Losing and Landing a Dream Job in a Pandemic
Job hunting after graduation is no easy task, especially in the midst of a global pandemic.
If one thing is certain about securing a job, whether it be looking for your first entry-level role at a large law firm, or searching for a job because you were laid off from your boutique small law firm due to force majeure, never lose sight of your goals and never let go of your contacts.
Lay Down the Groundwork for Your Success
After finishing law school and successfully completing the New York State bar in Summer 2019, I was excited, positive, and motivated to start my job hunt in New York City. Since before moving to New York for law school, I knew I wanted to be in intellectual property and fashion law. Because it seemed like everyone in New York and at Fordham wanted to be in Fashion Law, I knew it would be no easy task and that I had to make myself stand out. I spent time in school studying intellectual property and fashion law, and I made sure to secure various internships throughout school related to both fields. By securing those internships, I not only got hands on experience in the fields, but I also started building my contacts. At each internship I made sure to speak with the partners and associates. I utilized their networks by asking to be introduced to people they knew. In addition, I joined various associations and networks relating to the fields I wanted to be in. I went to many events and made sure to meet people—and keep in contact with them throughout my time in school and beyond.
How to Strategically Handle the Job Hunt
In the post-graduation job hunt, everyone tells you not to limit your search to too niche of an area, in order to maximize your chances of getting a job and your marketability if you want to switch practice areas. I picked a few industries I would feel content with where I knew I would gain transferrable skills and business acumen, one of them was real estate. After graduation I managed to secure an associate role at a boutique real estate firm. I was thrown straight into the mix and learned a lot about the fast-paced and intense real estate industry in Manhattan. I enjoyed learning and getting a lot of responsibility really quickly. Interestingly enough, I got this job through LinkedIn rather than through networking….reminder never forget about applying to jobs on LinkedIn, even if you don’t know anyone at the firm/company and think it’s a long shot!
There Will Be Curveballs, Stay Practical but Be Kind to Yourself
It didn’t take long for me to wonder about a future in those fields I was passionate about—fashion and IP…then the pandemic hit. I was suddenly let go at the real estate firm and found myself exactly where I started post-graduation….on the job hunt. But this time, in the midst of a global pandemic and economic recession.
When I found myself back at square one, I decided to take a break for a bit. The pandemic was at its height in New York City, and I thought any efforts I put into getting a job at that time were probably a lost cause. I went back home to California to regroup and think about where I wanted my career and my life to go. I spent many weeks trying to be practical about the situation and trying to be kind to myself. There were many moments where I was filled with frustration—angry that everything I had worked to create for my legal career in New York was suddenly and abruptly taken from me.
After some time, I came back to New York with a fresh mindset about my career. I wanted to work in a progressive practice area or a progressive workplace that could adapt to the changing times. I didn’t want to be in a workplace that crumbled under the changing and now remote work environment. Once I finally sat down and strategized who in my network to reach out to about job opportunities, I got a job offer faster than I could have hoped…and in the exact practice area I always wanted.
Landing a Job in a Global Pandemic- How’d I do it?
I reached out to a contact I had done some small work for a year ago and was put in contact with from a partner at a previous internship. I got the job very quickly as I had already built up a rapport through my consistent contact with the firm. Now, in the midst of the pandemic, I am working remote on intellectual property matters, for various fashion and consumer brand clients. The firm has been able to adapt and adjust its focus in such a way that has allowed it to be very successful, regardless of the current environment.
I couldn’t have been luckier about how the situation worked out for me. However, I know I created this situation for myself, through my efforts I put in while I was in school and beyond, through networking and keeping contacts. In addition, I couldn’t have done it if I didn’t keep a positive attitude and didn’t consistently remind myself I had so much to be grateful for regardless of losing my job. Lastly, I never lost sight of the goal and my confidence in my ability to achieve it, which was to have a career in an industry I am passionate about in New York City.