According to an article in the New Jersey Law
Journal, Federal judges received more than 400,000 online applications for only
1,244 clerk positions in the 12 months ending September 30, 209. Many of the judges admitted that they
are not able to review even a fraction of the applications they receive and
instead rely on recommendations or limit their review to applicants who have significant
working experience. So how does a
new graduate compete for judicial clerkships that have so many applicants?
- Make
your clerkship search targeted. The average job seeker sent judicial clerkship
applications to 37 judges. And
those applications were probably “generic.” Do yourself a favor and pick out the
judges you want to work with. Do
your research and even try to network with the judge or those around
him/her.
- Send
your application by mail. It will
be easier to get lost in the shuffle if you’re among 400,000 applicants who
choose to apply for clerkships online. Instead apply via mail because some
judges have expressed a preference for mailed applications, while others are
outright ignoring online applicants.
- Go small. Think about taking a clerkship in a
smaller community. Even if you need to move, working in a smaller community
could be the boost you need to find a job.
And just in case you were wondering, judicial
clerkships aren’t just for new graduates.
As mentioned earlier, attorneys with lots of work experience are often
given preference by some judges so be willing to include a judicial clerkship
on your list of potential jobs