GPDP Services, Resources, and Programs

• Career Advising Services
• Programs
• Publications
• Practice Interviews
• Resume/Cover Letter Critique
• Recruitment Programs/ISIP
• Other Online Resources

The GPDP is coordinated by Kandice Thorn, Director of International and Non-J.D. Programs, who works with LL.M. students to develop the best strategies for pursuing job opportunities.  We strongly encourage all students who are seeking employment in the U.S. to meet with Ms. Thorn at least once per semester regarding their job searches.  There are two ways to take advantage of one-on-one career advising services with Ms. Thorn:

• Office Hours.  Ms. Thorn prefers to meet with students during her office hours, which are announced in the Graduate & International Student eNewsletter (distributed weekly to all LL.M. students via email).  Students who wish to meet with Ms. Thorn during her regular office hours should sign up for a time slot on the sign-up sheet posted outside Room 405. 
  
• Appointments.  If you are unable to meet with Ms. Thorn during her office hours, you may request an appointment outside of office hours.  To schedule an appointment with Ms. Thorn outside of regular office hours, please contact her at kthorn1@law.fordham.edu.

You may find the publications below useful in your job search.

GPDP Publications:

• The GPDP Handbook 2011-2012
• GPDP Mini-Guide: Job Search Overview and Strategies 
• GPDP Mini-Guide: Networking for LL.M. Students
• GPDP Mini-Guide: Resume Writing for Foreign-Trained LL.M. Students
• GPDP Mini-Guide: Cover Letters and Other Professional Correspondence for LL.M. Students
• GPDP Mini-Guide: Transcripts, Writing Samples, and Other Employment Documents
• GPDP Mini-Guide: Interviewing for LL.M. Students

Other Publications:

• Public Service Job Search Guide (published by Fordham Law's Public Interest Resource Center)
• Finding and Funding International Public Service Opportunities (published by PSJD)
• Post-Graduate International Fellowships Guide (published by PSJD)
• Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide (published by PSJD)
• The Public Policy Handbook (published by the University of Arizona)*
• The Government Honors and Internship Handbook (published by the University of Arizona)*
• Guide to International Public Interest Law (published by PSJD)
• Guide on International Development: Public Service Careers and Opportunities (published by Harvard Law School)
• Jobs with the UN & International Organizations: A Brief Guide (published by PSJD)
• Landing a Job at the United Nations (published by PSJD)

The GPDP offers practice interview sessions throughout the academic year in order to give students feedback on their interviewing skills.  Students wishing to schedule a practice interview may do so by emailing kthorn1@law.fordham.edu to schedule an appointment and submitting the online GPDP Practice Interview Form.  Students should submit the GPDP Practice Interview Form at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled interview.  Students should read the Interviewing for LL.M. Students Mini-Guide in the "Publications" section of this page prior to coming in for a practice interview.  Students are encouraged to dress in interview-appropriate attire for the practice interview.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the resume and cover letter critique services offered by the GPDP.  In order to provide the most effective service for all of our students, we are requiring that, prior to submitting a resume or cover letter for review, you do the following:

1. Attend the GPDP program related to the document you are drafting.  If you are unable to attend in person, you must view the video posted on the GPDP website (see Programs above).  We also suggest that you view the program recording again just prior to beginning your draft if you have not viewed the program recently.   
2. Carefully review the relevant Mini-Guide (see the Publications section above), including the sample resumes or cover letters in the appendices.  Make sure your document follows the guidelines in the Mini-Guide.   
3. Double check all formatting for consistency (including punctuation, use of font variations such as bold and underline, tabs, bullet points, etc.).
4. Spell check your document.
5. Carefully proofread your document twice.

If we receive your resume or cover letter for review and it appears that you have not followed these steps, we will return the document to you for further revision before we review it.

As soon as possible after receiving your draft resume or cover letter, Ms. Thorn will contact you to set up a meeting to discuss your resume or cover letter.  If only minor adjustments are required, an appointment may not be necessary.  In that case, Ms. Thorn will leave a marked copy of the document with the staff in Room 405 and will advise you that the document is ready to be picked up.  If you submit a document for review and do not hear back within seven business days, please send a follow up email to ensure that your document was received.

The various recruitment programs open to LL.M. students serve as excellent resources for students in their job searches.  In particular, the International Student Interview Program (ISIP), held annually in late January on the campus of New York University School of Law, is aimed at international LL.M. students.

There are a number of online resources available to aid students in their job searches, including databases that aid students in researching potential employers, online job banks, industry guides, and more.  For our most popular resources, we include instructions on how to use each resource most effectively. 

• Other General Job Search Resources
• Bar Associations
• Professional Organizations by Specialty
• Private Sector Resources
• Public Sector Resources
• Alternative Careers for Lawyers
• International Opportunities