3L Career Planning Timeline
The job search process often continues throughout students' final year of law school. The following timeline is designed to help you stay on-track and conduct a thoughtful and effective job search.
If you are interested in pursuing a public interest career, we also encourage you to review the 3L Public Interest Career Planning Timeline.
Reflecting on Summer & Search Plan
September 1 - October 31
- Step 1: Reflect & learn
- Take time to consider your 2L summer and how the experience aligns with your career goals
- Step 2: Build professional relationships
- Add the contacts you’ve developed since you started law school to your database and/or LinkedIn
- Draft follow-up emails and schedule meetings with contacts
- Continue to identify & initiate contacts
- Informational interviews are a requirement of the Upper-Level Foundations of Practice Program
- Attend Employer-in-Residence programs
- Step 3: Continue your action plan
- Consider whether a spring internship fits your goals
- Research small/medium firms and government positions
- Continue direct writes to firms
Job Searching Skills
October 15 - January 31
- Step 4: Prepare application materials and get ready for interviews
- Update your resume & cover letters
- Meet with your career advisor to review materials and solidify your search plan
- Schedule a mock interview to refine your interview skills
- Step 5: Continue building professional relationships
- Set goals for targeting new contacts and follow-up
- Update your LinkedIn profile
- Use LinkedIn, Martindale, Leadership Directories, and Career Development Office website resources to develop leads for new contacts
- Step 6: Job listings & fairs
- Apply for job listings in CORE, PSJD, AZ Guide
- Attend spring events:
- Small & Medium Firm Networking Event
- Public Sector Recruitment Program
Preparation & Goals for Post-Grad
February 1 - May 1
- Step 7: Spring semester action plan
The Spring Semester Action Plan will help you complete the Upper-Level Foundations of Practice requirements, as well as:
- prioritize your remaining time in law school,
- assess strengths and skills gaps,
- update your careers timeline,
- continue your summer job or semester externship search, and
- use your professional networks strategically.
See a career counselor for assistance prioritizing the action items in the plan.
- Step 8: Continue building professional relationships
- Follow-up with contacts
- Small/Medium Firm networking events
- Identify & attend events
- Develop a plan for networking over spring break
- Attend Coffee with Experience hosted by the Alumni Office (typically hosted in March)
- Step 9: Continue job search
- Read the 3L Career Development Office Newsletter
- Job postings in CORE, PSJD, AZ Guide
- Submit your resume to spring resume books in CORE
- Direct writes to small/medium firms
- Attend Career Center programs targeted to post-graduation searches
- Step 10: Prepare for graduation
- Decide which state Bar Exam you will take; prepare and submit your Bar application