DOJ Honors 2016-2017 Cycle: Application Status Tracker in the OP - Please update! Forum

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone actually received a "not selected" status yet?

Pretty sure you don't get a formal rejection till it's all over - if you haven't received affirmative notice of an interview, it's safe to say you're not getting one.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know how long interviews typically last?

[Anonymous User]

I received my interview times today and saw that OCLA was listed as well. Does anything know anything about what OCLA does exactly? The information I could find is limited, and I'm not sure how exactly the selection was made for this particular office. Thank you!

[Dato]

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[Anonymous User]

I received a PDF with my travel itinerary but have not heard anything from my component. I don't know what time my interview is supposed to be. Anyone else in the same situation?

I received confirmation of my interview times after my itinerary. My guess is that you'll receive your interview times shortly.

[Anonymous User]

Do they reimburse transportation costs to and from the airport?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know how long interviews typically last?

Also curious about this. Have one interview at 12:30, one at 3:30. Hoping I don't have to rush.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know how long interviews typically last?

Also curious about this. Have one interview at 12:30, one at 3:30. Hoping I don't have to rush.

I heard ~30 minutes from my co-clerk who interviewed last year. I certainly hope that is true because I have 1.5 hours between my two interviews.

[Anonymous User]

Not sure if different components do it differently, but of the two that I know about (Antitrust and Tax), each interview is an hour long and just a single round.

[jess]

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[Anonymous User]

Mine was only 30-45 minutes.

Crazy that they hire for a permanent position based on a 30-45 minute conversation. FWIW, the USAO interviews are much longer. Probably 3-4 hours of interviews, and some have a lunch.

[jess]

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[Anonymous User]

Mine was only 30-45 minutes.

Crazy that they hire for a permanent position based on a 30-45 minute conversation. FWIW, the USAO interviews are much longer. Probably 3-4 hours of interviews, and some have a lunch.

I seriously think the interview is just to make sure you aren't creepy/weird and that hiring decisions are based entirely on credentials. (obviously not applicable to all components but at least for mine). I just had a convo with my interviewer about stuff going on in the news, and he/she complained the whole time

Really? It doesn't make sense that interviews are entirely based on credentials, given that reference checks would dispel certain character flaws. I've also spoken to several current JLCs who have stressed the importance of the interview, emphasizing that the "fit" of the particular individual is especially important in the hiring decision. Anyone have further input on this?

[jess]

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[Anonymous User]

Two of my three references (a former law clerk and professor) are not aware that I am interviewing through the DOJ honors program. Should I give them a heads up that they may receive a call? I've used them as references before, and they know that. Does anybody else feel it necessary to tell references? Or am I just overthinking things?

[Anonymous User]

Ive spoken with a former honors attorney for a larger section fhat isnt eoir or civil, and they look for demonstrated suvsrantive knowledge and interest.

[Anonymous User]

Two of my three references (a former law clerk and professor) are not aware that I am interviewing through the DOJ honors program. Should I give them a heads up that they may receive a call? I've used them as references before, and they know that. Does anybody else feel it necessary to tell references? Or am I just overthinking things?

I contacted my references to make them aware.

[Anonymous User]

Once I ask my references to be references I figure they can deal with whatever questions come.

[Anonymous User]

SLIP question here from a 2L thinking about 3L summer (but perhaps y'all can chime in)... what components are considered the best or hardest to get? I'm guessing the hierarchy begins with something like 1) SG/OLC 2) Civ-App/federal programs?

[Anonymous User]

SLIP question here from a 2L thinking about 3L summer (but perhaps y'all can chime in)... what components are considered the best or hardest to get? I'm guessing the hierarchy begins with something like 1) SG/OLC 2) Civ-App/federal programs?

This is maybe the worst basis possible to choose between them. But SG is Bristow (separate) and I've never heard of OLC hiring through Honors (but maybe people with better grades than me know about it). Everyone always says Civ-App is the hardest, and Fed Pro is supposedly second hardest in Civ. Civ Rights is really hard because you need great grades and to have dedicated your life to it.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Yeah, OLS/SG doesn't hire through honors. They do hire 3Ls going into clerkships for SLIP, but a total of like 3 people, so I'm sure it's hard to get, but I have no idea how it translates into future options. Best component really depends on what you want to do.

[Anonymous User]

Just a curiosity: Is there a strong shot at lateral movement w/in DOJ after a few years? Like lets say a civil litigating section of ATR hired me. Would I be a reasonable applicant to Fed Programs after a few years?

[Anonymous User]

Just a curiosity: Is there a strong shot at lateral movement w/in DOJ after a few years? Like lets say a civil litigating section of ATR hired me. Would I be a reasonable applicant to Fed Programs after a few years?

IME this tends to occur through the "detail" process. Basically a person goes on a temporary work "detail" to another section and subsequently extends or even permanently joins the detail section. Other than that, I believe we would be eligible to apply for any job opening that pops up but would need to compete with the crowd of applicants.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone had to make a hotel reservation? I am staying overnight in DC and I am unsure of the process and the amount government will refund you for if the hotel won't give you fed rates?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone had to make a hotel reservation? I am staying overnight in DC and I am unsure of the process and the amount government will refund you for if the hotel won't give you fed rates?

Go to GSA.gov and you can find the hotel reimbursement rates. Just book a hotel for under that amount if you want to be fully reimbursed.