Job Search Advice from Bruce Sandy, Career Coach

A Canadian legal assistant with 25 years of experience recently wrote Bruce Sandy, a professional career coach and columnist, for advice regarding changing careers. His response is informative and helpful to anyone seeking employment (whether in Canada or in the United States).

Mr. Sandy’s excellent job search advice includes:

• Once you have updated your resume and customized your cover letter, use your network of friends and colleagues at different law firms to help you find those unadvertised jobs. Send them your resume and ask them to let you know when they hear of any openings.
• Do your research. Find out the best firms to work for; use the Internet to search; read annual reports; look at financial statements for companies you want to approach. Read professional journals and make a prioritized list of who to approach.
• Set up information interviews with key officials such as senior partners and human-resources managers of the law firms you have identified. Interview them about their firms. Tell them why you're interested in working there and ask them to contact you if an opening comes available. Don't forget to follow up with them.
• Post your resume on career, employment and professional websites.

See Mr. Sandy's column in The Province.