Michigan 2014 OCI Thread!!!!!!! Forum

[soj]

Grades certainly can end of directing your career, as can any number of accomplishments. It's a huge stretch to say OCI "defines" your career. He's not saying don't take it seriously. He's saying you guys are getting too amped up about it. Thinking that OCI is the end all be all is a way to get no offered.

These are screening interviews...does the person present well? do their grades meet our expectations? are they an interesting person? do they have relevant experience? are they demonstrating a strong interest in our firm and in our city? if you were on a desert island with this person, would you kill yourself right away or would you ask them to tell you some jokes first?

you just need to get the interviewers to answer those questions the right way.

We are now at a point where we are both saying the same thing but using different words.

Look. Striking out at OCI ends, for most people, any hope of a firm job. Low grades don't do that. An accomplishment here or there doesn't do that. This is it for the vast majority of people with regards to whether you can get a firm job.

You have to answer the questions that Anonymous listed above and you have to answer them well. And you have to take this seriously.

The reason this discussion started was because people were talking about dropping interviews. That is an unbelievably stupid idea. Doing so lessens your chances of getting a job during a point in time where getting a job is 1) most likely and 2) getting a job outside of this period of time is incredibly unlikely. Do what you need to do to look after yourself. After you have an offer, be nice. Cancel callbacks. Let go of offers you're not going to take. Do all of those good person things. But wait till you have an offer before you start thinking of other people before yourself.

zactly. don't get picky now. first get a fucking offer and then be charitable.

[Druid]

I didn't say there wasn't anything. I said there wasn't too much. Know the firms. Have your points to hit down. But hyping this into the most important week of your professional life is just asking for an aneurism. By all means, call OCP and do a dry run, put together a binder outlining the firms you're interviewing with (their office location, their business, the interviewers), but at the end of the day your job, especially if your grades are good and you have some experience doing something, is just to be engaged and likable. Don't get too revved up for it.

Are you a rising 2L?

[jrthor10]

Switching topics...is there anyway to find out who we are interviewing with before the interview? Talking about EIW interview, not callbacks...

[Druid]

Switching topics...is there anyway to find out who we are interviewing with before the interview? Talking about EIW interview, not callbacks...

At some point between now and OCI your interview slot will list the interviewer(s) you are assigned (for most firms). You'll just have to click on the individual interview slot.

[Anonymous User]

xx

[Anonymous User]

I just realized I have a small error (I know, I know) in my address listed on my resume. One of the letters in the street name for my Ann Arbor address is wrong. No way anyone would notice it, except I am wondering whether employers ever actually send anything to a physical address anymore.

I assume (hope) phone or email is the norm?

[Anonymous User]

I just realized I have a small error (I know, I know) in my address listed on my resume. One of the letters in the street name for my Ann Arbor address is wrong. No way anyone would notice it, except I am wondering whether employers ever actually send anything to a physical address anymore.

I assume (hope) phone or email is the norm?

You might miss some rejection letters...but you'll be fine.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone actually get 12 interviews or fewer? Or is tomorrow's add/drop period a non-event? I appreciate the "less" error in the OCI guide's paragraph about this and in the most recent OCI e-mail.

[Anonymous User]

^I originally got 14. Then one firm dropped out so I'm at 13, but still not in the magic circle of getting to add interviews early.

Next question: Does anyone know if it works to email a firm you got an interview with to ask for an earlier (pre-OCI or during OCI) interview time? I'm at the very end of the day for my #1 firm and I don't want cranky, hungry interviewers. I'd bring cookies and/or sangria but I don't think that's allowed...Alternatively, is there any benefit to having the last interview of the day (i.e. can talk forever)?

[Anonymous User]

^I originally got 14. Then one firm dropped out so I'm at 13, but still not in the magic circle of getting to add interviews early.

Next question: Does anyone know if it works to email a firm you got an interview with to ask for an earlier (pre-OCI or during OCI) interview time? I'm at the very end of the day for my #1 firm and I don't want cranky, hungry interviewers. I'd bring cookies and/or sangria but I don't think that's allowed...Alternatively, is there any benefit to having the last interview of the day (i.e. can talk forever)?

I think they'd be annoyed to have to move their whole schedule around for you. I'd say accept and own being last. You could crack a joke like I bribed the lottery to be last so I'd be first on your mind when you start thinking about call backs.

[Anonymous User]

So what's the protocol on contacting firms that I bid but didn't get an interview? I've heard some discussion about mass mailing such a firm and mentioning your unsuccessful bid. Or maybe wait until OCI and try to talk your way into an interview by visiting the hospitality suite (or just writing your name in a blank spot, if one exists). Or could I even contact the firm now and ask? This last method is probably dumb, but I missed two firms in my hometown secondary market because I tried to get too strategic....put them 15-20 range because I didn't think many people would bid that city.

[scaliaantics]

^I originally got 14. Then one firm dropped out so I'm at 13, but still not in the magic circle of getting to add interviews early.

Next question: Does anyone know if it works to email a firm you got an interview with to ask for an earlier (pre-OCI or during OCI) interview time? I'm at the very end of the day for my #1 firm and I don't want cranky, hungry interviewers. I'd bring cookies and/or sangria but I don't think that's allowed...Alternatively, is there any benefit to having the last interview of the day (i.e. can talk forever)?

I think they'd be annoyed to have to move their whole schedule around for you. I'd say accept and own being last. You could crack a joke like I bribed the lottery to be last so I'd be first on your mind when you start thinking about call backs.

Absolutely do not do this. This is weird.

So what's the protocol on contacting firms that I bid but didn't get an interview? I've heard some discussion about mass mailing such a firm and mentioning your unsuccessful bid. Or maybe wait until OCI and try to talk your way into an interview by visiting the hospitality suite (or just writing your name in a blank spot, if one exists). Or could I even contact the firm now and ask? This last method is probably dumb, but I missed two firms in my hometown secondary market because I tried to get too strategic....put them 15-20 range because I didn't think many people would bid that city.

Do you know who is interviewing you yet? If so, email that person directly. If not, email/call recruiting and talk to them.

[Druid]

^I originally got 14. Then one firm dropped out so I'm at 13, but still not in the magic circle of getting to add interviews early.

Next question: Does anyone know if it works to email a firm you got an interview with to ask for an earlier (pre-OCI or during OCI) interview time? I'm at the very end of the day for my #1 firm and I don't want cranky, hungry interviewers. I'd bring cookies and/or sangria but I don't think that's allowed...Alternatively, is there any benefit to having the last interview of the day (i.e. can talk forever)?

I think they'd be annoyed to have to move their whole schedule around for you. I'd say accept and own being last. You could crack a joke like I bribed the lottery to be last so I'd be first on your mind when you start thinking about call backs.

I know this was posted 5 hours ago and I don't know if anybody above me said anything but holy shit don't do this.

Edit: I, apparently, was beaten to the punch.

[potted plant]

^I originally got 14. Then one firm dropped out so I'm at 13, but still not in the magic circle of getting to add interviews early.

Next question: Does anyone know if it works to email a firm you got an interview with to ask for an earlier (pre-OCI or during OCI) interview time? I'm at the very end of the day for my #1 firm and I don't want cranky, hungry interviewers. I'd bring cookies and/or sangria but I don't think that's allowed...Alternatively, is there any benefit to having the last interview of the day (i.e. can talk forever)?

If you have a really good reason for needing to interview before OCI then you could ask for an earlier interview, but not liking the time of your interview is not a great reason and asking to get the time moved might make you come off a little divaish. Don't worry about the time. There's no way you can predict who will be cranky/less receptive when. My crankiest interviewer was super cranky at 8:00am - clearly not a morning person. Just go in there and do the best you can.

It's definitely possible you'll be able to talk awhile if you have an interview at the end of the day - but this is not necessarily a benefit. I had a couple of interviews that went for about 30 minutes because there was nobody after me. The first was awkward because the interviewer asked if I had any questions about 15 minutes into the interview and I had to then ask questions for a full 15 minutes before someone knocked (my questions became progressively worse over the interview). The second was awkward because the interviewer started telling a super-inappropriate story and there was no person to knock and relieve me. I ended up getting callbacks from both firms, but the interviews themselves were pretty painful.

So what's the protocol on contacting firms that I bid but didn't get an interview? I've heard some discussion about mass mailing such a firm and mentioning your unsuccessful bid. Or maybe wait until OCI and try to talk your way into an interview by visiting the hospitality suite (or just writing your name in a blank spot, if one exists). Or could I even contact the firm now and ask? This last method is probably dumb, but I missed two firms in my hometown secondary market because I tried to get too strategic....put them 15-20 range because I didn't think many people would bid that city.

I think it might help to contact both the firms now. I was able to set up an interview with a firm I completely forgot to bid just by emailing my materials to the recruiting coordinator before OCI. Some firms may not be flexible, but I think most recruiting offices will try to get you an interview if you're a strong candidate for them - and if you're a local from a small secondary you might be a stronger candidate than a lot of people who ended up with interviews. Worst that can happen is they say no and they you do your best to catch a last-minute interview during OCI.

[FlightoftheEarls]

So what's the protocol on contacting firms that I bid but didn't get an interview? I've heard some discussion about mass mailing such a firm and mentioning your unsuccessful bid. Or maybe wait until OCI and try to talk your way into an interview by visiting the hospitality suite (or just writing your name in a blank spot, if one exists). Or could I even contact the firm now and ask? This last method is probably dumb, but I missed two firms in my hometown secondary market because I tried to get too strategic....put them 15-20 range because I didn't think many people would bid that city.

Yes, I would reach out to firms that you have not landed an interview with now. If you have a competitive GPA, I would be sure to include that on your resume and attach it to your cover email politely explaining that you bid on the firm and unfortunately did not receive an interview, but that you remain interested in working at XYZ LLP and would appreciate the opportunity to interview with the firm if they are able to accommodate additional interviews. Same goes for any firms that don't come to Michigan's EIW (or that do but that you didn't bid on) and are in any market that you will be in prior to EIW - you should be reaching out to request those interviews now if you haven't already done so. Not to startle you if you haven't begun the above yet, but my firm has already called back and offered several of your classmates who mass mailed us, and I know of other firms that have done the same. There's obviously plenty of time left, but it's not too early to start.

[Anonymous User]

So what's the protocol on contacting firms that I bid but didn't get an interview? I've heard some discussion about mass mailing such a firm and mentioning your unsuccessful bid. Or maybe wait until OCI and try to talk your way into an interview by visiting the hospitality suite (or just writing your name in a blank spot, if one exists). Or could I even contact the firm now and ask? This last method is probably dumb, but I missed two firms in my hometown secondary market because I tried to get too strategic....put them 15-20 range because I didn't think many people would bid that city.

Yes, I would reach out to firms that you have not landed an interview with now. If you have a competitive GPA, I would be sure to include that on your resume and attach it to your cover email politely explaining that you bid on the firm and unfortunately did not receive an interview, but that you remain interested in working at XYZ LLP and would appreciate the opportunity to interview with the firm if they are able to accommodate additional interviews. Same goes for any firms that don't come to Michigan's EIW (or that do but that you didn't bid on) and are in any market that you will be in prior to EIW - you should be reaching out to request those interviews now if you haven't already done so. Not to startle you if you haven't begun the above yet, but my firm has already called back and offered several of your classmates who mass mailed us, and I know of other firms that have done the same. There's obviously plenty of time left, but it's not too early to start.

Who would I e-mail? The person listed as the interviewer, or the recruiting contact/manager?

[Anonymous User]

Earlier someone said to dress conservatively, but what does this mean? Obviously wear a suit, but only blue or black suits? Would a tan suit be far too flamboyant?

[potted plant]

So what's the protocol on contacting firms that I bid but didn't get an interview? I've heard some discussion about mass mailing such a firm and mentioning your unsuccessful bid. Or maybe wait until OCI and try to talk your way into an interview by visiting the hospitality suite (or just writing your name in a blank spot, if one exists). Or could I even contact the firm now and ask? This last method is probably dumb, but I missed two firms in my hometown secondary market because I tried to get too strategic....put them 15-20 range because I didn't think many people would bid that city.

Yes, I would reach out to firms that you have not landed an interview with now. If you have a competitive GPA, I would be sure to include that on your resume and attach it to your cover email politely explaining that you bid on the firm and unfortunately did not receive an interview, but that you remain interested in working at XYZ LLP and would appreciate the opportunity to interview with the firm if they are able to accommodate additional interviews. Same goes for any firms that don't come to Michigan's EIW (or that do but that you didn't bid on) and are in any market that you will be in prior to EIW - you should be reaching out to request those interviews now if you haven't already done so. Not to startle you if you haven't begun the above yet, but my firm has already called back and offered several of your classmates who mass mailed us, and I know of other firms that have done the same. There's obviously plenty of time left, but it's not too early to start.

Who would I e-mail? The person listed as the interviewer, or the recruiting contact/manager?

Email the recruiter.

[potted plant]

Earlier someone said to dress conservatively, but what does this mean? Obviously wear a suit, but only blue or black suits? Would a tan suit be far too flamboyant?

There's a lot of information on the OCI dress threads that you should check out. But yeah don't wear a tan suit. I think for men the suggested colors are navy or dark gray. For women the same plus black.

[Druid]

Earlier someone said to dress conservatively, but what does this mean? Obviously wear a suit, but only blue or black suits? Would a tan suit be far too flamboyant?

There's an OCI fashion thread, but basically:

Blue or charcoal suit
Black shoes (you can do brown if they're muted and you're doing the navy suit)
White or blue shirt (no button down collars)
Red or blue tie

[Anonymous User]

Dropped an interview with a V10 firm, so someone is going to find that added to their list tomorrow, probably.

[FlightoftheEarls]

Who would I e-mail? The person listed as the interviewer, or the recruiting contact/manager?

Email the recruiter.

Yup, email recruiting. Presumably you would only have a person listed as the interviewer if you landed an interview with that firm, in which case reaching out at this point is not necessary.

[scaliaantics]

Earlier someone said to dress conservatively, but what does this mean? Obviously wear a suit, but only blue or black suits? Would a tan suit be far too flamboyant?

There's an OCI fashion thread, but basically:

Blue or charcoal suit
Black shoes (you can do brown if they're muted and you're doing the navy suit)
White or blue shirt (no button down collars)
Red or blue tie

If its a red tie, don't make it blaring red. Muted red.
If you don't have a pair of shoes (but this is less important), go buy a pair of Allen Edmond Park Aves or if those are too expensive, Johnston and Murphy Meltons. Black captoes are the way to go. They are a big boring but are classic and conservative.

Also make sure your suit is tailored to your body. Follow this guide: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/09/2 ... it-visual/

[Druid]

Earlier someone said to dress conservatively, but what does this mean? Obviously wear a suit, but only blue or black suits? Would a tan suit be far too flamboyant?

There's an OCI fashion thread, but basically:

Blue or charcoal suit
Black shoes (you can do brown if they're muted and you're doing the navy suit)
White or blue shirt (no button down collars)
Red or blue tie

If its a red tie, don't make it blaring red. Muted red.
If you don't have a pair of shoes (but this is less important), go buy a pair of Allen Edmond Park Aves or if those are too expensive, Johnston and Murphy Meltons. Black captoes are the way to go. They are a big boring but are classic and conservative.

Also make sure your suit is tailored to your body. Follow this guide: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/09/2 ... it-visual/

Cosigned. Should go with a solid, striped, or pindot tie. If striped, do good stripes, not that fratboy bullshit.

[Anonymous User]

Is it rude to cold call associates or partners that went to UM Law or my undergrad at large firms to ask them about their practice and the firm in general. I started finding my areas of interest in firms and alums that work in that field, and I have had 2 pleasant and informative conversations. I know how many emails attorneys at these firms get, so I figured why not cold call. Should I stop this practice or continue? I want to show I'm interested in the firms, but is this impolite?