Should I try a different method in applying for jobs?
I’m only a couple years out of school and I’ve mostly worked with a mid-sized DA’s office. I’ve had a couple jury trials, and have been put in charge of key roles in our office. I feel I’ve really built my resume in the last few years.
However, I am trying to transition to the civil world which I have found pretty difficult over the last six months. I’ve mostly been applying to active listing ons LinkedIn etc. Recently I was listening to a podcast where a managing partner talked about how he wants to see initiatives and called applying on LinkedIn “the lazy way” of applying. He suggested people send in a paper letter with a resume directly to firms/partners I would want to work with. I think this is a good idea, but I had 4 general concerns and I wanted the internets thoughts on:
First, will it come off as too desperate? I am actually doing pretty well in my role now and I have a ton of criminal law connections and a good reputation in the area. So do I undermine that when I apply in a way that might look desperate?
Second, Will the snail mail even get received? Should I consider emailing around the same time as I sent the mail? Or would that be too much?
Third, How do I go about finding what partners/people to send this to? Some people seem easy. Like a partner that I had previously interviewed and gotten along with. But in big firms I have no idea where to start. Should I look for someone who I would guess is in charge of hiring? Should I look for someone extremely high up? Should I look for someone that went to the same school? Also is a managing partner a lost cause (seems least likely to stop and read a letter) or a gold mine because they have the most power/connections?
Fourth, what should the letter be? A cover letter? I was thinking, “this is who I am, this is why I’m reaching out to you, Do you know anyone who could help me get in this area of civil or would you be willing to go to lunch. “
Any advice on this would help. I do feel it’s a lot more complicated to actually get your resume read than it was 3 years ago.