 Our Next "SPEAK UP!" Question - WIN A BOOK!
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What's your most valuable job-hunting tip? "I worked in telecommunication-equipment sales for several years before coming to USC. The most valuable job-hunting tip comes from Harvey Mackay, author of Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive. The No. 1 rule is this: do your homework. A personal referral network is the most valuable tool to finding a job. That is, get to know people whom know people, e.g., professors, academic advisers, etc. Do fact-finding interviews with them. Mackay's saying is 'It's not whom you know, but how well you know them.' Cultivate the advisers so they become mentors. Finally, always send a thank-you card immediately to those who provide helpful hints." Steve Zabinski "Be aggressive and make connections! If you see a political figure or a well-recognized legal figure, introduce yourself, tell him/her you are a law student, and ask if he/she is willing to meet you to give you advice. When you meet, ask for some names of people he/she would recommend contacting." Steven Yadegari "Two ideas: Call a national organization for a field of law that you want to practice in. For example, if you're interested in construction law, call the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or the Building Industry Association (BIA) for companies or affiliated groups that might use attorneys or might put you in touch with attorneys they use. "Let your neighbors know you're looking--especially older neighbors with connections in the area. There's a sympathy factor for the 'young' law student." John McGill "At a professionals meeting, the president invited people to stand and introduce themselves. One woman took the opportunity to mention that she and her husband had just moved to the area and that she was looking for a job. She left the meeting with five to 10 business cards and was employed soon afterwards." Scott Ingram "Never limit yourself, whether it be to a city or field or type of firm. Opportunities are everywhere. If one isn't in the first place you look, a better one may be right around the corner." Tom B. Walsh "I began cultivating contacts early. While an undergraduate, I worked jobs that allowed me to meet people who could help me. Not necessarily prestigious jobs either. I was a lifeguard for a condominium and met several lawyers and law students who have helped me find a job." Kevin d'Eustachio "Research the firm or business. Know their biggest practice areas and the smaller areas that could become a niche for you." Don Roberts "Work your contacts! Even if you think you know no one in the legal field, you do: parents' divorce attorneys, people in church organizations, people who know your parents socially." D. Stencel "Always write thank-you cards after you meet someone at a networking event. I've gotten three interviews that way, so far, and I've only been to three events this year!" Preethi Sekharan "My most valuable job-hunting tip is to be yourself and have a conversation with the interviewer rather than play 20 questions." Karen Martin "Honesty. Focus on your strong traits and be prepared to tell your prospective employers what unique and developed skills you can offer and how these will be beneficial as well as profitable. When asked, don't pretend to have skills or possess talents that you don't have. Be yourself, and above all, show that you can fit into the organization." Tom Leetz "Many schools offer free Web space to students. I used mine to create a hypertext version of my résumé. One can click on links to my undergraduate school or past employers and go to their Web sites. Although I can't say that I got a job because of this, it's certainly been a topic of conversation during interviews." Ray Goforth Win a copy of one of these books!
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Write and tell us. Complete the postage-paid card—labeled "Speak Up!"—in this newsletter, and mail it by December 31, 1999. Or, you can answer the "Speak Up!" question via e-mail by sending a message to 
