The Official 1L Summer Employment Thread - 2012 Edition Forum

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone have their references called?
I think they are calling mine, which I did not expect.
I wrote down people that know me but I did not tell them because I thought they weren't going to call anyways ha.
Should I tell my references now, at least? Though its kinda too late?
Any thoughts?

[kapital98]

I need advice! So I had my interview with a judge and it went really well. She asked me if any other Judges had contacted me, and I told her that yes one had and his assistant is going to call me on Feb 1 to schedule an interview. She said I should interview with him, but that she was going to offer me the job and that I should respond to her on Thursday by 4pm about whether I wanted to accept her offer. I was really shocked so I just said okay thank you I really appreciate your offer, and I didn't accept on the spot. She seems like she really was fine if I interviewed with another Judge and she told me I should. If she said all of that, does the conventional wisdom that I should still say yes to her still apply? If so, I'll call her chambers tomorrow and say yes. Or should I wait for this other Judge to call me on Wednesday and see what happens?

Congratulations!

[r6_philly]

Did anyone have their references called?
I think they are calling mine, which I did not expect.
I wrote down people that know me but I did not tell them because I thought they weren't going to call anyways ha.
Should I tell my references now, at least? Though its kinda too late?
Any thoughts?

Some of mine were called. I got permission before I put them down as references. I don't think it reflect well on you if the person you put down act surprised when called.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone have their references called?
I think they are calling mine, which I did not expect.
I wrote down people that know me but I did not tell them because I thought they weren't going to call anyways ha.
Should I tell my references now, at least? Though its kinda too late?
Any thoughts?

Some of mine were called. I got permission before I put them down as references. I don't think it reflect well on you if the person you put down act surprised when called.

Well I'm sure it won't be a good thing. But now they have been called and probably figured out that I wrote them as reference, should I still tell them now though it is kind of late?

[Guchster]

Did anyone have their references called?
I think they are calling mine, which I did not expect.
I wrote down people that know me but I did not tell them because I thought they weren't going to call anyways ha.
Should I tell my references now, at least? Though its kinda too late?
Any thoughts?

Some of mine were called. I got permission before I put them down as references. I don't think it reflect well on you if the person you put down act surprised when called.

Well I'm sure it won't be a good thing. But now they have been called and probably figured out that I wrote them as reference, should I still tell them now though it is kind of late?

This is so fucking tacky. I would be annoyed as hell if I were being called randomly because someone had given my contact information out so I could I could talk 'em up without asking.

I would definitely disclose to all recommenders. ASAP.

One thing you should not do in the future, as you move forward, is to give email/phone numbers/addresses's of other people without asking them in the first place. Some people prefer different contact information, or particular about their privacy.

ETA: Strategy to handle this, you do owe them a huge apology--eventually. I would play it off nonchalantly and tell them that you hope they don't mind you used them as a reference--because you felt so close to them, feel like they know you... etc. etc. etc. And tell them that if they do mind, to contact you asap so you can inform the employer and change recommenders.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone have their references called?
I think they are calling mine, which I did not expect.
I wrote down people that know me but I did not tell them because I thought they weren't going to call anyways ha.
Should I tell my references now, at least? Though its kinda too late?
Any thoughts?

Some of mine were called. I got permission before I put them down as references. I don't think it reflect well on you if the person you put down act surprised when called.

Well I'm sure it won't be a good thing. But now they have been called and probably figured out that I wrote them as reference, should I still tell them now though it is kind of late?

This is so fucking tacky. I would be annoyed as hell if I were being called randomly because someone had given my contact information out so I could I could talk 'em up without asking.

I would definitely disclose to all recommenders. ASAP.

One thing you should not do in the future, as you move forward, is to give email/phone numbers/addresses's of other people without asking them in the first place. Some people prefer different contact information, or particular about their privacy.

ETA: Strategy to handle this, you do owe them a huge apology--eventually. I would play it off nonchalantly and tell them that you hope they don't mind you used them as a reference--because you felt so close to them, feel like they know you... etc. etc. etc. And tell them that if they do mind, to contact you asap so you can inform the employer and change recommenders.

Thanks a lot for the advice... Sigh.

[Guchster]

Thanks a lot for the advice... Sigh.

don't feel too bad about this. you're not going to lose a job over this (or anything significant). I think part of your decision not to include them stemmed ALSO from the fact that you didn't feel it was necessary to let them know, because you have such a close relationship with them that it wouldn't be an imposition on their behalf to talk about you/serve as support.

it'll be fine, but do something about it now before it turns into you losing a jerb because a reference acts like a total dick for being called out or acts suprised (which as r6 mentioned, reflects poorly on your professional judgment).

[r6_philly]

Well I'm sure it won't be a good thing. But now they have been called and probably figured out that I wrote them as reference, should I still tell them now though it is kind of late?

You have to make good with them because other employers will call in the future too.

[Haymarket]

Oh yeah that's way better. Send screen caps.

LOL on my way. I'll credit you guys for sending me over.

Didn't we move to a private Facebook group specifically because the public was able to see posts? I don't think taking someone's comment from a private Facebook group and posting it verbatim on TLS or ATL is appropriate.

Stop being a lil wimp. I redacted the name, so it's not like people are being outed on here. The trouble with a public facebook was poasts had the person's name attached which could be bad for employment.

And I could care less if you think it's appropriate. Advise the poaster not to write stupid shit.

I just wanted to QFP this from a few pages back, given this. (LinkRemoved)

[Guchster]

I just wanted to QFP this from a few pages back, given this. (LinkRemoved)

BUT I DIDN'T DO IT!!!! I got too lazy to send the actual email myself, and I felt bad for the fbpoaster.

Apparently MULTIPLE CLS classmates sent it in--fucking backstabbers! But one classmate was being a superdouche and poasted a link on our facebook group to this thread--and hence my profile--to out me. Now everyone thinks I did it and i'm out of the fb group

[Flips88]

Having her email be FirstNameLastName.harvard@gmail.com is still the ultimate douchebaggery in that whole exchange

[Guchster]

Having her email be FirstNameLastName.harvard@gmail.com is still the ultimate douchebaggery in that whole exchange

True. esp. when you go to Columbia.

[Guchster]

Also. I think my new archnemesis is Haymarket. Every person needs one (spiderman, batman, etc.)

[Flips88]

Having her email be FirstNameLastName.harvard@gmail.com is still the ultimate douchebaggery in that whole exchange

True. esp. when you go to Columbia.

I'm assuming she went to Harvard UG, but still that's pretentious as fuck to use your email address to broadcast your educational superiority to everyone you interact with.

[bdubs]

Apparently MULTIPLE CLS classmates sent it in--fucking backstabbers! But one classmate was being a superdouche and poasted a link on our facebook group to this thread--and hence my profile--to out me. Now everyone thinks I did it and i'm out of the fb group

That's really not cool.

[piccolittle]

Apparently MULTIPLE CLS classmates sent it in--fucking backstabbers! But one classmate was being a superdouche and poasted a link on our facebook group to this thread--and hence my profile--to out me. Now everyone thinks I did it and i'm out of the fb group

That's really not cool.

To be fair, he posted it to show the origin of the controversy and took it down almost immediately. Still, obviously not fast enough. Luckily, everyone now seems to be distracted by a bunch of cute cat and puppy videos (not kidding).

[ilovesf]

BUT I DIDN'T DO IT!!!! I got too lazy to send the actual email myself, and I felt bad for the fbpoaster.

Apparently MULTIPLE CLS classmates sent it in--fucking backstabbers! But one classmate was being a superdouche and poasted a link on our facebook group to this thread--and hence my profile--to out me. Now everyone thinks I did it and i'm out of the fb group

It sounds like you go to school with a bunch of assholes.

[Haymarket]

Also. I think my new archnemesis is Haymarket. Every person needs one (spiderman, batman, etc.)

If you're okay with it not being reciprocal, I'm fine with this.

[ilovesf]

I sent out 16 original applications and got 0, yes 0, invites. I have a strong PI background so I don't know what happened.

Over winter break I was offered an internship with a Public Defender's Office in NY. I'll take that and stop wasting precious time on trying to find a federal position here. Rochester, NY is quite nice in the summer.

(I'm still hoping a federal judicial externship will fall from the sky.)

stupid PI orgs. I guess all the pi interviews went to Berkeley students. Congrats on your PD gig though, that should be really interesting! By when do you have to give an answer?

[orderofthings]

So I applied to a lot of firms and judges in my home market December 1st, and haven't heard from a lot of them still. Any opinions of when and how I should contact them to get an update? Thanks.

[kapital98]

I sent out 16 original applications and got 0, yes 0, invites. I have a strong PI background so I don't know what happened.

Over winter break I was offered an internship with a Public Defender's Office in NY. I'll take that and stop wasting precious time on trying to find a federal position here. Rochester, NY is quite nice in the summer.

(I'm still hoping a federal judicial externship will fall from the sky.)

stupid PI orgs. I guess all the pi interviews went to Berkeley students. Congrats on your PD gig though, that should be really interesting! By when do you have to give an answer?

It's an open offer. I worked for the office during college and worked directly for the 2nd assistant public defender (#3 in the chain of command at a PD's office.) During and after the internship we really hit it off and she's become an excellent mentor (law school LoR, Job Reference, care packages during finals, etc...).

The best part about the internship is knowing the quality of the people I'm working with and knowing they will give me every possible opportunity to learn how to practice law. The cases are all interesting violent felonies. I can't say the same thing would happen with a random internship in San Francisco.

The offer should be open until summer internships start. If something does turn up I won't offend anyone by rescinding my acceptance (well, hopefully not.)


P.S. BERKELEY!!!

[kapital98]

So I applied to a lot of firms and judges in my home market December 1st, and haven't heard from a lot of them still. Any opinions of when and how I should contact them to get an update? Thanks.

Give them a cold call. It will show them you are interested in the job. To do this find the number of the Judge's clerk and give them a cold call. Ask if they received your externship package and if any further information is required.

Most likely they will tell you, "Yes we've received it. If we need any further information we will contact you." However, there is a small chance you could be interviewed on the spot. Be prepared to speak eloquently and be polite.

A cold call should help you. You'll talk to someone you want to work with and who will probably be a part in the selection process. On the other hand, if you come off as poorly prepared or rude it will make a rejection more likely.

Lastly, don't do multiple cold calls to the same office unless there is a good reason to. It will unnecessarily annoy the clerks. You really don't want that.

Regarding firms: Cold calling is even more important with firms. Calling the firm to confirm receiving an application is the equivalent of sending a thank you email/letter after an interview. It will keep your application fresh in their minds.

[orderofthings]

So I applied to a lot of firms and judges in my home market December 1st, and haven't heard from a lot of them still. Any opinions of when and how I should contact them to get an update? Thanks.

Give them a cold call. It will show them you are interested in the job. To do this find the number of the Judge's clerk and give them a cold call. Ask if they received your externship package and if any further information is required.

Most likely they will tell you, "Yes we've received it. If we need any further information we will contact you." However, there is a small chance you could be interviewed on the spot. Be prepared to speak eloquently and be polite.

A cold call should help you. You'll talk to someone you want to work with and who will probably be a part in the selection process. On the other hand, if you come off as poorly prepared or rude it will make a rejection more likely.

Lastly, don't do multiple cold calls to the same office unless there is a good reason to. It will unnecessarily annoy the clerks. You really don't want that.

Regarding firms: Cold calling is even more important with firms. Calling the firm to confirm receiving an application is the equivalent of sending a thank you email/letter after an interview. It will keep your application fresh in their minds.

Thank you for the reply. I'm going to do this in a week in or two so hopefully it works out.

[ilovesf]

So I applied to a lot of firms and judges in my home market December 1st, and haven't heard from a lot of them still. Any opinions of when and how I should contact them to get an update? Thanks.

Did you get good grades? If so, I would ask them if they would like an unofficial transcript.

[Bildungsroman]

BUT I DIDN'T DO IT!!!! I got too lazy to send the actual email myself, and I felt bad for the fbpoaster.

Apparently MULTIPLE CLS classmates sent it in--fucking backstabbers! But one classmate was being a superdouche and poasted a link on our facebook group to this thread--and hence my profile--to out me. Now everyone thinks I did it and i'm out of the fb group

It sounds like you go to school with a bunch of assholes.

Yep, sounds like Columbia alright.