Registration Open for Southeastern Minority Job Fair
Southeastern Minority Job Fair
A National Diversity Interview Program for Students from Southeastern Law Schools
Virtually Thursday & Friday, July 14 & 15, 2022
Pre-Registration in Symplicity OCI, “2022 SEMJF Pre-Registration.” Just upload a resume between 3/23 and 4/12
June 6-10: Optional Employer Information Sessions
June 13 – June 20: Student application period
What is SEMJF?
-A national recruiting event for law schools in the Southeast with a 30+ year track record of success. -A chance to interview for summer and post-grad positions with top law firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations. -In 2021, 127 employers from 22 states and Washington DC conducted over 2,000 interviews. -Employers attend to diversify their candidate pool; applicants are selected for interviews.
Why Participate?
-SEMJF takes place before most schools’ OCIs, giving you a jump on the competition.
-Exclusive SEMJF employer Information Sessions give you an opportunity to make a connection.
-You can bid for up to 20 employers and have 10 interview/alternate opportunities. -If selected, you will have a face-to-face conversation with an employer who affirmatively asked to meet with you. -SEMJF is an invaluable bootcamp on how to interview. After as many as ten interviews in two days, you will be an expert on fielding questions and delivering your personal pitch.
The Process Part 1: Registration and Posting Review
Pre-Registration in Symplicity OCI, “2022 SEMJF Pre-Registration.” Just upload a resume between March 23 and April 12, 2022.
-Registration does not obligate you to apply but you cannot apply if you don’t register.
-In late May, you will receive a username and password to access the SEMJF Symplicity system.
-Review employer postings beginning June 2. -Attend optional employer Information Sesssions June 6-10.
The Process Part 2: How to Apply (June 13 – 20) -Upload a resume, transcript and a Diversity Statement (https://semjf.org/diversity-statements), to your SEMJF Symplicity account. Then, submit applications (“bids” in Symplicity lingo) to individual employers. You will need to upload a cover letter only if requested.
-Bidding will open at 9:00 a.m. EDT on Monday, June 13 and will close at 11:58 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 20. PLAN AHEAD: the deadline cannot be extended.
-You are strongly encouraged to submit the maximum of 20 different applications in order to maximize your chances of receiving interviews.
The Process Part 3: Selections and Interviews
-Submission of a bid is your commitment to interview if selected. You may not decline SEMJF interview opportunities unless you withdraw from the Fair entirely.
-Interview/Alternate selections will be available on June 30.
-You are limited to 10 interview/alternate opportunities. If you receive more, you will be contacted individually and required to decline those in excess of 10.
-Interview times will be assigned to you and your interview schedule will be available on July 7.
-We cannot accommodate individual scheduling requests so plan to be available for the entire day on both July 14 and July 15.
-ALL TIMES ARE EDT.
SEMJF Timeline
· Student registration March 23 to April 12
· Postings viewable in Symplicity June 2
· Optional Information Sessions June 6 – 10
· Application period opens Monday, June 13, 2022
· Application period closes Monday, June 20, 2022 at 11:58 p.m. EDT
· Interview/Alternate status available Thursday, June 30, 2022
· Decline deadline (only for students with
more than 10 selections) Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 11:58 a.m. EDT
· Student interview schedules available Thursday, July 7, 2022
· Thursday, July 14, 2022
-10:00 am EDT: Interviews begin
-6:00 pm EDT- Interviews conclude
· Friday, July 15, 2022
-10:00 am EDT: Interviews begin
-6:00 pm EDT- Interviews conclude
Advice on Preparing the Required Diversity Statement
· Employers are interested in diversifying the pool of candidates they have.
· In 250 words or fewer (less than a page!), you need to tell employers what you bring to the table.
· Several kinds of groups are underrepresented in the legal field. How are you different from the broader American culture, and legal culture in particular? What sets you apart?
· Think about how you can help employers diversify their workforce and how you can help them serve or expand their client base.
· What have you done to foster diversity on the job? In your school? In your community? Mention any leadership experience.
· You may want to draw from the personal or diversity statement you wrote when you applied to law school. However, keep in mind that employers are looking for ways in which you will help them achieve their objectives, not necessarily your own.
· See the SEMJF’s Diversity Statement mock-up showing 250 words on a page https://semjf.org/diversity-statements
