If you thought Halloween was scary, then you clearly have not been keeping up with news of our legal job market!

And, even though most of you 1Ls are trying to focus your efforts on keeping up (or catching up) with your Civil Procedure, Contracts, Torts, and Legal Writing assignments, you all have to admit that summer positions are on your mind, especially after that Office of Career Services (OCS) training that dominated your previous Sunday.

And, because many of you sat like zombies through the training (waiting for it to be over so you could go home and catch up on sleep or go to the library to finish those research memos), the following includes a brief overview of what OCS can offer you, how to obtain these offerings, and a few tips on snagging those competitive 1L positions for the summer, despite our frightening economy.

OCS, as cliché as it may sound, is truly there to help students of every grade, and your 1L year is the best time to get acquainted with this vital resource. But, as with most things in life, you must take the initiative to reap the full benefits of OCS.

To start, update your resume and cover letter! Whether you have little or no years of professional experience, it goes without saying that your resume and cover letter are crucial components of your job search. So, proofread, cut, add, delete, and reformat these documents as necessary and use the “Resume & Cover Letter Guide” contained on that school-branded flash drive you received during your OCS training if you need a bit of direction on what to do.

Next, you should make an appointment! According to Jeff Becherer, the Assistant Director of OCS, scheduling an individual counseling appointment is the best way for students to get personalized OCS service. So, just call (212)790-0358 or visit Room 1128 and set aside a half hour of your busy 1L life to find out strategies for reaching your unique professional goals.

In addition to this appointment, think about ways to boost your personal selling pitch. One of the best ways to do this is to join extracurricular groups and network within these groups.

Make sure to go to that next Bar Association luncheon or OUTlaw bar night and volunteer time to work on case with the Unemployment Action Center or Incarcerated Women’s Project. These groups will allow you to meet other students, alumni, and professionals in your aspiring careers.

Last, but not least, keep in touch! What is the point of meeting people who you do not keep in contact with? Make sure to reach out to the people you meet in the groups and events you attend. Send the occasional email or make the occasional phone call. These small efforts help build professional relationships that can be called upon in times of need, and may even lead to a great summer internship. Plus, every group you join and event you attend adds to your list of possible talking points for an interview. So, what are you 1Ls waiting for?