V15 Partner/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions... Forum

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for taking questions. I'm curious if you've interviewed someone looking to switch offices (summered in one office, received an offer, and is looking to start in another office). I imagine some firms allow this transfer without another interview, just by talking to HR, but my firm requires another interview.

Would you treat this interview differently than a general callback (more of a formality)? What types of questions could the interviewer ask (since already has a lot of exposure to the firm by being a summer)? I get the fit questions (how does this office's culture compare to the other office, etc.), but not sure about other good lines of questions.

[Anonymous User]

Advice for a judicial clerk who would like to get a biglaw job post-clerkship? What is the best way to network? If you meet someone at a legal event do you mind if they email you the next day?

[Anonymous User]

Would someone with no WE get a boost from having passed the CFA lv1 and lv2 exams? What if I have a CPA? How much does that help? ( but still no WE)

[itbdvorm]

Not sure if you've stated this, but based on some of the recent questions, which NY corporate groups would you consider "elite"? And what do you think makes that distinction in your mind? Deal volume, associate experience, clients, etc.? Thanks.

Bands 1/2/3 of this are about right: http://www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/Editorial/99012

I'd be tempted to knock the bottom two (Paul Weiss and Shearman off of that list), Paul Weiss because it's not there yet, Shearman because it's not there anymore.

Otherwise, if you're seeing a huge, multi-billion dollar acquisition / disposition / ipo / financing, it's going to be one of those names on the list.

[itbdvorm]

Thanks for taking questions. I'm curious if you've interviewed someone looking to switch offices (summered in one office, received an offer, and is looking to start in another office). I imagine some firms allow this transfer without another interview, just by talking to HR, but my firm requires another interview.

Would you treat this interview differently than a general callback (more of a formality)? What types of questions could the interviewer ask (since already has a lot of exposure to the firm by being a summer)? I get the fit questions (how does this office's culture compare to the other office, etc.), but not sure about other good lines of questions.

from your perspective I'd bring your A game. different firms look very differently at people in different offices. you should know the office very well, what it does, who the partners are. ask people you worked with on your summer what you should know. you should be super-prepared and very rationale about what you want to go there

[itbdvorm]

Advice for a judicial clerk who would like to get a biglaw job post-clerkship? What is the best way to network? If you meet someone at a legal event do you mind if they email you the next day?

no idea what best way to network is, but wouldn't mind a next-day email

go to events, talk to friends, other / former clerks, etc. good luck

[itbdvorm]

Would someone with no WE get a boost from having passed the CFA lv1 and lv2 exams? What if I have a CPA? How much does that help? ( but still no WE)

helpful. but another .1 of GPA will be more helpful.

[Anonymous User]

What to do when you are told you are on the waitlist for a big law job V100. There are currently outstanding offers but I have no clue how far up or down I am on the waitlist. How to increase my chances?

[itbdvorm]

What to do when you are told you are on the waitlist for a big law job V100. There are currently outstanding offers but I have no clue how far up or down I am on the waitlist. How to increase my chances?

tell them why you're interested in them. be specific.

[Anonymous User]

I got a phone screener with a V50's satellite office in DC. Obviously this is fairly late in the recruiting process and I have offers (from less desirable firms) that are set to expire in a few weeks. And my experience with DC branch offices thus far is that they take forever and a day to get back to you after a CB.

If this screener pans out, I'd have a very limited amount of time to convert it to an offer if I'm to have an opportunity to accept it. So my question is, should I bring that fact up during the screener? Is it fairly certain that the interviewer will already know this? Even if he doesn't, would bringing it up hurt my chances?

[itbdvorm]

I got a phone screener with a V50's satellite office in DC. Obviously this is fairly late in the recruiting process and I have offers (from less desirable firms) that are set to expire in a few weeks. And my experience with DC branch offices thus far is that they take forever and a day to get back to you after a CB.

If this screener pans out, I'd have a very limited amount of time to convert it to an offer if I'm to have an opportunity to accept it. So my question is, should I bring that fact up during the screener? Is it fairly certain that the interviewer will already know this? Even if he doesn't, would bringing it up hurt my chances?

I wouldn't bring it up w/the screener, but I would tell the recruiting staff

[Anonymous User]

2L here. Have a summer associate position at a firm in one of the corporate bands you mentioned above. At next year's 3L OCI I'd like to trade up; I have 3-4 firms in mind. Any advice? If you were in my situation, how would you position yourself?

[Old Gregg]

2L here. Have a summer associate position at a firm in one of the corporate bands you mentioned above. At next year's 3L OCI I'd like to trade up; I have 3-4 firms in mind. Any advice? If you were in my situation, how would you position yourself?

First step is not to view it as "trading up." Don't be a little shit gunner douche, especially because you haven't done your summer program. There are many associates at the firms you want to gun for who are probably looking for a job at your firm right now.

Focus on getting good experience as a summer, and if you find that you want to practice a certain something that your firm doesn't do, then focus on getting yourself to a firm that does that thing. But please, for god's sake, don't just trade up because your stupid shit insides can't get over not working at an elite m&a practice.

[Anonymous User]

Had a callback a week and half ago....was told by the hiring partner that I would hear back "next week at the latest".....haven't heard anything ....I assume dead in the water?? Should I make contact, and if so, how long should I wait ?

[thewaves]

Aside from finance and consulting jobs, is there any other prior WE that is a plus?

[sgt101st]

Aside from finance and consulting jobs, is there any other prior WE that is a plus?

Military.

[itbdvorm]

2L here. Have a summer associate position at a firm in one of the corporate bands you mentioned above. At next year's 3L OCI I'd like to trade up; I have 3-4 firms in mind. Any advice? If you were in my situation, how would you position yourself?

First step is not to view it as "trading up." Don't be a little shit gunner douche, especially because you haven't done your summer program. There are many associates at the firms you want to gun for who are probably looking for a job at your firm right now.

Focus on getting good experience as a summer, and if you find that you want to practice a certain something that your firm doesn't do, then focus on getting yourself to a firm that does that thing. But please, for god's sake, don't just trade up because your stupid shit insides can't get over not working at an elite m&a practice.

maybe wouldn't be as rage-filled as this, but not terrible advice

do your summer position first. see what the firm is like. see what you want to do and whether or not you can actually do it

[itbdvorm]

Had a callback a week and half ago....was told by the hiring partner that I would hear back "next week at the latest".....haven't heard anything ....I assume dead in the water?? Should I make contact, and if so, how long should I wait ?

sure, call recruiting, express your interest

[itbdvorm]

Aside from finance and consulting jobs, is there any other prior WE that is a plus?

Military.

yes. also being a paralegal at a top firm (shows me you know what you're gettnig into) or other pressure-filled job. frankly any sort of WE that shows me you can be responsible, entrepreneurial, detail/deadline-oriented, etc. can be useful

[itbdvorm]

Putting this here because it's a great analysis of different firms' strengths in the NYC corporate market - well done, anonymous poster:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 5#p7257232

[Anonymous User]

People talk about how work experience helps you outperform your GPA/class rank. I know it's not necessarily quantifiable, but how much would having two years of bulge bracket investment banking or MBB consulting help in terms of getting interviews and callbacks?

[itbdvorm]

People talk about how work experience helps you outperform your GPA/class rank. I know it's not necessarily quantifiable, but how much would having two years of bulge bracket investment banking or MBB consulting help in terms of getting interviews and callbacks?

it helps, but in my view moreso by making you stand out amongst the people who already meet our criteria, not by lifting you up over a bar you're under

[itbdvorm]

bumping, a bit slow again. happy new year

[Anonymous User]

bumping, a bit slow again. happy new year

Happy new year!

I am a junior M&A associate at a V5. Am running diligence, writing first draft of the DD executive summary, drafting ancillary documents/SEC filings and drafting discrete sections of the transaction document. My hours are very high and I think that I am well-regarded.

Tips/advice for getting higher in the deal team food chain? There is another junior ~6 months more senior than me who is taking the first shot at drafting the transaction document whom I really admire/respect-- would love to get to his level.

Let me know if I am being a typical neurotic junior or if there is anything affirmative that I can be doing. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 3L, interested in a particular law firm. There was no SA program last year, so I'm guessing they'll need entry level attorneys this year, hopefully. I've spoken with recruiting, so they know I'm interested, along with the Chair of the Diversity Committee at the firm. Is there anything more I should be doing to have a better chance at this firm? There aren't any alumni from my T14, and none of my connections have any friends there, so I'm out of ideas.

Thanks!