V15 Partner/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions... Forum

[itbdvorm]

How does your firm evaluate candidates with advanced degrees in the humanities?

Um. Case by case basis? Would certainly want to know why you did what you did and why you're going to law school after that.

[itbdvorm]

Thoughts on varsity athletics on a resume?

College? Great. High school? Not so much

[itbdvorm]

How would you view someone who worked in Marine Corps Intelligence for 5 years and deployed to Iraq once and Afghanistan twice prior to going to law school? Any major bump? Would the fact that im older than most negatively impact me?

We generally like veterans I think. So generally a bump in my eyes, but not a superlative one. If you're an a-hole or have crappy grades won't be enough.

[quakeroats]

Thoughts on varsity athletics on a resume?

College? Great. High school? Not so much

Not even varsity powderpuff?

[Anonymous User]

There is a 2 year gap in my undergraduate transcript- I got married after my jr year and dropped out to work full time (decent office job) to support the family. Finished up my degree right before starting law school. If I explain this adequately and have the grades you're normally looking for, would you hold this against me?

[thrillerjesus]

I was offered a fall internship this morning, and had OCI at my school last week. I want to send an updated resume to the firms I haven't heard from yet. Should I email the person I had the screening interview with, or the firm/office recruitment manager? Or does it not matter? Thanks!

[itbdvorm]

There is a 2 year gap in my undergraduate transcript- I got married after my jr year and dropped out to work full time (decent office job) to support the family. Finished up my degree right before starting law school. If I explain this adequately and have the grades you're normally looking for, would you hold this against me?

Probably not

[itbdvorm]

I was offered a fall internship this morning, and had OCI at my school last week. I want to send an updated resume to the firms I haven't heard from yet. Should I email the person I had the screening interview with, or the firm/office recruitment manager? Or does it not matter? Thanks!

Recruitment manager

[Anonymous User]

I went to a job fair in late July and as a result I received an offer for a job last Thurs, but I'm still doing some screener interviews with firms I'm very interested in at my school's OCI this week. I like the firm that I got the offer from, but it's not one of my top picks. Is it ever appropriate to mention in screener interviews that I would like to hear back about a call back as soon as possible if they decide to give me one? I got a good vibe from my interviewer this morning about a call back coming up, so would it be possible to talk to the recruiting manager at that firm? Or would any of this come across in a negative way?
Thanks so much!

[Anonymous User]

.

[Anonymous User]

How much does a typo hurt someone at the callback stage?

[Anonymous User]

Is it possible to do damage control after a lukewarm callback, and if so, how? I had a really great screener with a partner on a hiring committee and didn't follow it up with my best performance by any means - I was feeling very under the weather and even thought of calling to reschedule first thing in the morning but didn't want to risk looking flaky (cb was on a Monday morning at 10). Ended up looking very blah and being far less engaging than I usually am, and didn't really connect with any of 4 interviewers on the CB.

This is my #1 firm and I'd give anything for a redo. Thoughts?

[itbdvorm]

I went to a job fair in late July and as a result I received an offer for a job last Thurs, but I'm still doing some screener interviews with firms I'm very interested in at my school's OCI this week. I like the firm that I got the offer from, but it's not one of my top picks. Is it ever appropriate to mention in screener interviews that I would like to hear back about a call back as soon as possible if they decide to give me one? I got a good vibe from my interviewer this morning about a call back coming up, so would it be possible to talk to the recruiting manager at that firm? Or would any of this come across in a negative way?
Thanks so much!

This would probably come across in a negative way. It is something you can mention to the recruitment staff eventually but I wouldn't do so until the callback stage

[itbdvorm]

How much does a typo hurt someone at the callback stage?

Depends on how bad / glaring. Some folks may notice it and harp upon it, but I'd be surprised if that was common. Overcomeable.

[itbdvorm]

Is it possible to do damage control after a lukewarm callback, and if so, how? I had a really great screener with a partner on a hiring committee and didn't follow it up with my best performance by any means - I was feeling very under the weather and even thought of calling to reschedule first thing in the morning but didn't want to risk looking flaky (cb was on a Monday morning at 10). Ended up looking very blah and being far less engaging than I usually am, and didn't really connect with any of 4 interviewers on the CB.

This is my #1 firm and I'd give anything for a redo. Thoughts?

Tough call; I'd take a swing at an apologetic email to each of the individuals at your callback explaining that, apologizing and saying how much you enjoyed XYZ about meeting with them

[Anonymous User]

What do you think about name-dropping? I know the chair of one of the largest practice groups at my favorite firm and he's been REALLY helpful to me and has said that if it comes up naturally, I should say I know him.

Edit: During a CB. I did not mention him during OCI screener.

[itbdvorm]

What do you think about name-dropping? I know the chair of one of the largest practice groups at my favorite firm and he's been REALLY helpful to me and has said that if it comes up naturally, I should say I know him.

Edit: During a CB. I did not mention him during OCI screener.

Mention it to recruiting staff. They'll confirm w/chair and you'll get appropriate "credit" in hiring committee discussions. Don't mention in individual interviews unless it's super natural, seeming like a "name dropper" is a bad thing

Edit - this is actually a good answer for "why us" - well, I know X from growing up and he's always said wonderful things

[Anonymous User]

If I haven't received a response from within two weeks of an OCI screener (when others have received CBs and dings), is it appropriate to send a follow up email to the recruiter or to just sit tight?

[itbdvorm]

If I haven't received a response from within two weeks of an OCI screener (when others have received CBs and dings), is it appropriate to send a follow up email to the recruiter or to just sit tight?

I think you can, as politely and interestedly as you can. But most likely (unfortunately) you're either on hold or a rejection's in the mail...

[YourCaptain]

For pre-OCI CBs what is your typical timeframe on offer/rejection?

[Anonymous User]

If you're interviewing a 3L who's applying for clerkships, now, and, knowing he won't hear whether he's got one until 9/15, you say, "keep us abreast of whether you get a clerkship," does that mean you're not rejecting him, since that's happening three whole weeks from now and it would make no sense to ask for information three weeks out from someone you plan to reject, or are you just being polite/could you just be being polite? This happened to me this morning, so I was wondering.

[itbdvorm]

For pre-OCI CBs what is your typical timeframe on offer/rejection?

pre-OCI callbacks? probably later than usual as we want to see a good comparison. but top grades/school/interview performance (or the opposite) could still be a quick decision

[itbdvorm]

If you're interviewing a 3L who's applying for clerkships, now, and, knowing he won't hear whether he's got one until 9/15, you say, "keep us abreast of whether you get a clerkship," does that mean you're not rejecting him, since that's happening three whole weeks from now and it would make no sense to ask for information three weeks out from someone you plan to reject, or are you just being polite/could you just be being polite? This happened to me this morning, so I was wondering.

wow. no idea. maybe they can't hire you now but they might want to bring you in post-clerkship?

[Anonymous User]

after sending in my resume and a very tailored cover letter, a firm asked for my transcripts. My resume did not have my grades as I didnt have a great 1L year. I guess this firm did not assume the worst which is a good thing because I am head over heels for the firm. Any thoughs? Should I send in the the transcript with an explanation?

[itbdvorm]

after sending in my resume and a very tailored cover letter, a firm asked for my transcripts. My resume did not have my grades as I didnt have a great 1L year. I guess this firm did not assume the worst which is a good thing because I am head over heels for the firm. Any thoughs? Should I send in the the transcript with an explanation?

What explanation would you possibly give? I would just send and let them speak for themselves. PM if you want to discuss specifics.