The Vale of Tears (3L Job Hunting) (No advice for 0/1/2Ls) Forum

[baal hadad]

How did you go about applying for gov't jobs? And yeah, I wanna try to get some feedback from the person who interviewed me, even though it was only a screener. Nothing really to lose and plenty to gain, since I know my interview skills are below average. It's quite unfortunate.

Govt jobs usually advertise so I applied to the resume drops that were of interest to me (read: the govt jobs where I could sell myself through previous internships and classes). If you're interested in an office you can probs call and see if they're taking resumes. Some hr person will be happy to help I'm sure. Also keep an eye on tls; lots of good govt Info

Doesn't hurt to ask. If anything good interview skills are more crucial at this time

[whitecollar23]

How did you go about applying for gov't jobs? And yeah, I wanna try to get some feedback from the person who interviewed me, even though it was only a screener. Nothing really to lose and plenty to gain, since I know my interview skills are below average. It's quite unfortunate.

Govt jobs usually advertise so I applied to the resume drops that were of interest to me (read: the govt jobs where I could sell myself through previous internships and classes). If you're interested in an office you can probs call and see if they're taking resumes. Some hr person will be happy to help I'm sure. Also keep an eye on tls; lots of good govt Info

Doesn't hurt to ask. If anything good interview skills are more crucial at this time

Where do you find these resume drops and stuff on here? I haven't seen anything that seemed like a full-time gov't thing, and I'm not sure where to look here.

[baal hadad]

How did you go about applying for gov't jobs? And yeah, I wanna try to get some feedback from the person who interviewed me, even though it was only a screener. Nothing really to lose and plenty to gain, since I know my interview skills are below average. It's quite unfortunate.

Govt jobs usually advertise so I applied to the resume drops that were of interest to me (read: the govt jobs where I could sell myself through previous internships and classes). If you're interested in an office you can probs call and see if they're taking resumes. Some hr person will be happy to help I'm sure. Also keep an eye on tls; lots of good govt Info

Doesn't hurt to ask. If anything good interview skills are more crucial at this time

Where do you find these resume drops and stuff on here? I haven't seen anything that seemed like a full-time gov't thing, and I'm not sure where to look here.

Usually symplicity, tls, and just asking around

[Anonymous User]

3L here who is about to graduate. So I just received a "firm offer" from my 2L summer firm (also worked there a little 3L year). They said I deserved a full time position based on my work product/work ethic but they cannot give me an offer right now because of economic reasons. They also said if they need an attorney the offer will go to me but encouraged me to look elsewhere for the time being. Well, this is not fun. No other prospects going into graduation and bar prep....

This is a smallish IP/patent boutique BTW. I have a BSEE and am patent barred, but only top 30% at a TTTT.

Look around, I always see opportunities for entry level patent agents. You'll land on your feet.

I think I'm going to focus on patent agent jobs until I become licensed, although I don't know if that's the best stragety.

[Anonymous User]

Checking in. 2014 grad who put off the Vale for 2 years with a clerkship. Been looking since January with no dice. About eight interviews and nothing's landed. Feeling pretty down, if anyone has advice.

[JazzOne]

Checking in. 2014 grad who put off the Vale for 2 years with a clerkship. Been looking since January with no dice. About eight interviews and nothing's landed. Feeling pretty down, if anyone has advice.

Article 3 clerkship?

[Anonymous User]

Checking in. 2014 grad who put off the Vale for 2 years with a clerkship. Been looking since January with no dice. About eight interviews and nothing's landed. Feeling pretty down, if anyone has advice.

Article 3 clerkship?

Article I

[baal hadad]

Checking in. 2014 grad who put off the Vale for 2 years with a clerkship. Been looking since January with no dice. About eight interviews and nothing's landed. Feeling pretty down, if anyone has advice.

Article 3 clerkship?

Article I

Mag? Bankruptcy? Something else?

[Anonymous User]

Checking in. 2014 grad who put off the Vale for 2 years with a clerkship. Been looking since January with no dice. About eight interviews and nothing's landed. Feeling pretty down, if anyone has advice.

Article 3 clerkship?

Article I

Mag? Bankruptcy? Something else?

Magistrate

[baal hadad]

Checking in. 2014 grad who put off the Vale for 2 years with a clerkship. Been looking since January with no dice. About eight interviews and nothing's landed. Feeling pretty down, if anyone has advice.

Article 3 clerkship?

Article I

Mag? Bankruptcy? Something else?

Magistrate

Advice is keep applying. Mag is applicable to everything civil. Where have you been interviewing and what are you saying in the interviews? 8 is a lot of interviews you must look pretty solid on paper

[Anonymous User]

Checking in. 2014 grad who put off the Vale for 2 years with a clerkship. Been looking since January with no dice. About eight interviews and nothing's landed. Feeling pretty down, if anyone has advice.

Article 3 clerkship?

Article I

Mag? Bankruptcy? Something else?

Magistrate

Advice is keep applying. Mag is applicable to everything civil. Where have you been interviewing and what are you saying in the interviews? 8 is a lot of interviews you must look pretty solid on paper

Yeah that's why I'm frustrated that nothing's stuck so far...I have an appointment with my career services tomorrow, might ask for a mock interview to see if it's something I'm doing in the interview. I've mostly interviewed at small litigation boutiques; the exception is one larger firm and one federal government job.

[baal hadad]

Checking in. 2014 grad who put off the Vale for 2 years with a clerkship. Been looking since January with no dice. About eight interviews and nothing's landed. Feeling pretty down, if anyone has advice.

Article 3 clerkship?

Article I

Mag? Bankruptcy? Something else?

Magistrate

Advice is keep applying. Mag is applicable to everything civil. Where have you been interviewing and what are you saying in the interviews? 8 is a lot of interviews you must look pretty solid on paper

Yeah that's why I'm frustrated that nothing's stuck so far...I have an appointment with my career services tomorrow, might ask for a mock interview to see if it's something I'm doing in the interview. I've mostly interviewed at small litigation boutiques; the exception is one larger firm and one federal government job.

Mock interview wouldn't be a bad idea

I think some of it may just be a product of interviewing at smaller firms that may not have the need right now or who are especially selective about hiring

But you can take heart in the fact your credentials are good

[Anonymous User]

3L here. if a USA Job position listed 12 months GSA 11 equivalent prior experience as a requirement, do they really mean it?

[baal hadad]

3L here. if a USA Job position listed 12 months GSA 11 equivalent prior experience as a requirement, do they really mean it?

Who cares? Apply anyway

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have a form cover letter or e-mail body for applying to firms? Should I explain when I'm sitting for the bar, and my interest in clerking pending results?

[Easy-E]

deleted

[Anonymous User]

3L here. if a USA Job position listed 12 months GSA 11 equivalent prior experience as a requirement, do they really mean it?

Who cares? Apply anyway

I'll apply, but the real question is whether I put in an ask for this position with my contact.

Also, advice on how many asks with a partiuclarly well connected person is, when they're very willing in the past?

[zot1]

3L here. if a USA Job position listed 12 months GSA 11 equivalent prior experience as a requirement, do they really mean it?

Who cares? Apply anyway

I'll apply, but the real question is whether I put in an ask for this position with my contact.

Also, advice on how many asks with a partiuclarly well connected person is, when they're very willing in the past?

Yes, they do really mean it.

[zot1]

Just because I remember how awful it was to spend time on apps:

If private sector: you should apply unless they want over four years of experience and you don't have that. You could still apply though if your heart so desires.

You still could apply, but would definitely be wasting your time at the five years of experience when you have a year or none.

You should also apply even if you're not licensed yet and the posting requires a license.

If government in general: If they ask you to have a license prior to applying and you don't have one, don't apply.

If federal government: if they ask you to have a specific time in grade (12 months at the GS-11 or equivalent) and you don't have that, don't apply.

Good luck!

[TooManyLoans]

3L here. if a USA Job position listed 12 months GSA 11 equivalent prior experience as a requirement, do they really mean it?

Who cares? Apply anyway

I'll apply, but the real question is whether I put in an ask for this position with my contact.

Also, advice on how many asks with a partiuclarly well connected person is, when they're very willing in the past?

When you apply via USAJobs it will send you to a questionnaire where it will ask you if you have the experience. If you are truthful and click No then you won't be referred. If you lie and click yes, your resume won't match up and you won't be referred.

[Anonymous User]

Feeling lost right now. I had a job and a life I really enjoyed but lost my job due to medical reasons (former JAG and we can be discharged for medical things a civilian would never lose a job over). My disability is service-connected, so I have veterans' preference for federal government positions, but I don't know how much that helps since most attorney positions only consider it a "positive factor" and don't give a straight 10 points.

Been applying to only fed gov jobs since I don't know about returning to the state where I am licensed. Could go back but I might be better off living in a state closer to family due to my health issues. It's probably not a good idea to apply only to fed gov jobs since it is competitive and also the process is so slow, but I don't know where else I should apply.

[zot1]

Feeling lost right now. I had a job and a life I really enjoyed but lost my job due to medical reasons (former JAG and we can be discharged for medical things a civilian would never lose a job over). My disability is service-connected, so I have veterans' preference for federal government positions, but I don't know how much that helps since most attorney positions only consider it a "positive factor" and don't give a straight 10 points.

Been applying to only fed gov jobs since I don't know about returning to the state where I am licensed. Could go back but I might be better off living in a state closer to family due to my health issues. It's probably not a good idea to apply only to fed gov jobs since it is competitive and also the process is so slow, but I don't know where else I should apply.

I'm so very sorry to hear that. I think someone may have given you misinformation. You will get preference--this is statutory, not something just some agencies can follow.

Keep applying and if possible, consider getting licensed in a more desirable state.

If you need to vent, feel free to PM me. Good luck!

[TooManyLoans]

Feeling lost right now. I had a job and a life I really enjoyed but lost my job due to medical reasons (former JAG and we can be discharged for medical things a civilian would never lose a job over). My disability is service-connected, so I have veterans' preference for federal government positions, but I don't know how much that helps since most attorney positions only consider it a "positive factor" and don't give a straight 10 points.

Been applying to only fed gov jobs since I don't know about returning to the state where I am licensed. Could go back but I might be better off living in a state closer to family due to my health issues. It's probably not a good idea to apply only to fed gov jobs since it is competitive and also the process is so slow, but I don't know where else I should apply.

I'm so very sorry to hear that. I think someone may have given you misinformation. You will get preference--this is statutory, not something just some agencies can follow.

Keep applying and if possible, consider getting licensed in a more desirable state.

If you need to vent, feel free to PM me. Good luck!

Agencies have to follow it to the extent feasible when hiring attorneys. Attorneys are excepted service so there aren't formal requirements like competitive service. In essence vet preference is just a positive factor for attorney hiring.

[zot1]

Feeling lost right now. I had a job and a life I really enjoyed but lost my job due to medical reasons (former JAG and we can be discharged for medical things a civilian would never lose a job over). My disability is service-connected, so I have veterans' preference for federal government positions, but I don't know how much that helps since most attorney positions only consider it a "positive factor" and don't give a straight 10 points.

Been applying to only fed gov jobs since I don't know about returning to the state where I am licensed. Could go back but I might be better off living in a state closer to family due to my health issues. It's probably not a good idea to apply only to fed gov jobs since it is competitive and also the process is so slow, but I don't know where else I should apply.

I'm so very sorry to hear that. I think someone may have given you misinformation. You will get preference--this is statutory, not something just some agencies can follow.

Keep applying and if possible, consider getting licensed in a more desirable state.

If you need to vent, feel free to PM me. Good luck!

Agencies have to follow it to the extent feasible when hiring attorneys. Attorneys are excepted service so there aren't formal requirements like competitive service. In essence vet preference is just a positive factor for attorney hiring.

https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/

[Anonymous User]

Feeling lost right now. I had a job and a life I really enjoyed but lost my job due to medical reasons (former JAG and we can be discharged for medical things a civilian would never lose a job over). My disability is service-connected, so I have veterans' preference for federal government positions, but I don't know how much that helps since most attorney positions only consider it a "positive factor" and don't give a straight 10 points.

Been applying to only fed gov jobs since I don't know about returning to the state where I am licensed. Could go back but I might be better off living in a state closer to family due to my health issues. It's probably not a good idea to apply only to fed gov jobs since it is competitive and also the process is so slow, but I don't know where else I should apply.

I'm so very sorry to hear that. I think someone may have given you misinformation. You will get preference--this is statutory, not something just some agencies can follow.

Keep applying and if possible, consider getting licensed in a more desirable state.

If you need to vent, feel free to PM me. Good luck!

Agencies have to follow it to the extent feasible when hiring attorneys. Attorneys are excepted service so there aren't formal requirements like competitive service. In essence vet preference is just a positive factor for attorney hiring.

https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/

Anon from above. Thanks for your posts. Excepted service positions have to follow the point system unless exempt. Attorney positions are specifically exempt from having to use the point system and are only required to view vet preference as a positive factor. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversig ... vet-guide/

Anyhow, I will just keep applying, and hopefully, something will stick.