1L summer job application apathy/encouragement thread Forum

[drdolittle]

I'm starting to get worried I won't have anything for this summer after 1L. Only about 3 of my applications haven't been rejected yet and I still have no interviews. I didn't apply to firms because I wanted Public Interest work, but still... Did I do something wrong? I assume it's too late to try a letter writing campaign to local firms.

Not necessarily. The advice I got from our career office and senior students is that smaller, local firms hire closer to the summer since their needs are more unpredictable. Typically, big firms make plans so far in advance that now you're probably SOL with them this late in the game (again, from what I've heard). I think you should keep writing to smaller firms/PI organizations, but target your letters carefully so they don't come off as part of a last-ditch letter writing campaign.

[JazzOne]

I'm starting to get worried I won't have anything for this summer after 1L. Only about 3 of my applications haven't been rejected yet and I still have no interviews. I didn't apply to firms because I wanted Public Interest work, but still... Did I do something wrong? I assume it's too late to try a letter writing campaign to local firms.

Not necessarily. The advice I got from our career office and senior students is that smaller, local firms hire closer to the summer since their needs are more unpredictable. Typically, big firms make plans so far in advance that now you're probably SOL with them this late in the game (again, from what I've heard). I think you should keep writing to smaller firms/PI organizations, but target your letters carefully so they don't come off as part of a last-ditch letter writing campaign.

+1

[Coolgrnmen]

So I've applied to a firm by email - Resume, Cover Letter, Transcript.
They haven't replied to let me know they've received the application. Should I not be expecting this?
How long after receiving an application does it take for them to get to you?
Will they notify you if you don't get an interview? Or will they only contact the people selected for interviews?

I hate hanging in the balance.

Is it kosher to call the firm to make sure they've received the application materials? Ask if I will hear from them one way or the other?

[romothesavior]

Is it kosher to call the firm to make sure they've received the application materials? Ask if I will hear from them one way or the other?

Yes, it's fine to do that after a few weeks. Most firms will reject you with a letter/email, but some just never respond. I've applied to a few places, and even called the contact person and left a voicemail and still not gotten a response. Compared to a lot of other fields, I think some law firms are among the most unprofessional organizations when it comes to dealing with this sort of thing.

[TTH]

I had a screener today, which was going swell, then at the end the interviewer starts talking about what the process looks like, mentions they're only hiring one 1L, and says something to the effect of, "If we don't pick you for this summer, we certainly hope to hear back from you for next summer."

Sigh.

[traehekat]

I had a screener today, which was going swell, then at the end the interviewer starts talking about what the process looks like, mentions they're only hiring one 1L, and says something to the effect of, "If we don't pick you for this summer, we certainly hope to hear back from you for next summer."

Sigh.

Could just be a standard kind of thing they say to everyone, I don't think it necessarily means you have no shot.

[BarbellDreams]

I had a screener today, which was going swell, then at the end the interviewer starts talking about what the process looks like, mentions they're only hiring one 1L, and says something to the effect of, "If we don't pick you for this summer, we certainly hope to hear back from you for next summer."

Sigh.

I have a screener tomorrow that is interviewing 20 people for 1 spot. I expect roughly the same results. At this point I feel like I a banking on A.) The DA which told me they don't plan on hiring before April. B.) The PD who told me they don't plan to INTERVIEW before April. or C.) Mass mailing all state judges hoping that they have spots. *Sigh*. Good grades = employment is a lie.

[romothesavior]

I know everyone is stressing, but it is still pretty early in the game. Yeah, big firms, prestigious PI, and most judges are foreclosed at this point, but as was just mentioned, most smaller firms and other government/PI/PD offices, as well professors seeking RAs, haven't even hired yet. I am very confident that almost everyone in here will have legal 1L summer employment, especially those at T1s. No one panic yet.

[Mickey Quicknumbers]

I know everyone is stressing, but it is still pretty early in the game. Yeah, big firms, prestigious PI, and most judges are foreclosed at this point, but as was just mentioned, most smaller firms and other government/PI/PD offices, as well professors seeking RAs, haven't even hired yet. I am very confident that almost everyone in here will have legal 1L summer employment, especially those at T1s. No one panic yet.

I'M FREAKING OUT

[romothesavior]

I'M FREAKING OUT

Well I know people you like, eandy, goosey, rad, etc. (and even me, although to a far lesser extent) will always stress about something. It's your blood.

But I'm sure you'll get something buddy. Even at Emtttorrrttty.

[beach_terror]

Still waiting to hear from the 1L SA firm I had my CB with and then an RA fellowship I applied to. If neither work out, my friends live on the 10th floor of my apartment building. That should be high enough.

[Mickey Quicknumbers]

I'M FREAKING OUT

Well I know people you like, eandy, goosey, rad, etc. (and even me, although to a far lesser extent) will always stress about something. It's your blood.

But I'm sure you'll get something buddy. Even at Emtttorrrttty.

*checks most recent placement stats*

Emory 21.18
Wustl 18.96

*leans back in the chair*

[phonepro]

Should I take something I'm not happy with, out of fear nothing better will come along? It's late and im scared to give up the offer I have and then be left with nothing

[BarbellDreams]

Should I take something I'm not happy with, out of fear nothing better will come along? It's late and im scared to give up the offer I have and then be left with nothing

I feel like this is a personal decision. This late in the game I will take ANYTHING legal honestly. I really want the DA's office, but I thought I had a very average interview and they don't let people know till April so if I miss on that I am literally screwed cause no way in hell I am finding anything in April. If anyone offered anything right now I plan on taking it so I can stop having heart attacks about this and actually be able to focus for once.

[keg411]

Should I take something I'm not happy with, out of fear nothing better will come along? It's late and im scared to give up the offer I have and then be left with nothing

Do you have other interviews? If not, honestly, I would just take it since 1L summer isn't the be-all-end-all of legal employment.

[keg411]

Should I take something I'm not happy with, out of fear nothing better will come along? It's late and im scared to give up the offer I have and then be left with nothing

I feel like this is a personal decision. This late in the game I will take ANYTHING legal honestly. I really want the DA's office, but I thought I had a very average interview and they don't let people know till April so if I miss on that I am literally screwed cause no way in hell I am finding anything in April. If anyone offered anything right now I plan on taking it so I can stop having heart attacks about this and actually be able to focus for once.

Try Prosecutor/DA offices in the surrounding counties in addition to the big city offices (if you haven't already).

[goosey]

what should I do?

What is wrong with my resume??? I have internships with 2 senators [hillary clinton and kirsten gillebrand] and nothing else under experience because...I dont have any other experience. is this whats killing me? I would have thought hillary would carry me through

I didnt have my gpa on my resume until 2 days ago because I thought that unless its a 3.7 theres no point. Apparently I was wrong and ppl assume that if its not there its because it sucks. Mine is a 3.26, which by no means is stellar, but I feel like its not so bad that nobody wants to hire me and it cant be the t2 thing because other people [seems like almost everyone] in my section already has something lined up!

[Stanford4Me]

*checks most recent placement stats*

Emory 21.18
Wustl 18.96

*leans back in the chair*

[snowpeach06]

what should I do?

What is wrong with my resume??? I have internships with 2 senators [hillary clinton and kirsten gillebrand] and nothing else under experience because...I dont have any other experience. is this whats killing me? I would have thought hillary would carry me through

I didnt have my gpa on my resume until 2 days ago because I thought that unless its a 3.7 theres no point. Apparently I was wrong and ppl assume that if its not there its because it sucks. Mine is a 3.26, which by no means is stellar, but I feel like its not so bad that nobody wants to hire me and it cant be the t2 thing because other people [seems like almost everyone] in my section already has something lined up!

We almost could've met then. I was offered an internship with Gillebrand one summer, but turned it down for another Senator. Hilary is super impressive though.

[phonepro]

Should I take something I'm not happy with, out of fear nothing better will come along? It's late and im scared to give up the offer I have and then be left with nothing

Do you have other interviews? If not, honestly, I would just take it since 1L summer isn't the be-all-end-all of legal employment.

I have an interview on Friday with a state judge. The offer i got was for the supreme court of NY in the law department. It just seems boringggggg (all research and writing on SJ motions, no viewing of court room proceedings or anything). I also had interviews with firms and federal judges, so it's just disappointing to accept this position. I kind of want to wait for a small firm to come around, but I don't think its smart to do that.

[BarbellDreams]

Should I take something I'm not happy with, out of fear nothing better will come along? It's late and im scared to give up the offer I have and then be left with nothing

Do you have other interviews? If not, honestly, I would just take it since 1L summer isn't the be-all-end-all of legal employment.

I have an interview on Friday with a state judge. The offer i got was for the supreme court of NY in the law department. It just seems boringggggg (all research and writing on SJ motions, no viewing of court room proceedings or anything). I also had interviews with firms and federal judges, so it's just disappointing to accept this position. I kind of want to wait for a small firm to come around, but I don't think its smart to do that.

You're joking right? Yes, a State Supreme Court judge is all research and writing and while that may be boring that is going to look damn good on a resume. On top of that any supreme court state judge has killer connections and getting a letter of rec from him assuming he likes you is gold. I would take that today, like right now, literally, GO!

[phonepro]

Should I take something I'm not happy with, out of fear nothing better will come along? It's late and im scared to give up the offer I have and then be left with nothing

Do you have other interviews? If not, honestly, I would just take it since 1L summer isn't the be-all-end-all of legal employment.

I have an interview on Friday with a state judge. The offer i got was for the supreme court of NY in the law department. It just seems boringggggg (all research and writing on SJ motions, no viewing of court room proceedings or anything). I also had interviews with firms and federal judges, so it's just disappointing to accept this position. I kind of want to wait for a small firm to come around, but I don't think its smart to do that.

You're joking right? Yes, a State Supreme Court judge is all research and writing and while that may be boring that is going to look damn good on a resume. On top of that any supreme court state judge has killer connections and getting a letter of rec from him assuming he likes you is gold. I would take that today, like right now, literally, GO!

THe State Supreme Court Judge interview is tomorrow. The offer was in the law department of that court (which is like a pool of attorneys that get the leftover work the judges clerks cant handle). Additionally, the Supreme Court of NY is the lowest court, not the highest (as in most states).

[BarbellDreams]

In that case I guess you may as well wait till the interview and see how it goes. I forgot NY has the weird names for the courts. However, if your problem is that you think you'll be bored doing writing and research, you'll be doing the exact same thing at the higher state courts as well.

[phonepro]

In that case I guess you may as well wait till the interview and see how it goes. I forgot NY has the weird names for the courts. However, if your problem is that you think you'll be bored doing writing and research, you'll be doing the exact same thing at the higher state courts as well.

I know. I think working for a judge directly would be better though. You get to opportunity to see courtroom proceedings at least.

[BarbellDreams]

In that case I guess you may as well wait till the interview and see how it goes. I forgot NY has the weird names for the courts. However, if your problem is that you think you'll be bored doing writing and research, you'll be doing the exact same thing at the higher state courts as well.

I know. I think working for a judge directly would be better though. You get to opportunity to see courtroom proceedings at least.

For a trial judge, sure. For any appellate judge, I was expressly told during interviews that you will NOT be in the courtroom and will only be doing legal research and memo writing.