1L summer job application apathy/encouragement thread Forum

[traehekat]

Got mock interview pwn'd today.

What happened?

Thankfully it was just with the career advisors at our CSO and not an actual employer, but I just had long-winded, weak answers basically. I knew what I wanted to say, it just took me forever to say it and by the time I got it out I had already rambled off a bunch of nonsense. I also didn't prepare for it as much as I would have liked since it has been a busy week. Very glad I did it, though. Our CSO is really helpful, and honestly I think anyone at any school should go in and do some mock interviews, unless you are used to interviewing regularly or know for sure you are great at them.

[beach_terror]

Was supposed to have my mock interview tonight, but it got cancelled because of the weather. My 1L SA interview is next week.... woulda been nice to have some advice/confidence going in. Oh well, this job is going to a Penn kid anyway so what do I care.

[Grizz]

Got mock interview pwn'd today.

What happened?

Thankfully it was just with the career advisors at our CSO and not an actual employer, but I just had long-winded, weak answers basically. I knew what I wanted to say, it just took me forever to say it and by the time I got it out I had already rambled off a bunch of nonsense. I also didn't prepare for it as much as I would have liked since it has been a busy week. Very glad I did it, though. Our CSO is really helpful, and honestly I think anyone at any school should go in and do some mock interviews, unless you are used to interviewing regularly or know for sure you are great at them.

I had 2 biglaw interviews during break (aka before I could do a mock). LAME.

The first one went mediocre, the second one went really well, in case anyone gives a shit.

[traehekat]

Got mock interview pwn'd today.

What happened?

Thankfully it was just with the career advisors at our CSO and not an actual employer, but I just had long-winded, weak answers basically. I knew what I wanted to say, it just took me forever to say it and by the time I got it out I had already rambled off a bunch of nonsense. I also didn't prepare for it as much as I would have liked since it has been a busy week. Very glad I did it, though. Our CSO is really helpful, and honestly I think anyone at any school should go in and do some mock interviews, unless you are used to interviewing regularly or know for sure you are great at them.

I had 2 biglaw interviews during break (aka before I could do a mock). LAME.

The first one went mediocre, the second one went really well, in case anyone gives a shit.

Did you feel you just interviewed much better in the second one because you had some more experience under your belt, or was it some other reason?

[Grizz]

I had 2 biglaw interviews during break (aka before I could do a mock). LAME.

The first one went mediocre, the second one went really well, in case anyone gives a shit.

Did you feel you just interviewed much better in the second one because you had some more experience under your belt, or was it some other reason?

Better interviewers, experience, and I was more comfortable at the 2nd firm (people there knew my dad, grandfather, family friends etc.)

[keg411]

Was supposed to have my mock interview tonight, but it got cancelled because of the weather. My 1L SA interview is next week.... woulda been nice to have some advice/confidence going in. Oh well, this job is going to a Penn kid anyway so what do I care.

What weather? It didn't even rain here today.

Also, don't be defeatist about your interview before you even go.

Thankfully it was just with the career advisors at our CSO and not an actual employer, but I just had long-winded, weak answers basically. I knew what I wanted to say, it just took me forever to say it and by the time I got it out I had already rambled off a bunch of nonsense. I also didn't prepare for it as much as I would have liked since it has been a busy week. Very glad I did it, though. Our CSO is really helpful, and honestly I think anyone at any school should go in and do some mock interviews, unless you are used to interviewing regularly or know for sure you are great at them.

It's always good to mess up in a case where it doesn't really matter and you can get the nerves out .

[beach_terror]

Was supposed to have my mock interview tonight, but it got cancelled because of the weather. My 1L SA interview is next week.... woulda been nice to have some advice/confidence going in. Oh well, this job is going to a Penn kid anyway so what do I care.

What weather? It didn't even rain here today.

Also, don't be defeatist about your interview before you even go.

It was icy as hell this morning, and was supposed to be much worse so they preemptively cancelled it. We were also doing our mock interviews with big philly firms (Fox Rothchild, etc) so I think it was just to be sure they didn't waste their time with a late cancel.

I'm not being defeatist, just realistic. I'm going to nail the fuck out of the interview because I have a genuine interest and passion for the work. I'm just not getting my hopes up.

[romothesavior]

I want to ask. How inappropriate is that? LOL.

If true, I'd say it is pretty inappropriate, but I could be in the minority on that.

[snowpeach06]

More than 20 apps in. Only 1 interview, for a part-time gig at a small firm in a small city. Only one "We've received your app and may consider it," e-mail. Literally nothing from everywhere else. This is horrid. I have a memo due, and am still spending all of my homework time, all of my in class time and a good portion of my sleeping time trying to find a unpaid job.

[mths]

More than 20 apps in. Only 1 interview, for a part-time gig at a small firm in a small city. Only one "We've received your app and may consider it," e-mail. Literally nothing from everywhere else. This is horrid. I have a memo due, and am still spending all of my homework time, all of my in class time and a good portion of my sleeping time trying to find a unpaid job.

Are you only looking for firm work? Cause if you are you should definitely branch out into PI and judicial stuff. Also get some RA interviews going.

I don't know what you're actually doing so feel free to disregard this

[keg411]

Was supposed to have my mock interview tonight, but it got cancelled because of the weather. My 1L SA interview is next week.... woulda been nice to have some advice/confidence going in. Oh well, this job is going to a Penn kid anyway so what do I care.

What weather? It didn't even rain here today.

Also, don't be defeatist about your interview before you even go.

It was icy as hell this morning, and was supposed to be much worse so they preemptively cancelled it. We were also doing our mock interviews with big philly firms (Fox Rothchild, etc) so I think it was just to be sure they didn't waste their time with a late cancel.

I'm not being defeatist, just realistic. I'm going to nail the fuck out of the interview because I have a genuine interest and passion for the work. I'm just not getting my hopes up.

Makes sense. It was supposed to be pretty terrible and I was surprised when it wasn't.

We have a mix of Philly/NJ firms coming here for something similar, but it's not until the end of the month.

[traehekat]

More than 20 apps in. Only 1 interview, for a part-time gig at a small firm in a small city. Only one "We've received your app and may consider it," e-mail. Literally nothing from everywhere else. This is horrid. I have a memo due, and am still spending all of my homework time, all of my in class time and a good portion of my sleeping time trying to find a unpaid job.

Yeah, I've spent a lot of time just worry about summer employment. A lot less on reading, legal writing, etc. Just want to get something settled so I can move on.

[romothesavior]

Also get some RA interviews going.

What does this even mean? Just email some random prof and be like, "Yo lemme be your RA?"

I mean, how does one even go about securing an RA position without 1) a good personal relationship with a prof or 2) the prof solicits you or others to be an RA?

[dakatz]

More than 20 apps in. Only 1 interview, for a part-time gig at a small firm in a small city. Only one "We've received your app and may consider it," e-mail. Literally nothing from everywhere else. This is horrid. I have a memo due, and am still spending all of my homework time, all of my in class time and a good portion of my sleeping time trying to find a unpaid job.

I sent out over 70 apps to firms of all sizes all over my home state and the surrounding areas and I haven't had any better luck than you.

[romothesavior]

Are you guys not applying to prosecutors jobs? I've already got three interviews, and I sent all those out within the last 2-3 weeks.

[mths]

Also get some RA interviews going.

What does this even mean? Just email some random prof and be like, "Yo lemme be your RA?"

I mean, how does one even go about securing an RA position without 1) a good personal relationship with a prof or 2) the prof solicits you or others to be an RA?

Well I talked to my favorite professor about a position and was offered a spot but a lot of my classmates are just researching any given professor's study area, expressing interest in an email, and sending in a resume. Professors seem to be very open to talk with students about this and several of my classmates have gotten jobs in this way.

[traehekat]

Are you guys not applying to prosecutors jobs? I've already got three interviews, and I sent all those out within the last 2-3 weeks.

+1, I've seen some response on this front.

[keg411]

Are you guys not applying to prosecutors jobs? I've already got three interviews, and I sent all those out within the last 2-3 weeks.

+1, I've seen some response on this front.

I also just checked our Simplicity and there are a bunch of Prosecutors offices on there. My sister did that her 1L year and loved it (she also got to work in Homicide; seriously, if anyone has a department choice, choose Homicide).

[romothesavior]

Also get some RA interviews going.

What does this even mean? Just email some random prof and be like, "Yo lemme be your RA?"

I mean, how does one even go about securing an RA position without 1) a good personal relationship with a prof or 2) the prof solicits you or others to be an RA?

Well I talked to my favorite professor about a position and was offered a spot but a lot of my classmates are just researching any given professor's study area, expressing interest in an email, and sending in a resume. Professors seem to be very open to talk with students about this and several of my classmates have gotten jobs in this way.

Hmm, interesting. I will see if any of our professors' have a scholarly interest in "boats and hoes" and promptly submit my resume for consideration.

[snowpeach06]

More than 20 apps in. Only 1 interview, for a part-time gig at a small firm in a small city. Only one "We've received your app and may consider it," e-mail. Literally nothing from everywhere else. This is horrid. I have a memo due, and am still spending all of my homework time, all of my in class time and a good portion of my sleeping time trying to find a unpaid job.

Are you only looking for firm work? Cause if you are you should definitely branch out into PI and judicial stuff. Also get some RA interviews going.

I don't know what you're actually doing so feel free to disregard this

I'm applying mainly to public interest/goverment positions with the occasional judicial internship and firm thrown in. As for RA, I was going to ask my one professor when I met with him about seeing my exam, but, he hasn't yet gotten back to me. I might have to bug him.

Are you guys not applying to prosecutors jobs? I've already got three interviews, and I sent all those out within the last 2-3 weeks.

I've never really considered it. But, what the hell. It might actually be interesting. How did you go about finding them? There aren't any on Simplicity.

[romothesavior]

I've never really considered it. But, what the hell. It might actually be interesting. How did you go about finding them? There aren't any on Simplicity.

Some of them, I just sent a cover letter/resume in. For some of the bigger cities, they have info/applications on their websites. I have an interview with the one here in the city, as well as in a few counties surrounding St. Louis. I've also applied to the one where my gf lives (where I went to UG) and where I am from.

Almost all prosecutor's offices will have a program, even if it is not on their website. Just send them a cover letter expressing interest.

[snowpeach06]

I've never really considered it. But, what the hell. It might actually be interesting. How did you go about finding them? There aren't any on Simplicity.

Some of them, I just sent a cover letter/resume in. For some of the bigger cities, they have info/applications on their websites. I have an interview with the one here in the city, as well as in a few counties surrounding St. Louis. I've also applied to the one where my gf lives (where I went to UG) and where I am from.

Almost all prosecutor's offices will have a program, even if it is not on their website. Just send them a cover letter expressing interest.

My home county is so small we don't even have a prosecutor . Cleveland does - I feel like there is no way at least one of my classmates hasn't gotten it already though.

[romothesavior]

I've never really considered it. But, what the hell. It might actually be interesting. How did you go about finding them? There aren't any on Simplicity.

Some of them, I just sent a cover letter/resume in. For some of the bigger cities, they have info/applications on their websites. I have an interview with the one here in the city, as well as in a few counties surrounding St. Louis. I've also applied to the one where my gf lives (where I went to UG) and where I am from.

Almost all prosecutor's offices will have a program, even if it is not on their website. Just send them a cover letter expressing interest.

My home county is so small we don't even have a prosecutor . Cleveland does - I feel like there is no way at least one of my classmates hasn't gotten it already though.

Look in surrounding counties, if they are a close enough drive, or in other areas around Ohio. And I doubt it is filled yet... most bigger cities don't have them filled til later in the semester, plus they take a lot of interns. I'm sure Cleveland has a good number of spots, so it is worth an app for sure.

[snowpeach06]

I guess I'll give it a try. Anyway, in all of my job applying and going on this website, I failed to write even half of the draft of a motion to dismiss that I have due tomorrow. Since my school never closes... I think I'm fucked and won't be able to sleep tomorrow night. But tonight, I give up. TV time it is.

[snowpeach06]

So if I'm applying for a summer internship in a city that I really love - but is absent on my resume, how do I convince them to believe me? I've visited like 4 times, and two of my best friends live there. But that's about it.