Postby desertlaw » Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:18 am
Here's what will happen with this thread/OGI, guaranteed:
3.65 and above: As long as you are a decent interviewer/human being, you'll get a job. DC will be tougher, but you can crush it in Cali/NYC/Texas/South with those numbers.
3.4 to 3.6: Somewhat similar to above group but DC will be much tougher, you could end up with Skadden or you could end up with Allen & Allen & Allen. This group will have the most surprise: both in how high you can reach up the prestigious Vault ladder and with how a good amount are left without a job because they 1) bid terribly or 2) cannot interview.
Median and below: NYC, home markets with ties, smaller regional markets, hustling, special requests, becoming an outstanding interviewer/person in the next 8 weeks.
Also, when the pre-selects come out, everyone will freak out. For my OGI, I was told that I shouldn't freak out, I kept expectations low for pre-selects, and then like JawstheGreat, I was shocked to see I had only a few pre-selects (in NYC with 3.5x).
"I have a 3.68, with a Top 10 Liberal Arts Undergrad and a cool resume. Why didn't I get preselected by O'Melveny/Latham/Kirkland/Weil/Jesus?" Just chill. Let the lottery do it's magic, let the alternates fall into place, etc. Let Kevin Donovan be Kevin Donovan. They don't call him the Michael Jordan of Career Services for nothing.
Also, if you are in Cville this summer, you should be doing practice interviews with OCS a few times. If you're in a big city, go to all the 1L functions/cocktail hours you can. Learn to start smoochzing, learn to laugh at nerdy law jokes, be comfortable in a suit, and start working on your "elevator speech" for why you went to law school and want to work at a firm.
There's also going to be a weird tension throughout OGI because friends/section-mates will be getting jobs (or not getting them), posting pictures visiting NYC on Facebook in Sept or that you landed a summer job (especially this rising 2L class with your whole debacle over posting grades on Facebook). I have no comments on how exactly to handle on this, but be prepared for it. Some people will be hurt over it, some people won't care, etc. It's always awkward to talk to fellow students at this time because we're all competing for the same jobs. You don't want to be insensitive and remind them how terrible OGI is going, but you're also genuinely interested in their life and it's a natural conversation topic since everyone is going through it. I don't have advice, just be prepared that it's a weird situation.
Lastly, don't take it personally if a firm dings you (or doesn't pre-select you). Holder & Obama LLP could like your buddy who has a 3.3 more than you with your 3.65. Brush your shoulders off, and have a good attitude for the next interview.
EDIT: Also, come up with a coherent story for why you want to live in that market. That's one of the biggest hurdles in every interview, regardless of if it's your home market (you're coming back HERE? Don't you want to go to XYZ?).