Self Assessing

LOOKING AT YOURSELF*

The job search is a process of gathering information about YOUR ideal job. In order to be successful, you must know what it is that you are looking for. Begin with a self-assesment. This is a simple process of tracing your academic and personal history as they are relevant to the job search. I suggest that you draft this in an outline format and consider the following areas for assessment. You should then refer to this information when drafting a resume, cover letter or preparing for an interview.

Personal History - Educational background, work history and leisure/volunteer activities
Substantive Skills - These include skills that rely on your expertise in a certain subject matter. (ie; family law or criminal law)
Transferable Skills - These are skills that are generally applicable to any career field. (ie; public speaking skills or leadership skills)
Rewards you expect from work - These should be related to the reasons why you chose the legal profession as your career focus.
Priorities / Constraints - Examples include geographic location, family considerations or grades. In addition, your desire to work in a certain area of the law may be a priority.
Choice Work Environment - This includes the organizational structure of the employer and the social culture of the office. (ie; do you prefer a large firm to a smaller firm, a formal office culture to an informal office culture)
Your Ideal Job - You should write a paragraph about the perfect job for you and a paragraph about the job that you want to avoid. This pulls the information gathered thus far in the assessment process to a logical conclusion.

*This information is based largely on the Law Student Handbook for Career Planning and Placement, by the Office of Career Services, University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, Arkansas.