The Official 1L Summer Employment Thread - 2012 Edition Forum

[adonai]

How soon after a judicial interview should you send out a thank you? Same day, right?

Yup. But you may want to wait a day just in case they call you to offer you the same day. I was actually writing my thank you letter as I got my phone call ding. LOL felt so stupid.

[Judge Philip Banks]

How soon after a judicial interview should you send out a thank you? Same day, right?

Yup. But you may want to wait a day just in case they call you to offer you the same day. I was actually writing my thank you letter as I got my phone call ding. LOL felt so stupid.

Haha that kinda sucks. At least they got you before you sent it out. Unless you want to go for the post-ding guilt-trip, in which case you should have sent that sucka out.

[Judge Philip Banks]

Just wrote out the first thank you letter to a judge. My handwriting is neat, but still looks like a fifth grader's penmanship. I feel like this can only hurt me...

[theavrock]

Why not type and then hand sign?

[Judge Philip Banks]

Why not type and then hand sign?

That was my original plan, but a recent former clerk told me to send handwritten thank you notes...

[theavrock]

Interesting. That seems counterintuitive for people like myself who have the hand writing of a 5 year old.

[Bildungsroman]

Interviewed for my dream summer job the other day, and I think it went pretty well (no awkward pauses, everything flowed pretty conversationally, don't think I said anything stupid, etc.) But I won't hear from them for at least like 6 weeks since they want grades and they just started interviewing 1Ls, and I'm not at all confident that my grades will be impressive.

[Judge Philip Banks]

Interesting. That seems counterintuitive for people like myself who have the hand writing of a 5 year old.

Seriously. I just went ahead and mailed out the handwritten ones I did because they felt more personal and time-intensive. It probably does not matter either way though. Not like a thank you is going to make or break you (unless you make a typo or spelling mistake).

[Flips88]

Interesting. That seems counterintuitive for people like myself who have the hand writing of a 5 year old.

Seriously. I just went ahead and mailed out the handwritten ones I did because they felt more personal and time-intensive. It probably does not matter either way though. Not like a thank you is going to make or break you (unless you make a typo or spelling mistake).

"Dear Judge X,

TYFTI. 'ppreciate it. <3 you a milli.

Cordially,

Desperate 1L"

[Judge Philip Banks]

Interesting. That seems counterintuitive for people like myself who have the hand writing of a 5 year old.

Seriously. I just went ahead and mailed out the handwritten ones I did because they felt more personal and time-intensive. It probably does not matter either way though. Not like a thank you is going to make or break you (unless you make a typo or spelling mistake).

"Dear Judge X,

TYFTI. 'ppreciate it. <3 you a milli.

Cordially,

Desperate 1L"

The next generation's thank you letter template...

[Lwoods]

Eeps, just got another offer! (From the judge who had requested a writing sample.) I have to turn it down, right? I guess this is a good dilemma to have.

[theavrock]

If you already accepted a job with a different judge then absent some other circumstances yes. Congrats on both offers but this sounds pretty easy.

[piccolittle]

Wow, it's amazing how little motivation I have to apply for jobs now that I have nothing else to do.

ETA: Also, would it be really bad form to submit a 12-page writing sample? I'm way too lazy to cut it down lol

[r6_philly]

Wow, it's amazing how little motivation I have to apply for jobs now that I have nothing else to do.

ETA: Also, would it be really bad form to submit a 12-page writing sample? I'm way too lazy to cut it down lol

Just omit entire sections.

[AreJay711]

So the general consensus is that there is no need to go to firm holiday / new year receptions, right? Absent impressing the fuck out of someone at the firm (which wouldn't happen) am I losing anything by not going?

[Lwoods]

If you already accepted a job with a different judge then absent some other circumstances yes. Congrats on both offers but this sounds pretty easy.

True. This particular judge had just caught my eye from the beginning, so it'll be tough to turn down. The first is a great opportunity, though, that I'm really looking forward to.


Just a general suggestion for those of you just now sending out letters to judges: I'd advise you to stick to positions you'd really want. I lucked out. I sent letters to the handful of federal judges in town as well as the state supreme court justices. Both of my offers are from federal judges. I'm glad I didn't receive any interest from the state supreme court justices because I quickly realized that I would prefer working for a federal judge. It's a tricky balance because you don't want to miss opportunities, but you also need to be prepared to accept your first offer. This applies to cities you're considering as well as types of judges. If you know you prefer one city over another, seek out those positions first.

...and be sure to have a good resume and cover letter so that your narrow focus still gives rise to offers.

[Lwoods]

So the general consensus is that there is no need to go to firm holiday / new year receptions, right? Absent impressing the fuck out of someone at the firm (which wouldn't happen) am I losing anything by not going?

Probably depends on the firm. The V10 I used to work for is pretty grade focused, so there's very little you'd be able to do at the reception to help yourself. However, other firms (Jones Day comes to mind) focus a lot on "fit," so if you seem to be a good fit at the reception, they might remember that come interview season next summer.

I personally don't turn down opportunities to network. You never know how an opportunity is going to fall into your lap, and at the very least, it's good practice.

[ilovesf]

Blahhh the offers here are stressing me out because I need to send more applications, but all I want to do is shop and watch christmas movies!

[shoeshine]

WTF is going on today. I am in Christmas mode (i.e. not thinking about the law or jobs).

I have gotten two calls from firms asking to schedule interviews. One of them had previously sent me a rejection letter. It has been 22 days since I sent those firms my resume. Why three days before Christmas?

I think I may have over played my hand here. I should have only scheduled interviews with the firms I was serious about.

[Dany]

WTF is going on today. I am in Christmas mode (i.e. not thinking about the law or jobs).

I have gotten two calls from firms asking to schedule interviews. One of them had previously sent me a rejection letter. It has been 22 days since I sent those firms my resume. Why three days before Christmas?

I think I may have over played my hand here. I should have only scheduled interviews with the firms I was serious about.

You poor thing.

[adonai]

WTF is going on today. I am in Christmas mode (i.e. not thinking about the law or jobs).

I have gotten two calls from firms asking to schedule interviews. One of them had previously sent me a rejection letter. It has been 22 days since I sent those firms my resume. Why three days before Christmas?

I think I may have over played my hand here. I should have only scheduled interviews with the firms I was serious about.

Must be hard being you!

[Haymarket]

WTF is going on today. I am in Christmas mode (i.e. not thinking about the law or jobs).

I have gotten two calls from firms asking to schedule interviews. One of them had previously sent me a rejection letter. It has been 22 days since I sent those firms my resume. Why three days before Christmas?

I think I may have over played my hand here. I should have only scheduled interviews with the firms I was serious about.

See Haymarket et al., supra

[shoeshine]

Yeah, I will stop posting in here. Sorry.

[071816]

shoeshine stole the sweater that my grandmother knitted for me

[theavrock]

Yeah, I will stop posting in here. Sorry.

Probably should your just being a douche now. was willing to give you the benefit but then you took my xmas cookies and posted this.