Partner encouraging me to apply for SA Forum

[Anonymous User]

Dual degree candidate graduating in 2016. Sent resume/cover letter to HR. Received an email from a partner a couple hours later saying along the lines of "you have an impressive background, I encourage you to contact me next summer because we only except applicants going into their last year of law school". Does this mean a guaranteed screening interview or CB next summer?

[Kikero]

My guess is that it's positive, but that you're reading way too much into it if you think the guy is guaranteeing you anything.

[Anonymous User]

Dual degree candidate graduating in 2016. Sent resume/cover letter to HR. Received an email from a partner a couple hours later saying along the lines of "you have an impressive background, I encourage you to contact me next summer because we only except applicants going into their last year of law school". Does this mean a guaranteed screening interview or CB next summer?

Depends. Nothing is guaranteed. Without getting into too much detail, I have gotten BURNED this way in a much more formal arrangement. One year is also really far off. My burning happened in the span of 2-3 months. Sorry I can't go into more detail, but trust me I had much more commitment than "contact me because you're impressive."

[Anonymous User]

Dual degree candidate graduating in 2016. Sent resume/cover letter to HR. Received an email from a partner a couple hours later saying along the lines of "you have an impressive background, I encourage you to contact me next summer because we only except applicants going into their last year of law school". Does this mean a guaranteed screening interview or CB next summer?

Depends. Nothing is guaranteed. Without getting into too much detail, I have gotten BURNED this way in a much more formal arrangement. One year is also really far off. My burning happened in the span of 2-3 months. Sorry I can't go into more detail, but trust me I had much more commitment than "contact me because you're impressive."

Yes, I'm aware nothing is guaranteed. I guess I meant more along the line of a LIKELY screening interview/CB

[Anonymous User]

Dual degree candidate graduating in 2016. Sent resume/cover letter to HR. Received an email from a partner a couple hours later saying along the lines of "you have an impressive background, I encourage you to contact me next summer because we only except applicants going into their last year of law school". Does this mean a guaranteed screening interview or CB next summer?

It does not sound bad, though that language sounds pretty standard-form. Honestly, it probably means next to nothing IMO. Obviously they do not hate you, but in 1 year its not very likely that partner will specifically remember that 1 e-mail. HR could decide next summer they arbitrarily do not want you, or the firm could tank, or the partner could retire to the Keys... Who knows... Just apply again next year as expected, but do not put all your eggs into getting a CB->offer based on this.

[Anonymous User]

Dual degree candidate graduating in 2016. Sent resume/cover letter to HR. Received an email from a partner a couple hours later saying along the lines of "you have an impressive background, I encourage you to contact me next summer because we only except applicants going into their last year of law school". Does this mean a guaranteed screening interview or CB next summer?

It does not sound bad, though that language sounds pretty standard-form. Honestly, it probably means next to nothing IMO. Obviously they do not hate you, but in 1 year its not very likely that partner will specifically remember that 1 e-mail. HR could decide next summer they arbitrarily do not want you, or the firm could tank, or the partner could retire to the Keys... Who knows... Just apply again next year as expected, but do not put all your eggs into getting a CB->offer based on this.

Yes, I understand 1 year from now is a long time, but FWIW I plan on doing an informational interview with the partner and am going to try and stay in touch throughout the year.

[Gorki]

Dual degree candidate graduating in 2016. Sent resume/cover letter to HR. Received an email from a partner a couple hours later saying along the lines of "you have an impressive background, I encourage you to contact me next summer because we only except applicants going into their last year of law school". Does this mean a guaranteed screening interview or CB next summer?

It does not sound bad, though that language sounds pretty standard-form. Honestly, it probably means next to nothing IMO. Obviously they do not hate you, but in 1 year its not very likely that partner will specifically remember that 1 e-mail. HR could decide next summer they arbitrarily do not want you, or the firm could tank, or the partner could retire to the Keys... Who knows... Just apply again next year as expected, but do not put all your eggs into getting a CB->offer based on this.

Yes, I understand 1 year from now is a long time, but FWIW I plan on doing an informational interview with the partner and am going to try and stay in touch throughout the year.

Cool. Best of luck. Just do not think anything is a "sure thing" ITE, though as a viewer of these forums I assume you already knew that.