*For more information about how to participate in FRP, please see the FRP Student Information and Registration Packet.

1.       Research employers – aim to generate a list of the employers you plan to target.

You will need to research employers to determine:

• How to use your bids for FRP;
• Which employers to apply to beyond FRP (i.e., through an Independent Direct Write Campaign – more on that later);
• How to tailor your resumes and cover letters to get the best results;
• Who to start networking with to enhance your chance of FRP success.

For a comprehensive guide to researching legal employers, please click here.

Don’t overlook non-firm employers.

Spending your summer or starting your career at a government agency or other public-sector employer can be a great way to jump start your career.  To be sure you don’t miss these great employers:

• Consider applying to them through FRP (your best chance of getting an interview)
• Review the Arizona Guide to stay on top of deadlines (call the CDO for the user info; the new edition is available Aug. 1)
• Set up a search agent in PSLawnet (free registration with your “@law” email address)

Suggested deadline: for FRP employers, June 15; for all others Aug. 15.

2.       Update your resume.

View the webinar and associated presentation to find out how to create a great resume for FRP!

Suggested deadline: July 1.

3.       Draft cover letters for each employer you apply to!

View the webinar and associated presentation to find out how to create attention-getting cover letters!

Suggested deadline: July 1.

4.       Network with practitioners to increase your odds of FRP success.

Talk to everyone you come into contact with AND conduct informational interviews with the purpose of:

• Building long-term relationships with practitioners
• Finding out about different practice areas
• Identifying geographic markets you should target
• Getting information about specific employers that will help you create more tailored cover letters, resumes and interviews

Suggested deadline: start now and don’t stop!

5.       Decide which FRP employers to apply to.

Focus on employers that are participating in GW Law Programs (i.e., OCI, Regional Interviewing Programs, FRP Resume Collect and FRP Direct Write).

Suggested deadline: July 10

6.       Decide which employers you are going to target as part of your Independent Direct Write Campaign.

For more information about how to conduct such a campaign, view the webinar and associated presentation.

Suggested deadline: July 10

7.       Draft tailored resumes and cover letters for all employers you are applying to.

8.       Meet with your career counselor to discuss:

• Your application strategy – both for FRP and your Independent Direct Write Campaign.
• Your cover letters
• Your resumes

Suggested deadline: as soon as possible after you have completed Steps 1 through 8.  Please call the CDO at (202) 994-7340 to set up a time to meet with your career counselor.

9.       APPLY!

• Bid on FRP employers.  Suggested deadline: varies; as indicated in Symplicity.) *For information on how to participate in FRP, including how to bid on FRP employers, please see the FRP Student Information and Registration Packet. 
• Mail out applications to employers you are targeting as part of your Independent Direct Write Campaign.  Suggested deadline: July 30 – UNLESS you will be in one of the geographic areas you are targeting, in which case, send your applications to those markets at least two weeks ahead of your visit.

10.   Prepare for interviews!

View the webinar and associated presentation to find out how to interview for FRP employers. 

Once you know the basics, practice your skills by scheduling a mock interview with one of the CDO career counselors.  Suggested deadline: July 30 (please note that mock interviews are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis).