SEC Chair's Attorney Honors Program Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm confused by some of the comments about who the SEC is looking at for these positions. There were two programs: one was the honors program for 3Ls and the other was the honors program for people completing clerkships. I would have assumed that the pool of applicants SEC would be considering would be limited to 3Ls and current clerks. I applied in August and have heard nothing since then despite there being some serious signs that they might have wanted to move quickly (i.e. 500 applicant limit and position only being open for like 2 weeks). Seems weird now to hear that the only person who has "accepted" one of these offers so far does not fit what I thought the applicant pool was limited to.

I'm also confused if people who are saying they received offers or have heard of people who did, got these offers in connection with this particular program. A lot of people seem to be saying there has been no movement at all, but others seem to be saying that offices have started or even completed interviewing.

[Anonymous User]

I am in a position to hear certain inside talk and I have heard that these positions (10) are likely to go to ex military applicants or those that have a clerkship under their belt. Other applicants are at an extreme disadvantage.

I am shocked - SHOCKED - that attorneys are being hired on something other than pure skill, ability, and fit.

Besides this being anon abuse, I don't get why you are so bothered by the idea that fit is important. I'm the person who originally made that statement and it was offered as advice to interviewees from someone works at the commission. For many firms, students with certain grades from certain schools will almost always receive an offer. For the commission that is not necessarily the case. It wasn't snark, it was an attempt to be helpful to those with interviews coming up. As someone only a few years removed from this process I know how stressful it can be.

The program is not limited to 10 positions. That figure was based on the positions identified when the original announcement was made. More slots have, and may continue to be added as more departments sign on. As far as all the spots likely going to those with clerkships or military experience, that remains to be seen. The only offer I know of that has been accepted was to someone without either of these credentials.

As someone who is going through the process right now, I for one appreciate your input. So thank you and keep them coming!

[Anonymous User]

Initial interview invitations are still going out fwiw.

[Anonymous User]

Initial interview invitations are still going out fwiw.

I second this.

[Anonymous User]

There was a thread recently on TLS about SEC vs. V10 or the like. I would guess that the people in that thread considering SEC offers probably got them through this program?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone setup an in-person interview? Or are they only over the phone?

[Danteshek]

Finally, for those who are contacted please keep in mind that fit is extremely important. I know on TLS we think school, gpa etc are the end all be all but don't think that certain stats will get you an interview or job offer. Yes, you need to have an solid resume and a demonstrated interest/background in the industry, but unlike big law, they will pass over a T-14 candidate for a T2 candidate in a heartbeat if they think the think the person from the T2 is a better fit. By fit I mean intelligent, nice, "warm,"pleasant, ethical and professional. Good luck!

Or totally lacking in ambition or entrepreneurship to make or create anything.

People, wake up. This is the SEC. It is a government job.

Yes, lawyers in biglaw are born entrepreneurs, constantly creating new ideas that are changing the world for the better. Not like those lazy government regulators, lacking in entrepreneurship and ambition. It's not like they ever leave the SEC or USAO and become biglaw partners--except, like, every month. If you want to be creating things other than paper, I suggest you find a new profession (assuming you're a lawyer which I highly doubt since lawyers usually know the difference between the SEC and the DMV).

You seem really impressed with those SEC lawyers who become biglaw partners. Most of them fail at building a private practice and have to return to the SEC....

[Anonymous User]

I got the prescreening phone call 2 weeks ago. Have not received the calls from the Divisions to set up interview yet. Gave the choice to do the next interview over phone or in person.

[lapolicia]

Finally, for those who are contacted please keep in mind that fit is extremely important. I know on TLS we think school, gpa etc are the end all be all but don't think that certain stats will get you an interview or job offer. Yes, you need to have an solid resume and a demonstrated interest/background in the industry, but unlike big law, they will pass over a T-14 candidate for a T2 candidate in a heartbeat if they think the think the person from the T2 is a better fit. By fit I mean intelligent, nice, "warm,"pleasant, ethical and professional. Good luck!

Or totally lacking in ambition or entrepreneurship to make or create anything.

People, wake up. This is the SEC. It is a government job.

Yes, lawyers in biglaw are born entrepreneurs, constantly creating new ideas that are changing the world for the better. Not like those lazy government regulators, lacking in entrepreneurship and ambition. It's not like they ever leave the SEC or USAO and become biglaw partners--except, like, every month. If you want to be creating things other than paper, I suggest you find a new profession (assuming you're a lawyer which I highly doubt since lawyers usually know the difference between the SEC and the DMV).

You seem really impressed with those SEC lawyers who become biglaw partners. Most of them fail at building a private practice and have to return to the SEC....

Are you still mad that the SEC didn't hire you? You seem to care a lot about them to be posting in every thread involving the agency.

[Anonymous User]

I got the prescreening phone call 2 weeks ago. Have not received the calls from the Divisions to set up interview yet. Gave the choice to do the next interview over phone or in person.

Which Division? I got the pre screen call from one of the divisions and had phone interview within few days/ On the other hand, I had a prescreening phone call with another division and I am still waiting to set up the interview. So i am guessing different divisions move at different pace based on their schedule/volume of applications they are considering.

[Anonymous User]

Finally, for those who are contacted please keep in mind that fit is extremely important. I know on TLS we think school, gpa etc are the end all be all but don't think that certain stats will get you an interview or job offer. Yes, you need to have an solid resume and a demonstrated interest/background in the industry, but unlike big law, they will pass over a T-14 candidate for a T2 candidate in a heartbeat if they think the think the person from the T2 is a better fit. By fit I mean intelligent, nice, "warm,"pleasant, ethical and professional. Good luck!

Or totally lacking in ambition or entrepreneurship to make or create anything.

People, wake up. This is the SEC. It is a government job.

Yes, lawyers in biglaw are born entrepreneurs, constantly creating new ideas that are changing the world for the better. Not like those lazy government regulators, lacking in entrepreneurship and ambition. It's not like they ever leave the SEC or USAO and become biglaw partners--except, like, every month. If you want to be creating things other than paper, I suggest you find a new profession (assuming you're a lawyer which I highly doubt since lawyers usually know the difference between the SEC and the DMV).

You seem really impressed with those SEC lawyers who become biglaw partners. Most of them fail at building a private practice and have to return to the SEC....

This is a thread for those of us looking for information on the SEC's honors program as we are going through the application process. Whatever your thoughts are on the type of people who work at the SEC, lapolicia is giving us helpful insight. So can we please keep the thread on topic?

[Anonymous User]

Can we list the divisions that have extended interview invites?

I've heard of Enforcement and Corp Fin. Any others?

[Anonymous User]

Can we list the divisions that have extended interview invites?

I've heard of Enforcement and Corp Fin. Any others?

I've heard of Investment Management.

[Anonymous User]

SEC HR said the following divisions in HQ were allocated slots for Chairs Attorney Honors: OCIE, ENF, IM, OCR, CF, and TM.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear anything from a regional office, or is it just D.C. that is moving on these?

[Anonymous User]

During my phone interview I was informed that regional office did not have spots allocated for this program.

[Anonymous User]

Can verify that initial interview requests for divisions already listed here are still going out as of today.

[Anonymous User]

So I had a phone interview for this that was kinda crazy. No advance notice that an interview was coming. Don't want to give too many details but I just picked up the phone and it was one of the head SEC people who immediately started asking hard interview questions. Needless to say, I completely fucked it up. Fortunately I already have a job elsewhere but damn that was brutal. Happy that I at least got an interview though. SEC was a nice dream.

[jkech]

So I had a phone interview for this that was kinda crazy. No advance notice that an interview was coming. Don't want to give too many details but I just picked up the phone and it was one of the head SEC people who immediately started asking hard interview questions. Needless to say, I completely fucked it up. Fortunately I already have a job elsewhere but damn that was brutal. Happy that I at least got an interview though. SEC was a nice dream.

basically this is why you should never answer your phone

accidental anon, this is jkech1

[Danteshek]

So I had a phone interview for this that was kinda crazy. No advance notice that an interview was coming. Don't want to give too many details but I just picked up the phone and it was one of the head SEC people who immediately started asking hard interview questions. Needless to say, I completely fucked it up. Fortunately I already have a job elsewhere but damn that was brutal. Happy that I at least got an interview though. SEC was a nice dream.

You should be happy it worked out this way. Getting an offer from the SEC could easily have been the worst thing that could have possibly happened to your career.

[Anonymous User]

So I had a phone interview for this that was kinda crazy. No advance notice that an interview was coming. Don't want to give too many details but I just picked up the phone and it was one of the head SEC people who immediately started asking hard interview questions. Needless to say, I completely fucked it up. Fortunately I already have a job elsewhere but damn that was brutal. Happy that I at least got an interview though. SEC was a nice dream.

Same thing happened to me. I let it go to voicemail and called back later and got bombarded with questions on the spot. Voicemail said nothing about interview just that they wanted to reach out to me to see if I was still interested.

[seizmaar]

You should be happy it worked out this way. Getting an offer from the SEC could easily have been the worst thing that could have possibly happened to your career.

plz elaborate if not troll

[Anonymous User]

that happened to me at the same exact time.

[A. Nony Mouse]

So I had a phone interview for this that was kinda crazy. No advance notice that an interview was coming. Don't want to give too many details but I just picked up the phone and it was one of the head SEC people who immediately started asking hard interview questions. Needless to say, I completely fucked it up. Fortunately I already have a job elsewhere but damn that was brutal. Happy that I at least got an interview though. SEC was a nice dream.

You should be happy it worked out this way. Getting an offer from the SEC could easily have been the worst thing that could have possibly happened to your career.

These recurring doom-and-gloom government-suck comments aren't helping anyone. if you have comments about a specific position please do offer them, but don't just keep posting how terrible the government/SEC are without anything further.

[Anonymous User]

Those of you with the on the spot interviews, is this after you received the pre-screen initial call to see if you are interested and would like to set up an interview to be determined at a later date? or is this your first contact with SEC since submitting the app? Also, do you mind sharing which divisions wo we know they are moving from prescreen to interview phase. Thank you in advance.