The Vale of Tears (3L Job Hunting) (No advice for 0/1/2Ls) Forum

[jtx86]

the last thing I effing need when I am mid-interview-process for the offices I have been gunning for and gradually gearing up for finals, cycling day-to-day between optimism, depression, and apathy (apathy because, when it comes down to it, I don't really have loans to think about due to an epic r e t a k e some years ago), and hustling my balls off (though I am gradually learning that networking at offices that I am already in the interview process at is not terribly helpful because I am already "in the door") is my JOURNAL EIC TELLING ME THAT MY FEBRUARY EDITS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND I HAVE TO DO THEM AGAIN!

this journal is ungraded, is not LR, is unlikely to lead to a job because I already did not get the 3 judicial clerkships for which I interviewed, and I was so closed to telling him to S a D the other day that i literally had to bite by tongue/clench my teeth.

sorry for the gripe. carry on.

I completely sympathize with your frustration. Most journal work is a complete waste of time. After I got my note published I should have just quit the journal. There really isn't anything else to do after that...

[rad lulz]

f

[Anonymous User]

My fellowship ended and now I'm back on the streets. Going to be desperately looking for volunteer work or whatever while I wait for lease to end. Have had a bunch of interviews as of late, but hard to get hopes up when things have been so difficult for so long. Feel so frustrated and pathetic, and my school hasn't even been responsive about helping me connect w/ some places to just volunteer or staff.

[Bikeflip]

Your school's 9 month pump and dump is repulsive, anon.

[Anonymous User]

So I've realized that mass mailing just doesn't work for me because I don't look good on paper (above median but outside top third, no journal, etc), and informational interviews go nowhere. And I have one month till I graduate. What I am thinking of doing is just cold calling alumni at firms. Has anyone cold-called firms with success? I mean calling alumni at the firm, not the firm's recruiting manager. Any tips for how to approach this? Needless to say the idea of just dialing a partner at a firm who went to my law school leaves me scared shitless.

[chrisbru]

So I've realized that mass mailing just doesn't work for me because I don't look good on paper (above median but outside top third, no journal, etc), and informational interviews go nowhere. And I have one month till I graduate. What I am thinking of doing is just cold calling alumni at firms. Has anyone cold-called firms with success? I mean calling alumni at the firm, not the firm's recruiting manager. Any tips for how to approach this? Needless to say the idea of just dialing a partner at a firm who went to my law school leaves me scared shitless.

In my opinion, don't do this. If your resume doesn't pop, that's what your cover letter is for.

[A. Nony Mouse]

So I've realized that mass mailing just doesn't work for me because I don't look good on paper (above median but outside top third, no journal, etc), and informational interviews go nowhere. And I have one month till I graduate. What I am thinking of doing is just cold calling alumni at firms. Has anyone cold-called firms with success? I mean calling alumni at the firm, not the firm's recruiting manager. Any tips for how to approach this? Needless to say the idea of just dialing a partner at a firm who went to my law school leaves me scared shitless.

I don't think you should do this, either. Cold-calling applying for a job is intrusive and puts people on the spot. (I have no idea if it's ever worked for anyone anywhere, but I wouldn't do it.)

[Anonymous User]

Okay. Informational interview requests it is then. Goddamn my Symplicity for being dead.

[El Pollito]

So I've realized that mass mailing just doesn't work for me because I don't look good on paper (above median but outside top third, no journal, etc), and informational interviews go nowhere. And I have one month till I graduate. What I am thinking of doing is just cold calling alumni at firms. Has anyone cold-called firms with success? I mean calling alumni at the firm, not the firm's recruiting manager. Any tips for how to approach this? Needless to say the idea of just dialing a partner at a firm who went to my law school leaves me scared shitless.

I don't think you should do this, either. Cold-calling applying for a job is intrusive and puts people on the spot. (I have no idea if it's ever worked for anyone anywhere, but I wouldn't do it.)

Cold emailing is fine; cold calling is a terrible idea.

[Anonymous User]

I have an interview next week for my dream job (local area DA office, widely considered the best one in the area, people-wise). I want this so much. Graduate in less than a month. Wish me luck.

[sparty99]

I have an interview next week for my dream job (local area DA office, widely considered the best one in the area, people-wise). I want this so much. Graduate in less than a month. Wish me luck.

gl

[Bikeflip]

I have an interview next week for my dream job (local area DA office, widely considered the best one in the area, people-wise). I want this so much. Graduate in less than a month. Wish me luck.

gl

[Anonymous User]

I have an interview at a midsized litigation firm today, and my resume and transcript SCREAM transactional. I am not even taking evidence. This is going to be rough. I'm actually genuinely surprised they are interviewing me.

[objctnyrhnr]

I have an interview next week for my dream job (local area DA office, widely considered the best one in the area, people-wise). I want this so much. Graduate in less than a month. Wish me luck.

Would you mind sharing what the region is?

[spleenworship]

I have an interview at a midsized litigation firm today, and my resume and transcript SCREAM transactional. I am not even taking evidence. This is going to be rough. I'm actually genuinely surprised they are interviewing me.

GL!

Be honest about who u are, but tell them ur willing to do lit.

[Anonymous User]

I have an interview at a midsized litigation firm today, and my resume and transcript SCREAM transactional. I am not even taking evidence. This is going to be rough. I'm actually genuinely surprised they are interviewing me.

GL!

Be honest about who u are, but tell them ur willing to do lit.

Thanks! My main fear is they will ask me about my 1L summer at a similar litigation firm. I remember barely anything from those 10 weeks at this point lol.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone has any advice on where to take bar if unemployed. I am thinking of NY because it seems to have the most legal jobs and want to end up there. While jerbless however, I will probably be in my parent's state, which is close to NY but has a much smaller legal industry. Anyone has any opinions/advice about how to decide.

[Anonymous User]

I have an interview next week for my dream job (local area DA office, widely considered the best one in the area, people-wise). I want this so much. Graduate in less than a month. Wish me luck.

Would you mind sharing what the region is?

OP here. Pacific Northwest. Don't want to be more specific than that.

[objctnyrhnr]

I have an interview next week for my dream job (local area DA office, widely considered the best one in the area, people-wise). I want this so much. Graduate in less than a month. Wish me luck.

Would you mind sharing what the region is?

OP here. Pacific Northwest. Don't want to be more specific than that.

Cool. No worries. Appreciate it. Best of luck!

[Anonymous User]

Anyone has any advice on where to take bar if unemployed. I am thinking of NY because it seems to have the most legal jobs and want to end up there. While jerbless however, I will probably be in my parent's state, which is close to NY but has a much smaller legal industry. Anyone has any opinions/advice about how to decide.

I would say in whatever market you are focusing your job search on. Don't take the NY bar if you wont be able to commute to NY often from where you are staying to interview. Also, consider reciprocity.

[objctnyrhnr]

what are your guys' thoughts about accepting a job offer (permanent employment) for a job you don't love as a 3L, but continuing to apply for other things through the summer and fall while you are working there? is there any major risk in backing out post-offer-acceptance, but before you begin? what about a risk in only working a job for a few months before going to something you like better, and want to stay in for a while?

[snowpeach06]

what are your guys' thoughts about accepting a job offer (permanent employment) for a job you don't love as a 3L, but continuing to apply for other things through the summer and fall while you are working there? is there any major risk in backing out post-offer-acceptance, but before you begin? what about a risk in only working a job for a few months before going to something you like better, and want to stay in for a while?

I think it's not an ideal situation - because you may look flakey having something on your resume for a short period of time, and obviously it's rude and may make you look bad to your employer/the people they know. That said, I think it's pretty much the reality in today's job market. Pretty much everyone I know took whatever job they could get, so that at least they can pay the bills, and are looking for new jobs that are more in line with what they want to do.

[spleenworship]

what are your guys' thoughts about accepting a job offer (permanent employment) for a job you don't love as a 3L, but continuing to apply for other things through the summer and fall while you are working there? is there any major risk in backing out post-offer-acceptance, but before you begin? what about a risk in only working a job for a few months before going to something you like better, and want to stay in for a while?

I mean, you are going to burn a bridge. You have to consider the consequences of that (especially if you are staying in that market) and weight that against getting the job you really want.

[Anonymous User]

what are your guys' thoughts about accepting a job offer (permanent employment) for a job you don't love as a 3L, but continuing to apply for other things through the summer and fall while you are working there? is there any major risk in backing out post-offer-acceptance, but before you begin? what about a risk in only working a job for a few months before going to something you like better, and want to stay in for a while?

I think it's not an ideal situation - because you may look flakey having something on your resume for a short period of time, and obviously it's rude and may make you look bad to your employer/the people they know. That said, I think it's pretty much the reality in today's job market. Pretty much everyone I know took whatever job they could get, so that at least they can pay the bills, and are looking for new jobs that are more in line with what they want to do.

I'm doing this and I'm not looking back. I would reconsider it if it was a solo though because they take careful consideration in picking their applicants and it could tots screw them. I'm also only applying to dream jobs so I'll probably be stuck there for awhile so they get a return on their investment, unless i'm just a much better student than practioner, lol.

[Anonymous User]

Just received an offer from a firm in FL. I am officially out of the vale. Please don't despair friends, keep hustling.