Focused Career Support for Graduate Tax Students
Tax LLM career matters are handled by the Director of the Graduate Tax Program, with support from the Associate Director of LLM Professional Development.
The Tax LLM Job Search
The Tax LLM job search is a very individualized search, as candidates’ career goals, in terms of geography, practice setting, and tax practice area, vary widely. Similarly, LLM students come from diverse backgrounds with respect to their pre-LLM academic and professional experience. Foreign-trained students in the Graduate Tax Program should also consult LLM Professional Development resources, which can be found on this website, for international student-focused professional development advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What job search support is provided to Graduate Tax students at BU Law?
The Director of the Graduate Tax Program works with each GTP student individually to prepare a job search plan that meets his or her needs, while the Associate Director of LLM Professional Development works with the Graduate Tax Program to offer help with resumes, cover letters, networking and interviewing skills. Career-related services include:
- Individual advising.
- Reviews of resumes, cover letters, and business correspondence.
- Career panels.
- If permitted, off-campus visits to tax employers in the Boston area.
- Mock interviews.
- The Tax Attorney Recruiting Event (TARE), an elite consortium interview program enabling GTP students are selected to interview with tax employers nationwide. The majority of positions recruited through TARE are with large accounting firms.
What are the job opportunities available with a Tax LLM degree?
Students obtain a graduate degree for a variety of reasons and a student’s individual background will determine the level of opportunity available following the completion of the Graduate Tax Program. The Director of the Graduate Tax Program is available to help assess your goals and strengths, and to develop an individualized job search strategy. The LLM degree opens doors for many students but cannot be counted on completely to change one’s background. Individual factors such as your JD institution, prior experience, and academic performance, along with your professional goals (such as practice setting and geographic region) and the current job market, will all play a role in the LLM job search.
When do Tax LLM students generally obtain positions?
Most full-time Tax LLM students obtain positions in the spring semester. Tax employers often prefer to evaluate candidates after they have completed one semester of Tax LLM coursework. The most commonly reported months for LLM job offers are March and April. For many students, the job search will not be limited to the fall or spring seasons, but will involve year-round effort on the part of the student and may extend beyond the completion of the LLM program.
What factors are considered in the Tax LLM hiring process?
Each class in the Graduate Tax Program is very diverse in terms of academic and professional background. Employers typically look at a range of factors when considering an LLM candidate, including:
- LLM grades
- Performance in JD program (including in Tax related coursework)
- Demonstrated interest in tax law (through coursework, professional experience, etc.)
- Prior legal work experience
- Relevant non-legal work experience
- Undergraduate degree (if relevant)
- Interviewing skills
As a part-time or full-time student in the online Tax LLM program, will I have access to career support services?
Part-time students in the online program who have completed 12 credits of Tax LLM coursework are eligible to set up job search advising meetings (held by telephone) with the Director of the Graduate Tax Program. Part-time and full-time online students are also eligible to participate in the
Tax Attorney Recruiting Event during the final year of their Tax LLM studies.