Career Strategy

Remote Markets

Why think about geography?

Geography is a key factor in your career strategy and job search. Deciding which geographic markets to target can be almost as significant as deciding what types of employer or practice area to pursue. Your geographic flexibility may also expand (or narrow) the types of opportunities open to you.

Geography can heavily influence other job search factors like: practice areas available, quality of life, collegiality of the bar, salary / cost of living, attorney license requirements, distance from alumni or other networks. We encourage you to be balanced in your geographic focus: develop targets, but maintain flexibility. If geography is absolutely your paramount concern (i.e., "I must work in Montana!"), then obviously it won't be feasible to be as rigid about practice setting or subject matter. You must decide, therefore, how important geography fits into your priorities and what markets satisfy your needs.

In addition, you must also learn about the region where you intend to work-even if you've decided to return home or to stay in the Philadelphia area. Understanding the economy and culture of the region where you'll be job searching will make you a smarter and better-prepared job candidate.

What regions are open to me & what will employers think of my application?

Where do Villanova Law grads work? Villanova Law Alumni can be found across the USA and beyond. The greatest concentration of Villanova Law grads can be found within an Amtrak Train ride from campus, i.e., Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington D.C. and Maryland. But this is true for most graduates of most law schools. Even students from so-called "national" law schools tend to settle within a few hours drive from their alma mater.

Why do most graduates tend to work in the same general region as their law school? Because just like politicians say, "all politics is local," the same is true for hiring: "most hiring is local."

Here's how it works. Employers of all shapes and sizes want to recruit the best students they can, as efficiently as possible. Most employers find that the familiar law schools in their own back yard produce very high-quality student talent, with the added advantages of being close by, better acquainted with the employer, and already committed to the region. On average, it costs more, takes longer, and is a bit more risky for an employer to invest substantial energy recruiting folks who may not know their organization, may not know its region, and may be undecided about whether to move there.

These practical concerns explain why employers usually gravitate toward the "home team" law schools - and why they may often be a little more skeptical of candidates from farther away. Couple this with the fact that many attorneys like to hire from their own law school, and you can see how the cycle continues. Therefore, you should always be prepared to assuage an employer's legitimate concern about your geographic focus. Be ready by doing your homework!

What does this mean for you? If you are bright, enthusiastic, energetic, and willing to devote more effort and time into your job search-it is likely you can work in just about any major metropolitan region you choose. The key variables affecting your success will usually be (1) your flexibility and creativity on other factors (2) how much legwork you are willing to do to compensate for not being "local" and (3) whether you're willing to live with the fact that your job search may take longer than those looking locally.

How to develop and market the "geography factor."

1. Assess geography's importance to you and give real thought about what regions might satisfy your professional and personal goals. Many people choose to live where they have personal or family ties. It is very common to target a particular area where family or other loved ones live. Sometimes other factors drive the decision, such as reputation for a particular practice specialty, industry, weather, or recreational activities. Make a list of all the places where you have lived, have visited, have friends / family, or would like to live. Identify pros and cons for each location. List questions that you'd need to answer before committing to the area.
    
2. Do your homework on the region. The more you can credibly articulate your attraction to the region and sound like a "local" (or at least like a savvy visitor), the better you'll demonstrate your ability to make reasonable and mature decisions, as well as your commitment to living in the region. Learn the ins and outs of the general economy, history, and attractions of the region. Remember that a region's general economy usually shapes the sorts of legal services needed in that region. Investigate the legal market and its key sectors (i.e., firms, government, public interest, etc.) in particular.
    
3. Identify the legal employers you'd like to target. Consult with Career Strategy for advice and information. Begin networking through friends, family, alumni, or other contacts. Count on starting an early job search so you can make the most of your weekends and holiday breaks by scheduling visits to the region for informational meetings and / or job interviews. Whether you're staying put or branching out, do your research!

Quick tips for searching in remote markets!

• Know your audience: employers need to know you're committed to the region, as well as their organization.
   
• Know the in's & outs of the remote market you've targeted. Understand why you want to live there and not somewhere else.
   
• Be ready to bear all expenses associated with the out-of-town job search-especially for initial or "screening" interviews. Assume that you will pay, unless you clarify and agree otherwise with the employer.
   
• Prepare a very convincing and truthful "pitch" that demonstrates your well-informed commitment to the region. In writing or in conversation, every contact you make should be persuasive and enthusiastic about the region you've targeted.
   
• Emphasize your ties or familiarity with the region-whether those ties are personal or professional, present or past.
   
• Make good use of breaks and long weekends to conduct face-to-face informational meetings or employment interviews.
   
• Learn how to conduct effective telephone conferences and how to use e-mail to your advantage.
   
• If geography is your chief concern, be more flexible on other job search priorities-like practice setting, legal specialty, and other factors.

Geography-Focused Resources

The following resources should give you good insight about the general economy and other attractions of various regions across the United States. For more links on the legal marketplace, consult the Career Strategy website at "Job Search Links" and other pages.

• On Line U.S. Chambers Of Commerce - Investigate the economy and quality of life of states and localities across the country.
   
• Wall Street Journal - Real Estate Guide to Property (and other relocation info).
   
• Wall Street Journal - Relocation toolkit.
   
• Wall Street Journal - Best places to live.
   
• New Economy Index - (1999 ed.) Rating states according to depth and breadth of "new economy" (e.g., tech, science, and "knowledge based" enterprises).
   
• University of Delaware - Bibliography of good resources for evaluating key indicators of regional health and quality, to target regions with factors you care about most.
   
• United States Census Bureau - Great demographic information from most recent census. See trends in population growth, minority demographics, and economic census data.
   
• Geography "Quick Report" from US Census Data - Get "fast facts" about the geographic region or county that you're investigating.
   
• US Census Data - Showing comparisons between geographic regions, states, counties, and metropolitan areas.
   
• "About" - Any city or state you're interested in pursuing. Great links and news to sound like an insider.
   
• State and local government - Sites around the United States.
   
• Nationally known Legal Personnel Consultant - Ann Israel, is the legal profession's "Dear Abby" with website "Advice For The LawLorn." Her advice is very frank (blunt?). Check out her advice on "Moving To Another City."

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