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To build a strategy for L.L.M. students to leverage off of their backgrounds to identify potential employers.

Think about ways to build your personal brand based upon your skills and experience.

Think about ways to present yourself to make you marketable to potential employers.

Think about what you want to do once you complete the LLM program?

Think about the skill set you will need to find a job in the field you desire.

Think about how you are going to best present yourself (Brand) to potential employers.

Take 5 minutes and write down the following: Desired Job

Experience you have

The skills you have obtained that would be marketable for the job you desire.

What are the skills that you can market in support of building your brand? Language skills

Prior experience working as an attorney in your home country

Determination, Resourcefulness, Flexibility, and Intercultural Competency to navigate through a different cultural and social system.

Based on our discussion, you can see all of the value that each of you can bring to your job search.

It is important to highlight these skills as you build your brand.

Finding a job in the U.S. may be different than the manner in which you found jobs in your home countries.

Discussion regarding manner in which you looked for jobs before coming to the U.S.

Different channels to use to build your brand: Resume

Cover Letter

LinkedIn

Facebook

Networking

In the U.S., we use a resume, which provides a concise listing of your education, experience and accomplishments relevant to the job you are applying for. Highlight your language skills and

pertinent experience at both home and in the U.S.

Provide a frame of reference for international schools/companies. For example:

“Top five university in China”

“Second largest technology company in Europe”

It is important to check your grammar, spelling and use of language!

When required, a cover letter presents you with an excellent opportunity to build your brand and relay your skills to potential employers. Highlight your language skills and

experience working in international settings.

Highlight your past work experience, especially if you were working as an attorney in your home country.

Highlight your global/intercultural competence, adaptability, flexibility and resourcefulness and how these skills relate to the position you are seeking.

Find value in your skills, and explain how those skills will bring value to the company you are seeking employment from.

Proofread for grammar, spelling and use of language issues.

A LinkedIn profile will help you get noticed and help with your networking.

Important again to highlight your skills and experience.

Have a professional photograph.

Join groups related to your interests.

Join groups related to your cultural background.

Present a positive image of someone who has the skills, ability and aptitude to succeed.

Make sure that your profile is free of photographs or postings that would place you in a negative light.

Avoid pictures of partying or writing controversial posts.

Networking will be your primary method of finding a job.

80% of jobs are not posted, so it is important to begin creating your network so that you can connect with people who may be able to assist you in your job search.

Once you have built your brand, you are now ready to perform some outreach and connect with professionals who may be able to provide you with job search assistance.

Potential contacts can be found through: SCU Law Jobs

LinkedIn

Martindale.com

California State Bar Website

Facebook

Joining organizations aligned with your interests or background

Attending networking events

Searching for firms that have practices in your home country