when a firm is not specifically hiring for specific position Forum

[Anonymous User]

I will begin a clerkship in a month.
I understand that some firms accept resumes for 'general' positions and will consider your materials even when you are not applying for specific positions listed on their websites.

what's the deal? is there a lesser chance of getting a position that is not advertised at all? (because if a firm is actively looking, it will have placed an ad; if it is not actively looking or does not have specific openings, then why would it have resources on new attorneys?)

PS I have just sent out a resume to a firm that has the above policy.

[Anonymous User]

I will begin a clerkship in a month.
I understand that some firms accept resumes for 'general' positions and will consider your materials even when you are not applying for specific positions listed on their websites.

what's the deal? is there a lesser chance of getting a position that is not advertised at all? (because if a firm is actively looking, it will have placed an ad; if it is not actively looking or does not have specific openings, then why would it have resources on new attorneys?)

PS I have just sent out a resume to a firm that has the above policy.

If law firms pretend like they are accepting resumes, it contributes the fiction that their businesses are thriving. HTH.

[lolwat]

My sense (and I could be wrong) is that these firms basically just hire from SA classes and clerkship applications. Meaning, in other words, that they don't need to actively recruit laterals for specific positions. I know there's plenty of top firms that basically just have "if you're interested, send your application to ____" on their website, no open positions or anything. MTO, W&C, etc.

[anon168]

It means that if you are a rockstar, they will give you an interview and make room for you.