Am I really unemployable?

[cdwill]

I'm 29 and recently graduated from law school. I decided not to practice, and I've been completely unable to find any full-time employment in the NYC area whatsoever. I have prior work experience (3 years in client management at a financial services firm), and it seems that I've fallen into the trap of simultaneously being "overqualified but with no experience"-- what I mean is, every open position I see either requires 1) experience I don't have, or 2) is an entry level job which I'd be happy to take, but I get no responses to the ones I apply for, likely because I do, in fact, have experience, and so those doing the hiring won't consider me.

I've been unemployed for ~8 months now, and I'm really at a loss for what to do. Even the temporary positions I see require experience I don't have, just like the full time positions do; I can't even find a recruiter who will show any interest in me. I've tried networking through friends, family, etc., but with no luck.

Anyone out there ever have this problem? I'm at the point where I'm considering moving to another part of the country, leaving my girlfriend of four years and my family and friends behind (something I don't want to do), just to increase my job prospects.

Any advice or comments about similar situations and how they played out would be much appreciated.

[wordsmith]

I studied education in addition to my regular undergrad, and got my teacher training and certification, only to decide that I didn't wanna teach. I didn't know what to do, so I up and joined a domestic volunteer program and basically just put myself and my skills in their hands. It worked out really well for me, and led to a move that was really good for me, and a full-time job when my year's service was over. But it was basically done because I wasn't sure what else to do, and was kind of broken by the fact that I wasn't gonna pursue that which I'd prepared for. So, in my experience, shaking things up can be a good thing.

[cdwill]

Hmm, that's interesting, although I'd worry that participation in a volunteer program like the one you described just puts me farther away from the corporate world, which is the arena in which I'm looking for work.

Apparently I don't even qualify for internships or formal training/rotational programs, as I'm not fresh out of undergrad.

I really have no idea what to do with myself at this point.

[wordsmith]

I wasn't necessarily saying you should do what I did, just relating what route I went when my plans went off track.

[NewMrs.]

I'm 29 and recently graduated from law school. I decided not to practice, and I've been completely unable to find any full-time employment in the NYC area whatsoever. I have prior work experience (3 years in client management at a financial services firm), and it seems that I've fallen into the trap of simultaneously being "overqualified but with no experience"-- what I mean is, every open position I see either requires 1) experience I don't have, or 2) is an entry level job which I'd be happy to take, but I get no responses to the ones I apply for, likely because I do, in fact, have experience, and so those doing the hiring won't consider me.

I've been unemployed for ~8 months now, and I'm really at a loss for what to do. Even the temporary positions I see require experience I don't have, just like the full time positions do; I can't even find a recruiter who will show any interest in me. I've tried networking through friends, family, etc., but with no luck.

Anyone out there ever have this problem? I'm at the point where I'm considering moving to another part of the country, leaving my girlfriend of four years and my family and friends behind (something I don't want to do), just to increase my job prospects.

Any advice or comments about similar situations and how they played out would be much appreciated.


I have only a B.A. and have never gone to any kind of graduate school. However, I have worked in the insurance industry for almost 7 years. In one of my previous jobs, I spent a lot of time communicating with claims adjusters from various insurance companies. I have noticed that some of the adjusters in very specialized fields (like Employment Practices Liability, Directors & Officers, etc.) have law degrees. From my observations, they do not practice law so much as they adjust specialized claims.

I personally did feel "unemployable" when I first graduated from college with my big 'ole degree in Communications. Part of the problem was that I was young enough to believe everybody who told me that the degree was "unemployable" (including faculty from my own college). I don't have any really good advice to offer about this except that you should refuse to accept this thought.

[playingbyheart]

I'm 29 and recently graduated from law school. I decided not to practice, and I've been completely unable to find any full-time employment in the NYC area whatsoever. ... Any advice or comments about similar situations and how they played out would be much appreciated.

I can't say I've been in your situation, but what I can tell you is that I'm sure the job prospects in NYC are a lot better than they are in most of the country. So you have a degree in law - there's a lot you can do with a law degree even if you decide not to practice.

If you're not interested in using law at all in your career, take the time to work on a resume specific for every position you apply. Make sure that each listing of "experience" you have on there is tailored to sound like it suits that specific job. As of late I've been assigned the task of clearing out my company's HotJobs applicant account - and I can't tell you how many billions of people apply and say they have tons of experience, list all that experience, but don't bother to send a cover letter or note how that experience is applicable to the job they're applying for.

You can also send out e-mails to managers at companies you're interested in working for - even if they're not hiring - and say something like I really admire your company, I'd like to work for you, I'm graduating from law school and I have x number of years of experience doing a b and c. I'd be a great addition to your company. I'm hoping to work in the financial sector. Please call me if anything is available in the future. I'll attach my resume for your consideration.

Just getting your name out there... going directing to the source... is sometimes a good thing to do.

[kdhmps]

Please... if you love your girlfriend, friends, and family----do not "give them up" in hopes of increasing your job prospects. No job is worth that much.

There are plenty of professionals who went to law school and do not practice... What about accounting and auditing? What about municipal government? What about policy? What about finance? These are a few fields where I have found professionals with law degrees...

Now I have a master's degree and don't use it, really. I know it is hard. But I just don't think you'd be happy giving up the important things for a what-if.

[Goldeneye]

I went through that phase myself in my low periods of 2003-2005. In fact, I was already preparing for a total financial collapse during those low periods until something came just in the nick of time to prevent it.

[winneythepooh7]

I know someone who is in NYC, graduated from law school and then decided practicing law was not his thing. He's gotten involved as a real estate broker.

[Valentine]

Yeah, telling someone they're "unemployable" is a bunch of bull. Whoever told you that has issues of their own. And NYC is *the* place to find a job if you're looking.

[PeakDream]

cdwill, are you completely out of law? If no, I suppose passing the bar might be a good way? Also, have you tried government agencies, federal, state, city? I see that corporate world is where you leaning towards, having a federal job will definitely help you a few years down the road.

Also, since you recently graduated from law school, is it possible to use your school's career counseling office to help you out? Do you have a particular field that you are interested in? Since you have law degree, do you think you can work for lobbying companies?

Whatever you decided to do, don't give up NYC, because in the long run, you will have better opportunity?

[MsClear]

If I were you, I'd practice law.

[jamieartist]

Hmm, that's interesting, although I'd worry that participation in a volunteer program like the one you described just puts me farther away from the corporate world, which is the arena in which I'm looking for work.

Apparently I don't even qualify for internships or formal training/rotational programs, as I'm not fresh out of undergrad.

I really have no idea what to do with myself at this point.

I'd say, be pushy about internships and training programs. Call up the programs anyway and explain your situation. They may point you in another direction "well, ACTUALLY, there is this other program..." or, let you apply anyway. You'd be surprised how you can get around "requirements" if you appear eager to learn.

I wish I knew to do internships in school...instead, I worked retail for money to eat...big mistake >_<

[Syracuse]

Maybe leave the law degree and other things off your resume if they don't hire you for being overqualified.

[entrophize]

Join the armed forces and become a JAG (Judge Advocate General).

[cloverindover]

First off, congrats on finishing your law degree! I think your situation is fairly common in that we strive to achieve something that socially appears to be promising, but then run into the realities of what a career field can actually offer.

I have a couple of suggestions for you: First, if your undergraduate or law institutions have career services offices, I would make appointments to meet with the counselors there. There are a lot of things you can do with a law degree beyond just being the prototypical lawyer and the counselors will be able to assist you. Usually, these services are free, even for alumni. Second, the alumni of your undergraduate and law institutions are great resources to engage in networking with. Often the Alumni Relations offices at schools have some kind of database for which you can locate and contact alumni to get career advice and find out about potential job opportunities. The "home-team" advantage makes a big difference in getting job considering that 80% of jobs are gained through networking.

Best of luck-
Kristin Talka
Assistant Director of Career Services
Colby College

[Legal(b)eagle]

I feel for you-- I was in the same situation because I moved to DC for an "law-related" position that allegedly awould lead to great legal opportunities down the line. Except it didn't and, as a recent grad with no post-grad legal experience, I couldn't even get an interview for an acceptable job in my field. I wound up going back to the place I interned in all through law school, which forced me to move back to a city I don't like that much and sit for another bar exam. But at least I'll be able to get the training and experience to make my law degree valuable one day down the line. Cuz I want to be a lawyer.
If you don't, it's going to be a struggle. Have you looked into legal publishing or document review? Or, if you can stand the background scrutiny, apply for intelligence positions...