What to take to a callback
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What to take to a callback
I have my first callback tomorrow. Is there anything I should take: resumes, writing samples, that stupid leather notebook, knee pads?
- 5ky
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Re: What to take to a callback
Bring the padfolio, couple copies of resume, transcript, writing sample. That's all you will need, and probably won't even need any of it. But better to be prepared.
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Re: What to take to a callback
AND REFERENCES
- JollyGreenGiant
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Re: What to take to a callback
I've never needed any of that, but I've always taken it.
- Glock
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Re: What to take to a callback
Wheely backpack. Requirement.
- tfer2222
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Re: What to take to a callback
bring sunscreen and lots of quarters
- tfer2222
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Re: What to take to a callback
seriously though i always bring those things (references included), but never really need them
One time i had to fill out a bunch of paperwork before the interviews started so having my reference sheet was handy
One time i had to fill out a bunch of paperwork before the interviews started so having my reference sheet was handy
- 5ky
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Re: What to take to a callback
Anonymous User wrote:AND REFERENCES
Yeah, references too. Thanks, helpful anon!
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Re: What to take to a callback
5ky wrote:Anonymous User wrote:AND REFERENCES
Yeah, references too. Thanks, helpful anon!
Have people seriously been asked for references during callbacks for firms that don't ask for them ask the screening stage? That seems bizarre to me.
- Glock
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Re: What to take to a callback
Anonymous User wrote:5ky wrote:Anonymous User wrote:AND REFERENCES
Yeah, references too. Thanks, helpful anon!
Have people seriously been asked for references during callbacks for firms that don't ask for them ask the screening stage? That seems bizarre to me.
Yes. It isn't like they expect you to have them if they did not ask for them, but it is a plus. In one interview I said... "one of my mentors told me XXXXXX". The partner was like, who was that? Do you have references I can look at?
Well of course I do... I am always prepared and thinking steps ahead! Doesn't that sound like something you want in an associate?
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Re: What to take to a callback
Glock wrote:Wheely backpack. Requirement.
Offer, everytime.
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Re: What to take to a callback
Glock wrote:Anonymous User wrote:5ky wrote:Anonymous User wrote:AND REFERENCES
Yeah, references too. Thanks, helpful anon!
Have people seriously been asked for references during callbacks for firms that don't ask for them ask the screening stage? That seems bizarre to me.
Yes. It isn't like they expect you to have them if they did not ask for them, but it is a plus. In one interview I said... "one of my mentors told me XXXXXX". The partner was like, who was that? Do you have references I can look at?
That has never come up in any of my callbacks or in any of the callbacks of people I know. What type of firm was this?
- 5ky
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Re: What to take to a callback
I mean, don't bring a reference list if you don't want. Chances are very small you'll be asked for it. But is it really that hard to slip an extra piece of paper in your padfolio?
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Re: What to take to a callback
5ky wrote:I mean, don't bring a reference list if you don't want. Chances are very small you'll be asked for it. But is it really that hard to slip an extra piece of paper in your padfolio?
I didn't bother e-mailing former employers, professors, etc. asking if I could use them as a reference. More work than just slipping a piece of paper into my padfolio. A V15 partner at a roundtable at my school mentioned that they don't need references, and he knows of only a firm or two that requires them and in those cases, they're used at the screening stage to determine who to give callbacks to (Covington is an example of this).
Maybe some regional firms or something want them? I don't know. Between me and my friends, we've gone on dozens upon dozens of V20 callbacks and it's never once come up.
- 5ky
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Re: What to take to a callback
Anonymous User wrote:5ky wrote:I mean, don't bring a reference list if you don't want. Chances are very small you'll be asked for it. But is it really that hard to slip an extra piece of paper in your padfolio?
I didn't bother e-mailing former employers, professors, etc. asking if I could use them as a reference. More work than just slipping a piece of paper into my padfolio. A V15 partner at a roundtable at my school mentioned that they don't need references, and he knows of only a firm or two that requires them and in those cases, they're used at the screening stage to determine who to give callbacks to (Covington is an example of this).
Maybe some regional firms or something want them? I don't know. Between me and my friends, we've gone on dozens upon dozens of V20 callbacks and it's never once come up.
Yeah, as I said, it doesn't come up too often. But shame on you for playing the Biglaw game of roulette and not even bothering to work up a list of references on the off chance you might need it for the most important job search of your life.
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Re: What to take to a callback
5ky wrote:Anonymous User wrote:5ky wrote:I mean, don't bring a reference list if you don't want. Chances are very small you'll be asked for it. But is it really that hard to slip an extra piece of paper in your padfolio?
I didn't bother e-mailing former employers, professors, etc. asking if I could use them as a reference. More work than just slipping a piece of paper into my padfolio. A V15 partner at a roundtable at my school mentioned that they don't need references, and he knows of only a firm or two that requires them and in those cases, they're used at the screening stage to determine who to give callbacks to (Covington is an example of this).
Maybe some regional firms or something want them? I don't know. Between me and my friends, we've gone on dozens upon dozens of V20 callbacks and it's never once come up.
Yeah, as I said, it doesn't come up too often. But shame on you for playing the Biglaw game of roulette and not even bothering to work up a list of references on the off chance you might need it for the most important job search of your life.
Yeah, shame on me for not doing something that has never been required of anybody I ever know who did OCI/callbacks without the firm specifically requesting that thing. I'm sure living dangerously.

- 5ky
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Re: What to take to a callback
Anonymous User wrote:Yeah, shame on me for not doing something that has never been required of anybody I ever know who did OCI/callbacks without the firm specifically requesting that thing. I'm sure living dangerously.
I'll make sure I bring those flowers for my next callback, thanks chief, because having a list of references is clearly the same level of absurdity.
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Re: What to take to a callback
5ky wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Yeah, shame on me for not doing something that has never been required of anybody I ever know who did OCI/callbacks without the firm specifically requesting that thing. I'm sure living dangerously.
I'll make sure I bring those flowers for my next callback, thanks chief, because having a list of references is clearly the same level of absurdity.
You could always have them delivered after the callback with your handwritten thank-you notes personalized for each interviewer.
- 5ky
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Re: What to take to a callback
Anonymous User wrote:5ky wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Yeah, shame on me for not doing something that has never been required of anybody I ever know who did OCI/callbacks without the firm specifically requesting that thing. I'm sure living dangerously.
I'll make sure I bring those flowers for my next callback, thanks chief, because having a list of references is clearly the same level of absurdity.
You could always have them delivered after the callback with your handwritten thank-you notes personalized for each interviewer.
Nah I'm with you there, thank you notes are weak. Not worth the time it takes to write them.
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