No Interviews!? Forum

[730]

So I gotta ask. I have been applying to summer jobs since dec 1 (and have been applying since then). Im pretty sure I have applied to more jobs than most of my classmates. All types of jobs, all over the place.

I haven't gotten a single interview! Seems like everyone else is getting them, most people don't have offers yet, but I can't even get a call in or any type of interest. Is this normal at this point or do I have to change what I am doing??

[A'nold]

So I gotta ask. I have been applying to summer jobs since dec 1 (and have been applying since then). Im pretty sure I have applied to more jobs than most of my classmates. All types of jobs, all over the place.

I haven't gotten a single interview! Seems like everyone else is getting them, most people don't have offers yet, but I can't even get a call in or any type of interest. Is this normal at this point or do I have to change what I am doing??

Are you a 1L? If so (and others might disagree with me on this), it really comes down to luck or connections or a smattering of both. If you do not have connections, it is likely that you will have to do some kind of internship or externship for credit. I was so lucky to land my 1L SA with a smaller firm I cannot even begin to tell you all of the threads that had to come together to form that web.

[730]

I am a 1L. I have applied to firms, government, public interest, and school positions. I go to a t10.

edit- I even applied to stuff in my home town with targeted CLs via email, and im getting basically across the board no responses. Is it to early?

I am asking this because I want to change my strategy if I am not currently being successful.

[dresden doll]

To be safe, ask OCS to look over your resume and sample cover letters. I don't think you yet have a reason to be concerned, frankly, but you should always do all you can.

If it's any consolation, I didn't get a job until April (although I also admit I never applied to more than 20-25 jobs total; I've always really hated job hunts and tend to spend ridiculous amounts of time personalizing my cover letters). When I did get it, it was a really nice paid gig with a downtown litigation firm. Lots of good positions have yet to open so do not panic.

I also note that I've had classmates complain that they submitted close to a 100 apps before getting a gig - it's not uncommon to have to hunt long and hard before a great opportunity becomes available to you.

[730]

I wouldn't expect to have a job yet, but im concerned about not getting a single interview yet! I had my CS people look over my CL and resume already.

[A'nold]

To be safe, ask OCS to look over your resume and sample cover letters. I don't think you yet have a reason to be concerned, frankly, but you should always do all you can.

If it's any consolation, I didn't get a job until April (although I also admit I never applied to more than 20-25 jobs total; I've always really hated job hunts and tend to spend ridiculous amounts of time personalizing my cover letters). When I did get it, it was a really nice paid gig with a downtown litigation firm. Lots of good positions have yet to open so do not panic.

I also note that I've had classmates complain that they submitted close to a 100 apps before getting a gig - it's not uncommon to have to hunt long and hard before a great opportunity becomes available to you.

Credited. Also, note that it only takes one yes, as cliche as it sounds. I am the perfect example of what one yes can do. One yes for a paid summer gig, one yes to a transfer school of my dreams, etc. Good luck!

[730]

This makes me feel better. I just feel like I am lagging behind my classmates in terms of employer interest.

[romothesavior]

I am a 1L. I have applied to firms, government, public interest, and school positions. I go to a t10.

edit- I even applied to stuff in my home town with targeted CLs via email, and im getting basically across the board no responses. Is it to early?

I am asking this because I want to change my strategy if I am not currently being successful.

That is strange. I've applied to only a handful of places, and already gotten 3 interviews.

But I agree with dres. Don't panic yet. Talk to your CSO and see if they can help point you in the right direction.

[730]

Ill keep trying, wish me luck

[Kohinoor]

So I gotta ask. I have been applying to summer jobs since dec 1 (and have been applying since then). Im pretty sure I have applied to more jobs than most of my classmates. All types of jobs, all over the place.

I haven't gotten a single interview! Seems like everyone else is getting them, most people don't have offers yet, but I can't even get a call in or any type of interest. Is this normal at this point or do I have to change what I am doing??

You are a 1L. We are indifferent to your suffering.

[dresden doll]

Ill keep trying, wish me luck

Good luck. Don't worry, I landed a nice summer job as late as April and I'm certain I'm not the only one that can say that.

One suggestion I have is to expand your online search. There are other sites out there advertising solid legal gigs that don't get posted on Simplicity. Turning to those could mean less competition since most of your classmates will be relying on Simplicity for their job search.

[BarbellDreams]

I am a 1L. I have applied to firms, government, public interest, and school positions. I go to a t10.

edit- I even applied to stuff in my home town with targeted CLs via email, and im getting basically across the board no responses. Is it to early?

I am asking this because I want to change my strategy if I am not currently being successful.

That is strange. I've applied to only a handful of places, and already gotten 3 interviews.

But I agree with dres. Don't panic yet. Talk to your CSO and see if they can help point you in the right direction.

Thats insane. I have applied to 25 so far and have heard nothing except 2 rejections. I assume you were smart and applied Dec 1st while I was dumb and waited for grades. Live and learn.

[romothesavior]

I am a 1L. I have applied to firms, government, public interest, and school positions. I go to a t10.

edit- I even applied to stuff in my home town with targeted CLs via email, and im getting basically across the board no responses. Is it to early?

I am asking this because I want to change my strategy if I am not currently being successful.

That is strange. I've applied to only a handful of places, and already gotten 3 interviews.

But I agree with dres. Don't panic yet. Talk to your CSO and see if they can help point you in the right direction.

Thats insane. I have applied to 25 so far and have heard nothing except 2 rejections. I assume you were smart and applied Dec 1st while I was dumb and waited for grades. Live and learn.

Actually not at all. The places I've heard from were places I've applied to in the last 3 weeks or so. All prosecution jobs.

But it could have a lot to do with market.

[kristttina]

I think the thing that helped me was making sure that my cover letter was sent to and addressed to the right person. You really don't want it going straight to HR, you want it to go to the person who will most likely be your preceptor. Talk to 2Ls or 3Ls and ask them who they worked under and send your application to them. I really felt like that's what made the difference for me! Good luck!!!

[730]

Still not a single interview, applied to even more jobs, should I be concerned now?

[vanwinkle]

Last spring I was freaking out from the lack of interviews until around the first week of March, when I got like three in a row. Just keep putting your resume out there until you get a response, it's all you can do.

[730]

What I really mean to ask is, what should I do at this point. What should my strategy be?

[Grizz]

What I really mean to ask is, what should I do at this point. What should my strategy be?

Apply to EVERYTHING.

[vamedic03]

What I really mean to ask is, what should I do at this point. What should my strategy be?

Keeping sending applications until you accept an offer.

[730]

I feel like I am applying to everything! Am I paranoid for nothing, or am I in a bad spot?

[730]

Can I use other schools symplicities, I need more jobs to apply to!

[Grizz]

Don't apply only through Symplicity

[730]

I also did mass firm mailings, some government jobs, and pslawnet. Am I missing something?

[Grizz]

I also did mass firm mailings, some government jobs, and pslawnet. Am I missing something?

Just keep mailing bro.

[BarbaraGordon]

I also did mass firm mailings, some government jobs, and pslawnet. Am I missing something?

yes. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. Everybody's doing everything you listed, so most of those resumes will never see the light of day. Definitely go ahead and exhaust those resources, but don't stop there.

Literally every corporation nearby is going to have legal counsel. The school districts and the hospitals, too. Come up with a few of these that you could make a convincing pitch that you're interested in, then send a personalized cover letter to the attorney stating that you're going to be in town over the summer and you want to inquire about an internship. Make sure you know enough about the organization that you sound informed and genuinely interested. If you don't hear back, follow up a week later. Unless you get an emphatic no, don't be afraid to pester them.

Look around linkedin for attorneys in the area who are alums from your undergrad institution. Contact them directly.

Oh, and make sure your resume looks really good before you send it out. Ask for input from everybody you can, no matter how awkward it feels.

good luck!



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