1L biglaw interview - what does this mean? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I applied to a bunch of firms at the beginning of January, figuring a long shot was better than no shot. I have a significant amount of work in another field, a graduate degree, etc. I got a call from one almost immediately after sending the e-mail saying they wanted to interview me ASAP. Unfortunately, due to their interview times and my class schedule, the soonest time it could be scheduled was the beginning of February. What does it mean that they wanted me there right away, if anything?

Edited cause I forgot to mention I go to a T14 school.

[Kohinoor]

I applied to a bunch of firms at the beginning of January, figuring a long shot was better than no shot. I have a significant amount of work in another field, a graduate degree, etc. I got a call from one almost immediately after sending the e-mail saying they wanted to interview me ASAP. Unfortunately, due to their interview times and my class schedule, the soonest time it could be scheduled was the beginning of February. What does it mean that they wanted me there right away, if anything?

Edited cause I forgot to mention I go to a T14 school.

They plan to make you an equity partner.

[Cavalier]

It doesn't mean anything. As you'll no doubt discover during OCI, law students are obsessed with finding explanations for every little occurrence during the hiring process.

[CG614]

I applied to a bunch of firms at the beginning of January, figuring a long shot was better than no shot. I have a significant amount of work in another field, a graduate degree, etc. I got a call from one almost immediately after sending the e-mail saying they wanted to interview me ASAP. Unfortunately, due to their interview times and my class schedule, the soonest time it could be scheduled was the beginning of February. What does it mean that they wanted me there right away, if anything?

Edited cause I forgot to mention I go to a T14 school.

Skip class for an interview! Good stuff, what firm? (So I can apply too) hahahaha

[Big Shrimpin]

What does it mean . . . ?"

Double-rainbow

[Anonymous User]

Something very similar happened to me, in about the same time-frame. Wonder if it's the same firm.

Anyways, class < interview.

[Big Shrimpin]

Anyways, class < interview.

Yea, TCR dood, but with one qualification. 1L summer employment is probably determinative of future employment success about 1-2% of the time. So long as you're doing something law-related, you're fine. I'd bet that at least once, a SCOTUS clerk and a Starbucks barrista had the same/comparable 1L summer jorbs. In most cases, your grades are infinitely more important than anything else on your resume (unless you go to HYS, etc...). 1Ls have a vested interest to do well, so miss class accordingly. That's not to say that missing class is even remotely close to a big deal. Because of OCI/CBs, I didn't go to class regularly during 2L fall until like early-October...missed soooo much class, but exams were fine. Thus, while missing class is usually NBD, don't let it affect your 1L grade performance.

Notwithstanding that distinction, I still think that for 1Ls, the rule of thumb (especially next fall for you) is that interviews > class.

[Anonymous User]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

[gwuorbust]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

[quakeroats]

I applied to a bunch of firms at the beginning of January, figuring a long shot was better than no shot. I have a significant amount of work in another field, a graduate degree, etc. I got a call from one almost immediately after sending the e-mail saying they wanted to interview me ASAP. Unfortunately, due to their interview times and my class schedule, the soonest time it could be scheduled was the beginning of February. What does it mean that they wanted me there right away, if anything?

Edited cause I forgot to mention I go to a T14 school.

They plan to make you an equity partner.

lol. Very nice.

[Stanford4Me]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

It may include a 1 1/2 (or so) hour lunch.

For my interviews (callback style) it was 30 minute blocks with different people, they want as many people as possible to meet/evaluate you so they can figure out if you would be a good fit.

[CLS2011]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

A lot of different people asking you the same things in 20 or 30 minute blocks.

[Anonymous User]

did you submit your grades for those of you who have gotten interviews?

[Anonymous User]

did you submit your grades for those of you who have gotten interviews?

Yes. This is the person who wrote above about having two interviews. I have a 4.0.

[Na_Swatch]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

A lot of different people asking you the same things in 20 or 30 minute blocks.

what kind of major questions are likely to be asked?

[Veyron]

did you submit your grades for those of you who have gotten interviews?

Yes. This is the person who wrote above about having two interviews. I have a 4.0.

If you have a 4.0 at a T-14 then, it probably means that they want to lock you down before another firm does.

P.S. I hate you.

[DoubleChecks]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

they get into the intricacies of the law and philosophical soul searches. this is followed by a 2 hr staring session where the first person to 'break' loses. you dont want to be the loser. it's to test your resolve because lord knows you'll need that sort of determination once you're in biglaw.

oh, and at the end, they ask you the most important question: who would in a fist fight, chuck norris or vin diesal?

[forza]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

A lot of different people asking you the same things in 20 or 30 minute blocks.

what kind of major questions are likely to be asked?

"I see you did X, Y, Z on your resume - tell me about that."

"What can I tell you about [insert firm name here]?"

"How do you like living in X, Y, Z city? (measuring your interest in the market)"

"Tell me about your thesis."

Basically looking to see that you can say something meaningful in an interview setting/don't clam up/they wouldn't mind sharing a pizza with you at 2am doing doc review (in the case of junior-level associates).

[RPK34]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

A lot of different people asking you the same things in 20 or 30 minute blocks.

what kind of major questions are likely to be asked?

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/273595054.html

[Anonymous User]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

A lot of different people asking you the same things in 20 or 30 minute blocks.

One of the interviews I had involved meeting separately with 4 attorneys. Typically each asked me to tell them about myself, asked general questions, but the last attorney wanted me to ask him questions for the entire 30 minutes and didn't ask me anything. Not sure if that's typical, but definitely a good reason to be prepared and look up as much info on the attorneys beforehand as possible. Fortunately I had read about one of his big cases he had worked on and could keep the conversation flowing, but it's definitely something to keep in mind.

[Anonymous User]

This all seems pretty useful. However, I have a specific question, wondering if anybody can help:

I have a interview with a Firm in my hometown area for a 1L SA job coming up. I have no grades yet (HYS) but the contact emailed me and said the interview would be a lunch first with people from the firm and then back to the office for more interviews. How exactly should I treat the lunch portion/ will there be these similar types of questions at the lunch portion?

[Stanford4Me]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

A lot of different people asking you the same things in 20 or 30 minute blocks.

One of the interviews I had involved meeting separately with 4 attorneys. Typically each asked me to tell them about myself, asked general questions, but the last attorney wanted me to ask him questions for the entire 30 minutes and didn't ask me anything. Not sure if that's typical, but definitely a good reason to be prepared and look up as much info on the attorneys beforehand as possible. Fortunately I had read about one of his big cases he had worked on and could keep the conversation flowing, but it's definitely something to keep in mind.

I had this happen a lot to me. After a while it got kind of annoying because I was asking questions that numerous other interviewers had already answered. Definitely be prepared with as many questions as possible.

Areas of interest include:
- Areas of future growth?
- How has the practice changed in response to the recent downturn?
- What do you look forward to when you come in every day?
- What has kept you here (if they have been with the firm all their career)
- What brought you here (if they're a lateral)
- Can you talk about an interesting case you've worked on and what kind of role junior associates played in it?

[Kohinoor]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

80% of the time is spent discussing penises.

--ImageRemoved--

[Anonymous User]

I also am at a T14 with two biglaw interviews coming up. They are both 4 hours long...callback-style. People I've spoken to tell me that's a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Jesus, what could they ask you about for 4 hours?

My longest OCI interview was 8.5 hours long Make sure you are well rested before accepting a callback invitation at Cravath.

If you have a 4.0 at a T-14 then, it probably means that they want to lock you down before another firm does.

Unlikely. 1L summer firm work is usually given out to diverse candidates, candidates with strong connections to the firm or its clients, candidates with substantial relevant work experience, or candidates with strong credentials looking to return 'home' to smaller legal markets for their 1L summer. There is not an active market for top 1Ls from top law schools at major firms.

This all seems pretty useful. However, I have a specific question, wondering if anybody can help:

I have a interview with a Firm in my hometown area for a 1L SA job coming up. I have no grades yet (HYS) but the contact emailed me and said the interview would be a lunch first with people from the firm and then back to the office for more interviews. How exactly should I treat the lunch portion/ will there be these similar types of questions at the lunch portion?

It's part of the interview. In most cases, lunch is with very junior attorneys (think: 1st-3rd year associates) who can relate more to the job search process, law school, etc. and answer questions about the day in / day out. You'll chat about your resume, your first semester of law school, and what life at the firm is like. It's more casual and should be treated as such, but it is still a big part of the interview. Don't revert to unprofessional or assume that it's non-evaluative (even if they tell you that it's non-evaluative).

[birdlaw117]

A lot of different people asking you the same things in 20 or 30 minute blocks.

what kind of major questions are likely to be asked?[/quote]

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/273595054.html[/quote]

9. Do you have any questions for us?

What I said: Will I have a key so that I can come in and work on the weekends?

What I thought: Will I have a key so that I can come in and have sex with my girl friend on my desk on the weekends?

^Well played