Important Southeastern Minority Job Fair Details!

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SEMJF is:

  • an established, well-run annual event with a successful track record extending back more than 30 years.
  • A chance to interview with top law firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations sooner than most school’s early fall interview programs.
  • Truly a national job fair
  • In 2021, 125 employers representing jobs in 22 states and Washington DC participated.
  • Employers specifically attend in order to diversify their candidate pool.
  • Employers pre-select candidates from resumes submitted.

Why Participate:

  • Employers specifically attend in order to diversify their candidate pools.
  • Employers pre-select candidates from resumes submitted. -Students can bid for up to 20 employers; if selected for more than 10 interviews, you can accept up to 10.
  • If selected, you are guaranteed face-to-face interviews with employers who affirmatively asked to see you. Interviews are held over two days, all virtually.
  • SEMJF interviews occur before most schools’ OCIs, giving you a jump on your competition.
  • It’s an invaluable bootcamp on how to interview. By the time you experience as many as ten 20-minute screening interviews in two days, you will be an expert on knowing how to sell yourself in any future interviews that come your way.

How to Pre-Register (by May 13 at noon EDT)

  • You must pre-register through your Career Services Office. Please refer to your school’s specific guidelines.
  • After the student pre-registration deadline has passed, you will receive a username and password to access the SEMJF Symplicity system to view and submit applications to employers.

How to Apply (June 13-20)

  • Once you have accessed your SEMJF Symplicity account, upload a resume, transcript, a Diversity Statement (https://semjf.org/diversity-statements), and a cover letter 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. You must have your materials uploaded by that time. There can be no exceptions.
  • You may – and are strongly encouraged to – bid for 20 different employers in order to maximize your chances of being selected.
  • If you are selected for an interview, you are committed to attend. Students may not decline SEMJF interview opportunities. However, you are limited to10 interviews. If you are selected for more than 10 interviews, you will have the opportunity to decline some to bring your total down to 10 -All interview times will be assigned rather than selected. Students should plan to be available all day on July 14 and July 15.

SEMJF Timeline

· Student pre-registration March 23 – May 13, 2022 (at noon EDT) through each school’s CSO Office

· Application period opens in SEMJF

Symplicity system Monday, June 13, 2022

· Application period closes in SEMJF

Symplicity system Monday, June 20, 2022 at 11:58 p.m. EDT

· Interview/Alternate status available in

SEMJF Symplicity system Thursday, June 30, 2022

· Deadline for declines from students with

more than 10 interviews 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 their pool of candidates for the openings they have. That’s why they signed up to participate in SEMJF.
  • In 250 words or fewer (less than a page!), you need to tell employers what you are bringing to the table in terms of diversity.
  • 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 in terms of how you can help employers diversify not just their workforce but how you can help them relate to and/or broaden 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 sample Diversity Statement mock-up showing what 250 words on a page looks like on the SEMJF webpage https://semjf.org/diversity-statements

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