1L Summer Job Search C/O 2018 Forum

[Mullens]

Just some general guidelines:
- slim to none chances at 1L SA if you're not diverse, even T14.
- cast a super wide net. sounds like you all are focused on the 1L SA's. think judicial internships, fed/local gov, in-house.
- there are no practically enforceable rules with respect to small/local firms. however, there's no real reason to apply now. you'd be better off networking and building relationships before applying. i'd put small/local pretty low on the summer jerb totem pole though.

I second this advice. You can have top 1% grades at a T14 and not even come close to a 1L SA if you're not diverse (depending on market and school, but this is the rule). I wanted to do something corporate and so I applied to pretty much every in-house job I could find in the major market I was focused on. If your school has a database of where people have previously worked during their 1L summer, reach out to them and figure out how to apply. If not, just apply to every corporation you can.

[Anonymous User]

Just some general guidelines:
- slim to none chances at 1L SA if you're not diverse, even T14.
- cast a super wide net. sounds like you all are focused on the 1L SA's. think judicial internships, fed/local gov, in-house.
- there are no practically enforceable rules with respect to small/local firms. however, there's no real reason to apply now. you'd be better off networking and building relationships before applying. i'd put small/local pretty low on the summer jerb totem pole though.

I second this advice. You can have top 1% grades at a T14 and not even come close to a 1L SA if you're not diverse (depending on market and school, but this is the rule). I wanted to do something corporate and so I applied to pretty much every in-house job I could find in the major market I was focused on. If your school has a database of where people have previously worked during their 1L summer, reach out to them and figure out how to apply. If not, just apply to every corporation you can.

Eh, I can count probably 7 white kids that got 1L SA's in my section (GULC), and I don't know half the people in my section. Hell, I know an entirely non-diverse white guy from GW who got a 1L SA. Hell, I met a white guy from Catholic that landed one here in DC last summer, and he's since moved up to a v5. Yes, they're very hard to get; no, you should absolutely not bank on getting one. But people need to stop acting like it's impossible to land unless you're diverse or absurdly qualified. Kids get them all the time, and not just top 5% kids either. Luck plays a part, no question, like in everything else, but so does the ability to capitalize on an opportunity.

This board will tell you a lot of things can't be done (don't even get me started on the "impossibility" of DC biglaw). Don't let it stop you from trying anyway.

[Anonymous User]

If the first interview is at the office, would there still potentially be a call back or would that be the only interview before an offer or rejection?

I had a first interview at the office (it was local to my school), and it was still effectively a screener. They got back to me a day later asking me to come back for the callback.

How long was your first interview?

Probably 45 mins (15 mins with a legal recruiter, 30 mins with an associate). It was for IP so there was some substance in the interview (not just shoot-the-shit fit questions), for whatever it's worth

[Anonymous User]

If the first interview is at the office, would there still potentially be a call back or would that be the only interview before an offer or rejection?

I had a first interview at the office (it was local to my school), and it was still effectively a screener. They got back to me a day later asking me to come back for the callback.

How long was your first interview?

Probably 45 mins (15 mins with a legal recruiter, 30 mins with an associate). It was for IP so there was some substance in the interview (not just shoot-the-shit fit questions), for whatever it's worth

Thank you!

Yeah I just ask bc my interview is 3 hours so I don't know if there will be a 2nd round or not...(not for IP fwiw).

[Anonymous User]

Is there a general etiquette for putting class rank on a resume, or should you even do it? Actual rank or percentile?

[Glasseyes]

Is there a general etiquette for putting class rank on a resume, or should you even do it? Actual rank or percentile?

At my school we're only told cutoffs for top third (Dean's List), top 15%, and top 10%. Career services made it pretty clear that you weren't allowed to get cute with a calculator and try and estimate your exact percentile (e.g., saying you're top 20% because you're somewhere in the vicinity). Basically we all just said either Dean's List, top 15%, top 10%,or left the number by itself if below the honors cutoffs. We don't have a class rank here, but I don't think I'd include the exact rank unless you're way up top. When in doubt, ask career services.

[Anonymous User]

What do you do when you get curved?

I got an email from a partner a couple weeks after sending my resume to the recruiter. The partner asked if I was still looking for a summer job and I said yea. He then said send me your grades and a writing sample and I did. He then asked if Im town or I would want to do a skype interview if its more convienent. I said let's do the skype and what earliest we can set something up. This was last week thursday and I havent heard anything from him since. I sent a follow up Wednesday – still no reply.

[cheaptilts]

What do you do when you get curved?

I got an email from a partner a couple weeks after sending my resume to the recruiter. The partner asked if I was still looking for a summer job and I said yea. He then said send me your grades and a writing sample and I did. He then asked if Im town or I would want to do a skype interview if its more convienent. I said let's do the skype and what earliest we can set something up. This was last week thursday and I havent heard anything from him since. I sent a follow up Wednesday – still no reply.

1L hiring is very, very, very low on the totem pole of priorities. Keep applying elsewhere but I'd actually be shocked if the partner didn't get back to you in the coming days

don't hit him/her with a triple email tho.

[PeanutsNJam]

Shitting my pants right now; how bad is this? Just found out in a bunch of resumes I sent out that there is a typo. It's a minor one, an extra word that doesn't need to be there (like "and the a" or something). Basically doomed?

[cheaptilts]

Shitting my pants right now; how bad is this? Just found out in a bunch of resumes I sent out that there is a typo. It's a minor one, an extra word that doesn't need to be there (like "and the a" or something). Basically doomed?

I mean yeah if it gets noticed it may doom you all things being equal. But aren't your grades mad high? If so, it might be overlooked. I think people overestimate the amount of time that goes into looking at a resume; you're probably fine. Most of the recruiters are going to be sorting via law school/class rank anyway

[Anonymous User]

What do you do when you get curved?

I got an email from a partner a couple weeks after sending my resume to the recruiter. The partner asked if I was still looking for a summer job and I said yea. He then said send me your grades and a writing sample and I did. He then asked if Im town or I would want to do a skype interview if its more convienent. I said let's do the skype and what earliest we can set something up. This was last week thursday and I havent heard anything from him since. I sent a follow up Wednesday – still no reply.

I got told the same thing in effect and it's been radio silence since last week. Keep grinding and good luck!

[rnoodles]

Shitting my pants right now; how bad is this? Just found out in a bunch of resumes I sent out that there is a typo. It's a minor one, an extra word that doesn't need to be there (like "and the a" or something). Basically doomed?

I mean yeah if it gets noticed it may doom you all things being equal. But aren't your grades mad high? If so, it might be overlooked. I think people overestimate the amount of time that goes into looking at a resume; you're probably fine. Most of the recruiters are going to be sorting via law school/class rank anyway

This is exactly how the process will go down:
Recruiter A: "oh shit fam, this boi got a 4.33"
Recruiter B: "but hold up, hold my phone, he got an extra word in there"
Recruiter A: "but it's a 4.33 fam, top 1% this man on a Mitt Romney level right now"
Recruiter B: "yeah, you right. Hired"

[cannibal ox]

No one will notice your typo, and if they do, they won't care. Fix it for the next batch of resumes you send out or carry with you to interviews, but otherwise don't stress about it.

[Anonymous User]

What do you do when times start to overlap? I've been invited to interview with one company with a reception that evening. Another invited me to a invite only reception on the same day at the same time. I'm not sure what to do with this.

[Anonymous User]

What do you do when times start to overlap? I've been invited to interview with one company with a reception that evening. Another invited me to a invite only reception on the same day at the same time. I'm not sure what to do with this.

Go to the invite only reception, and tell the other you'd love to attend but had an unexpected family emergency arise but would absolutely love to learn more about the company firsthand in any other way (don't ask for an actual solo reception/interview thing, but you can make it sound like you're still very interested and legitimately couldn't attend).

hth, and best of luck

[PeanutsNJam]

What do you do when times start to overlap? I've been invited to interview with one company with a reception that evening. Another invited me to a invite only reception on the same day at the same time. I'm not sure what to do with this.

How badly do you want to work at the interview firm, vs the invite-only reception firm?

I'd say just skip the reception and go to the interview, but if the reception firm is much more important to you, ask to reschedule the interview.

[cheaptilts]

What do you do when times start to overlap? I've been invited to interview with one company with a reception that evening. Another invited me to a invite only reception on the same day at the same time. I'm not sure what to do with this.

Uh, pick one? You're the only one in a position to really approximate your chances of landing an offer at either of these places, and your (first) interview invitation should alert you as to whether the reception is optional or mandatory. If it's an actual part of the interview process, then I would skip out on the invite only reception. If the first reception is not mandatory, but you'll be meeting more people who have a direct say in whether you're hired, I would probably skip out on the invite-only reception, too. All this is moot, though, if your level of interest in company #2 is substantially higher.

tl;dr, obviously you're going to have to respectfully decline one invitation

[Anonymous User]

What do you do when times start to overlap? I've been invited to interview with one company with a reception that evening. Another invited me to a invite only reception on the same day at the same time. I'm not sure what to do with this.

How badly do you want to work at the interview firm, vs the invite-only reception firm?

I'd say just skip the reception and go to the interview, but if the reception firm is much more important to you, ask to reschedule the interview.

To clarify, the interview doesn't overlap with anything so I can make it no problem. I have an interview in the morning with Firm 1 and a reception with Firm 1 in the evening. Firm 2 also invited me to their 1L SA reception that overlaps with Firm 1's reception.

Both firms are in the same city and do the similar work.

[Anonymous User]

Trying to gauge the importance of grades for diversity SA positions. I don't have my grades yet, but I've gotten several interview requests, including one screener and three CBs. All but one of these firms has asked for my grades when they become available, but they are still paying for my travel/accommodations and taking time out of their day to interview me. I guess my question is this: how bad must one's grades be to overcome a good interview? Intuitively, it seems like firms that are very concerned with first semester grades would wait for fall transcripts before extending invitations to interview, but I could be wrong

[IsThisForReal]

What do you do when times start to overlap? I've been invited to interview with one company with a reception that evening. Another invited me to a invite only reception on the same day at the same time. I'm not sure what to do with this.

Go to the invite only reception, and tell the other you'd love to attend but had an unexpected family emergency arise but would absolutely love to learn more about the company firsthand in any other way (don't ask for an actual solo reception/interview thing, but you can make it sound like you're still very interested and legitimately couldn't attend).

hth, and best of luck

Don't lie. You'll just end up causing yourself problems.

[PeanutsNJam]

Trying to gauge the importance of grades for diversity SA positions. I don't have my grades yet, but I've gotten several interview requests, including one screener and three CBs. All but one of these firms has asked for my grades when they become available, but they are still paying for my travel/accommodations and taking time out of their day to interview me. I guess my question is this: how bad must one's grades be to overcome a good interview? Intuitively, it seems like firms that are very concerned with first semester grades would wait for fall transcripts before extending invitations to interview, but I could be wrong

You got callbacks without grades? HYS? If so, your "grades" likely don't matter unless you Low Pass every class.

[PeanutsNJam]

What do you do when times start to overlap? I've been invited to interview with one company with a reception that evening. Another invited me to a invite only reception on the same day at the same time. I'm not sure what to do with this.

How badly do you want to work at the interview firm, vs the invite-only reception firm?

I'd say just skip the reception and go to the interview, but if the reception firm is much more important to you, ask to reschedule the interview.

To clarify, the interview doesn't overlap with anything so I can make it no problem. I have an interview in the morning with Firm 1 and a reception with Firm 1 in the evening. Firm 2 also invited me to their 1L SA reception that overlaps with Firm 1's reception.

Both firms are in the same city and do the similar work.

I'd still just say go with whichever firm you want more.

[Anonymous User]

Trying to gauge the importance of grades for diversity SA positions. I don't have my grades yet, but I've gotten several interview requests, including one screener and three CBs. All but one of these firms has asked for my grades when they become available, but they are still paying for my travel/accommodations and taking time out of their day to interview me. I guess my question is this: how bad must one's grades be to overcome a good interview? Intuitively, it seems like firms that are very concerned with first semester grades would wait for fall transcripts before extending invitations to interview, but I could be wrong

You got callbacks without grades? HYS? If so, your "grades" likely don't matter unless you Low Pass every class.

Sorry, to clarify, by screener I meant a low-key 30 minute interview, and by callback I meant multiple interviews with partners and associates lasting about 2.5 hours and including lunch, but for this latter group of interviews, I never had a screener.

Edit: CCN

[Anonymous User]

Shitting my pants right now; how bad is this? Just found out in a bunch of resumes I sent out that there is a typo. It's a minor one, an extra word that doesn't need to be there (like "and the a" or something). Basically doomed?

Had a typo in one of my application documents. Still got a callback. Do not have 4.0+ gpa

[czpczp]

Shitting my pants right now; how bad is this? Just found out in a bunch of resumes I sent out that there is a typo. It's a minor one, an extra word that doesn't need to be there (like "and the a" or something). Basically doomed?

Had a typo in one of my application documents. Still got a callback. Do not have 4.0+ gpa

Important Question: Was the typo your GPA?