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I interviewed for a federal judicial clerkship this week, and I received a voicemail this evening from the law clerk who interviewed me. He left the office before I had a chance to call back. In the voicemail, he just said to call him - fairly even toned, nothing like "Hey, I have great news for you!" or "We have a few more questions for you." Just asked me to call.

QUESTION: Would he really call to tell me I didn't get the position? It's only been two days since the interview! I thought I did well, but I know they had numerous applicants. I'm at a T50 school in a tough market. Thoughts?? Anything to help me get some sleep tonight is appreciated.

You're Michael Jordan and its the Bulls calling you back out of retir..... wait, wrong thread. Sorry.

I don't know how the legal employers do things, but in my experience you never get called to tell you they're hiring someone else. Most employers send letters.

Geist13 wrote:I don't know how the legal employers do things, but in my experience you never get called to tell you they're hiring someone else. Most employers send letters.

That's what I'm thinking too (surprising, I'm sure). Why would he want to hear my disappoint? Envision the tears in my eyes? He also told me they would be making a decision "shortly."

Ugh. Why don't these people work till 10pm??

If they are calling to tell you that you weren't selected, be happy that you weren't. Who wants to work for people with no hearts? Hell, even the law firms representing tobacco and gun companies just send a letter or email...

Sup Kid wrote:If they are calling to tell you that you weren't selected, be happy that you weren't. Who wants to work for people with no hearts? Hell, even the law firms representing tobacco and gun companies just send a letter or email...

Right?! Another good point. Ok, I can rest easy now. Thanks folks.

Adjudicator wrote:You're Michael Jordan and its the Bulls calling you back out of retir..... wait, wrong thread. Sorry.

LOL

Adjudicator wrote:You're Michael Jordan and its the Bulls calling you back out of retir..... wait, wrong thread. Sorry.

Hahaha

Seriously - what is it with these telephone phobias?? Call them back!

Sup Kid wrote:If they are calling to tell you that you weren't selected, be happy that you weren't. Who wants to work for people with no hearts? Hell, even the law firms representing tobacco and gun companies just send a letter or email...

I've gotten a rejection call before, and I don't think it's heartless. I actually really appreciated it. The hiring partner at the firm told me everyone loved me, but they needed me to get my grades up a bit, and that I should keep in touch with them.

I kept in touch with the folks at the firm all summer, and when grades came out that summer, he emailed me and asked how I did. I did much better, and he congratulated me and said we'd see each other at OCI. The OCI interview was basically a formality, it was supposed to be 20 minutes, I left in 5. I got the callback phone call the next day, and within an hour of being at their office I had the job offer.

That's obviously not the situation here though. You kids amaze me with your constant worrying. He's probably calling to give you the offer.

i got an "evenhanded" call like that and it was..........them wanting me to interview again because they weren't sure!

i did get the offer tho eventually, so if it's the off-chance that it's something kooky like that, take it in stride. they wouldn't bother to interview you again if you couldn't get the job. again, super rare that this is happening, but it's always a possibility.

If this is for a clerkship, I don't think it's likely an offer. Judge would probably make the phone call.

If this is for an internship, it's probably an offer.

ggocat wrote:If this is for a clerkship, I don't think it's likely an offer. Judge would probably make the phone call.

If this is for an internship, it's probably an offer.

Just to let you all know - I got it! Phew. Thanks for all your posts. To earlier message, I am many, many years out of college so I do not fit in the "kids" category. Just the excited-to-have-a-job-for-the-summer category.

Revival time. Same voicemail but from the Judge theselves. Thoughts?

Anonymous User wrote:Revival time. Same voicemail but from the Judge theselves. Thoughts?

go get drunk and stop being neurotic

Geist13 wrote:I don't know how the legal employers do things, but in my experience you never get called to tell you they're hiring someone else. Most employers send letters.

I don't know how judges do things, but I HAVE received a firm rejection by phone call. (I think it was because I was literally the 6th person on a list when they hired 5, so I had already known I was really close.) Also "we're taking some extra time to decide."

ggocat wrote:If this is for a clerkship, I don't think it's likely an offer. Judge would probably make the phone call.

If this is for an internship, it's probably an offer.

In our chambers, FWIW, the protocol was to call the candidate and tell them that the judge would like to speak to him/her if he/she is prepared to accept an offer.

I got a voicemail like that from the judge who offered me the job (when he was calling to offer me the position). I highly doubt the judge will personally call you to reject you, unless they're a sadist or masochist. But they could theoretically want additional information or need to fill you on something they forgot to tell you about the process. There's nothing you can do until they call back.

A. Nony Mouse wrote:I got a voicemail like that from the judge who offered me the job (when he was calling to offer me the position). I highly doubt the judge will personally call you to reject you, unless they're a sadist or masochist. But they could theoretically want additional information or need to fill you on something they forgot to tell you about the process. There's nothing you can do until they call back.

A lot of judges will call applicants personally to let them know the outcome of their interview, whether accept or reject. While it would be one thing for firms to call with rejections, I don't think it is sadistic at all for judges to give applicants the courtesy of a phone call. Having been on the end of more than one of these rejections, it's dissapointing at the time but on the other hand I respect judges more who call than who send a generic mass email.

wwwcol wrote:

A. Nony Mouse wrote:I got a voicemail like that from the judge who offered me the job (when he was calling to offer me the position). I highly doubt the judge will personally call you to reject you, unless they're a sadist or masochist. But they could theoretically want additional information or need to fill you on something they forgot to tell you about the process. There's nothing you can do until they call back.

A lot of judges will call applicants personally to let them know the outcome of their interview, whether accept or reject. While it would be one thing for firms to call with rejections, I don't think it is sadistic at all for judges to give applicants the courtesy of a phone call. Having been on the end of more than one of these rejections, it's dissapointing at the time but on the other hand I respect judges more who call than who send a generic mass email.

You're right, that makes a lot of sense - I take back what I said.

.

Kratos wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Revival time. Same voicemail but from the Judge theselves. Thoughts?

go get drunk and stop being neurotic

So you think I got it?!?! .... jk.


My SO gave me the same advice. I took the get drunk part, the not be neurotic part, well that's just not realistic.

What court is this? D. Ct. CoA?

Anonymous User wrote:What court is this? D. Ct. CoA?

why is this relevant and why are you anon?

How bout this... Had a call back (1+ month ago) - No call, no letter, no email of rejection. Sent follow up, no reply.

I know there have been people denied via phone (1 week post CB). I'm assuming I am out, but what gives?

Anonymous User wrote:Revival time. Same voicemail but from the Judge theselves. Thoughts?

It was an offer.