Students and graduates interested in public interest law careers are encouraged to attend the Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair for the opportunity to meet with more than 130 public interest employers, practitioners and leaders.

• Student and Graduate Registration
• Preparing for the Career Fair
• During the Career Fair
• After the Career Fair

Student and Graduate Registration

Note: Due to NALP guidelines, 1L students are not eligible to interview with employers during the Equal Justice Works Career Fair. However, 1L students may informally talk to employers during Table Talk on Friday and Saturday.

To get started, you will need to create an Equal Justice Works JusticeWork! account.

• Download and review the Student Registration Guide.
• Go to www.myinterfase.com/equaljusticeworks/student/.
• At the bottom of the page, click on “Click here to register!” and create an account.
• Under My Account, click on My Documents to upload your cover letter and résumé.
• Click on Register to Attend Events to register for the Conference and Career Fair. Please note that creating a JusticeWork! account does not constitute as a registration to attend.
• Search for and submit applications by clicking on Jobs and Interview Schedules.

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Preparing for the Career Fair

SEARCHING FOR EMPLOYERS
Employers and their available positions are listed on JusticeWork!. Employers are searchable by :

• keyword
• issue area
• state
• days of attendance
• types of positions available

Decide which employers / organizations you want to apply to in advance and which ones that you would like to speak with at the event. You may also create a job search agent so that you receive a notification whenever a new job listing is posted.

There will be a list of attending employers that will be updated regularly on our website. You will only be able to view employers that are interviewing your class. If you still want to talk to other employers, you may do so during Table Talk on Friday and Saturday.

Please note that employers can continue to update their job postings and information through September 24. We suggest you check back often and create a Job Agent within your JusticeWork! account to send you alerts when new jobs are posted.

UPLOADING COVER LETTERS AND RÉSUMÉS
Each job listing includes instructions on how to apply. For every position you apply, be sure to include contact information that will be current through the end of October.

Applications may be submitted through JusticeWork! between August 30 and September 24. We recommend you apply early for the positions that interest you the most. This gives employers time to review your application and notify you of an interview opportunity prior to the Career Fair.

Directions on uploading your application materials are available on JusticeWork!. We encourage you to tailor your résumé and cover letter to each employer for best results. If you have a problem with JusticeWork!, please email us at careerfair@equaljusticeworks.org.

SETTING UP INTERVIEWS
Employers review résumés and make interviewing decisions between September 27 and October 4. Students selected for an interview will receive an email notification on October 5 and a may accept or decline invitations between October 6 - 12.

Please note some employers will not set up prescheduled interviews and will only be available for walk-up interviews or informational sessions. They will be marked on JusticeWork! as “Table Talk Only.”

REGISTRATION
All students who want to attend the Conference and Career Fair must register for the event, even if you are only attending for Table Talk. Student registration opens on August 27 on JusticeWork! under “Events.” Registration is free for student attending an Equal Justice Works member school. Consult with your Career Services Office and/or Public Interest Office to find out your school’s registration policy for the Conference and Career Fair.

If you are registered but will not be attending, you need to cancel your registration in order to allow another student to use the free registration slot(s) allotted to your school. The deadline for canceling is October 12.

HOTEL FACILITIES
Be sure to book your hotel room for the discounted rate of $149 per night before the deadline of Friday, October 8. Use group code EQJEQJA.

Wireless internet is available at the hotel for a fee. There is also a business center at the hotel. You may print up extra copies of your résumé or check your email for a fee.

VISIT YOUR CAREER SERVICES OFFICE
One of the best tools available to law students is your Career Services Office (CSO). Make sure to make an appointment with your CSO staff to talk about the Career Fair and review your résumé. You should also inquire about any relationships that your CSO has with a particular employer. CSOs tend to establish good relationships with both local and national organizations, which benefits students who are seeking employment at that particular organization.

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During the Career Fair

CAREER FAIR ETIQUETTE

• If you have an interview scheduled, be sure to arrive to the Career Fair at the Bethesda North Marriott hotel 30 minutes in advance to allow enough time to check in and receive materials.
• Dress professionally - presentation is important. Public interest law as a focus does not mean this Career Fair is casual.

Once you arrive at the Career Fair, you will be provided with a directory of employers and a map of the Career Fair space. These documents will help you find your interviews and employers to chat with during Table Talk. Please note that this year, employer descriptions will be available on-line only, so research before you attend to make the most out of your time here.

Employers will have signs indicating that they are either conducting an interview or are available to speak with students. If an employer is conducting an interview, DO NOT INTERRUPT! Do not stand around the table waiting for them to finish. You will not make a good first impression!

Be sure to get the names and/or business cards of the representatives that you speak with so that you can write personalized thank you notes.

RÉSUMÉ REVIEW AND ON-SITE COUNSELING
Law students who have registered for the Career Fair are invited to meet with legal career services and recruitment professionals before their interviews. Equal Justice Works will be offering this service at the Career Fair. The professionals will offer constructive suggestions for making your job search documents stand out so that that your interview goes smoothly. Please look for signs once you arrive. These sessions will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

TABLE TALK
If you do not have any prescheduled interviews, you should still attend the Career Fair. There will be several opportunities to speak to employers. Both Friday and Saturday will feature Table Talk, an open period of time where employers will be available to speak to students on a first-come, first-served basis.

You are encouraged to pick out the employers you would like to speak before Table Talk begins. Keep in mind that several employers may have long lines of students waiting to speak to them. Plan ahead and strategize to maximize your time with all employers.

Do not use this time to conduct an extensive interview. You should have a quick, 30 second introduction and “selling point” about yourself. Most employers want to meet as many students as possible during this time, so be courteous to your fellow students and keep your face time as short as possible.

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After the Career Fair

FOLLOW UP
It is important to write a thank you note to each representative you interviewed with as soon as possible after the career fair. Not only will you leave a favorable impression with the interviewer, but your interviewer will now have another opportunity to review your writing.

Sometimes employers will call you back for a follow-up interview. If you are no longer interested in working for that employer, let them know as soon as possible. This courtesy will show the employer that you are responsible as well as open up the opportunity for another student.

Good Luck!

FORUM
Join our Forum to connect and network with other students and professionals attending the Conference and Career Fair. Also look for frequently asked questions.

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