LL.M. Job Search
LL.M.
J
OB
S
EARCH
R
ESOURCES
2013
‐
2014
T
ABLE OFC
ONTENTS
Introduction ... 3
Who’s Who in the OCS ... 4
OCS Services for Full Time LL.M. Students ... 5
Intro to the LL.M. Job Search ... 8
Employment Statistics ... 11
CSM User Guide ... 14
Job Search Checklist ... 17
Resumes ... 19
Resume Checklist ... 28
Resume Template ... 30
Samples Resumes: Tax LL.M. ‐ Highlights JD Tax Courses ... 32
Tax LL.M. ‐ Separates Legal and Accounting Experience ... 33
Tax LL.M. – Executive LL.M. ... 34
International LL.M. ... 35
International LL.M. – Multiple Law Degrees ... 36
International LL.M. – Significant Work Experience ... 37
International LL.M. – Short‐term Internships ... 38
International LL.M. – NYU@NUS ... 39
Cover Letters ... 40
Cover Letter Outline ... 44
Sample Cover Letters: Tax LL.M. – Emphasizing Ties to a City ... 47
Tax LL.M. – General, Sent in the Body of an E‐mail ... 48
Tax LL.M. – Highlighting Prior Work Experience ... 49
International LL.M. – General ... 50
International LL.M. – Highlighting Experience and Connection to a Firm ... 51
International LL.M. – NYU@NUS ... 52
International LL.M. – Requesting an Informational Interview ... 53
Tax LL.M. – Request for an Informational Interview ... 54
Thank You Notes and Other Correspondence ... 55
Sample Thank You Notes and Other Correspondence: Collective Thank You Letter Following Callback Interview ... 57
Individualized Thank You Letter ... 58
Email Following Up After an Interview... 59
Email Accepting an Offer ... 59
Email Rejecting an Offer ... 59
Email Requesting and Extension to Decide on an Offer ... 60
Email to OCI Firm When On‐Campus Interviews are Oversubscribed ... 60
Unofficial Transcripts ... 61
Writing Samples ... 63
Reference List ... 64
Networking ... 66
Interview Skills ... 69
Suggested Legal Career Search Resources for LL.M. Students ... 87
Protecting Your Online Persona ... 88
Appendices ... 103
Articles on the LL.M. Job Search, Networking, and Interviewing: Networking: Developing Mutually Beneficial Relationships ... 104
When networking, use the right kind of correspondence ... 107
A Guide to Networking Meetings ... 111
Finding, Creating, and Negotiating a New Job in Tough Times ... 119
How to Make a Lasting Impression in the Classroom: School Ties... 133
Crossroads Q & A: Informational Interviewing ... 135
Crossroads Q & A: Explaining a Gap on a Resume ... 137
LL.M. Employers Lists: Employers Participating in the Taxation Interview Program ... 139
Employers Participating in the International Student Interview Program……….. ... . 144
Sample of Employers Participating in On‐Campus Interviews ... 157
Sample of International Job Listings/Resume Collections ... 163
Sample of Tax LL.M. Job Listings/Resume Collections ... 171
Sample of U.S. Employers of LL.M. Students with a Foreign Law Degree ……….182
Sample of Employers of Tax LL.M. Students……….185
Bar Admissions Requirements 2013: Foreign Law School Graduates (Chart 4) ... 192
Federal Employment: Eligibility to Work in U.S. ... 197
I
NTRODUCTION TO THIS
H
ANDBOOK
This
handbook
is
intended
to
provide
you
with
the
tools
for
putting
together
your
job
search
as
an
LL.M.
student.
We
encourage
you
to
review
the
materials
in
this
handbook
carefully
as
you
consider
your
upcoming
search
and
prepare
your
questions
for
your
career
counselor.
The
first
part
of
this
handbook
addresses
the
basic
components
of
the
job
search:
preparing
a
strong
resume
and
cover
letter
and
perfecting
your
interview
skills.
We
provide
you
with
advice
about
how
to
make
the
best
first
impression
through
polished
and
professional
correspondence
and
interviewing.
In
addition
to
resumes,
cover
letters,
and
interviews,
your
job
search
efforts
should
also
focus
on
exploration/research
and
networking.
The
second
half
of
this
handbook
provides
helpful
links
and
advice
for
researching
employers
and
career
paths
of
interest,
as
well
as
a
“how
‐
to”
guide,
and
informative
articles
on
the
very
important
networking
process.
These
skills
are
often
as
important,
or
even
more
important,
than
the
resume
and
cover
letter.
Spend
some
time
reviewing
these
resources
at
the
start
of
your
LL.M.
program.
Begin
to
consider
your
employment
options,
and
speak
with
a
variety
of
networking
contacts
early
to
get
a
jump
start
on
a
strong
job
search!
Finally,
we
encourage
you
to
be
creative
in
your
use
of
these
materials.
Explore
the
research
links
for
further
reading,
read
between
the
lines
in
the
lists
of
LL.M.
employers
to
use
them
as
a
starting
point
for
your
research
and
mailings,
and
use
the
alumni
profiles
as
inspiration
for
your
future
career
choices.
After
you
have
gone
through
this
handbook,
we
recommend
that
you
set
up
an
appointment
to
speak
with
an
OCS
counselor
about
your
job
search
strategy.
As
an
LL.M.
candidate
at
NYU
School
of
Law,
you
are
joining
a
diverse
group
of
highly
successful
lawyers.
We
look
forward
to
working
with
you
throughout
the
year
and
in
your
long
legal
career
ahead.
Best
wishes
for
a
happy
and
successful
year!
Graduate
Division
Office
of
Career
Services
New
York
University
School
of
Law
[email protected]
W
HO
’
S
W
HO
IN
THE
OCS
CLARA K. SOLOMON
DIRECTOR, COUNSELING & CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Ms. Solomon is Director of Counseling & Career Development at the Office of Career Services at New York University School of Law, where she oversees career counseling and programming and serves as the full‐time career counselor for LL.M. and J.S.D. students. She also devotes her time to developing employer relations with employers of LL.M. and J.S.D. candidates worldwide. She has worked in the Office of Career Services since 2003. Prior to joining the Graduate Division she coordinated career programming for J.D. students. Ms. Solomon holds a Master's Degree in International Education from the Steinhardt School of Education at NYU, with a focus on higher education administration and international student advising. She also received her B.A., magna cum laude, in East Asian Studies from NYU. She speaks Japanese, and she lived and worked in Japan for three years, returning to New York in 2001. Ms. Solomon previously worked for the Japan External Trade Organization, specializing in trade relations between Japan and Latin America. She lives in Queens with her family.
SEJAL SANGHVI, ESQ. CAREER COUNSELOR
Ms. Sanghvi is a part‐time Career Counselor in the Office of Career Services at New York University School of Law, where she counsels domestic‐trained and foreign‐trained LL.M. students as well as J.D. students. Ms. Sanghvi previously served as an assistant director in the Office of Career Services at NYU School of Law and as a J.D. Advisor at Harvard Law School’s Office of Career Services. Ms. Sanghvi also served as a corporate associate at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Michigan‐Ann Arbor.
LAURA MOWRY
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Ms. Mowry is the Program Coordinator for the Graduate Division of the Office of Career Services at New York University School of Law. She provides organizational support for all LL.M. recruiting, career education programming, and major interview programs. Additionally, she maintains student statistical information and is the liaison to legal employers looking to post job listings. Ms. Mowry received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan‐ Ann Arbor in 2008.
OCS S
ERVICES
FOR
F
ULL
T
IME
LL.M. S
TUDENTS
Academic Year 2013‐2014
Students must register with the OCS to use the following services. Before you speak with an OCS counselor, please complete the following steps:
Attend the OCS LL.M. Orientation & Job Search Workshop. The Workshops will be videotaped and will be available on the OCS Resources section of the NYU Law website:
https://its.law.nyu.edu/careervideos/
.
Complete your CSM (Career Services Manager – Powered by Symplicity) Profile, and agree to abide by the Principles of Professional Conduct. Submit your resume for review to [email protected] . JOB SEARCH PREPARATION / CAREER EDUCATION1. JOB SEARCH WORKSHOPS: Job search workshops targeted towards Tax and Foreign‐Trained LL.M.
students are offered at the start of the academic year. Individual sessions are also held for domestic‐trained non‐Tax students, based on demand. These workshops review resume writing, job search strategies, interview skills, and common job search questions from LL.M. students. Workshops are videotaped and can be viewed through the video link on the Career Services Manager (CSM) at any time (see below).
2. INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING: One‐on‐one career and interview skills advice is available with an OCS career
counselor throughout the year. Topics discussed may include job search plans, employer research techniques, networking advice, resume and cover letter drafting, and interview skills.
3. RESUME & COVER LETTER REVIEWS: Students may submit their resume and cover letter for review by e‐ mail. The resume and cover letter sections of the LL.M. Job Search Resources Handbook provide detailed instruction and helpful examples; students must review the Handbook and follow the instructions provided prior to submitting their resume or letter for review. For initial resume review, you must also attach the “LL.M. Resume Intake Form” (available in the CSM Document Library).
4. CAREER PANELS: The OCS coordinates career panels on various practice areas. The speakers are
generally NYU graduates who are eager to share their job search and career experiences and who discuss opportunities for attorneys in a variety of practice settings. Additional career programming is organized by LL.M. specialization and provides an opportunity to interact with NYU alumni and friends of the law school in a small group setting. These panels are videotaped and available through the video link from the CSM homepage.
5. PRACTICE INTERVIEW PROGRAMS: The OCS organizes Practice Interview Evenings for foreign‐trained
LL.M.s and tax LL.M.s, where lawyers visit campus to network with students and provide a practice interview (20 minutes of interview followed by 10 minutes of feedback). The OCS also offers one‐ on‐one mock interview sessions. This is a one‐hour session with a counselor and includes a 20‐ minute interview and a 40‐ minute critique on both form and substance. Students may sign up for a mock interview at the OCS reception desk; however, as availability is limited, a counselor referral for a mock interview is usually required.
RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS / JOB LISTINGS
1. CAREER SERVICES MANAGER (CSM) – Powered By Symplicity: OCS uses this web‐based career services
system to provide students and alumni access to on‐line job search resources, career events, and job listings for entry‐level, experienced, and part‐time positions. Students can search for jobs that have been posted with our office or set up search agents to automatically receive e‐mail notice of new job listings. The Fall and Spring On‐Campus Interview programs for Tax/International Tax LL.M. students are administered through CSM.
2. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INTERVIEW PROGRAM (ISIP): This consortium interview program is held each January and brings together more than 1,600 foreign‐trained law students from 32 law schools with 150+ employers interviewing for internship and permanent positions in the U.S. and overseas. Students whose first law degree was obtained outside of the U.S. or a U.S. territory are eligible to participate in ISIP. Registration for this program begins in October, and the bidding deadline falls in early November. Students must meet the registration and bidding deadlines to participate in this program.
3. ON‐CAMPUS INTERVIEW PROGRAM (OCI): Numerous legal employers, including law firms, government
agencies, and accounting firms interview Tax and International Tax LL.M. students on campus during the Fall (September/October) and Spring (February/March) OCI seasons.
4. LL.M. IN TAXATION INTERVIEW PROGRAM (TIP): The Taxation Interview Program (TIP) is a consortium program held in Washington, D.C. each spring. NYU Tax and International Tax LL.M. students interview with law firms, accounting firms and government departments from around the country.
5. NYU’S DAY AT THE TAX COURT: Tax LL.M. students interview in Washington, D.C. for clerkships at the U.S. Tax Court for the following year. Each year, between four and nine NYU students accept clerkship positions through this process. The clerkship is typically a two‐year commitment, although a few judges may be willing to hire a clerk for one year. Information about this program will be sent to incoming Tax LL.M. students under separate cover this summer.
6. RESUME DIRECTORIES: The OCS creates LL.M. resume directories for Tax, Foreign‐Trained, and
NYU@NUS students each fall to be distributed to employers at multiple events over the course of the year.
JOB SEARCH RESOURCES / SUPPORT SERVICES
1. JOB SEARCH PUBLICATIONS AND VIDEOs: The OCS publishes a comprehensive LL.M. Job Search Resources
Handbook, which includes tips on resumes, cover letters, interviewing, and networking, as well as lists of historical LL.M. employers and articles on the LL.M. job search. This handbook is available on CSM in the Document Library and is distributed at the fall Job Search Workshops. In addition to the handbook, OCS prepares a number of “Tip Sheets” for specific practice areas such as Trusts & Estates, Employee Benefits, International Arbitration, and Antitrust. Tip Sheets are also available for students from specific countries, including China/Hong Kong, South Korea, and India. A collection of career panels and workshops are available through the video link on CSM.
2. OCS CAREER LIBRARY: The OCS Career Library provides students with resources such as directories
and publications, relevant articles, and other job search tools. You can view many of these resources online through the CSM system. Links are also provided to additional materials, such as
3. RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER LAW SCHOOLS: If you are looking for a job outside the metropolitan New York City area, we can make a request on your behalf to obtain access to the career services office of another U.S. law school. Requests are limited to one school per geographic region. It is important to understand that, as each law school has its own reciprocity policy, there may be varying restrictions on the services and resources provided, and access to an office may be limited during certain times of the year. (Please note that New York University School of Law's reciprocity season extends from mid‐November through late June, therefore, requests on behalf of our students and graduates can be made only during that time period. In addition, as our policy anticipates in‐ person use of our office by students and graduates of other law schools, we are only able to request the same service in return.) The reciprocity policies of most law schools are posted at www.nalp.org/reciprocitypolicies. Please check this site when making a decision as to which law school you wish to utilize. A counselor must approve all requests for reciprocity at least two weeks prior to your visit or relocation.
4. SCAN, COPY & FAX SERVICE: Students may utilize the scanner in the OCS library to generate electronic versions of transcripts or other documents for online applications. Additionally, there is a copier in the OCS Student Library available for student use for career‐related copies. For any employer that requires fax submissions, students may use the OCS fax machine for domestic faxes (at no cost) in order to expedite their job applications. (There is a 7‐page limit on faxes sent from the OCS; however, exceptions are made with counselor approval).
LL.M.
J
OBS
EARCHThe Graduate Division of the Office of Career Services (OCS) provides career services for students and alumni of New York
University School of Law’s Graduate Programs to help each individual find a PRIVATE SECTOR (law firms, corporations,
etc.) position. If you plan to seek post‐graduate employment in the private sector (or, for Tax LL.M. students, at the Tax
Court, Department of Justice, or IRS) you will be using the services of the OCS. Students interested in the PUBLIC SECTOR
(non‐profit organizations, government and intergovernmental organizations) should take advantage of the services
offered by the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) www.law.nyu.edu/depts/publicinterest/. Students are welcome to use
both career offices, which are located on the fourth floor of Furman Hall, 245 Sullivan Street.
We anticipate that many foreign‐trained LL.M. students will return to your home country or other foreign jurisdiction
once you have completed your studies at NYU. While most of our programs and services are designed for students
seeking employment in the U.S., we also provide guidance to students seeking employment overseas.
Below is a basic outline of the job search process throughout the LL.M. year.
JUNE & JULY
PREPARE YOUR RESUME: Re‐draft your resume using the resume section of this handbook. Your resume should include your NYU School of Law degree, most recent address, job description, Bar Status, etc. Please send a draft as a Word or
PDF attachment for review to [email protected] with the heading “LL.M. Resume for Review” and provide an e‐
mail that answers the questions outlined in our introductory e‐mail (and above).
ASSEMBLE TRANSCRIPTS AND SELECT WRITING SAMPLES: You will need several copies of your law school and undergraduate
transcripts (if applicable) throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. These documents are not kept on file in the OCS
but should be supplied by you upon employer request. A photocopy of your transcript may be used as an “unofficial”
transcript for most interviews.
Also, consider what you will use as a writing sample (e.g. a law review article or legal memorandum) for employers
who ask to see a sample of your writing. If you do not have a suitable writing sample now, consider using an essay you
may prepare as a writing requirement during your LL.M.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: MAKE CONTACTS IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY: Your network of professional and personal contacts should know of your plans and interests with regard to internship or permanent employment upon graduation next
May. Request their assistance with getting in touch with their contacts in the U.S. either by writing letters, making
phone calls on your behalf, or permitting you to use their name to introduce yourself in your own letter to employers.
T
AX STUDENTS: BEGIN NETWORKING WITH TAX PROFESSIONALS AND LEARNING ABOUT TAX CAREERS: Every year, students report that
networking and informational interviewing are integral parts of the LL.M. job search. Begin networking with tax
practitioners in your target geographic area. Contact alumni of your JD school or tax professors from your JD
experience. Attend local bar association events on tax‐related issues, when possible.
AUGUST
TAX LL.M.S ‐ READ NYU DAY AT THE TAX COURT & GOVERNMENT JOBS E‐MAIL: You received an e‐mail this summer with details
about applying to the U.S. Tax Court and the Department of Justice Honors Program. The deadline to apply for the Tax
Court is August 29 at noon. Applicants should prepare materials (resume, writing sample, list of references, and
transcripts) well in advance.
SEPTEMBER
By September, all LL.M. students will have to complete the following three steps to register for use of the OCS. We will
the registration process.
CSM PROFILE ENTRY: During the orientation in August, you will receive an e‐mail from our office with your password and related instructions for the Career Services Manager (CSM) system. NYU School of Law uses the CSM system to
communicate job listings, e‐mail students regarding important job search information, post employer events, job
search workshops, etc. In order to use the services of the Office of Career Services and the Public Interest Law Center,
each student must enter his/her personal profile, indicating his/her geographic and practice area interests. All
communication from our office will be sent to the e‐mail address provided on your profile. International students: it is
especially important that the Country of Law Degree and Languages fields of your profile are filled out accurately, as
our office forwards communications from employers based on those fields.
PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND CSM TERMS OF USE: When you fill out your profile, you will also agree to abide by
the CSM Terms of Use and the OCS Principles of Professional Conduct. Please review these carefully before checking
the box on your profile, as these documents outline what you can expect from the OCS in terms of confidentiality, as
well as our expectations of your conduct throughout your job search.
ATTEND THE OCS ORIENTATION SESSION & JOB SEARCH WORKSHOP. The OCS Job Search Workshop will provide an overview of job search services, programs and resources, and an introduction to the LL.M. job search. These Workshops are
mandatory and you will be able to make appointments for individual career counseling only after you have attended
the relevant workshop. Also, take advantage of all the programs we have designed for you in the fall, such as
interview skills workshops, career panels with alumni, and practice interviews. The workshops are scheduled as
follows:
o Tax/International Tax – Tuesday, September 3, 12:30‐2:00
o Foreign‐trained, non‐Tax – Wednesday, September 4, 12:30‐2:00
CHECK YOUR NYU HOME E‐MAIL ACCOUNT. Check your e‐mail account daily for career‐related events and deadlines.
B. STUDY: YOUR PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY
The LL.M. program is first and foremost an academic program, and one of the most important career‐related activities
you can undertake is your studies. An excellent record from your first law degree may make you highly marketable, but
employers will expect your NYU grades to measure up accordingly. If you have an average‐to‐good law school record, you
have a second opportunity to demonstrate to an employer that you have a special capacity in your chosen field of
specialization. During your first semester here, be "career conscious" and take advantage of the opportunities available to
you (e.g. job search workshops, networking with colleagues, faculty, alumni, etc., and fall OCI for Tax students), but be
prudent with your time when it comes pursuing your job search independently. Many LL.M. employers will wait until the
second semester before making hiring decision, as they will be interested in your performance in the LL.M. program.
Focusing your efforts on your classes in the first semester will pay off! Attend the Job Search Workshop, and then meet
with a Career Counselor in the fall to determine the best timing and logistics for your individual search.
C. TIMING OF YOUR SEARCH – WHEN TO GET STARTED
Graduate students at NYU School of Law come from a wide variety of backgrounds in terms of academic and professional
experience, LL.M. specialization, and country of first law degree. Because of this, there is not one “right” path to
succeeding in the LL.M. job search. The OCS will work with each student individually to assess your own background and
goals, and to create your job search plan.
Tax Students: The decision of when to begin contacting potential employers should be based in part on your past
academic record, work experience, and geographic preference. The general rule is that large law firms in major markets
(including New York and Washington, D.C.) will want to review your first semester of grades before making hiring
in the first semester. If you have strong connections to a particular employer, you may wish to reach out to that employer
early, either over the summer or during the Fall semester, to let them know that you are enrolling in the LL.M. program
and find out about their preferred application timing. Similarly, if you intend to return (or relocate) to another city, you
might consider contacting employers in your target city to determine the best time to apply. Students coming straight
from a J.D. program, and those with little or no tax law experience, should take advantage of the first semester to focus
on your grades and demonstrate your commitment to this area of practice.
International Students: International students should consider a number of factors, including the country of your first law
degree, prior work experience, networking connections, past academic performance, and geographic preference.
Students who plan to return to their home country (or work elsewhere outside of the U.S.) should follow standard timing
and application strategies for that country. For positions in the U.S., most U.S. legal employers will wait until January to
begin interviewing international students. However, students from common law countries, students with full‐time legal
experience (beyond internships) and Bar Membership in their home country, and students from countries with extensive
business contacts in the U.S., have had some success with contacting employers in the fall. Students coming directly from
law school or from countries with little or no U.S. business relationships may have limited success in securing interviews
early in the academic year, and may need to work longer and harder at obtaining employment in the U.S. Recently, the
U.S. legal market has suffered a severe slow‐down in hiring, and while we anticipate that the U.S. economy will recover, it
could be some time before legal hiring becomes more robust. Please keep this in mind as you consider your career
options. While it can be quite difficult for international students to obtain regular associate or foreign internship positions
in the U.S., it is not impossible. When asked to provide job search advice for future LL.M. candidates, graduating students
recommend the following:
1) Make as many contacts in your home country prior to attending NYU or as early in the academic year as
possible. These contacts may be able to provide invaluable introductions to firms in the U.S. via a phone call or
email.
2) Take full advantage of all that the OCS provides in order to assist you in your job search. Do not, however, rely
on finding a position directly through any one program or job search strategy. International students obtain
positions in a variety of ways and it is your own creative job search activities, such as networking, and
interview skills that will ultimately get you the job offers.
3) Remember that the U.S. job market is extremely competitive. Prepare yourself for rejection as well as
unexpected opportunity.
U.S.‐J.D. Non‐Tax Students: Because most non‐tax entry‐level positions are filled by third‐year J.D. students, domestic‐
trained non‐Tax LL.M. students with little or no legal work experience will be applying to employers in the Fall Semester.
Domestic‐trained non‐Tax LL.M.s with prior work experience will have a number of considerations when determining the
best timing for applications. All domestic, non‐tax students should therefore meet with a career counselor early in the first
semester to discuss the process for beginning their search.
D. CONCLUSION
Due to market conditions and students' varied backgrounds, no law school can guarantee every student a job. Our
services help bring the potential employer and student together, but it is the match between abilities, interests and
available opportunities that determine whether an employment offer is made. We will do everything reasonably possible
to assist you in achieving your career goals. Keep in mind that the success of your efforts is very closely related to your
academic performance at NYU Law, as well as to your use of resources available through the OCS and traditional job‐
hunting approaches outside of this office. We look forward to working with you to determine which strategies will best
serve you.
LL.M.
E
MPLOYMENTS
TATISTICS
We believe it is helpful for you to know the employment trends for our LL.M. programs over the past few years. Keep
in mind that in addition to each candidate’s background, LL.M. hiring is affected by changes in the legal market, as well
as economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad. When considering your future prospects, also consider the state of the
market generally, and research the legal market in your target geographic region in specific. International students
should also consider the economic and business ties between your home country and legal employers in the U.S.
As you analyze the following statistics, please view them as a whole, as graduate students obtain their jobs from a
variety of sources: resume requests, job listings, networking, on‐campus interviews, targeted mailings and job fairs.
Also note that the number of employers who attend campus to interview (as opposed to listing jobs) fluctuates due to a
number of reasons: for example, in a bad economy, an employer may not consider it cost effective to spend time and
money visiting campus to interview, but instead posts a job listing. Similarly, some employers may hire an incoming
LL.M. student based on a prior connection, and may subsequently decide not to participate in a formal interview
program. Additionally, please note that these statistics only represent information from those graduates who
responded to our request for information. For the Class of 2013, 147 Tax students, and 316 Foreign‐Trained students
responded to our survey.
A. Tax LL.M. Students
Employer Type: Approximately 60 ‐ 75% of LL.M. Tax graduates reporting employment have traditionally entered
private practice. This figure changes with market conditions. Increasingly, students are exploring a wider range of
opportunities including government, judicial clerkships, public accounting, corporations, and law teaching.
The statistics below represent statistics as of June 1 each year. For the most updated information on employment nine
months after graduation, including employment rates, please see our website:
http://www.law.nyu.edu/careerservices/llmstudents/faqsfortaxationcandidates/index.htm 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Law Firm 48% 63% 48% 62% 47% 74% 78% 74% Accounting Firm 30% 23% 41% 19% 11% 16% 9%* 10% Judicial Clerkship 10% 10% 6% 9% 7% 4.5% 9% 7% Government 3% 0 1% 6% 23% 4.5% 3% 6% Corporation 6% 5% 5% 4% 8% ‐ ‐ 2% Other 3% ‐ ‐ ‐ 4% ‐ ‐ 2%
*This figure represents the combination of Corporation and Accounting employers for the year 2007.
Method of Employment: The most frequently reported source of jobs for Tax LL.M. students historically is the On‐
Campus Interview Program or Taxation Interview Program, followed resume and letter mailings, OCS job listings,
networking, and the NYU Day at the Tax Court.
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
NYU OCI Program 17% 18% 25% 8% 14% 27% 30% 22%
Taxation Interview Program 18% 15% 22% 9% 3% 5% 20% 13%
Contacts/Networking 18% 11% 9% 17% 21% 14% 10% 14%
Day at Tax Court 8% 9% 6% 8% 5% 5% 7% 7%
Mail Campaign 13% 14% 10% 15% 8% 8% 11% 15%
Job Listing 11% 18% 12% 8% 14% 10% 4% 2%
Previous Employer 9% 11% 6% 11% 12% 3% 4% 10%
Other and Unknown 6% 4% 10% 24% 23% 28% 13% 18%
Recruitment Programs
(# of employers) 2012‐2013 2011‐2012 2010‐2011 2009‐10 2008‐09 2007‐08 2006‐07
On‐Campus OCI) 19 20 28 16 27 37 50
Taxation Interview Program 63 48 66 52 42 61 64
Job Listings 164 127 81 79 89 86 91
Geographic Distribution: The biggest markets for Tax LL.M. students are traditionally New York, and Washington, D.C.
Although many out‐of‐town employers do not actively recruit on‐campus, they are very interested in NYU’s Tax LL.M.
program, and many students with ties to other regions are successful in obtaining positions in their target area.
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Northeast 47% 37% 54% 57% 26% 40% 45% 56% (New York) (42%) (32%) (48%) (53%) (17%) (36%) (41%) (35%) DC Area 15% 15% 13% 11% 17% 9% 15% (18%) South East 11% 12% 10% 4% 20% 9% 15% 19% West 8% 14% 14% 15% 13% 18% 10% 6% (California) (4%) (11%) (10%) (9%) (8%) (13%) (8%) (2%) Southwest* 8% 14% 8% 7% 8% 16% 7% 10% Midwest 7% 6% 1% 6% 8% ‐ 2% 5% International 3% 1% ‐ ‐ 8% 1% 4% 2%
*Includes Mid‐South states of TX and OK.
B. International LL.M. Students (All Specializations)
Employed in the U.S.
Please note that the statistics below indicate only those international students who obtained employment as of June 1,
each year. Many students continue to update our office with employment information throughout the summer. We
know that while a relatively small number of international students obtain jobs in the U.S., the remainder secures
positions in their home countries or overseas. The statistics below represent the employment status as of June 1 each
year. We find that a handful of additional students are able to secure positions in the US after the Bar Exam and will
provide updated statistics in the Fall Job Search Workshop. Position Type 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Intern 20 22 9 10 20 19 26 16 Permanent 13 13 10 8 14 28 39 20 Not Specified 0 2 0 2 0 6 10 4 Total 33 37 19 20 34 53 75 40 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Total employed in US 33 37 19 20 34 53 75 40 Registered w/OCS 321 341 268 255 238 311 296 342 Participated in ISIP 220 248 178 213 242 179 168 169 Resume in Directory 158 101 168 168 172 127 104 47
Sat for New York Bar NA 181 148 138 171 165 179 151
Legal Employers Participating in the International Student Interview Program (ISIP)
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
# of Employers 166 161 147 133 154 166 143 128
# of Interview Schedules 251 237 237 210 242 295 264 333 # of Resume Collections 42 49 50 27 32 32 31 11
Commentary on International Statistics: The most commonly asked question from international student
is, “What chance do I have to secure employment (either an internship or permanent job) in the United
States upon completion of my degree?” The above statistics are provided to demonstrate the difficulty in
responding to this question by providing a simple ratio of those employed to those seeking. As you can
see by the above numbers, there is a substantial difference in the number of students who register with
the OCS, those who participate in our International Student Interview Program (because not every
country is requested by employers), those who submit their resume for inclusion in our International
Student Resume Directory (some students are on leaves of absence from their employers and do not
want their resume in a publicly disseminated book for obvious reasons), and those who ultimately sit for a
US Bar Exam. There are other students who are registered with the OCS who are actively seeking jobs
and who may not fall into any of the other categories for very good reasons. For example, an Israeli‐
trained lawyer may be on a leave of absence from his firm in Tel Aviv and not want to have a resume
circulating in the Resume Directory; he does not participate in the International Student Interview
Program because no employers have requested his country of law degree; and he may not sit for the Bar
Exam because he received an internship position with a law firm that doesn’t require that foreign interns
sit for the Bar, yet he may still be seeking employment in the U.S. Therefore, we have provided the more
comprehensive information above so that you can appreciate the complexity of this basic question and
use the data accordingly.
Employer Type: Most LL.M. students who remain in the U.S. find positions with large international law
firms. Corporations usually seek to hire attorneys with law firm or public accounting experience;
therefore, very few corporations interview on campus or request resumes of entry‐level graduates.
Teaching positions usually do not become available until graduates have been out of school for several
years (typically two to eight years). A very small number of students have been able to secure positions
with these types of employers based on their prior work history. Additionally, a limited number of
students obtain positions in public interest organizations.
Method of Employment: The most commonly reported method of employment for international LL.M.
students, whether employed in the U.S. or abroad, is “initiated contact by means of networking,
informational interviewing, or targeted mailing,” with the International Student Interview Program as
another common method of employment. All students should use a variety of job search strategies
including targeted mail campaigns, responding to various advertised positions published by the OCS and
elsewhere, notifying previous contacts of one’s current academic endeavors and employment goals,
following up with references from their network of contacts, networking with NYU Law faculty, alumni,
and students, and providing their resumes to the OCS for resume directories.
Geographic Distribution: The majority of international LL.M. students employed in the U.S. remain in New
York after graduation.
C. U.S. Trained Non‐Tax LL.M. Students
Based on the small size of the U.S. J.D. non‐tax LL.M. population, meaningful statistics are difficult to
compile. These students may contact the Graduate Division for further information on the employment
of students with similar academic background and experience. Few employers visit NYU Law’s campus to
interview US students in these LL.M. specialties, due in part to the specialized nature of these programs
and small class size, as well as employers’ varied recruitment practices. With the help of the OCS,
students in these specialties use a variety of methods to obtain employment, primarily networking and
C
AREER
S
ERVICES
M
ANAGER
(CSM)
U
SER
G
UIDE
The Career Services Manager (CSM) is an internet based career communications network used by the Office of Career Services and the Public Interest Law Center to post job listings, notify students regarding important job search information, post employer events, job search workshops, and other programs, link to employer research materials, and provide a variety of other career related resources. The following are basic instructions for navigating from the Main CSM Page:
https://law‐nyu‐csm.symplicity.com/students
HOME
The Home tab is your start page. This will give you quick access to the OCS calendar and upcoming events, as well as time‐sensitive surveys and other information. We also have links here to:
● OCS Videos to view past workshops and panels
● Vault Career Resource Library for employer research
● Summer Employer Critiques Archive of JD summer employment surveys
● PSJD, where you can access public interest jobs
PROFILE
Fill out all of your personal information on the Profile page. The OCS and PILC use the information entered in your profile to search for students based on certain specifications, such as geographic preference in the job search, language ability, or prior educational experiences. Fill out the requested information for the following tabs: “Personal Information,” “Academic Information,” and “Privacy/Skills/Job Preferences.” It is very important that your profile is complete and up to date so that you will receive all of the important information from our offices. The OCS occasionally receives announcements from employers seeking students with particular language skills, training, or geographic interests. Make sure that you have fully indicated all of your preferences in your profile so that you will get these notices. You may update your
from the Public Interest Law Center (PILC), you must check off “Public Interest” in your employer type preferences.
You can also change your password in the “Password/Preferences” tab of the profile section. We recommend that you do not continue to use your Student ID Number as your password. Change your password to something easy to remember.
DOCUMENTS
At the Documents tab, you will upload your resume, cover letter, and any other relevant documents for the job search. These will be used when responding to job listings and for NYU On‐Campus Interviews. You may upload more than one version of your resume or cover letter in order to target different employers. To upload your documents:
In the Documents Tab, click on “Add New.”
Create and enter a “Title” for your document in the “Label” box (e.g. “My Resume 2010”).
Select the Document Type.
Click the “Choose File” button to select the appropriate document. This must be in Word, PDF, or WordPerfect format.
Click “Submit.”
Once uploaded, your document will be converted to PDF format. Please review the uploaded document to make sure that it was converted correctly and your formatting was retained.
You can also “opt‐in” to resume books when you upload your resume to this site. Employers may search for students through pre‐generated resume books based on certain criteria (i.e. NYU Law Tax LL.M.). You may also receive notification from the OCS of the creation of new resume books throughout the year. Click on the Opt‐In Resume Book tab in the Documents section to view any active resume books for which you may be eligible.
RESOURCES
The Resources tab provides access to PDF versions of OCS & PILC Handbooks and Tip Sheets.
JOB POSTINGS
Through the Job Postings tab, you may browse/search jobs that have been submitted by employers directly to the OCS. To view a job, scroll through the list of jobs, and click the job title link for each job to review the details of the position and to apply. We strongly recommend that you set up a search agent to have summaries of recent job listings emailed to you automatically (see below for instructions).
You may apply to positions through CSM by selecting a resume, cover letter, and other relevant
documents using the links on the right of each job listing screen. Alternatively, you may use the contact information at the bottom of the screen to write directly to the employer via mail, fax, or email.
To have job listings emailed to you:
Click the “Advanced Search” tab.
Check “save as” and enter a name for the search in the box (e.g., “Full‐time jobs in NYC”).
Enter your search criteria. (You can select as many criteria as you wish. Entering many criteria will reduce the number of jobs displayed. You do NOT have to select something from each criteria section).
Choose the “Yes” option next to “Enabled.”
Adjust the frequency of delivery to your email account (default is once per day).
Click the “Submit” button.
EMPLOYERS
You can view a database of employer contact information through the Employers tab. This is not linked to job listings or OCI but is provided as a courtesy to assist you in finding contact information for employers of interest.
EVENTS
You can RSVP for Information Sessions (including presentations, employer events, and panel discussions) or OCS/PILC Events (including practice interview events and OCS‐led job search and interviewing
workshops) through the Events tab.
CALENDAR
This displays upcoming OCS events that are open to your class year. You may also save OCS appointments and other career related calendar items to this page.
NETWORKING
We currently do not use this tab.
CLERKSHIPS
Students applying to clerkships (other than the Tax Court) should refer to the Clerkship Handbook for more information about this tab.
OCI
Tax and International Tax students, please watch your email for more information about using the OCI module through CSM.
NYU SCHOOL OF LAW - OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES
LL.M. JOB SEARCH CHECKLIST
TION & RE SEAR CH: NET W ORKI N G : MAILINGS/A PPLICAT ION S: O CI /T IP /IS IP: g format in ar ch Resources book , prepare cover l etter and with an
OCS career counselor our
re sume to CS M op t-i n to resume directory. m it your r esume f or resume le cti ons an no unced b y e
-broad search agents
on e job
s. your geographical and
ce areas and the of attor neys areas. Explore on practice reverse of thi s
. ule time each
week f or and employer and job search, as a ar appoi ntment. evant to your backgro und, blic sect or jobs. Meet LC to d iscuss fur ther. □
Identify NYU law student groups and o
ther org ani za tio ns a nd professional a ssociatio ns in yo ur
target geographic area
that might be beneficial for cr eati ng additional cont acts. Atten d events sponsored by these organiza tions as well as NYU Law eve nts listed on the On-Li ne C al endar and i n The R ocket Docket. □ Research atto rneys with a s imilar background to yo urs or who practice in an area of inter est to you . Set u p informat ion al i nt erviews with these i ndividuals. Se e the In format ional In te rviewi ng Tip Sh eet in th e CSM Docu me nt Library. □ Get i n to uch wi th yo ur reference; in form th em on you r job search an d
seek their advice.
-Ask yo ur refe rences for co ntac ts, especially if you are looki ng in a new geograp hic market. □ Speak
with professors about
working as a research assis tant, or ask your prof essors abo ut addit io na l reso ur ces in y our professional a rea of interest. Vol unteer to hel p wi th a re search project, sy mp osium, or other project to e xpand yo ur co
ntacts in the area.
□
Track job list
in gs on CSM, USAJobs, and other we bsites (see re verse side of th is ch ecklist ) an d apply to an y th at are applicable t o you r backgroun d. Not e any spe cific requirements for ca nd idat es an d applicat ion s. □
Generate lists of employers usi
ng
sites on
the reverse side.
Mail or e-mail a res um e and c over l etter addressed to partners/alumni contacts in yo ur target p rac tice group. Copy or “cc” the re cruiting office on your corresponde nce, if applicable. □ Fo llow-u p on mailin gs (by e m ail or phone) approximat ely 14-17 days aft er mailin g. In most case s, con tact the recr ui ting coordi nator for follow-u p. Se e sample scri pt in th e Cover Le tter s ecti on of th e LL.M. Job Search Resour ces Handbook . □ Keep track of employer responses, an d con sider mailin g addit ion al letters to
more firms or cities based
on the numb er of interviews yo u secu re from you r first mailin g. □
If you are looking outside of NYC, tell employers in
advance the date s th at you will be in town ; con sider pl anni ng a tri p for t hi s p ur pose. -Cont act empl oyers yo u hav e no t heard from if you will be in to wn for other i nte rviews. □
Read all e-mails from OC
S,
and add
all deadlines and eve
nts to your calen dar. Be su re you complet e all
registration and bidding d
escribed in e-mails by deadlin es, as applicable. □
Bid for all employers whose hiring crit
eria you meet an d wh o in terest you . Wat ch for import an t in terview scheduling deadlines. □
Prepare for your i
nterviews by: -Researchi ng employers (se e reverse). -Readin g th e I nt erview Skills Sectio n of th e LLM Jo b Se arch Resources Handbook. -Practicing
answering and asking
questions. -Preparing unofficial transc ript, writing sampl e, and reference list . □
Attend all employer-sponsored and NY
U
or other eve
nts d
uring
OCI or ISIP to make
new con tacts. □ Sen d brief than k you email with in 24 hou rs of int erview. □ Contact
all firms you did not
have
a
chance to me
et with
on campus by
sending your cover
letter
and
SUGGE STED RESOURCES: ngs : numerous speci aliz ed job post in g sit es; not intended to b e compre hensive: – keep your p
rofile and search age
nts ht tp s://law-n yu -csm.symplicit y.com/ tion o f Corpora te C ounsel ca.com/ nt jobs) gov ey Jobs On lin e www.at torn ey jobson lin e.com k City Bar A ssocia tion’s Career C enter .ny. nyc .associ ati onca reernetw ork.c om
ale Career Center
Bar Associat ion ’s Career Coun sel org/careercounsel/jobs.html aw w ww. careers.findlaw.com ww w.lawjobs.co m http://www.psjd.org/ t w ww. tax talent. com ecut ives In st itu te te i.org/CAREERS/Pages/default.asp x cil on Stat e Taxat ion ost.org/ Job Bank.asp x :
websites and brochure
s ys & other surveys on La w.com m /career_cente r/lists_ranki ng s.shtml Databa se, Ne ws D ataba se and link http ://www.lexisnexis.com/laws chool ry www. nalpd irectory.com in da le-Hu bbell ww w. marti ndale.com law Care er In format ion (in clu di ng access to of Corpora te Counsel) hool.westla w .c om http://careers.findlaw.com/ t E mpl oyme nt C rit iq ues—o n C SM Practic e Area Research : □ Chambers & Partners Glob al and Regional Guides ww w.cha m be rsandpar tn ers .com □ IFLR Legal 10 00 www.iflr10 00.com □ Vaul t Guides—available on CSM □ ABA Sec tions http://www. americanbar.org/groups/sections. html
(see the Tax and Internat
ion al Sect ions, et c.) □
The Official Guide to Legal
Specialties (at OCS)
□
The Legal 500
www.legal500.com
□
ABA Career Series
www.ab
anet.o
rg/care
ercounsel/
□
LexisONE Practice Area
Guides www.lexisone .com/legalresearch/legalguide/practic e_areas/practi ce_areas_index.htm □ Law Teaching /Academic Careers ht tp://i ts.l aw. ny u.edu/acp/ con ten t/ Trade Public
ations and Websites
:
□
The American Lawyer
ww w. law.com Subscribe to the Ne wswire □ Cal Law w ww. law.com/jsp/c a/index.jsp □ Ch icago Daily L aw Bu llet in www.ch icagol awbu llet in .com □ Legal Times (DC) ww w.law. com/jsp/dc/index.jsp □ Nati on al L aw Jo urnal w ww. nlj.com □ New Yor k L aw J ournal www .n ylj.com □ New Yor k L awyer ht tp ://nylj.com/n ylawyer Su bscribe t o “Th e Daily Buzz ” □ LexisNe xis T ax Cen ter for Tax Not es Today an d
BNA Daily Tax Report www.lexisnexi
s.com/lawschool □ Tex as Lawyer ww w.law.co m /jsp/tx/inde x.jsp Caree r Educa tion (resume
and cover letter
writ in g, i nt erviewin g, an d net w orki ng ti ps,
additional resource lists): □Crossroad
s http://www. nylj.com/nyla wyer/crossr oad s/i ndex.html □ OCS Videos (on C SM), Ma te rials/Hand ou ts Loca ting A tt orneys : □ Attor ney bios on firm webs ites □ Mart in da le-Hu bbell ww w. marti ndale.com or thr oug h the L exi s Career D atabase □ Directory of C orpora te Co unsel (available on Westla w) □ The Leadershi
p Library YellowBook Series
www.leadershipdirect ories.com (acce ss from a ha rd-w ired comp uter in a la w sc hool bu ildin g) Professio
nal Associations &
Networkin g Opportu niti es: □ N ew Yo rk City B ar As so ci atio n ww w.nyc bar.org □ Practisi ng La w Institute w ww.pli.edu □ N ew Yo rk St at e B ar As so ci at io n w ww. nys ba.org □ New Yor k Co unty La wyers Associa tion ww w.nycla.or g □ Practi ci ng A tt orney s fo r La w S tudents Pr ogram ww w.palspro gram.org
For Tax LL.M. Students: □American Bar
Associat ion Sect ion of Taxat ion ww w.aba net. org/ta x/hom e.html □ Institute for Professionals in Taxatio n w ww.ipt.org □ Nat ion al Tax Associat ion w ww. nta net. or g □ NYU Institute on Federal Taxation ww w.scps. ny u.edu/ift
For International LL.M. Students: □American Bar
Associat ion Int ern at ion al Se ct ion ww w.aba net. org/intla w/ho me.ht m l □ American Foreign Law Associat ion ww w.afla-law.org □ In te rnat ion al Bar Associat io n w ww.ibanet.org □ Regional and country-speci fic B ar associations s uch as t he So ut h Asi an Bar A ss oci ati on of N ew York ( http:// w ww.s abany. org ), the French American Bar Associa tion ( ww w.faba-la w .com ), et c. Use Google to find one for yo ur b ackgro und. □ Chamber of C ommerce and Cons ula te Ge neral from y our ho me co un try
DRAFTING
YOUR
LL.M.
RESUME
This section of the handbook is intended to provide advice about how to write a resume in the “NYU
format,” along with samples that suggest different ways of showcasing your credentials to provide
guidelines as you draft your LL.M. resume.
We strongly recommend the NYU format and style, as outlined in this handbook. This format has been
developed through years of experience working with law students and legal employers. Ideally, a resume
should be easily read and remembered by interviewers who often have no more than 30 seconds to
devote to the task. The NYU format is designed to maximize your ability to communicate your information
effectively and efficiently in these 30 seconds. Students pursuing a job search primarily overseas are
advised to create two resumes, one in NYU format, highlighting your U.S. legal education and skills, and one
in the standard format of your target country, to demonstrate your global marketability to employers.
Your resume and cover letter will precede you to an interview and will create that important “first
impression” an employer has of you. Just as significantly, your resume provides a framework for
discussion once you are in the interview, so anything on the resume is fair game for discussion! Finally,
your resume and cover letter are examples of your written work, and they serve as important, post
interview reminders of who you are professionally. For all of these reasons, it is critical that your resume
be designed to put your “best foot forward” in your communication with an employer.
Before you compose your first drafts, or sit down to do revisions, ask yourself these questions:
What aspects of my background demonstrate the characteristics I believe will make me an
outstanding lawyer? What sets me apart from my peers?
Who will be reading my resume, and what do they want to know? If I were an employer, what
information would I want to help me decide who to interview and who to hire?
The goal is to let your individuality come through in a resume and cover letter that succinctly describes
your educational and employment history in a way that maximizes your chances of getting in the door for
an interview.
Once you have written your drafts, check your efforts with a member of the Career Services staff by
emailing a draft to us or bringing your resume with you to an appointment. Keep in mind that feedback
from peers and others can vary and conflict, depending on the source. You will find Career Services’
guidance to be specifically tailored to the graduate law student’s job search and thus very effective in
crafting strong resumes and cover letters.
