Callback Advice Forum

[thesealocust]

so im a below median student at a lower T14 and have several callbacks coming up. is it safe to say that my grades have been deemed acceptable for the firms and now it is purely about fit and personality? some of these callbacks came from lottery interviews, so I know I can at least be normal and have interesting conversations with people

It's out of your control. Just do the interviews and hope for the best.

Having said that, getting a callback doesn't mean grades aren't relevant anymore. The hiring committee will be looking at all of your interview feedback as well as your transcript, resume, etc. when making their decisions.

[Anonymous User]

so im a below median student at a lower T14 and have several callbacks coming up. is it safe to say that my grades have been deemed acceptable for the firms and now it is purely about fit and personality? some of these callbacks came from lottery interviews, so I know I can at least be normal and have interesting conversations with people

I'm interested in this generally too. I received a callback from a firm who I genuinely believed was just interviewing me to fill one of their slots, as they are both extremely selective and extremely sought after, and I am below what they would normally interview let alone call back (k-jd, nothing special about me, if thats what you're thinking). I am trying not to put too much hope into this callback, because I feel like given my credentials being below their norm, but it would be good to know sort of what their perception of people like us are.

[Anonymous User]

blah, okay thanks sea locust. i know i cant change my grades at this point so i may as well do the best i can with the callbacks and see what happens

[Anonymous User]

I remember a panel of hiring partners at my school all said different things. One hiring partner from a v30 said that once you've past the threshold, nobody else will see your transcript anymore, "typically." Others said it's still considered, but less so (these were from v10-20s, though).

[Anonymous User]

what are some acceptable questions to ask during callbacks? right now I'm of the opinion that as long as it is within the flow of the conversation, i can spread out from the typical questions asked about the interviewer's work, special things the firm does, the summer program in general, and instead ask about things like where the best places to live in the city are, get specific with the firm's involvement in the community, etc. are those appropriate at the cb stage?

[Anonymous User]

also, if there is a dinner planned the night before a cb as part of the cb process, what is protocol for ordering alcohol? is it expected if the other partners/associates are ordering?

[jphiggo]

also, if there is a dinner planned the night before a cb as part of the cb process, what is protocol for ordering alcohol? is it expected if the other partners/associates are ordering?

This is what I do, to each his own:

Order a glass of water and 1 drink and nurse it, or order a non-alcoholic beverage if you don't drink alcohol.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah that seems about right. I'm the anon above asking about the right questions to ask. Anyone have any advice?

[Anonymous User]

what are some acceptable questions to ask during callbacks? right now I'm of the opinion that as long as it is within the flow of the conversation, i can spread out from the typical questions asked about the interviewer's work, special things the firm does, the summer program in general, and instead ask about things like where the best places to live in the city are, get specific with the firm's involvement in the community, etc. are those appropriate at the cb stage?

Also interested in hearing advice on this & do you generally ask different interviewers the same type of questions?

[Anonymous User]

Is it appropriate, at the CB stage, to ask interviewers about exit options, and the % of SA's that get offers (if info. isn't available)?

[5ky]

Is it appropriate, at the CB stage, to ask interviewers about exit options, and the % of SA's that get offers (if info. isn't available)?

I would wait on those until after you get an offer.

[Traynor Brah]

Is it appropriate, at the CB stage, to ask interviewers about exit options, and the % of SA's that get offers (if info. isn't available)?

if you're interviewing with firms where it is close to impossible to make partner, it's fine, and I don't think it's a bad question to ask elsewhere, framed correctly. I asked something like "what proportion of your class in x practice group is still at the firm, and what was the most common reason for leaving/the most common landing spot?" Generally got valuable responses and nobody seemed to take it negatively. You can preface that question by asking the interviewer if they plan on staying/where they see their career going (or if a partner ask what's kept them at the firm so long), so there is more of a natural progression to exit options.

I think asking # of SA's that gets offers is more of a post-offer question.

[Anonymous User]

For joint-degree students, when is the appropriate time to ask if the firm starts joint-degrees as second year associates? CB or after offer?

[Anonymous User]

Will there by any substantive questions during callbacks? Or hypothetical questions? Doubt it but want to double check. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Will there by any substantive questions during callbacks? Or hypothetical questions? Doubt it but want to double check. Thanks!

I've done 3 so far and i've noticed a large variance. Some are just looking to shoot the shit, others are more similar to the screeners. But there was also a large variance between screeners as well. Just really be prepared for anything.

[Anonymous User]

Ranges depending on the interviewer. I've had substantive bs and shooting the shit. Don't recite your story and only answer what is asked. Prepare enough question where you could literally have them sit down and say what do you want? And be able to fill up an entire half hour.

[Anonymous User]

Ranges depending on the interviewer. I've had substantive bs and shooting the shit. Don't recite your story and only answer what is asked. Prepare enough question where you could literally have them sit down and say what do you want? And be able to fill up an entire half hour.

This, but also, some of my individual callback interviews lasted over an hour--though usually because of good conversation. Just something to consider. I was pretty much pulling questions out of my rear-end after an hour had passed.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any consensus on when to check in during post-CB radio silence? I'm coming up on two weeks since I had a pair of CBs. I don't really need/want to do it out of neurotic impulse, but if there's any chance showing the interest will actually help or that I ought to, I'm wondering if there's standard operating procedure here.

[Br3v]

For joint-degree students, when is the appropriate time to ask if the firm starts joint-degrees as second year associates? CB or after offer?

After offer

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have some good advice for good, pointed questions we can ask at our callbacks? I haven't mastered the ask good questions thing yet.

[thesealocust]

Is there any consensus on when to check in during post-CB radio silence? I'm coming up on two weeks since I had a pair of CBs. I don't really need/want to do it out of neurotic impulse, but if there's any chance showing the interest will actually help or that I ought to, I'm wondering if there's standard operating procedure here.

Don't get back in touch unless you receive another offer and need to make a final decision. They didn't forget about you and there's no benefit to pestering them while they're busy.

[Anonymous User]

.

[Anonymous User]

How much should you know about the practice group you're trying to get into? I am tending toward transactional, but I'm afraid of being asked too deeply about it or having to talk much in that sense. I can give some o the regular language used about it, but nothing in depth. I don't know if I need to know more at the callback stage. The place I am having my callback at is strong on transactional, so that is part of the "why X firm" but feel uncomfortable with "why transactional?"

[Anonymous User]

Above Anon: Advice I have been given - which has thankfully worked so far - is to come up with a compelling reason why transactional (no one can answer this for you, you have to come up w/ a genuine reason "why"), but steer clear of getting into too many details/substantive knowledge. Two reasons for this: First, you may be viewed as being too close minded about a given practice group - and that may be a practice group where they don't have a ton of junior spots for. Second, you NEVER want to seem like you know more than you do and get put on the spot w/ a substantive question.

But that is just my opinion. Others may differ?

[thesealocust]

Yeah, modest but curious is a great look. From the point of view of the law firm, 1L does fuck-all to prep you for transactional work, and far too many students blindly pursue litigation without ever considering transactional.

"I read Barbarians at the Gates and am intrigued" coupled with a dose of "ra-ra team work! ra-ra collaboration!" did wonders in my interviews, despite my background in the arts and spending 1L summer with a judge and a tax firm.