I recently answered the question, “What is the difference between Job Postings and OCI in Symplicity” and I thought I’d share my answer in case anyone else is wondering.

Both Job Postings and OCI are found in Symplicity.

Job postings are like the classified ads.  Employers post positions and students apply directly to the employer.  Sometimes the employer wants the applications mailed, sometimes they accept e-mail, and sometimes they accept applications through Symplicity.  You will find application instructions with the information for each job.  The jobs may be post-graduate positions or intern positions (summer or academic year).  During the fall, most of the student job postings are for intern positions that last throughout the school year. 

Access and search job postings by clicking on the “Job Postings” tab in Symplicity (the fourth tab from the left).  Browse the postings or create a search using “Advanced Search”.  You can set up a recurring search agent that allows the system to send you notifications when jobs with certain criteria are posted.

OCI, or “Formal Recruiting,” is a program sponsored by the PDO in which area employers come on campus to interview students for either post-graduate or summer intern positions.  Occasionally, but rarely, employers utilize OCI to hire interns for the academic year.  In the fall, 2Ls and 3Ls participate in OCI.  In the spring, all students are eligible to participate.

Access and search for employers participating in OCI by clicking on the “OCI” tab in Symplicity (third tab from the right).  You will see a box for “Session” in the grey box in the middle of page.  Make sure to browse the employers in each session.  The deadline to apply for all of the employers in a particular session is listed on the right side of the screen under “Important Dates.”  You MUST apply to these firms through Symplicity.  After the deadline passes, the employer will review all applications and select students to interview.  Selected students will receive a message directing them to select an interview time on Symplicity.

If you have questions regarding how to use Symplicity, see http://washburnlaw.edu/career/careermanager/

If you have questions about the OCI process, see http://washburnlaw.edu/career/oci/index.php

To make the best impression with your handshake, reach for the person’s palm, not the fingers.  Use a firm grip, that shows you are confident.  If you give a weak handshake where you don’t really grip the other person’s hand, you appear weak, insecure, non-committal. (Message: “I am a doormat, feel free to walk all over me.”) And let’s be honest, when you are on the receiving end of the “fingers handshake,” it’s kind of a yucky feeling.

When you squeeze the other person’s hand so hard, it hurts, you appear domineering, angry, inconsiderate. (Message: “Please hire me, I want to scare the living daylights out of everyone in your workplace.”) 

Shake a woman’s hand as firmly as a man’s hand.  To give a woman a lighter handshake is an insult.

Thanks to the Culture and Manners Institute for this tip!  http://www.cultureandmanners.com/

Fall Recruiting

The On-Campus Interview (OCI) program is an event that most law schools across the country provide.   Fall OCI occurs during August, September, October.    Legal employers visit law school campuses for the purpose of interviewing second-year students for summer positions and third-year students for post-graduation positions.  The majority of the employers who participate are mid-size to large firms and government agencies that are able to predict their hiring needs several months in advance.  Smaller firms, government agencies and public interest employers may participate as well.

We will use our web-based Symplicity system to administer the on-campus interview program.  You will use Symplicity to upload your cover letter and resume, “bid” or apply for employers and, view your interview schedule.

You should check the employer list carefully and often when determining if OCI is right for you.  It is very important to pay attention to details as you go through the OCI process, as well as researching employers carefully before you submit your materials to them.  It is recommended you target selected employers  based on the skills and experience you provide, geographical preference, and practice area.

Getting Ready

Research Pays Off.  It is extremely important you start to research the employers early.  Please review the employers’ profiles in Symplicity, the employer NALP forms (www.nalpdirectory.com) and employer websites BEFORE submitting your resume through OCI.  Please only apply to those employers with whom you have a “good faith” interest in interviewing.

Uploading Resumes, Cover Letters, and Transcripts

All documents required by the employer must be uploaded to Symplicity before you will be allowed to place a “bid”.  You only need to upload on general resume to Symplicity, but you also may upload specialized resumes if you choose. (ie. Public Interest Resume, California Resume, etc). All documents are uploaded to the “Documents’” tab in your Symplicity account.  Document labels are viewable by employers’ to label them carefully and make certain to select the correct document when you attach it to your bid.  All documents must be uploaded in word format; however, they are saved within the system in both their original format and as a PDF.  Please review the PDF to ensure that it looks like it should.  The PDF will be the version sent to employers, so if you make changes to the original, you must resave the document.  Your initial resume must be reviewed and approved by our office before you can apply.  Once you upload your initial resume, it will be held in the “Pending Documents” until reviewed and approved.  With this in mind, it is best that you not wait until the last minute to upload your resume.

On-Campus Interviews vs. Resume Collection

For employers who cannot interview on campus, we arrange a “Resume Collection”.  The application process is the same as OCI, and you must still submit your “bid “ to these employers.  We will forward requested documents to the employer and any further communication will come directly from the employer. 

Employers Participating in OCI

For a complete list of employers participating, click on the OCI Tab and select the “session”.  The session represents the week the employer will be on campus.  Be sure to view all sessions for a complete list. 

J-section Students Participation in OCI

Students who started in January are eligible to participate in Fall Recruiting. 

When choosing a writing sample, always first consider what your best sample is. If there is a clear winner, use that sample. If you are fortunate to choose between several samples, consider the potential employer. Select a writing sample that illustrates the style of writing you will be using for that employer. For example, if you are applying to a public defender select an Appellate Brief, but if you are applying to an employer that does not practice in the appellate courts, consider a memorandum of law.

Of course, always comply with employer requests. If a potential employer requests a memorandum, provide one. Similarly if an employer requests something other than a law journal article, by all means do NOT submit your Journal article.

Some employers request an “unedited” writing sample. This generally does not exclude final drafts of papers submitted for law school courses, but it does exclude a Journal article, Moot Court brief, and other documents that are heavily and substantively edited by other people.

Finally, some employers request the writing sample be limited to a particular number of pages. In this case, it is appropriate to submit an excerpt of your writing sample if the original version is too long. Simply explain it is an excerpt on the cover page and make sure to include enough of the substance to demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate an argument.

A note regarding cover pages: Consider including a cover page to your writing sample. It should include your name, the type of document you are submitted, and for what purpose it was originally created. It may look like:

Writing Sample of Margann Bennett

Excerpt of
Appellate Brief

Prepared for
Legal Analysis Research & Writing II
Spring 2009

There are sample cover pages on TWEN and in Symplicity.

Employers often ask for professional references of job applicants. Unless otherwise instructed by the potential employer, you should provide contact information for 3-4 individuals who can speak to your skills, work ethic, and professionalism. References may include current or former employers and colleagues, professors, or others with whom you have worked in a professional capacity (examples include a volunteer coordinator of a community organization or a colleague from a professional organization). Student applicants should include at least one law school professor with whom he or she has developed a working relationship such as a writing or seminar course instructor.

ALWAYS ask before listing an individual as a reference!

Provide contact information for references on a separate document entitled “References of [Your name here].” It is alternatively appropriate to use a header such those used on a resume. Occasionally references are listed at the bottom of a resume; however, never state “References Available on Request” – it is a waste of valuable space on a resume.

Contact information for each reference should include the reference’s name, title, professional address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Consider including a brief explanation of the relationship if it is not obvious from your resume and the reference’s contact information. For example:

Eric Holder
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
202-353-1555
Eric.holder@usdoj.gov
*Former supervisor at Covington & Burling LLP

Always provide your references with a current resume and keep the reference up to speed regarding your job search. Send your reference a brief description of the position for which you are applying and a few reasons why you are qualified. Keep him or her informed as you work through the interview process and follow up when you complete the process.

Don’t forget to send thank you notes to references in addition to employers!