Summer 2013 Non-OCI Job Hunt (Mass Mail, Job Fairs, etc) Forum

[kalvano]

About the writing sample, what is typically used for this? I'm assuming most students use their first year appellate brief? I'm working at a mid-sized firm this summer and just drafted a bad ass motion for summary judgment and incorporated memorandum of law, would a redacted version of this be a good writing sample?

Ask the firm if they will let you. If so, then yes. To me, stuff done for a really-real job usually looks better than fake academic stuff.

[Anonymous User]

Maybe some of you guys can help me think this through.

I emailed applications about ten days ago to all of the large-ish firms in my moderately sized (1-2m population) home city. I think I would be a pretty strong candidate (T10, top third, incredibly strong ties, working in the city for the summer). One firm got back to me the next day to schedule an interview. I haven't heard a peep from any of the others. Not even a "we've received your application and will be in touch" or anything. Is it reasonable for me to be a bit worried about that, or do I just need to give it some more time and stop being neurotic?

[kalvano]

Maybe some of you guys can help me think this through.

I emailed applications about ten days ago to all of the large-ish firms in my moderately sized (1-2m population) home city. I think I would be a pretty strong candidate (T10, top third, incredibly strong ties, working in the city for the summer). One firm got back to me the next day to schedule an interview. I haven't heard a peep from any of the others. Not even a "we've received your application and will be in touch" or anything. Is it reasonable for me to be a bit worried about that, or do I just need to give it some more time and stop being neurotic?

It's still really pretty early. If you haven't heard anything in 7-10 days, then that may be more significant.

[piccolittle]

3) If your OCI is preselect, then don't email firms that dinged you unless something changed.

OCI is lottery. Should I move firms where I have connections down the rankings to get a better shot at the others, or do recruiters not mean it when they say to contact them if I don't get an interview?

[orderofthings]

Oh man, I feel dumb. I've been addressing and sending my stuff to the recruiting contact. It hasn't seemed to hurt that much so far, but now I'm wondering about those firms I really like that haven't responded...

...crap. Did this too. Well, at least I know now!

this is the first time i've heard of this

What am I missing here? Most firm websites I've looked at explicitly ask you to email your application materials to the recruiting contact.

[kalvano]

3) If your OCI is preselect, then don't email firms that dinged you unless something changed.

OCI is lottery. Should I move firms where I have connections down the rankings to get a better shot at the others, or do recruiters not mean it when they say to contact them if I don't get an interview?

I have no idea, and I don't think anyone but the recruiter knows if they are being serious or merely polite. Best way to make a guess is to see how competitive you are for the firm. If competitive, then they are probably being serious.

[lawyergirl47]

Oh man, I feel dumb. I've been addressing and sending my stuff to the recruiting contact. It hasn't seemed to hurt that much so far, but now I'm wondering about those firms I really like that haven't responded...

...crap. Did this too. Well, at least I know now!

this is the first time i've heard of this

Wait, who said to do this? Even Guerrilla guide tells us to address to the recruiting contact....FML

[Gecko of Doom]

Oh man, I feel dumb. I've been addressing and sending my stuff to the recruiting contact. It hasn't seemed to hurt that much so far, but now I'm wondering about those firms I really like that haven't responded...

...crap. Did this too. Well, at least I know now!

this is the first time i've heard of this

Wait, who said to do this? Even Guerrilla guide tells us to address to the recruiting contact....FML

Our OCS says to address to the recruiting contact. I think you're fine.

[r6_philly]

Any advice for someone who wants to get a post 1L summer job? I'd like to get a head start, but don't want to commit any tactical errors...

I'm at at T2 in a major market.

You can't apply to NALP employers until 12/1. You can however, do the leg work and do "informational" contacts.

[r6_philly]

Our OCS says to address to the recruiting contact. I think you're fine.

All my stuff that were emailed went to recruiting contact both for this and next summer when it is appropriate. No problems. If you go visit firm website's "career" sections, most if not all of them ask you to contact/apply to the recruiting director. Just do your due diligence and check out each firm's site instead of shortcutting by getting stuff off of NALP. Some firms want you to apply through their online candidate systems. You will probably not get a response if you emailed, perhaps for failing to follow directions.

[Anonymous User]

I only want to work in one particular market (it's major and it also happens to be the only place I have any ties to). Given that my OCI is a lottery and all the major firms in that market will be there, should I wait until I know which places I'm interviewing with/have picked up any extra interviews at add/drop to mass-mail the firms I was unable to get interviews with? My only problem with that is I'm worried it may be too late in time (early August) at that point.

[piccolittle]

I only want to work in one particular market (it's major and it also happens to be the only place I have any ties to). Given that my OCI is a lottery and all the major firms in that market will be there, should I wait until I know which places I'm interviewing with/have picked up any extra interviews at add/drop to mass-mail the firms I was unable to get interviews with? My only problem with that is I'm worried it may be too late in time (early August) at that point.

Are you going to be in that market any time soon? I would only mass mail if you are going to be in that market before OCI and OCI does not happen in that market - the worst that can happen is they tell you to apply at OCI, and the best is that you get an interview. Although, it wouldn't be too late to mass mail at that point, or chat up the recruitment people at the hospitality suites... since it's only the screening stage for most people.

Anyone disagree?

[Kess]

Any advice for someone who wants to get a post 1L summer job? I'd like to get a head start, but don't want to commit any tactical errors...

I'm at at T2 in a major market.

You can't apply to NALP employers until 12/1. You can however, do the leg work and do "informational" contacts.

Can you please say more? I'm just wondering what's an appropriate move at this stage in the game. I don't want to kill potential future contacts by embarrassing myself... lol

[piccolittle]

Any advice for someone who wants to get a post 1L summer job? I'd like to get a head start, but don't want to commit any tactical errors...

I'm at at T2 in a major market.

You can't apply to NALP employers until 12/1. You can however, do the leg work and do "informational" contacts.

Can you please say more? I'm just wondering what's an appropriate move at this stage in the game. I don't want to kill potential future contacts by embarrassing myself... lol

Do a search for "informational interview" or look at the 1L summer job search thread in the Legal Employment forum

Also, an appropriate move at this stage is grabbing coffee with family friends who are lawyers and asking them what their jobs are like. That's about it. You've got plenty of time before you need to hustle for a job that starts in a year, believe me.

[Anonymous User]

Rising 3L at T50 school in Texas (SMU, Baylor, U of H). Top 15% with secondary journal (no editorial board). Should I mass mail law law firms? And, if so, when?

[philosoraptor]

Rising 3L at T50 school in Texas (SMU, Baylor, U of H). Top 15% with secondary journal (no editorial board). Should I mass mail law law firms? And, if so, when?

Only if you want to work at a law (law) firm. Are you seriously just starting your employment search now? What did you do this summer?

[SMU2013]

Rising 3L at T50 school in Texas (SMU, Baylor, U of H). Top 15% with secondary journal (no editorial board). Should I mass mail law law firms? And, if so, when?

Only if you want to work at a law (law) firm. Are you seriously just starting your employment search now? What did you do this summer?

Have started employment search. Just considering when to apply, but, judging by your response, applying as soon as possible is the way to go. I am working for a Congressional Committee in D.C. this summer.

[philosoraptor]

Rising 3L at T50 school in Texas (SMU, Baylor, U of H). Top 15% with secondary journal (no editorial board). Should I mass mail law law firms? And, if so, when?

Only if you want to work at a law (law) firm. Are you seriously just starting your employment search now? What did you do this summer?

Have started employment search. Just considering when to apply, but, judging by your response, applying as soon as possible is the way to go. I am working for a Congressional Committee in D.C. this summer.

Yeah, go ahead and get started mass mailing, and see if you get any bites from 3L OCI at your school.

[clint4law]

tag

[kalvano]

I thought 3L's were supposed to wait a little bit before mass-mailing in order to see how the summer class shakes out.

[MissLucky]

1 or 2 spaces after periods in a cover letter? thanks a ton

[jess]

.

[ilovesf]

Checking in. Sent in my bids tonight, now moving onto smaller firms in the Bay Area and maybe sending to firms in NYC if I have any sort of endurance. Ugggh.

[rad lulz]

1 or 2 spaces after periods in a cover letter? thanks a ton

1, but honestly just keep it consistent and it's fine.

[SMU2013]

When mass-mailing as a 3L, what should I say? Obviously, I am not writing to obtain a summer associate position any more, so what should i write instead?