1L summer job application apathy/encouragement thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

Send them a follow-up e-mail. The same thing happened to me (2 nonpaying offers and paying position pending). I sent them an e-mail asking where they were in the selection process. I told them I had other offers but emphasized they were my first choice. A day later I got an e-mail back saying that they will be making a selection soon. Today (5 days after sending my first e-mail), I received an offer.

What happens when a firm specifically tells you the will let you know "this week," and then they fail to do so? I have offers at non-paying gigs that I told I would give my decision by the end of the week.

[stayway]

I sent in 5 total; got 1 for the summer.

That is an excellent return on investment.

We'll see how this gig turns out at 2L OCIs and then conclude whether if that was a good investment LoL.

[YourCaptain]

(and I sent out about 100 apps/inquiries)

Holy shit thats a lot. I guess I was fortunate.

100 apps is not a lot. My 2L job search will make that look like a pittance.

edit -

I was sending them out in batches of 50; sent out maybe 300? 200 of that fairly non-competitive, 100 of that fairly competitive, ended up with my top choice.

[romothesavior]

(and I sent out about 100 apps/inquiries)

Holy shit thats a lot. I guess I was fortunate.

100 apps is not a lot. My 2L job search will make that look like a pittance.

Yeah not all of them were applications. A lot of them were just email or phone call inquiries.

Next year for my 2L job search, that number will probably triple.

[YourCaptain]

Next year for my 2L job search, that number will probably triple.

You mean end of this summer?

[romothesavior]

Next year for my 2L job search, that number will probably triple.

You mean end of this summer?

Yes, mostly this summer. I meant like for my job search for next summer.

[YourCaptain]

Next year for my 2L job search, that number will probably triple.

You mean end of this summer?

Yes, mostly this summer. I meant like for my job search for next summer.

Nah, I meant that the job search renews itself for the end of this summer because of fall OCI....

[romothesavior]

Nah, I meant that the job search renews itself for the end of this summer because of fall OCI....

I know this. And I am not looking forward to this.

[keg411]

Nah, I meant that the job search renews itself for the end of this summer because of fall OCI....

I know this. And I am not looking forward to this.

+1. And still no NALP update .

Also, my 1L job search was extremely painless. I don't expect the same for 2L.

[Stanford4Me]

Also, my 1L job search was extremely painless. I don't expect the same for 2L.

+1

[snowpeach06]

Just got a call from a firm that was supposed to interview me. They already filled the position, and just "went ahead and canceled."

[traehekat]

Just got a call from a firm that was supposed to interview me. They already filled the position, and just "went ahead and canceled."

lame.

[Borhas]

All in all:

30 applications
4 interviews
1 offer

What I've learned from all this, cover letters matter a whole lot to someone with a weak resume (me) during 1L. By the end of the process I had refined my basic cover letters (I had one geared towards criminal defense, one geared towards consumer rights). The interviews I got were from my good cover letters. The generic crap I wrote for to DA, City Attorney Offices, and AG offices, didn't amount to anything. Course, that's just my impression.... I could easily be wrong.

I didn't apply to any firms though, I doubt the PI/Gov't process is identical to the firm process.


To the guys that applied to firms, do you think it's more about meeting some basic quality level (as far as application presentation like a cover letter), but then sending out high quantity apps (100+)?

To guys that applied to PI/Gov't, what do you think was best?

[snowpeach06]

Just got a call from a firm that was supposed to interview me. They already filled the position, and just "went ahead and canceled."

lame.

Umm humm.

[goosey]

Just got a call from a firm that was supposed to interview me. They already filled the position, and just "went ahead and canceled."

wow.

[Anonymous User]

Offer from a State trial judge.

Still waiting to hear back from federal/state appellate/etc.

1) Would you just take it this late in the ballgame?

2) Will the fact that it's just a trial court hurt me at all in OCI next fall?

Thanks guys.

[snowpeach06]

Offer from a State trial judge.

Still waiting to hear back from federal/state appellate/etc.

1) Would you just take it this late in the ballgame?

2) Will the fact that it's just a trial court hurt me at all in OCI next fall?

Thanks guys.

I personally, am taking the first thing I get. I mean, wait as long as you can to respond, and e-mail the other judge telling them you have another offer. If you still don't hear anything back take this. A job is better than no job.

[Anonymous User]

Need input. Received a voice-mail from an employer today asking if I had accepted another offer (I sent them an email last week stating that I had a competing offer but they were my first choice). The person stated that they planned on extended the offer tomorrow and wanted to know if I was still available and then something about they wanted to see if I needed anymore information. I am trying to figure out alternative reasons as to why they would have called. I can only think that I will be getting the offer tomorrow, but I don't want to get too excited.

PS. I called back and left a voice-mail stating that I had not accepted the competing offer and would accept an offer from them if I received one.

[Holly Golightly]

All in all:

30 applications
4 interviews
1 offer

What I've learned from all this, cover letters matter a whole lot to someone with a weak resume (me) during 1L. By the end of the process I had refined my basic cover letters (I had one geared towards criminal defense, one geared towards consumer rights). The interviews I got were from my good cover letters. The generic crap I wrote for to DA, City Attorney Offices, and AG offices, didn't amount to anything. Course, that's just my impression.... I could easily be wrong.

I didn't apply to any firms though, I doubt the PI/Gov't process is identical to the firm process.


To the guys that applied to firms, do you think it's more about meeting some basic quality level (as far as application presentation like a cover letter), but then sending out high quantity apps (100+)?

To guys that applied to PI/Gov't, what do you think was best?

I agree with you, the cover letters that I spent a lot of time on and really used to highlight why my prior work experience made me a good fit were absolutely the jobs I got interviews for. I wasn't even expecting an interview from the place that now I'm going to be working at this summer, and I think a big part of getting my foot in the door was my cover letter.

[Anonymous User]

I'm at over 40 apps, 8 interviews down, 1 possibility still pending but unlikely, and frighteningly unemployed. Finals start in 4 weeks. I have three interviews at the end of this week. School stipend deadlines have passed, meaning I can't even get that.

Also at an interview I went to last week, the interview committee congratulated me on my "excellent GPA." I hope my face didn't betray how hilarious that notion is, considering I have a 3.33 and at my school, that's median.

i can now stop complaining because the terrible interview I went to above just made an offer. huzzah!

[solotee]

Also, my 1L job search was extremely painless.

Exact opposite for me.

[Anonymous User]

I'm at over 40 apps, 8 interviews down, 1 possibility still pending but unlikely, and frighteningly unemployed. Finals start in 4 weeks. I have three interviews at the end of this week. School stipend deadlines have passed, meaning I can't even get that.

Also at an interview I went to last week, the interview committee congratulated me on my "excellent GPA." I hope my face didn't betray how hilarious that notion is, considering I have a 3.33 and at my school, that's median.

i can now stop complaining because the terrible interview I went to above just made an offer. huzzah!

oh, and i seriously thought this interview went so poorly i didn't even send a thank-you/follow-up email. apparently jobs are just as arbitrary as grades.

[Bobby Dazzler]

All in all:

30 applications
4 interviews
1 offer

What I've learned from all this, cover letters matter a whole lot to someone with a weak resume (me) during 1L. By the end of the process I had refined my basic cover letters (I had one geared towards criminal defense, one geared towards consumer rights). The interviews I got were from my good cover letters. The generic crap I wrote for to DA, City Attorney Offices, and AG offices, didn't amount to anything. Course, that's just my impression.... I could easily be wrong.

I didn't apply to any firms though, I doubt the PI/Gov't process is identical to the firm process.


To the guys that applied to firms, do you think it's more about meeting some basic quality level (as far as application presentation like a cover letter), but then sending out high quantity apps (100+)?

To guys that applied to PI/Gov't, what do you think was best?

I agree with you, the cover letters that I spent a lot of time on and really used to highlight why my prior work experience made me a good fit were absolutely the jobs I got interviews for. I wasn't even expecting an interview from the place that now I'm going to be working at this summer, and I think a big part of getting my foot in the door was my cover letter.

+1

Generic cover letters, unless truly awesome grades and/or school, and/or serious connections, won't cut it for 1L jobs (and probably not later either). Personal stats: 125 apps, 4 interviews, 2 offers = just accepted offer with a boutique firm in my T1's market. Feel super lucky to finally be able to focus on studying again and not worry so god damn much about 1L summer...

[CG614]

Just landed my absolute dream summer job. Good luck all! To those still stressing, I was on edge for the past few weeks. Keep at it, it will come!

[JollyGreenGiant]

No job yet... I'm getting a bit antsy. I filled out a ton of apps the last couple of days. I figure something will come along soon.... riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight?