Greetings from your Career Advising Team. We’re excited to share with you the recruiting and networking activities for the week of (2/4/13 – 2/11/13). If you have any questions about your job search strategy, cover letters/resumes, or other recruiting and networking concerns, please feel free to schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Career Planning Center by calling 219-465-7814 or visiting the CPC in suite 131.

 Top 5 Jobs

To view these and other opportunities, please login to your Strategy recruiting account.  If you would like to discuss your job search with a Career Advisor, please contact the Career Planning Center at:  219-465-7814 or visit the CPC in suite 131.

3rd Annual Externship Expo

Law School Atrium, February 12, 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Chicago Board of Education | City of South Bend Legal Dept.

Environmental Protection Agency

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Hoosier Environmental Council | Indiana State Police

Juvenile Justice Center | U.S. Department of Homeland Security   Valparaiso University Department of Human Resources

Business Casual Attire to Participate

RSVP in Strategy by February 8

Externship New Proposal deadline – February 8

If you wish to submit a new externship proposal for the Curriculum Committee to consider for Summer or Fall 2013, you MUST do so before February 8.  See Lisa Cannon for details or download the form for the employer to complete at http://www.valpo.edu/law/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/9-EEPDF-NewExProposal.pdf

Upcoming CPC Events

February                    

6                      2L Open House (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – CPC Suite)

12                    Externship Expo (11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Atrium/Hall)

25                   What you need to know about Pro Bono as a 1L?  (3:40 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Ulbricht)

25                    Etiquette Dinner (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Harre Union)

Spring Mock Interview Program – New Sessions Added for February

Being interviewed is an activity that requires attention and practice. Make sure you have prepared for your next interview by asking and answering questions. Participating in a mock interview gives you a chance to receive valuable feedback and tips for having a successful interview.

3Ls should contact the Career Planning Center to schedule a mock interview at a time convenient for the student.

New Mock Interview Sessions have been created in Strategy for 1L and 2L students:

Feb. 7 (Thurs) – 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - New Job # 2806

Feb. 8 (Fri) – 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. - New Job # 2807

Feb. 12 (Tues) – 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. - New Job #2804

Feb. 13 (Wed.) – Karyn Boswell, Lake County Prosecutor’s Office – 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - New Job #2803

Kenya Jones, Robert L. Lewis & Assoc. – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. - New Job #2802 Feb. 20 (Wed.) – 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. - New Job # 2805

All mock interviews take place in the Career Planning Suite.

*Important Note – In order to participate in resume collects or Spring 2013 on-campus interviews for Summer, Fall or Spring externships, all students must participate in a mock interview first.

1L Note – Completing a Mock Interview fulfills a VOLT milestone.

Reference and Recommendation Letter Basics

At some point almost all students will have to prepare a list of references and in some cases ask professors and employers for recommendation letters.  Check out these very helpful comments in two blog posts by Susan Gainen, an expert in legal career development for over 20 years. She has some great tips about the strategy and tactics for creating relationships that may yield much-needed references.

New Year: New Recommendations

http://www.passthebaton.biz/2013/01/new-year-new-recommendations.html

How to Get Good Recommendations (and Overcome Bad Ones)

http://lawyerist.com/get-good-recommendations/