be sure to research any employer you meet with, so you have an understanding of their strong practice areas, major clients, policies, and recent newsworthy cases.
Be sure to include writing samples with your resume.
Matthew Connors
Attorney
13
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
David
Working as a practicing attorney can be stressful, but it depends on what kind of position you have. For example, some people enjoy litigation but with that can come stress of trial prep and actual trial work. There is a wide, wide range of career paths available, and it is something that you need to explore for yourself.
When it comes to interviewing- you want to highlight what interests you in the position and what you bring to that position. It seems obvious, but you would be surprised to see how many people just send in a form resume that fails to illustrate why the applicant would be a good fit for the position. I would also highlight that most attorneys clerk/summer during law school which allows you to get some practical experience prior to graduation. That gives you the opportunity to explore whether firm life/public service etc is a good fit for you.
Working as a practicing attorney can be stressful, but it depends on what kind of position you have. For example, some people enjoy litigation but with that can come stress of trial prep and actual trial work. There is a wide, wide range of career paths available, and it is something that you need to explore for yourself.
When it comes to interviewing- you want to highlight what interests you in the position and what you bring to that position. It seems obvious, but you would be surprised to see how many people just send in a form resume that fails to illustrate why the applicant would be a good fit for the position. I would also highlight that most attorneys clerk/summer during law school which allows you to get some practical experience prior to graduation. That gives you the opportunity to explore whether firm life/public service etc is a good fit for you.