Diversity Job Fairs Forum

[Anonymous User]

I understand the purpose of diversity job fairs, but have always been curious as to whether non-diverse candidates can/should apply as well? Intuition tells me that there is little that can be done to prevent you from applying to the jobs. However, if a white dude applies, and gets interviews (under the guise of not being required to disclose his race/orientation), what is the likelihood that he would actually be considered among the ACTUALLY diverse candidates also being interviewed? No chance? Equal footing?

[newyorker88]

Why do you want to apply to a diversity job fair?

[Anonymous User]

OP.

Some diversity fairs have a fair selection of Biglaw employers that collect resumes and interview choice candidates. It seems like a viable opportunity compared to mass-mail, mostly because you have a much better chance at getting some face time.

[newyorker88]

I guess I should have been more specific. As a white male why do you want to apply to a diversity job fair?

[de5igual]

I understand the purpose of diversity job fairs, but have always been curious as to whether non-diverse candidates can/should apply as well? Intuition tells me that there is little that can be done to prevent you from applying to the jobs. However, if a white dude applies, and gets interviews (under the guise of not being required to disclose his race/orientation), what is the likelihood that he would actually be considered among the ACTUALLY diverse candidates also being interviewed? No chance? Equal footing?

you'll be considered as if you interviewed at the firm under any other setting. i've seen plenty of white folks (mainly women though, cause at least that is arguably a minority) at these job fairs. the advantage for you, though, isn't necessarily any "URM bump" but rather getting a bite at the apple prior to any school's OCI. that said, is it possible that you might rub some interviewers the wrong way by participating? definitely—seeing as how firms usually have their minority+women partners & associates do the interviewing at these events.

[monkey85]

Intuition tells me that there is little that can be done to prevent you from applying to the jobs.

You are right. You can probably just attend them without question

And it's not a problem that you are some:

white dude

You could be a gay white dude, which still counts as minority.

However, if you do take this route and apply, despite not being a minority of any kind, it only reflects on your own character.

[LawIdiot86]

Some fairs have explicit criteria

IBA uses "Diversity Statement: Please submit 1-5 sentences indicating why diversity in the legal field is important to you or why you are interested in participating in the IndyBar Diversity Job Fair"

BLG states "WHO: Law Students of Color selected by BLG Employers to interview at the 2012 BLG Job Fair"

RMDLCF uses "Please provide a brief statement describing how you are diverse"

HDLJF states "Who May Register: All 2L(Graduating in 2014) and 3L(Graduating in 2013) Law Students and Recent Law Grads (Graduating in 2012 )are invited to participate regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, age and veteran status."

Dupont states "Who can participate? DuPont and its Primary Law Firms have carefully selected the law schools whose students are invited to register for the job fairs. Only incoming 2L and 3L students actively enrolled in these schools at the time the job fairs are held (August 2012) may apply."

So, I think it varies among fairs. Once you get in the door, it depends on how open-minded the interviewer is. No one is going to be dumb enough to ask you "so you look pretty male and white, are you gay or disabled?", but you may get some strange looks depending on what the interviewer's perception of "diverse" means or what the target population of the fair is.

[LawIdiot86]

I understand the purpose of diversity job fairs, but have always been curious as to whether non-diverse candidates can/should apply as well? Intuition tells me that there is little that can be done to prevent you from applying to the jobs. However, if a white dude applies, and gets interviews (under the guise of not being required to disclose his race/orientation), what is the likelihood that he would actually be considered among the ACTUALLY diverse candidates also being interviewed? No chance? Equal footing?

you'll be considered as if you interviewed at the firm under any other setting. i've seen plenty of white folks (mainly women though, cause at least that is arguably a minority) at these job fairs. the advantage for you, though, isn't necessarily any "URM bump" but rather getting a bite at the apple prior to any school's OCI. that said, is it possible that you might rub some interviewers the wrong way by participating? definitely—seeing as how firms usually have their minority+women partners & associates do the interviewing at these events.

Eh, the super-majority (~80%) of my interviewers at these fairs were white. The majority were women as well (oddly no African-American women in about 20 diversity fair interview), so maybe that part is true.

[moandersen]

At the diversity fair I attended, the only person from my T1 to get CB/offers was a straight white guy. He maxed out on interviews and never got asked how he was "diverse." I'm pretty sure employers didn't care either.

[Dman]

Being diverse is more than sexual orientation and skin color. I would attend if you have the time, nothing to lose.

[Anonymous User]

are you joking me???! you white males dominate the legal field already, and you still want to take advantage of diversity fairs? unbelievable : )

[thescienceguy]

.

[Doritos]

Man. White people just won't let us have anything will they.