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I am top 3% and LR at a TT. I had 11 screeners through OCI with the last one occurring about a week and a half ago. As of right now I have received two snail mail rejections, two e-mail rejections, and no callbacks. I know of at least two other firms that have given callbacks to other students (though they haven't formally rejected me yet).

I have done a bit of mass-mailing (c. 20 firms) but haven't heard anything (other than one e-mail rejection). I really want to stay in my secondary market, hence the low number of firms I have mass-mailed.

As far as interviews are concerned, I think they went well. I received praise and assurance during my mock interviews. I did get a bit personal with some interviewers, discussing how, in the middle of the law review write-on, I suffered through a family emergency and ended up writing the majority of my case note from the hospital. No interviewer seemed turned off by this story.

What should be my approach from here? Is mass-mailing firms in the major markets (NY, Chi, LA) reasonable even the people I'm mailing likely have never heard of my school or employ any current alums? Do the top students at flyover country TTs even have a shot at these firms?

Thanks for any advice!

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While your odds at major markets are likely slim, your odds in general with any given job application are slim. The point is that it is a numbers game and you should be applying to as many jobs as you possibly can. Would you rather be unemployed in your preferred region or employed in a region you don't prefer?

More fruitful than blind MASS mail drop: Start by hitting any and every firm in your school's market (that didn't come to OCI) and anywhere you can demonstrate ties - targeted mailings; try and mention a practice group they're strong in or some unique aspect about each firm before sending out something generic. For smaller markets make sure to mention your ties or briefly why you want to be there. I would say don't bother mass mailing huge market/vault firms, at least before you've tried places where you can demonstrate a legit interest and connection.

In addition, reach out to any attorneys you know, whether through a strong connection or a loose one. Consider after that any alums of your law school and undergrad (senior attorneys and partners) that you can find in firms that hire summer classes. Ask for a brief time to chat with them about the firm and their practice. Be enthusiastic, and if you can meet with them in person all the better.

If you don't hear back from mass mails within a week or two, call the recruiter. It may be out of your comfort zone or seem like you're pestering them, but be cordial and express your interest - ask them where they are in the hiring process. If you are in their market, mention that you are around and would be interested in seeing the office or meeting with the attorneys. It's a technique that could move your app up in their pile; you've got nothing to lose if they aren't reaching out to you while they're already interviewing kids for callbacks.

+1

Anonymous User wrote:More fruitful than blind MASS mail drop: Start by hitting any and every firm in your school's market (that didn't come to OCI) and anywhere you can demonstrate ties - targeted mailings; try and mention a practice group they're strong in or some unique aspect about each firm before sending out something generic. For smaller markets make sure to mention your ties or briefly why you want to be there. I would say don't bother mass mailing huge market/vault firms, at least before you've tried places where you can demonstrate a legit interest and connection.

In addition, reach out to any attorneys you know, whether through a strong connection or a loose one. Consider after that any alums of your law school and undergrad (senior attorneys and partners) that you can find in firms that hire summer classes. Ask for a brief time to chat with them about the firm and their practice. Be enthusiastic, and if you can meet with them in person all the better.

If you don't hear back from mass mails within a week or two, call the recruiter. It may be out of your comfort zone or seem like you're pestering them, but be cordial and express your interest - ask them where they are in the hiring process. If you are in their market, mention that you are around and would be interested in seeing the office or meeting with the attorneys. It's a technique that could move your app up in their pile; you've got nothing to lose if they aren't reaching out to you while they're already interviewing kids for callbacks.

What are people's thoughts on calling ahead of targeted mailings? I.e., calling the number for the recruiter under the guise of finding out whether they accept direct applications and giving the elevator pitch before asking whether you can send your résumé. Do you think it would just make them hate you for wasting their time, or do you think it might help avoid the immediate filing in the circular container that awaits most direct applications?