WUSTL Class of 2013 Forum

[fl0w]

This JD match thing seems kind of iffy, but If it guarantees and interview and it's free, then why not?

It guarantees an interview? How is that? There are only like 5 firms on it and none are in markets I want to work in. Seems like a good idea, but it could be years before it really does anything.

Yeah, currently 5 firms. But I guess the idea is that you still rank all the firms you want. They are then going to say, hey FIRMS if you had been in our system you would have gotten THIS MANY interested candidates. Which would entice firms to join up as an easy way to get candidates. But yes, the idea is that you get 1 good match per "match day"

It is obviously in its infancy and, as a computer science guy, I can literally see where it needs to be improved just by using it. But the only way for it to get better is for people to sign up. And yeah, it's free. So I did it.

[JCougar]

This JD match thing seems kind of iffy, but If it guarantees and interview and it's free, then why not?

It guarantees an interview? How is that? There are only like 5 firms on it and none are in markets I want to work in. Seems like a good idea, but it could be years before it really does anything.

I didn't even see where there are 5 firms. I saw a huge list of firms.

The site's layout is a bit amateur, and there's a lot of good information that it leaves out, etc. Like there's a slot for advanced degrees, but there's nowhere where you can say what kind of degree. And on the practice areas of interest drop-down menu, there's a ton of areas left out.

With that said, it seems like it's a much better idea. There's got to be a more efficient way of applying for law firm jobs than the current "write 100 specifically tailored cover letters" for a 1 in 100 chance of getting an interview.

[romothesavior]

This JD match thing seems kind of iffy, but If it guarantees and interview and it's free, then why not?

It guarantees an interview? How is that? There are only like 5 firms on it and none are in markets I want to work in. Seems like a good idea, but it could be years before it really does anything.

I didn't even see where there are 5 firms. I saw a huge list of firms.

The site's layout is a bit amateur, and there's a lot of good information that it leaves out, etc. Like there's a slot for advanced degrees, but there's nowhere where you can say what kind of degree. And on the practice areas of interest drop-down menu, there's a ton of areas left out.

With that said, it seems like it's a much better idea. There's got to be a more efficient way of applying for law firm jobs than the current "write 100 specifically tailored cover letters" for a 1 in 100 chance of getting an interview.

I'm not a fan of it at all, the more I check it out. The big list of firms is a list of like all the NLJ 250 firms + some more, but only the ones with the "JD Match logo" next to them are actually doing it.

And how about a box for "Geographic Preference?" I would think that would matter a huge amount to firms outside of NYC.

[JCougar]

JD match: the folly that happens when lawyers try their hand at business.

[fl0w]

JD match: the folly that happens when lawyers try their hand at business.

There's a lot wrong with that statement. When facebook was 10 schools large and everyone was on myspace, FB was a joke. Also, to say that a lawyer can't be a businessman... folly.

All that said, I know you were joking. I'm just cranky.

[J-tow10]

Anyone else have a hard time uploading a resume on JDMatch? Says to use .doc format (which I did) and it doesn't seem to work. Maybe the site doesn't like Macs? I noticed some firms that have online applications don't work very well on a Mac.

[fl0w]

Anyone else have a hard time uploading a resume on JDMatch? Says to use .doc format (which I did) and it doesn't seem to work. Maybe the site doesn't like Macs? I noticed some firms that have online applications don't work very well on a Mac.

I always PDF my stuff before uploading it unless PDFs are explicitly not accepted. Which is rare.

[J-tow10]

Anyone else have a hard time uploading a resume on JDMatch? Says to use .doc format (which I did) and it doesn't seem to work. Maybe the site doesn't like Macs? I noticed some firms that have online applications don't work very well on a Mac.

I always PDF my stuff before uploading it unless PDFs are explicitly not accepted. Which is rare.

For whatever reason, the site won't allow PDFs

[fl0w]

Anyone else have a hard time uploading a resume on JDMatch? Says to use .doc format (which I did) and it doesn't seem to work. Maybe the site doesn't like Macs? I noticed some firms that have online applications don't work very well on a Mac.

I always PDF my stuff before uploading it unless PDFs are explicitly not accepted. Which is rare.

For whatever reason, the site won't allow PDFs

For these terrible situations, I also have MS Windows installed on my Mac.
I know this isn't the answer you wanted to hear. If you are going to upload an MS Word doc though, best to do it with MS Windows to avoid crappy format differences between the programs. You may think it's one page, but on a different OS it's 1 line onto the 2d page.

[JCougar]

JD match: the folly that happens when lawyers try their hand at business.

There's a lot wrong with that statement. When facebook was 10 schools large and everyone was on myspace, FB was a joke. Also, to say that a lawyer can't be a businessman... folly.

All that said, I know you were joking. I'm just cranky.

Yeah, but facebook was in beta mode and everyone knew it. Also, you didn't have to pay to sign up for facebook.

I know JD Match is free right now, but I would have been incredibly pissed if I paid $100 to join. I know those people got their money back, but it's definitely not a completed product.

That said, yeah, I was joking.

[Aston2412]

For what it's worth they are still adding firms.

Just today Proskauer joined.

[BruceMacEwen]

Hi, all. A few quick points:

• Really wish we could guarantee interviews-that would be one heck of an application!-but as with life so with JD Match: no guarantees.
• We're working on the resume/writing sample upload; you should absolutely be able to upload PDFs but we recommend DOC or TXT because we can make them full-text searchable; not so with PDFs.
• MoFo and Proskauer both joined this week, as you probably know; we're fast approaching 1,000 student members; and we're aggressively pursuing more members on both sides.
• To state the obvious, JD Match is a "network effects" creature, so the more students there are the more attractive it is to firms and vice versa. That makes our inaugural year the most challenging of all. But we have to start somewhere.
• Preferred regions of the country is being coded as we speak; once we QC it, it will show up on your "Other" tab.
• Years of work experience (both full-time and part-time) is also being coded right now; same.
• Yes, this is year one; but let me assure you we are extremely determined to continuously enhance JD Match. Ambition is not in short supply here.

We greatly appreciate the feedback. Thanks to all.

Bruce

[fl0w]

wustl was rollin' deep at the bay area diversity fair! Way to represent yall!

[J-tow10]

Anyone hear anything after yesterday's "match day"?

[fl0w]

Anyone hear anything after yesterday's "match day"?

don't hold your breath

[romothesavior]

Hi, all. A few quick points:

• Really wish we could guarantee interviews-that would be one heck of an application!-but as with life so with JD Match: no guarantees.
• We're working on the resume/writing sample upload; you should absolutely be able to upload PDFs but we recommend DOC or TXT because we can make them full-text searchable; not so with PDFs.
• MoFo and Proskauer both joined this week, as you probably know; we're fast approaching 1,000 student members; and we're aggressively pursuing more members on both sides.
• To state the obvious, JD Match is a "network effects" creature, so the more students there are the more attractive it is to firms and vice versa. That makes our inaugural year the most challenging of all. But we have to start somewhere.
• Preferred regions of the country is being coded as we speak; once we QC it, it will show up on your "Other" tab.
• Years of work experience (both full-time and part-time) is also being coded right now; same.
• Yes, this is year one; but let me assure you we are extremely determined to continuously enhance JD Match. Ambition is not in short supply here.

We greatly appreciate the feedback. Thanks to all.

Bruce

Glad to hear you are working on it. I think JD Match could become a useful tool, but it will probably happen well after our class has gone through the recruitment process.

It will be interesting to see how things progress, and I think we all appreciate seeing a new approach to recruitment. Best of luck going forward.

[fl0w]

So best moment of the interview season...

Getting an interview on accident just because I was sitting in the hotel lobby.
"Hey guys, anyone into IP?"
- yeah i am
"You heard of this firm"
- yeah i know this and this and have met these people there
"Come with me"

-> placed into interview.
I think the people sitting next to me were mentally punching me in the face as this was happening.

[JCougar]

So best moment of the interview season...

Getting an interview on accident just because I was sitting in the hotel lobby.
"Hey guys, anyone into IP?"
- yeah i am
"You heard of this firm"
- yeah i know this and this and have met these people there
"Come with me"

-> placed into interview.
I think the people sitting next to me were mentally punching me in the face as this was happening.

I'm mentally punching you in the face right now for being IP.

[fl0w]

Conversely, I just got an email ding from a firm with which I was never even given a screening interview. Wow.

They then asked me to fill out some diversity statistics. Double.wow.

Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to pass.

[Wooostl2012]

I don't think I can fully express how glad I am that I don't have to go through the OCI process right now. Good luck, 2013.

[fl0w]

I don't think I can fully express how glad I am that I don't have to go through the OCI process right now. Good luck, 2013.

yeah.. get out while you can.

[Wooostl2012]

I don't think I can fully express how glad I am that I don't have to go through the OCI process right now. Good luck, 2013.

yeah.. get out while you can.

Well, since I'm a 3L, I think that train has left the station, unless they decide not to hand out degrees in May. I meant I'm glad to be done with the process. Sounds like you'll be alright, but good luck none the less.

[fl0w]

I don't think I can fully express how glad I am that I don't have to go through the OCI process right now. Good luck, 2013.

yeah.. get out while you can.

Well, since I'm a 3L, I think that train has left the station, unless they decide not to hand out degrees in May. I meant I'm glad to be done with the process. Sounds like you'll be alright, but good luck none the less.

haha i think i was talking to myself there.. get out while you can...
i wonder if that job offer i turned down for law school is still good.

[Oban]

Conversely, I just got an email ding from a firm with which I was never even given a screening interview. Wow.

They then asked me to fill out some diversity statistics. Double.wow.

Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to pass.

During my mass mail campaign, I had several firms email me and ask me to fill out a diversity/affirmative action form, and then send me a rejection. One came, several hours after completing the information. One firm sent a rejection email and an race/diversity email simultaneously.

Some firms just want the PR/stats.

[JCougar]

I got rejected from a firm Monday morning after sending in a resume/cover letter/transcript Sunday night. Also, the firm was in my home town.

I didn't really have the GPA normally required by them, and I haven't lived in my hometown for 8 years, but please. I thought they would at least consider me for my work experience. At least take time to mentally process my application before rejecting me.