poprox wrote:rando wrote:blackacre wrote:rando wrote:
Grades are way more important. That being said, get off the internet, schedule some mock interviews, talk to people etc.
"kind of shy" won't get you shut out. "socially awkward" is way too ambiguous to know. Many (if not most) attorneys are socially awkward. But being reeaaaallly awkward will be a problem.
Wrong. Sure they will get you the interview but employers want to be able to work with you. Have you ever worked together in a stressful situation with a friend? I'm sure you all had disagreements and were frustrated with one another. Can you imagine being in that same environment with someone you
didn't like? Sure those grades are important to get an interview but they are not
way more important than being likeable.
Try not to comment if you dont have anything useful/correct to contribute.
...says the managing partner
You know what? You're right. That was a dick post. To not explain why the poster is incorrect and doesn't know what s/he is talking about.
This thread is referring to personality and "social awkwardness." Whereas above poster was referring to likeability and working with your friends on stressful projects. Believe it or not but not everyone at law firms are friends. Law firms are a business and they choose people who are the most qualified for the job. Grades & school are the number one metrics for associate qualification. Since we are not talking about schools, grades are the issue. That leaves metrics that may disqualify you. e.g. being so socially dysfunctional that you can't get along with someone on a work related project. Qualifier vs. disqualifer.
To illustrate why grades are "way more important" than personality.
First and foremost - there are bundles of lawyers at large law firms that have a grand total of zero personality.
If that doesn't convince you, take hiring from law schools for example. The top of the class all get law firm jobs if they want them, barring any ridiculous social idiosyncrasies. Bottom of the class with A+ winner personalities? umm, not so much. Example too extreme? Median and A+ winner personality? not so much.
Note: The illustration is a generality - I realize at a T6 they may go deeper than median and at a TTT even the top of the class won't get a firm job.