Many law students entering second year want to spend next summer working in a law firm, or in a government, corporate, or public interest legal office, but the job recruitment process can be challenging. For Queen’s Law students, the Career Development Office (CDO) and recent grads make that process a lot easier each year by helping prepare students through panels and networking events.

“It was super helpful to see alumni who graduated last year discuss their recruitment,” says Varda Anwar, Law’23, who participated in “Connect for Success” via Zoom on July 14. “They were very candid in what worked for them, and what didn’t, providing me and the rest of the participants with unique insight into the recruit from which we can learn.”

Sharing their advice and answering questions on the Toronto summer recruitment process were Law’20 panelists Katrina Dods, Brad Hart, Tearney Johnston-Jones, Colette Koopman, and Jocelyn Rempel. 

“The Career Development Office a fantastic resource!” exclaims Hart, who is now an Assistant Crown Attorney in the Durham region. “I had excellent experiences with the CDO during my time as a law student and I wanted to pay it forward.” Part of his experience was participating in Connect for Success in the summer of 2018. “It helped me understand the process and the extent of opportunities available, demystified the recruitment process, and helped me formulate a plan.” 

Johnston-Jones, an incoming Banking and Financial Services Associate with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, agrees. “Reflecting back on when I attended the event as a student, I realize that the panel helped by providing a realistic perspective on the hiring process and prepared me for the importance of self-reflection throughout each stage of the recruit as I sought to align my career aspirations and values with those of any future employer.”

Like Hart, Johnston-Jones’ student experience with the event is why she joined this year’s panel. “Connect for Success is an excellent way for recent alumni to provide second-year students with their insight on noteworthy aspects of the OCI (on-campus interview) recruitment process ahead of the initial application and interview cycles,” she explains. “Particularly for those students who do not have personal connections to provide a view into this unique hiring environment, these informational sessions deliver an opportunity to discuss how to best prepare for interviews and ensure that all students feel well-equipped with successful interview techniques that can assist them in finding an employer who suits their professional goals.”

Spending the time and energy to prepare application materials well and doing many mock interviews are a couple key takeaways for Anwar. “The event also highlighted the importance of students to look at employers and almost feel as though we are interviewing them as it is crucial for students to be in a work environment where we can thrive and be supported,” she adds. 

Learning that some students who did not land summer jobs went on to secure clerkship and associate positions was also important to Anwar. “It calmed the nerves and relieved some of the pressure that most of us feel when preparing for the recruit,” she says. 

What’s a good strategy for students seeking a summer job in a Crown attorney’s office? “Apply to as many offices as possible,” says Hart. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and be persistent!”

What is the most critical piece of advice that Johnston-Jones gives to students looking for summer legal jobs? “Remaining authentic throughout the process will help you navigate any big decisions,” she says. “I also recommend that students review their application materials in depth prior to interviewing to help them develop a consistent narrative that ties together their most important experiences and qualities. This approach allows students to weave together anecdotal stories based on themes like leadership, adversity, teamwork, and the like that can substantiate their ability to translate these soft skills to the workplace.”

Students interested in working in B.C.’s largest city participated in another recent CDO event: “Connecting with Vancouver Alumni: 3L Articling and 2L Summer Recruitment Event.” At this event, students had an informal “meet and greet” with host Dixon Sunthoram, Law’19, an associate with Dentons LLP, and other recent grads on the casual virtual platform Gather. 

In a series of networking events with employers from Toronto, the CDO hosted seven events in late July with small group chats that saw more than 100 students rotating through Zoom break-out rooms with 35 recruiters. 

“To hear what employers are specifically looking for in students and in job applications was extremely helpful,” says Varda Anwar, “and the opportunity to ask the recruiters questions was invaluable.” 

By Lisa Graham