Keg Gives Advice on Getting a BigLaw SA Post-OCI Forum

[keg411]

Where do you guys find a good list of firms to mass mail? (looking at CA)

NALP, martindale, state law journal, resume launchpad.

[Anonymous User]

I got rejected by a firm's office in CA at OCI, then applied to their office on the east coast and they gave me a CB.

Do you think the firm on the east coast even knows that I did a screener with their CA office? Will they ask about OCI at my school and if I interviewed with one of their offices? How do I answer these questions?

The office on the east coast is in my hometown so I'd be happy to go there, but I interviewed with their office out west so that looks kinda weird.

I worked this past summer for a firm whose other office in a secondary market had previously rejected me after a CB from mass mailing. My interview with the office I ended up working for was late in the game, so I didn't try to hide the fact that I had been previously rejected. I actually used information I had learned during that CB to further support why I wanted to work for that firm. After working there this summer, I learned how centralized the recruiting is for this particular firm, so I'm 99% sure they would have figured it out on their own had I not volunteered the information before the offer stage.

So ultimately I think it largely depends on the firm's recruiting practices. Make sure you remember the names of the attorneys you interviewed with at OCI in case they ask (my firm asked me who I had interviewed with in their other office).

[Anonymous User]

I did a CB over a month ago (6 weeks) and haven't heard anything yet. I e-mailed the recruiter 2 weeks ago and she said that they had 1 more interview and that they'd make a decision soon thereafter. Its a big law firm in a secondary market with about 60 attorneys in the office.

What should I do? I'm treating it as a rejection, but I don't want to give up hope. I don't have any other offers but it's getting to the point where I want to just tell them that they need to let me know because they are holding me up. Do you think this would be a good idea? Also, I had a good connection with one of the partners so should I e-mail him or the recruiter (if you think that's the right move)?

BTW this firm is probably my top choice, I'm just frustrated with how long it is taking. I just want a fucking answer.

Thoughts?

[HBBJohnStamos]

Bookmarked for next year. Thanks keg.

[IAFG]

I did a CB over a month ago (6 weeks) and haven't heard anything yet. I e-mailed the recruiter 2 weeks ago and she said that they had 1 more interview and that they'd make a decision soon thereafter. Its a big law firm in a secondary market with about 60 attorneys in the office.

What should I do? I'm treating it as a rejection, but I don't want to give up hope. I don't have any other offers but it's getting to the point where I want to just tell them that they need to let me know because they are holding me up. Do you think this would be a good idea? Also, I had a good connection with one of the partners so should I e-mail him or the recruiter (if you think that's the right move)?

BTW this firm is probably my top choice, I'm just frustrated with how long it is taking. I just want a fucking answer.

Thoughts?

Don't fixate. Don't fixate on CBs that haven't contacted you, or screeners that never dinged you. Just keep grinding. The people I know who struck out often let themselves get complacent because they were holding out hope for something.

[keg411]

Agree with IAFG. If you want to do a quick follow up email, send it to the recruiter and just say you're still interested and enjoyed your CB and that's it. Otherwise keep looking elsewhere and don't fixate on this firm.

[Anonymous User]

Did you ever receive any responses from following up with OCI firms where you dropped off your resume at their hospitality suite, but didn't get a screener?

I received responses, but they were all rejections. I kind of screwed up the hospitality suite process, though.

Can you elaborate on how you "screwed up" the hospitality suite process? I thought it was just a matter of dropping off your resume, chatting for a bit, then leaving to go to your next interview, no?

[traehekat]

I did a CB over a month ago (6 weeks) and haven't heard anything yet. I e-mailed the recruiter 2 weeks ago and she said that they had 1 more interview and that they'd make a decision soon thereafter. Its a big law firm in a secondary market with about 60 attorneys in the office.

What should I do? I'm treating it as a rejection, but I don't want to give up hope. I don't have any other offers but it's getting to the point where I want to just tell them that they need to let me know because they are holding me up. Do you think this would be a good idea? Also, I had a good connection with one of the partners so should I e-mail him or the recruiter (if you think that's the right move)?

BTW this firm is probably my top choice, I'm just frustrated with how long it is taking. I just want a fucking answer.

Thoughts?

How are they "holding you up?" Like IAFG and Keg said, you need to be mass mailing and seeking out every opportunity possible. You can't control when decisions roll in, so don't worry about it and certainly don't push them to make one.

[yabuddy]

So I know that the general consensus is not to send a thank you after a screener, so don't jump on me yet.

I just did a Skype screener w/ 2 attorneys and all they talked about was the culture of their firm and how nice everyone is. They said that they don't care if you have the best work they've ever seen, if you're a dick you won't get an offer.

I normally wouldn't send a thank you, but here it seems appropriate. These guys really cared about hiring people who are "nice" and fit their culture so I want to fit that bill.

I think i should send one because it may be rude not to and I don't think it would hurt my chances, what do you think?

[fatduck]

So I know that the general consensus is not to send a thank you after a screener, so don't jump on me yet.

I just did a Skype screener w/ 2 attorneys and all they talked about was the culture of their firm and how nice everyone is. They said that they don't care if you have the best work they've ever seen, if you're a dick you won't get an offer.

I normally wouldn't send a thank you, but here it seems appropriate. These guys really cared about hiring people who are "nice" and fit their culture so I want to fit that bill.

I think i should send one because it may be rude not to and I don't think it would hurt my chances, what do you think?

if you're worried about it, just send one, and make sure there are no errors. it's not a big deal.

[Anonymous User]

Any advice on how to approach NYC post-OCI strike out?

[keg411]

Any advice on how to approach NYC post-OCI strike out?

Mail every firm in NYC that you didn't have an interview with. Approaching NYC is not different than approaching other markets. Also, make sure to follow up with the interviews you haven't heard back from (just a quick couple of lines) according to the timeline I posted earlier ITT. Also, watch which firms your friends turn down that you weren't rejected from. These could create job opportunities since firms want school diversity (but this really only applies if you're at a T14).

[keg411]

September bump. It's far from over y'all.

[Anonymous User]

Typically at around what time of Fall Semester is the gig up?

[keg411]

Typically at around what time of Fall Semester is the gig up?

I know people who got their jobs as late as November, and I've heard of people getting BigLaw into Winter/Spring semester. I was lucky to never get to this point (nor did I let myself ever do this), but at some point, you may need to do some soul searching and consider what the world outside of BigLaw offers and what you'd be interested in. And talk to a career counselor about it.

Also, if there's a particular specialty area that you're interested in, consider smaller firms with that specialty. Chambers & Partners is a great resource here. But I dunno if you mean if it's "over" in terms of BigLaw or "over" in terms of a paying firm job in general.

[Anonymous User]

keg or anyone else:

keg, you have helped me before via PM but I just want to keep my name hidden here for OCI reasons. You're awesome for doing this thread.

Question: I have two callbacks over in a few weeks. Should I make an attempt to get a firm a few hours drive from that area to do a callback if I have yet to hear from them yet? I sent them an email a while back expressing some continued interest but it's been radio silence. No rejection, obviously. I don't want to bother the firm, but at the same time I would think it would be quite OK to at least ask.

[IAFG]

keg or anyone else:

keg, you have helped me before via PM but I just want to keep my name hidden here for OCI reasons. You're awesome for doing this thread.

Question: I have two callbacks over in a few weeks. Should I make an attempt to get a firm a few hours drive from that area to do a callback if I have yet to hear from them yet? I sent them an email a while back expressing some continued interest but it's been radio silence. No rejection, obviously. I don't want to bother the firm, but at the same time I would think it would be quite OK to at least ask.

YES.

Email recruiter, say that you will be "in the area for interviews." This only has the potential to help you or leave you where you started.

[keg411]

keg or anyone else:

keg, you have helped me before via PM but I just want to keep my name hidden here for OCI reasons. You're awesome for doing this thread.

Question: I have two callbacks over in a few weeks. Should I make an attempt to get a firm a few hours drive from that area to do a callback if I have yet to hear from them yet? I sent them an email a while back expressing some continued interest but it's been radio silence. No rejection, obviously. I don't want to bother the firm, but at the same time I would think it would be quite OK to at least ask.

YES.

Email recruiter, say that you will be "in the area for interviews." This only has the potential to help you or leave you where you started.

Agreed 100%.

[Anonymous User]

Worth creating a list of firms/offices that we know are done hiring? Or is there "no such thing" as done hiring/full class?

[Anonymous User]

keg or anyone else:

keg, you have helped me before via PM but I just want to keep my name hidden here for OCI reasons. You're awesome for doing this thread.

Question: I have two callbacks over in a few weeks. Should I make an attempt to get a firm a few hours drive from that area to do a callback if I have yet to hear from them yet? I sent them an email a while back expressing some continued interest but it's been radio silence. No rejection, obviously. I don't want to bother the firm, but at the same time I would think it would be quite OK to at least ask.

YES.

Email recruiter, say that you will be "in the area for interviews." This only has the potential to help you or leave you where you started.

Agreed 100%.

Done. Thanks guys.

[keg411]

Worth creating a list of firms/offices that we know are done hiring? Or is there "no such thing" as done hiring/full class?

How would you even know that a firm is done hiring except by random anecdotal evidence or a form letter that may or may not be accurate? (And if you get that form letter, it just means that you were rejected and nothing about anyone else)

[Anonymous User]

did you still mass mail those firms that specifically say on their recruiting website that they won't be hiring summers in that market?

Ex: "We will be hiring from LA, SF" and no mention of NY

[keg411]

did you still mass mail those firms that specifically say on their recruiting website that they won't be hiring summers in that market?

Ex: "We will be hiring from LA, SF" and no mention of NY

I only applied to firms that I knew were hiring summers. However, I can see applying to a firm that may/may not have a summer program, but only if the firm has centralized recruiting.

Either that, or just apply to the other offices. I think we're coming to the point where if you can come up with a compelling reason why you want that firm/that office, it might be worth it.

[jess]

.

[Anonymous User]

To add to the questions by Jessuf.
I was told by a mass mail screener that I was going to hear by a certain date, but I have not yet heard. That date has passed. Can I contact them reiterating my interest? Should I mention that I am e-mailing them because I expected to hear earlier either way? I do not have anything substantive to add, but I also hate waiting. I also think that I might benefit by being a little pushy cause in order not to look desperate I mentioned other market where I am interviewing.

Had another interview that was not a callback, but not a screener. Meetings with partners that work in the practice areas I am interested. Already thanked them, but is it a good idea to figure from recruiter what I should expect next if things positive. A callback, or offer or what? I simply do not know what to consider what I had with them...