Finding that first legal job can be a challenge: Where should I go? How do I get there? And recent news of law firm cutbacks are hardly reassuring.

Fortunately, a lot of people are available to help if you only just ask.

First, Legal Times sought out career counselors at seven local law schools. They weighed in on overlooked career options, common job-hunting mistakes and the fate of the bottom third of the class.

Then, we spoke to partners in the Washington, D.C., offices of six major law firms -- the people who decide if 2Ls will receive interviews and job offers (or get passed over for other candidates). They talked about what they look for, what mistakes to avoid and how to most easily improve your chances of landing a job.

Everybody agreed that networking is a good idea. And please, no typos.

Career counselors: Dena Bauman, David A. Clarke School of Law, University of the District of Columbia; LuEllen Conti, Howard University School of Law; Gihan Fernando, Georgetown University Law Center; Jessica Heywood, Columbus School of Law, Catholic University; Victoria Huber, George Mason University School of Law; Traci Jenkins, Washington College of Law, American University; Carole Montgomery, George Washington University Law School.

What career options do law students most easily overlook in their planning?

"The path of least resistance is the big law firms. ... Students assume they'll get a law firm job, and they don't think about if they want it." -- Carole Montgomery

"They look for the most obvious opportunities, like those advertised on campus or found through campus interviews." -- Dena Bauman

"Large corporate law firms make offers and expect answers before the vast majority of other offers open. ... It's hard to turn down an offer -- and a lucrative offer, at that." -- Gihan Fernando

"Students, typically, overlook law-related options, including local, state and federal legislative careers and careers in business and industry, where the JD is quite useful, but not required." -- LuEllen Conti

"Public service or public interest positions. Students overlook this because of the amount of law school debt." -- Jessica Heywood

"They may think that the Department of Justice does a certain kind of work, but they can get the same or similar work at another agency." -- Victoria Huber

"Every trade association in the world has headquarters in Alexandria, Va. No one ever thinks about those." -- Carole Montgomery

What are some common career mistakes that you see students make?

"They rely too much on people like me to provide all the answers." -- Dena Bauman

"They don't do a self-assessment." -- Carole Montgomery

"Being unaware of employer deadlines and not starting early enough because employers hire so soon." -- Victoria Huber

"Many people can't do much more than focus on the first job. ... It would be helpful to strategize on what they might be doing down the road." -- Gihan Fernando

"They limit themselves to job postings and advertisements. ... A self-initiated or direct letter is an essential part of a comprehensive job search." -- Jessica Heywood

"Not recognizing that résumés and cover letters are a first impression and very important." -- Traci Jenkins

"They don't hit up enough employers." -- Victoria Huber

"They think they only have to be nice to partners and attorneys. ... Some are rude to secretaries. Other people notice." -- Carole Montgomery

"They get discouraged too easily. ... They don't circle back and ask for guidance and help in getting to the next step." -- Victoria Huber

"They wear iPods in the office. ... They don't want face time. They'll say they just want to be judged on their work. That's not the kind of profession this is." -- Carole Montgomery

What should law students in the bottom third of their class be doing?

"Network, network, network." -- Carole Montgomery

"Sell yourself as ready to hit the ground running." -- Jessica Heywood

"I don't think the advice really differs. ... Grades are one of many factors." -- Traci Jenkins

"There's no segment of the market that Georgetown students can't work for because of their grades." -- Gihan Fernando

"They should do what Mason students do all the time. They work. They work for free. They work for pay. They work part time. They work full time. They do it for credit. They do it through clinical programs." -- Victoria Huber

"The more you get in actual legal experience, the less people care about your grades." -- Dena Bauman

Law firm partners: George Bostick, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan; Christopher Davies, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr; Katherine Fallow, Jenner & Block; Julia Kazaks, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Julie McEvoy, Jones Day; Elissa Preheim, Arnold & Porter.

What do you look for when hiring summer and first-year associates?

"The most important factor is whether this is someone whose academic or work performance thus far indicates an ability to juggle multiple tasks and to achieve deadline-driven success." -- Julie McEvoy

"Excellent grades and strong writing skills and strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated interest in being in D.C. and in the firm's practice areas." -- Julia Kazaks

"The first thing we look for is a self-starter. ... Prizes don't go to wallflowers." -- Christopher Davies

"Three key factors are: (1) students with strong academic records who are critical thinkers; (2) people who take ownership of projects and (3) those who work well on teams." -- Elissa Preheim

"Experience that will convince me the person can work as part of a team." -- George Bostick

"The question is if this is someone I would feel comfortable bringing to a client meeting as a summer or first-year associate. ... That's a pretty important benchmark." -- Julie McEvoy

What do you seek to avoid? Any big mistakes on résumés or in interviews?

"Résumés that are unattractive or have typos or are just strange will attract attorney discussion." -- Christopher Davies

"Anything you list on your résumé you should be prepared to talk about." -- Katherine Fallow

"Law firms are full of Luddites, and we are amazed at what students will post about themselves on the Internet." -- Julie McEvoy

"Too Much Information Syndrome. ... I recall thinking, 'Oh my God, I can't believe someone said that.' " -- Christopher Davies

"It's important to us that people actually care about the law and not just focus on the $165,000 or whatever it is today." -- George Bostick

"The main mistake is seeming bored or uninterested, either with things you have done or in the firm. ... Find a way to show enthusiasm." -- Katherine Fallow

"About the worst thing a candidate can do is to ignore the junior person [in an interview]. ... One time, I had to step out to handle a client phone call, and I told them to go ahead and start. I later heard that while I was out, the guy hadn't engaged on much of anything short of shopping at Costco." -- George Bostick

"Don't waste time on cover letters and thank-you notes. They can create more problems than they solve." -- Julie McEvoy

What could law students do most easily to improve their chances of being hired?

"Pay attention to comments made by interviewers in the early part of the day and incorporate them into interviews in the later part of day. ... It's important to show that you picked up on what others have said. Interviewers talk to each other afterward." -- Julia Kazaks

"Invest in a comfortable or well-fitting suit. A flashy or ill-fitting suit can highlight a student's lack of comfort or familiarity with a professional workplace." -- Julie McEvoy

"Schedule morning interviews with firms that you are most interested in. Both candidates and interviewers are more tired in the afternoon." -- Christopher Davies

"Come to an interview prepared with a range of questions. ... There's nothing more terrifying than reaching the point in the interview when the interviewer asks if the student has any questions and the student says, 'No, I think I've asked them all already.' The interview comes to a screeching halt." -- Julie McEvoy

"Educate yourself about the firm or place where you'll be interviewing. Educate yourself to see if it's a good fit." -- Katherine Fallow

"It does matter if someone [at the firm] who's well regarded will vouch for you. ... It generally helps people who are on the margin." -- Christopher Davies