The final part of this Job/Career Self-Assessment Exercise poses Specific Job/Career Questions. Once you have responded to all three components of this exercise, you should have a fairly well-defined direction that prepares you for your actual job search or career change.

Specific Job/Career Questions

Where and for whom do I want to work?

• Private Sector
  • Law Firm
    • Large, Midsize or Small
    • General Practice or Boutique
    • My Own Solo Practice
  • For-Profit Corporation
    • Fortune 1,000, Smaller or Startup
    • Publicly-Traded v. Closely-Held
    • Type of Industry
    • Domestic v. Multinational
  • Non-Profit Corporation
    • College/University
    • Hospital
    • Museum
    • Foundation
    • Public Interest/Advocacy Organization
    • Trade or Professional Association
    • Labor Union
    • Other
  • Consulting Firm
  • Other Organization
• Public Sector
  • Federal, State or Local Government
  • Special Purpose District (e.g., airport authority, utility district, etc.)
  • Public-Private Partnership
  • Government Sponsored Enterprise (e.g., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan
  • Banks, Farm Credit Banks, Farmer Mac)
  • Self Regulatory Organization (e.g., FINRA), Stock Exchange, Public Company Accounting
  • Oversight Board)
  • International Organization (e.g., UN, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Pan
  • American Health Organization, World Trade Organization, World Intellectual Property
  • Organization)

What kind of “trends analyses” do I have to do?

• Industry
• Type of employer
• Type of position
• Other

What job-affecting circumstances beyond my control do I need to be concerned about?

• Economic Uncertainties, e.g.,
• Interest rate fluctuations
• Energy prices
• Takeover risks
• Potential industry or employer collapse (viz. Lehman Brothers)
• Unsustainable public debt
• Legislative/Regulatory uncertainties
• Globalization
• Outsourcing potential
• International competition
• Technology impact

Whom do I need to talk to?

• Law school career office
• Professors
• Industry
• Industry consultants
• Trade and professional associations
• School alumni/ae
• Employer/industry alumni/ae
• Others

What do I need to ask or say to these people?

Who will be my references?

When do I need to initiate contact with my references?

Who are my networking contacts?

Who are my contacts’ possible contacts?

Am I executive search/“headhunter” material?

• If yes, which headhunters should I approach?
  • Legal
  • Executive Search
  • Industry
  • Other

Should I pursue supplemental credentials?

• LLM
• Other degree program
• Certificate or comparable program

If yes, what specific credentials make sense?