The July 2011 Bar Exam - Your Invite To The Party. Suggestions to Consider. What Will I Wear?

Happy Tuesday. Although we are coming to the close of March, we are just at the beginning of prep time for the bar examination. In the last two posts, I talked about how you can get started for the bar without picking up a book. Keep in mind that some of the time you spend preparing for the exam will not be about how much law you know. You won't always be searching for an application of the law to the facts. Or, memorizing codes or elements, or factors. Some of this time you will spend getting yourself in line. You want to know what set of factors make up your own personal rule of law. This is why you have to prepare for the party mentally, long before the party begins, be satisfied with your plans, and be willing to adjust your plans if and when necessary. Let's return to prepare for the party.

1. The Uniform. There is no particular uniform that you must wear to the party. I will caution you, however, about taking ten years, every morning, trying to find something to wear to the library. This is not the time to spend thinking about fashion and style. You may want to look "really nice" for that person, but I would not try to pull it off everyday. Once a week, maybe; at the end of the day, that person wants to know if you passed the exam, and he or she won't be there to see you "get dressed" for the February exam. You know what I mean?

You do not have to wear to the library what you think you would wear to the exam, but if you have a pair of favorite jeans, or shoes, or a hat, or shirt, that you like, please wear it. Purchase five or ten of the same item, if you know that your ability to study forever, can be accomplished by wearing this piece of clothing.

2. Exam Clothing. However, our clothing should be practical, comfortable, wearable, and flexible. From head to toe. All of the time. Hats, jackets, hoodies, sweaters (yes, it is cold in the library), skirts, dresses, pants, socks & shoes. You are probably saying, "doesn't she know this is not real news to anyone who has been taking exams for years' now?" Generally, I would agree with you, but I am here to remind and suggest a few things now so that you won't make unnecessary mistakes, later. Just a reminder.

3. A blanket. I want to remind you to bring a light throw blanket in the event you become colder than usual, or want to sit in a comfortable chair for 30 minutes and take a nap. Where? In the library. In your car. Anywhere, really. You will tire a little, everyday, and most of the time you will want a nap. You cannot go home for a nap everytime you want to take one, but you can take a throw with you to the library, especially, if you are driving. Even if you could go home, home is a place where you will take a more comfortable nap and if you don't possess a lot of control, that nap could last three or four hours. That's too long. That's not a nap. The blanket will also be useful for cold legs, arms, back support, or an alternative to sitting on a not-to-comfortable chair.

4. A pillow. Those of you that won't bring a blanket (because real men only sleep on concrete) should consider a small pillow, or an extra large zip-up-the-front sweat jacket, with a hood attached to it, as an alternative. Use the pillow (a small one, please) to support your back while you rest. Or, just place the pillow on the desk as a head rest when needed. A large pullover or zip-up-the-front jacket will keep you warm in a cold library or in the late night, if it becomes cool. FYI: gals or guys who decide to take naps on the lawn can pull out their blankets and their pillows!

5. Tee-shirts. We know to dress in layers. As lawyers, we tend to sit a lot; we know that eight to ten hours in the library is a long time. It is an entire work day. Comfort is paramount. So, we dress in thin layers that we can remove quickly. A tee-shirt is your greatest defense to getting ready quickly and staying comfortable without worrying about being stylish (which should not be our primary concern, right now). Women might consider a more feminine, strappy tee as a initial layer and a regular tee shirt on top of the first one (just in case one takes a nice break and wants to have a little fun in the sun, with "the one"). Guys should consider a regular tee-shirt, too, especially since this is the summer, you will be studying, and you do not have to look a certain way. Also, the generic tee-shirt comes in several colors (black, white, grey), so you can change up some, too (just in case you also want to have some fun in the sun, with "the one," too).

6. Our shoes. Ten hours in the library. Walking back and forth to the cafeteria, or to the car, or to the library, or to our homes, or anywhere ... at some point, we will have swollen feet. If it doesn't happen to you, then congratulations. I would suggest a slipper that wears like a shoe. Or, a slipper that does not look so much like a slipper. Just be comfortable, please. Most of us don't want to wear our bedroom shoes in the library (I would, if I had no other choice), but we don't want to leave our place of study prematurely, especially if it is just an excuse because our feet look and feel like a sausage packed too tightly in our own skin. I don't expect that men will wear house slippers or even "soft shoes," so guys, do yourself a favor and buy a shoe that is one half size larger than your normal size, or buy a workable, walkable sandal. A sandal is not a pair of flip-flops. Okay, if you want to wear those, then fine, just realize that you may break them up quickly and that you don't get much support, or you may get a little cold in the library. If none of the above works for you, take off the shoes and console your feet with an extra pair of socks.

7. Rainwear. I am more concerned that your books are not soiled, than I am with you encountering a little rain. If you are in a pickle, and must leave the library when the rain is pouring down in buckets, find a trashcan liner from one of the 50 small trashcans in the library and use it to wrap your books in while you make a mad dash to the car. A umbrella works well for your body, as it has for your entire life. However, I have become a fan of the one piece, pull over your entire body, raincoat. You can pack it in a backpack without any difficulty, and you are less likely to leave it somewhere. I must admit, it is simple, a little unconventional, maybe, but it works. That is what I need; something that works. It keeps you almost as dry as the indoors, you don't have to run, and there is enough room for your books (and maybe another person, too).

More suggestions on preparation in the next post.

Thank you for your time,

Prof. Smith

The July 2011 Bar Exam - Here Is Your Invite To The Party. Suggestions to Consider for mid-March until mid-May.

Hello 2011 Graduates. I have returned to write more about getting ready to attend the ultimate party - - preparing and passing the bar examination. There are probably hundreds of bar exam prep courses all across the United States. They all have strategies and tactics for the multi-state essay, the multi-state bar exam, and the multi-state performance exam. Each probably has a reason or various reasons why some applicants don't pass the exam.

Well, I have done some informal research over the last 13 years. My research says that while applicants have some difficulty preparing for the law, the writing, and studying for the exam, that applicants have just as much difficulty organizing their lives in preparation to take the bar exam. Some applicants seem to have a problem shutting down their old lives for an eight (8) to ten (10) week period. Some people just can't seem to put one life on hold long enough for another type of life to take over. There is still a belief that studying for the bar exam is the same or similar to the type of study done for law school. That's not a bad analogy, however, try studying 15 to 20 topics in one semester. I'm sorry. A semester is 16 weeks. Let's change that to eight (8), and if we are very lucky, ten (10) weeks. Do you see the difference, here? Just checking.

So, let's return to prepare for the party.

1. Shopping: you have to buy and pick up all of the items for the party. The breakfast, lunch and dinner meals will not pick up themselves. Your prescriptions will not be delivered to you. Any dry cleaning? Must you walk the dog? Purchase kitty litter? When do you shop for the "stuff" you need? When do you run errands? When?

You shop at the earliest possible time during the day (early morning), or the latest possible time in the evening (at night). The local grocery store usually opens at 6:00 a.m. Okay, now you know that 6:00 a.m., is your time for grocery shopping. I know that you can barely drag yourself out of bed at that time. I also know that you won't be there at 6:00 a.m., either, but you know that the earlier you get up to shop for groceries, the sooner you will return home because smaller lines means that you get through the store faster.

I started the 6:00 a.m., run some years' ago, and then slipped up and fell into a later time slot. I stood in the "later time line" a couple of times and that was it for me. I returned to the 6:00 a.m. (or, as close to it as possible) time. No, I was not a beautiful woman at that time of the morning, nor did I try to be. Yes, you run the risk that someone will see you. However, I cannot tell you what it is like to be at the store first thing in the a.m., and back home at 7:00 a.m. Oh, and by the way, I did not say that you had to stay awake and continue on with the day. Usually when I shop at 6:00 a.m., and unpack (quickly); I get in a 90 minute nap, afterwards.

The goal is to control your quiet time and not to give it away to standing in long lines, looking for parking spaces, or chatting up with people that are not on your same mission. We are interested in using our time efficiently. Excuse me, your time. Key words. This is your time to shop.

2. The All-Night Drug Store: This is your favorite place of business - - an all night drug store, and do not forget it or forget where it is located, because this store is the key to a lot of things you will need to buy. You want a "go- to" store where there is less of a chance that you will be stuck in a long line. The 24 hour drug store carries just about everything you need.

3. Middle of The Day Travel: Rarely, if ever. Try, never. If you must have a pedicure or manicure, be the last customer. If you need to get to the barber or get your hair done, you will be the first customer. Or, you will schedule an appointment with the hairstylist until you get a date in which you are the first customer. I am always first to get my hair done and I will wait until a first-in-line time period is open. I am not going to wait hours for a one hour hairstyle. I'm not doing it. I suggest that you consider it as well.

4. Playing In A Sporting Event: Guys will want to play some sport somewhere with some other guys. Go. Do. Have fun. Remember one thing. Try a 10:00 or 11:00 morning game. Or, an evening game at 7:00 or 7:30 p.m. I prefer the evening game because you are not going to study first, then go play a sport, then shower and return to the library. I can hear you at the library snoring up a storm. Can you see it. You had a great 90 minute game, a nice, hot shower, and something to eat and drink. You made it to the library, full of zest, etc. Within 20 minutes you can't retain, or recite anything because you are now sleeping with torts, evidence and contracts on the brain.

Try the 7:00 p.m., game. After you finish that game, you can still do all the above, except now, when you decide to take a nap, it will be naptime in your home, in your bed. You won't have to worry about recovering and you will be at your best the next morning when it is time to study.

5. Watching A Sporting Event: Gentlemen, are you interested in watching a game, or golf, or whatever sport is on the television during the day, during your study period (eg., NBA Finals)? Here's what you do. If the game is 3.50 hours long, then you must dedicate, in this case, at least 7.00 hours of studying (include active testing p-r-i-o-r to watching the game). I know sports watching. I know that I rarely, if ever, return to what I was doing prior to the game. Why? There is always another game on right after the first one. So, to alleviate guilt and anything that would hurt your chances of passing the exam, I want you to double the amount of time you would spend studying (include active testing [writing essays and answering multiple choice questions]) prior to the game.

Think about this for a little while. I'm going to talk more about other outside influences in my next post.

Prof. Smith

The July 2011 Bar Exam - Here Is Your Invite To The Party. Suggestions to Consider for mid-March until mid-May.

Hello 2011 Graduates. I am back and I have returned to share with you certain information that I know will help you prepare for the bar exam. None of what I will write in today's post will have anything to do with a multiple choice question, or an essay question, or a performance test.

However, I consider everything I will discuss in this post as something useful to help you prepare for the exam. So, let's begin. When you are "throwing" a party, you must provide food and drink and eating utensils, etc., for your guests.

1. Drinks. You should purchase 10 cases of 16.9 or 20 oz. containers of water and store this at your home. The exam study period is about 10 weeks. A case of water consists of 24 bottles. If you drink three (3) 16.9 or 20 oz. bottles of water a day, then you drink at least a case of water a week. You do not want to stop at a store or at a vendor to purchase water. That is a waste of valuable "wait in line for no reason," time. Of course, from time to time, you will forget to bring enough water with you, and you will wait in line to purchase water. But that is because you did not bring enough water with you or you forgot to pack the water, not because you wanted to wait in line forever.

2. Cooler. You should purchase a small cooler to store in the trunk of your car. Every party needs at least one cooler. Coolers keep all beverages cold, and a cooler will also keep sandwiches and fruit and other items cold in the summer, too. Some of you may be dynamic enough to make your own lunch during bar prep; if so (and you drive), then a cooler will be very helpful.

Oh, I forgot about the ice. Do not buy the ice from a grocery store. Why? Grocery stores have lots of lines and lots of people who are not taking the bar exam. Those people may be in a hurry, but not the kind of hurry you are in. Also, not all grocery stores make allowances for dumping ice in a cooler in a parking lot. Get the ice from a service station. You can run in and purchase it (shorter line) and dump the ice in the cooler and not worry about water or excess ice getting in or on anyone. Just keep the cooler lid closed, so as to preserve the ice (coldness). It lasts much longer than you think.

3. Food. You must bring food to the party, or who else will attend. This is a must. Now preparing food for yourself while studying for the bar can be problematic. Often the person who needs the food (also known as the applicant) starts off in the first two weeks of bar study packing food for herself. The next four weeks the applicant is buying muffins in some "bagel with cream cheese, and jelly," store. On top of food, the applicant, who used to have "something" to drink every now and again, now has become a Starbucks (frozen drink) fanatic. A little bar exam pressure is beginning to show up in the applicant's choice of food, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the killer meal because it is the on-the-go-meal, and the first meal of the day. Because you have to be on time for bar prep, you have to eat something. Eating "something" can add 15 pounds to your waistline within a month if you are not careful.

Let's solve this problem. Buy lots of dry cereal, individual oatmeal packets, pears, apples, bananas, individual packs of raisins. Anything really, that is dry, that you can grab onto and leave the house within minutes. Dry cereal begs for milk. You can purchase milk when you get where you are going. Or, you can munch on the cereal in just the manner in which it is packaged (right out of the box). Mix individual oatmeal packets with yogurt if you have some in the refrigerator; if not, purchase the yogurt in the very expensive cafeteria that will be serving you this summer. Or, get some hot water (yes, hot); or cold milk with some raisins and oatmeal will satisfy you.

Do I hear the men screaming, yogurt?!?!?!? Dry cereal? Is she crazy? Yes, I am and no, I am not. You must have options when this bar thing gets into full swing. You should stock up on food items that you know you will eat. Why? You are preparing to enter a battle where words are very important. In this battle, you want to be equipped with the items that will save you the most time, and give you the best bang for your buck This doesn't mean that there is no room for traditional fair from the egg and bacon group. However, you will need food, right now, but you just might not always have time to stand in several lines to get the food.

Let's talk a little more about how to prepare on my next post.

Thank you,

Prof. Smith

Getting Ready for Final Examinations: The First and Second Year.

I will spend the remainder of March discussing the bar exam. However, I have no intention of leaving the first- and second-year students alone during this month (or April, either). So, let me discuss some final examination concerns with you.

Many of the first-year students are enrolled in the second half of Civil Procedure, the second half of Contracts (Sales), Torts II (strict liability), Property II, and Legal Research and Writing. Some of the first year students are enrolled at a school where Constitutional Law is taught during the second semester of the first-year. Criminal procedure is not a required course in the second semester of the first year (at most schools), but it is taught in the second semester of the first year.

Second-year students (rising to 3L status) will be enrolled in Constitutional Law II, or Evidence, as both are, generally, "required to graduate," courses. Some of you may have elected to enroll in Taxation, Wills, Estates & Trusts, or Commercial Paper, or Secured Transactions as electives. I'm certain that the bulk of you are enrolled in at least one seminar course, where a paper, covering a particular topic is a requirement.

1. Prepare For Finals (Again): If you want the best chance of doing well on Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law I, or Evidence, then please copy (or, print out) all of your professors' old exams. If your professor does not have old examinations, print out another professor's exam. Keep printing out examinations until you have at least ten (10). Ten is not a magic number, but it is a good start, as you don't need all of the exams in the state, but you do want to have a good, representation of the document - - the samples that could make up your final examination.

2. Print out All of the Exams. All of them. Place each examination in a three-ring binder and if you have access to, or can afford tabs, separate each test by subject (and number). Now, suppose your professor is new to teaching and does not have any 'old' exams. Just use another professor's examinations to create an outline. Now, your professor may scoff at you and say, "do not use another professor's exams; only mine." That is a reasonable warning because no two exams are alike. The professor's warning does not provide you for an alternative to issue spotting, but your method assists you!! It is very important that you "house" enough exams, because you want to be able to spot certain issues, and the only way you can accurately spot those issues is to have a set of different facts identifying that issue over and over again.

3 Take one of your photocopied examinations (subject) to the corresponding course for the remainder of the semester. Each time the professor for that course discusses a specific issue (sub-issue) in class, look for that issue on the exam, after each class. If you find that issue on the exam, draw a line out to the margin and write out the full name/description of the issue. At the end of two weeks, pull out a second examination, and look on that examination for the same issues/sub-issues that you found on the first examination. Every two weeks, add another exam and compare facts, etc., for issue spotting. Hopefully, many of the issues will be exactly the same; the difference will be the set of facts that are used to make up the fact pattern.

4. Use this method to help you issue spot on your first five or six exams. Keep in mind that you are not answering the exam question. You are looking for keys to the structure of the exam and you are issue-spotting.

Okay, Next Stop: The Party for the Bar Exam.

Prof. Smith

The July 2011 Bar Examination - An Invitation To Become a Lawyer. Suggestions to Consider for mid-March until mid-May.

Hello May 2011 Graduates. I want to discuss a few things that you can do now, in March, to prepare for May and the beginning of bar preparation. A friend, who had entered law school several years before me, told me that, as a student, there is "always a fire to put out." He said it in a matter-of-fact kind of way, but I knew what he meant. His statement also implied that the law student must use time efficiently, because there are more projects to do than there is time in the day. So, how efficient can you be with your time now, so that you do not eat up precious bar preparation time, later?

The following suggestions may seem mundane to you. Some of the suggestions may not actually apply to you. However, try to reflect on the things you have to do in your own life, that will help to ease you into bar preparation.

1. Cars: get the oil changed, the brakes and rotors checked; replaced cracked or missing windows, or anything that you know your car will need over the next eight (8) weeks. Do not place yourself in a position where you are unnecessarily answering multiple choice questions, while waiting at a garage for your car. If you need tires and you have money for them, change the tires. If you need tires and you do not have money for new ones, determine which relative you will ask to help you solve this problem. If you need four (4) tires, ask four (4) different relatives for some assistance.

2. Health: get to the doctor; get a "check-up." If you have something going on, get it looked at; now. Do not place yourself in the untenantable position of, again, circling multiple choice questions while you wait for hours in a doctor's office for something you could have taken care of before graduation. Take care of it now.

3. Dentist: Ditto for the dentist. I know. Going to the dentist is like taking a car in for a tune-up. The intent was to spend $300.00, but somehow $1,200.00 is falling out of your pocket into the dentist's hands. It is still good to know what you have to do and when you have to do it as it relates to dental work. NO ONE wants a toothache and bar preparation at the same time. You want to know if you will need more than a cleanings. You would rather know in order to plan accordingly.

4. Moving: I'm awestruck at the number of people that decide to move in May and take three weeks to get the job done. Excuse me. You don't have three weeks to pack and unpack, and unpack some more - - and go to bar prep. Especially, not in May. If you must move, grab a box on your way home (until you have a sufficient number) and a couple of times a week, pack something. Or, throw away something. You will hit yourself on the head once you realize that you blew your bar examination because you were not packed, or did not have a plan (P-L-A-N) to move. Keep in mind the word, efficiency. What can you do now to make May much, much easier? Do you have to move right now? Can you study in place "a," take the bar examination in place "b," then return to place "a" and move to the place where you plan to work, live, or do business?

5. Accounts: bank accounts, gym memberships, netflix, peapod (grocery store delivery), etc. You need to know the penalties, if any, related to any changes, cancellations, and/or how to pay for something when service is interrupted.

6. Facebook/Social Networks: It may be wise to establish a social network for your profession as a lawyer. This is not a suggestion to advertise yourself (purporting to be a lawyer = unethical). This is about creating a page that reflects your new stage in life. Do it before you graduate - a good photo, with proper attorney-related clothing, will go a long way. You do not know who is looking for, or, at you (right now). Just something to think about.

7. Professors/Staff, etc. Please be certain that you write a note, or leave a business card for the people that have helped you through this process. I am not talking about family and friends (yet). Contact that first-year professor that made the connection for you, say on the "rule against perpetuities," or the professor that explained the difference between implead and interplead. Contact the security guard who let you stay in the library an extra 30 minutes, and give that person a thank you note. Contact the person in the cafeteria who let you eat free during the first week of school because your "loan money" had not come in yet. I want you to thank the environmental service person who handed you tissue when she found you crying your eyes out in the restroom. If you were ever sick, you owe that person two notes.

8. Administrative Staff: the paper pushers in law schools (anywhere, really) are often forgotten, except when someone wants something. Of course, someone wants something, all of the time. A thank you note will go a long way. It is just not that difficult to give someone a thank you note. The key is to buy the notes now, and write your thoughts out, and give it to the people that matter to you after finals.

9. Reading Glasses: you may need reading glasses this summer. You will be doing a lot of it. This is a "just in case," moment.

10. Law School Services: Whatever the law school offers you as a student, learn whether that service is available for you during the summer, while you are studying for the bar exam. If the law school has a gymnasium, and it is included in your school's fees, then you need to know whether the gym is available to you during the summer. Or, is your access to the gym cut off when you hear the words, "introducing the class of 2011." How does the library work for you? Full access? Yes/No? Does your school have a "former student, taking the bar exam in July," discount at the cafeteria?

Learn about these things so that you can ADJUST accordingly. This is the word that I want you to stick in your back pocket until the end of July 2011. Adjust. You will have to learn how to adjust, and how to do so quickly. Everything you do in preparation for the bar will depend on how you act, react, and adjust.

When I return, I will write to the first- and second- year students regarding mid-March and preparing for final exams. I will follow that post with a 3L, "What to bring to the party, post."

Thank you,

Prof. Smith

The July 2011 Bar Examination - An Invitation To Become a Lawyer.

In eight to ten weeks, all third- and fourth- year law students will graduate from one of several hundred law schools in the United States of America. There will be a lot of fun, festive events, family gatherings, and excitement during this time period because the graduates have completed their journey as law students. All of them have endured at least three, and in some cases, four years of non-stop, year-long learning about our legal system.

Everyone - - mom and dad, sister and brother, aunt and uncle, cousin and friend will have the chance to meet deans, professors, and staff. Your family will meet all of your 3L and 4L buddies, too. Many of the people that matter most to you will be in the SAME PLACE at the SAME TIME and the stories you have shared with each group will now have faces to match.

This day means so much to you. You can barely contain yourself. There are flowers, gifts, congratulatory remarks; awards are bestowed upon you. Everyone is in their best attire, looking glamorous with their new suits and dresses, and the sun usually shines for graduation, no matter where we are that day. There is food, drink, laughter, and a bunch of children running around playing. It is so overwhelming. It couldn't be better.

Or, could it be ... ?

There is only one other event more breathtaking, more exciting, and more overwhelming than graduation.

Is it the bar examination, itself? No. The bar exam may take your breath away, it may cause a little extra excitement, and for some, it may be overwhelming.

Is it finishing the bar examination and going on vacation with friends and family afterwards? Oh, that will be a lot of fun, too. It will likely be breathtaking, and certainly exciting. But, nope. That's not it, either.

Well, it must be the letter you get in the mail with the results indicating that you were successful on the bar exam. Sorry, that is a close second, but that is not the one event that is as breathtaking, exciting and overwhelming as the day of your graduation and day-long celebration.

The one event that is as breathtaking, as exciting and as overwhelming as graduation, is the party.

That's right.

The Party.

What Party?

The Party You Decide to Attend After You Have Received The Results In The Mail, or On-Line, Indicating to You and the World That You Passed The Exam That Qualifies You To Be a Licensed Attorney In the Jurisdiction Where You Sat for The Exam.

THAT PARTY!

Yep.

That's the one.

Three-L's. Four-L's. I want you to think about the party tonight.

I know. I know that you have a bunch of exams staring you in the face over the next couple of months. I know that you have a lot of requirements to meet and a final screening for graduation coming up.

I know that you can't think of a topic for the paper that is due in six weeks. I even know that some of you haven't started the research on the paper, yet.

I know some of you are coming up on the deadline for the bar application, and you are still trying to get that traffic violation removed from your record so that you will not have to include it on the state's bar form. I know that a few of you may even have a credit issue that you have ignored and will have to deal with as part of some jurisdiction's character and fitness review.

I know.

Tonight, however, I want you to think just a little bit about the party. Think about it while you work on that bar application. Think about while you conduct the Lexis or Westlaw search for that final paper. Think about it as you begin one outline for exams and finish up another.

Think about how much fun it will be to receive an invitation to become a lawyer. Let that future moment get you through some of the work you have to do over the next couple of months.

Why don't you do that tonight while you work.

And, I'll start helping you get to the party, beginning with my next post.

Party Hard.

Prof. Smith

Resume Writing - Words That Describe You and What You Do.

Hello Everyone: This is the last post on resume writing. As mentioned in the previous post, I want to focus on words and phrases that will help you describe who are you to the reader, what you have done in the past, and what you are doing in a current position. I will share this list with you; before I do, I want you to consider a few things before using any word from this list.

1. Please use words that apply to you or your work product. Just because a word sounds and looks good on your resume doesn't mean that this word actually describes you or the work you have done in the past. Make certain there is a connection between the word and you, or the work that you have done.

2. Please do not overuse a word or a series of words. Try, if at all possible, to keep your writing simple, but keep from saying the same thing over and over again. Is there another way in which you can describe a situation without being unnecessarily redundant? If so, then include another description for the reader.

3. Please use descriptive words, but not three or four in a row within the same sentence. For example: Edited, produced, directed, and starred in a one act play - - "The Lawyer." It is great to know that you were responsible for all of the work in the play. You should receive the credit for each of the roles you played in the production of the play. However, I would suggest that you work in only two of the "-eds" at a time. Edited and produced, maybe in one sentence, then, directed and starred in another sentence. Why? Readers want to know what you did to bring this production to life, still, they also want you to elaborate a little on the editing and producing, first, then, maybe, in the third sentence, discuss the director role, etc. You do not have to make the description go on forever, but you do want the full impact of your work to be noticed. Unfold the description - - a little at a time.

4. Pay close attention to the words you use to describe yourself. Every word that you use to describe who you are may not necessarily be one of the words that an employer wants to describe an employee in a particular company. There are a few words that most all employers would like to see in a description of their employees. An employer would find it hard to frown at a employee who is loyal, responsible, reliable, and discreet. I would not say that you had to be all four, but I hope that you do possess at least two of the referenced characteristics. If you do not, you will soon enough. As a member of the legal profession, please do not leave your "ethical" hard hat at home. You will need that, as well.

Some words to describe your work product.

1. Administered, approved, analyzed
2. Completed, conceived, controlled, coordinated, created
3. Delegated, developed, directed,

4. Eliminated, established, evaluated, expanded
5. Facilitated
6. Generated
7. Implemented, improved, increased, initiated, interpreted
8. Launched, led, lectured
9. Maintained, managed, mastered, motivated
10. Organized, originated
11. Participated, performed, planned, prepared, proposed
12. Recommended, reduced, reviewed, revised
13. Scheduled, set-up, solved, structured, supervised
14. Taught, trained
15. Worked
16. Removed, reorganized, repeated, responsible

Some words to describe you.

1. Active, adaptable, adept, aggressive, ambitious, analytical
2. Challenging, competent, conscientious, consistent, constructive, contributor, creative
3. Dependable, determined, diplomatic, disciplined, discreet, diverse,
dynamic
4. Easily, economical, efficient, energetic, enterprising, enthusiastic, exceptional, experienced, expertise, extensively, extraverted
5. Facilitator, fair, forceful, foresight
6. Honest
7. Imaginative, independent, initiative, innovative, instrumental, insightful
8. Leading, logical, loyal
9. Mature, methodical
10. Objective, optimistic
11. Participated, perceptive, personable, pioneering, pleasant, positive, practical, productive
12. Readily, realistic, reliable, repeatedly, resourceful, responsible, responsive
13. Self-reliant, sensitive, sincere, sophisticated, strongly, systematic
14. Tactful, talented,
15. Unique
16. Versatile, vigorous
17. Will travel, will relocate.

The words used in this post can can be found at:
http://www2.ferrum.edu/career/guide/keywords.html

We have completed our introduction to resume writing. I hope this has been helpful to you. I will take any questions you have or if you have a job description that you want me to review for you, please feel free to send it to me by e-mail or discuss it in a comment.

Our next segment will focus on bar preparation. If you have any questions that you want answered prior to the next post, please know that you do not have to wait. Find a previous post, and make a comment; I'll be ready to take questions for the July 2011 bar exam as soon as you are ready to send them to me.

Until the next post.

Thank you,

Prof. Smith

Some Descriptions, Some Tips and Some Thoughts To Make Your Resume Pop!

On Monday, I provided descriptions of two (2) positions I had as a law clerk. All law-related positions are not the same, and no one description is perfect for all jobs. However, when it comes to resume writing, in general, there are some things that are very important to you, as the author, and to the reader, who may be a potential employer.

I. Some Additional Tips.

a. Clarity
Read your sentences several times to make sure that each sentence reads smoothly. If a person has to read the sentence more than one time, then the sentence should be re-written.

b. Sentence length
A sentence does not have to be 17-25 words long. It can be longer, or shorter than listed above. Again, read the sentence, first. Check it for clarity. Even if the sentence is clear, ask yourself if the sentence is too long. A sentence may be too long based on the number of words in the sentence (too many words). Or, a sentence may be too long if the writer is trying to convey too many concepts in a single sentence. A good sentence length has as much to do with the number of words used in the sentence as it does with the number of ideas that the writer wants to share with the reader.

c. Word choice:
A friend of mine, Agnes Powell, Esq., once told me that lawyers are "word sensitive" people. That is a true statement. We listen to what other people say, very carefully. We read what others write, just as carefully. Or, at least we should. Ms. Powell also meant that lawyers "watch" where a word is placed in a sentence to determine how the writer meant to use that particular word. Word sensitivity is or should be a tool used by all lawyers. If this is the case (and, it is), then all potential employers who are lawyers are carefully reading your resume and cover letter.

d. Knowledge of words used.
Choose words that accurately reflect what you want to say. Choose words that describe your actions and your work product. Make certain that you know the meaning of the words you use in your resume, and you can actually pronounce the words, without stumbling over the second syllable. Purchase a thesaurus, or look on-line for proper definitions of words that adequately explain who you were (or, are) in a position.

It is not necessary for you to become hooked on the use of five-syllable words. Simple is good. Simple will get the message across without fanfare or confusion. There is no need to use a $10.00 word when a $2.00 word will do just fine. And, remember, someone once said, "there is no such thing as good writing, only good editing." All of us need to keep that in mind.

II. Job Descriptions:
Here are a few more short job descriptions that may be helpful if you seek to describe a position in a single sentence.

a. Intern:
Prepared written responses to 13 civil and criminal motion briefs.

Note:
I keep a notebook of my work-related activities for each position where I am employed. That is why I used a number to indicate how many responses (and, orders) were written. This is a condensed version because I have added more experience in other areas on my resume.

I realized long ago that almost everything you do at one place of employment is a transferable skill at another place of employment. I do not believe any skill I have is unimportant; it just may not be a skill that I include on my resume. It may be something to discuss as a minor incentive at the end of an interview, or an ice-breaker at the beginning of an interview. Who knows.

b. Law Clerk
United States Attorney's Office, Appellate Division. Prepared three reply briefs for criminal matters brought on appeal.

Note:
This is another example of a shortened version of the work done at a particular worksite. I did not go into detail about the work, however the reader knows that I prepared three briefs and that I am familiar with the process that goes into writing an appellate brief on behalf of the government.

c. Law Clerk
The Public Defender Service: legal resarch conducted on assault with intent to rob, double jeopardy, homocide, illegal search & seizure, joinder & severance of defendants, and show-up identifications.

Note: this law clerk position was different than the other two, particularly because of the job descriptions. In the other two positions, I conducted research and wrote the final document. As an employee with PDS, I conducted the research portion of the work, only. I included the type of research conducted to show the depth of my knowledge of particular crimes.

The last post on resume writing will be a post solely of words you may use to help describe you and the work you have done up to this point in your career.

Thank you,

Prof. Smith

Resume Review

The Job Description: Today, I am continuing the series on resume writing. The purpose of today's post is to review some of the job descriptions listed in my resume.

I have included job descriptions of two clerkships. I attempted to do a number of things when I wrote the following job descriptions:

1. Defer To The Employer: Provide the judge's full name, his title at the time of the clerkship, the full name of the court, and the dates of the clerkship. Always pay deference to your employer.

2. Verbs - Past Tense: If you are no longer working for a particular employer, then the work you did there should be written in the past tense.

3. Paragraph, Paragraph, Paragraph. If a position required the employee to wear more than one hat, and it would be just as easy to separate the duties as it would be to keep the duties together, then separate the duties. Make it easier on the reader's eyes, and show the degree of difficulty of the job. In each set of descriptions below, there is a reference to general duties, followed by more specific duties.

4. Talk the Talk, or Take a Walk: a resume which indicates that a person worked in a tax or probate related position should actually use words that describe the type of work that would be found in that particular job. You must be able to write about your work and include it in the resume, and discuss it in person, during the interview. If you cannot write it, or speak about it, you may have to walk somewhere else to find employment. Employers' want a person who can articulate and convey information. The resume and cover letters are both opportunites to showcase your writing.

5. Use Verbs To Describe Your Duties: What you did for a particular employer should appear at or very near the beginning of each sentence in the job description. Use the main text from your first-year writing course and look in the back of the book for "forceful" words. I italicized the forceful words I used in the paragraphs below.

Law Clerk
The Honorable Peter J. Panuthos, Chief, Special Trial Judge
The United States Tax Court, Washington, D.C. (04/05 - 12/05)

General Duties: Prepared reports on matters referred for review and decision to the small tax division of the U.S. Tax Court. Reviewed documents relevant to taxpayer deficiency, incl., taxpayer correspondence, court transcripts of witness testimony, federal tax returns, petitions, deficiency notices, and correspondence from the I.R.S. Reviewed transcripts of collection due process hearings to determine proper filing of federal tax liens and levies.

Taxation: Prepared reports on individual & corporate federal income tax returns incl., claims regarding dependent exemption deduction based on divorce decree & custody arrangement, earned income credit, withdrawals from retirement account for purchase of home & education, & penalties associated with withdrawal, filing of amended returns, personal & corporate loss, examined short & long term capital gain, innocent spouse claims, joint filing status, activities not engaged in for profit, taxpayer protest, late filing, failure to file, and accuracy related penalties.

Law Clerk
The Honorable Jose M. Lopez, Presiding Judge, Probate and Tax Division
The Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. (09/03 - 09/04)

General Duties: Coordinated administrative calendar of approx. 50 weekly intervention, guardianship, trust, civil & criminal tax, and miscellaneous civil/criminal matters. Processed orders & court correspondence; assisted judicial staff. Drafted continuance orders, orders for motions to seal arrest records, jurisdictional issues regarding application of the Youth Rehabilitation Act, and post sentencing motions under D.C. Code Sec. 23-110. Answered telephone queries of attorneys & interested parties in probate, tax & criminal proceedings. Supervised six interns; conducted legal research & prepared written documents.

Probate & Estate: Conducted legal research & prepared memoranda on substantive probate topics regarding will formation, will contests, undue influence, incapacity, self-dealing, conflict of interest & appointment/removal of counsel and other court-appointed representatives. Researched statute under D.C. Code Secs. 21-2041(a), -2044(b), -2051(a), -2055(b), prepared memoranda; determined that court has the ability to use its inherent powers to continue an evidentiary hearing for the appointment of a guardian or conservator when petition is withdrawn. Drafted order on surety's liability to third party for the misappropriation of funds by a fiduciary who was not personal representative of the estate at time funds were mishandled. Determined surety was not liable, although it knew or should have known of misappropriation at the time fiduciary obtained bond, however, surety not bound outside scope of contract. Wrote memorandum order on allocation of settlement proceeds to beneficiaries in wrongful death & survival action.

Federal & State Taxation: Prepared memoranda on matter of first impression regarding constitutional claims under the First & Fourteenth Amendment (substantive due process & equal protection) to determine whether state tax assessor arbitrarily or intentionally targeted only commercial real estate owners for supplemental assessment tax on land. Prepared memoranda & drafted order on constitutionality of state law supplemental assessment tax under D.C. Code Sec. 47-829(d), determined a violation existed, based on legislative history. Drafted order on novel issue - whether, under D.C. Code Secs. 47-1522(a), -2001, and -2202, the government was required to pay use & personal property tax on personal property that the contractor was hired to purchase on the government's behalf, and subsequently transfer to goverment after seven-year servicing period.

Tommorrow: Some descriptions, some tips, and words to make your resume pop!

Thank you,

Prof. Smith

Temporary Blog Interruption.

Hello Everyone:

I am writing to inform you that the Academic Support Blog has been temporarily suspended (from February 26th through March 2nd).

I will begin posting again, tomorrow, Sunday, March 6, 2011. I do apologize for the notice and the interruption. I am really interested in completing the Resume series, so that I can turn my attention to early bar preparation for the graduating students.

Thank you for your time and I will send an e-mail to the entire CLEO family tomorrow, after the first (new) post.

Thank you, again,

Prof. Smith