Many students excitedly welcome the start of their 1L summer job after a challenging year spent reading, briefing cases, outlining, and preparing for and taking exams. And they should — it is a huge accomplishment to be celebrated! However, the work does not end when the summer begins. To get the most out of your 1L summer job, you will still have to work hard — just in a different way. The results of a successful 1L summer are rewarding — you will hone vital skills, build relationships with lawyers, and potentially secure post-graduation employment opportunities. So, you want to make an excellent impression — which you can easily do using the following tips.
Take initiative
The easy thing to do is not take initiative and just sit by and wait for work. It is what many of your peers will do. That is why one of the best ways to stand out in your 1L summer job is to take initiative. Employers are most impressed by those who demonstrate genuine interest in working with them. So, if you finish an assignment early, don’t just sit around for the next one; let someone in charge know you are ready for more work.
Establish a good reputation
Establishing a good reputation is another way to stand out in your 1L summer job. There are a number of ways to cultivate a good reputation. Some include:
Arriving on time and prepared to work. Tardiness is a major 1L summer faux pas. At the very least, you should always arrive on time to work. Even better, aim to arrive early each day.
Being kind and personable. No one wants to work with someone who is rude, unkind, or who keeps to themselves entirely. Just be careful not to spend too much time socializing and to keep conversations professional.
Submitting polished work product. No one expects you to be perfect, but you should submit your best work possible. If your work is littered with typos, it shows lack of effort or care.
Dress professionally. Most employers have a dress code. Be sure to follow it. And if you are ever in doubt about whether something is professional enough to wear to work, then err on the side of not wearing it!
Show interest
Show interest in everything that genuinely interests you about your 1L summer job. Is that the work being done by your employer? Your assignments and cases? Mentorship from lawyers? Growing your network? The possibilities are endless. With that said, you do want to make sure your interest is genuine. If you hate contracts, don’t pretend to be overly enthused about a contract drafting assignment. Not only is that ingenuine, but it likely will backfire on you. Your employer might saddle you with many more contract drafting assignments if they think you enjoy it.
As a general rule of thumb, the best way to establish a good reputation is to treat your 1L summer job as a months-long interview. If you do, it very well could result in a longer-term position.
