Letters/e-mails to non-OCI firms Forum

[Helmholtz]

I could swear this topic has been started somewhere else, but anyway.....

I'm in NYC for the summer, and will be heading back out to the Midwest for law school in a couple months, but there are firms in NYC that aren't coming to my school's OCI that I wish I had a shot at. Is it possible to talk the firms into giving a non-OCI interview over the summer while I'm here? These are pretty much all V100 firms, and my school + 1L grades should make me competitive for them. Who would I e-mail at the firm? An alumni who is working at the firm through a lateral hire? A hiring partner? Send an e-mail or a résumé? I feel like this is something I should know by now.

[thesealocust]

Yes it's possible, and yes it's smart. People debate email vs. snail mail, but TCR is always a contact from the firm's hiring office. You can find that info on the NALP directory, and I would start there but then try to confirm on the firm's website itself.

Make sure your cover letter quickly conveys your unique situation: In NYC, want to work for you, headed back to campus, would love to interview while I'm in town, free on x, y, dates, etc.

[cornellbeez]

I emailed the recruiter directly (listed on nalp), but I think that emailing an alumnus may work better if this person can pull a few strings. I didn't have any luck with biglaw firms in New York, but I landed a couple of interviews before OCI with biglaw/midlaw firms in secondary markets.

[gwuorbust]

NALP will get you part of the way there, but you have to understand how limited it is. NALP lists 66 law firms in FL. There are like 20k law firms in FL (of all sizes - solos to Skadden). but there are many, many other decent sized firms that have no NALP presence.

I'm a rising 2L and I'll admit that I have no chance with NALP firms. but I feel like by applying to firms that receive many fewer applications because they are not listed on NALP, I will be able to even the playing field a little bit. Martindale is a great resource for that.

[Helmholtz]

FWIW, this appears to be working. Still have to hear back from a few others, but have some interviews lined up at V25 offices after sending them my resume.

[traehekat]

FWIW, this appears to be working. Still have to hear back from a few others, but have some interviews lined up at V25 offices after sending them my resume.

wow really? congrats that's awesome it was that easy. did you just send to hiring partner or did you contact any alums? I imagine the contacting alums strategy is prolly more useful for non t14 students

[Helmholtz]

FWIW, this appears to be working. Still have to hear back from a few others, but have some interviews lined up at V25 offices after sending them my resume.

wow really? congrats that's awesome it was that easy. did you just send to hiring partner or did you contact any alums? I imagine the contacting alums strategy is prolly more useful for non t14 students

Contacted alums at boutiques and the recruiting offices at biglaw firms.

[bjsesq]

FWIW, this appears to be working. Still have to hear back from a few others, but have some interviews lined up at V25 offices after sending them my resume.

wow really? congrats that's awesome it was that easy. did you just send to hiring partner or did you contact any alums? I imagine the contacting alums strategy is prolly more useful for non t14 students

Contacted alums at boutiques and the recruiting offices at biglaw firms.

Man, most of the firms I've been in touch with have politely told me that they aren't interested in hearing from me until mid-July. Fuck.

[thebookcollector]

FWIW, this appears to be working. Still have to hear back from a few others, but have some interviews lined up at V25 offices after sending them my resume.

wow really? congrats that's awesome it was that easy. did you just send to hiring partner or did you contact any alums? I imagine the contacting alums strategy is prolly more useful for non t14 students

Contacted alums at boutiques and the recruiting offices at biglaw firms.

Man, most of the firms I've been in touch with have politely told me that they aren't interested in hearing from me until mid-July. Fuck.

I'm afraid that by sending before mid-July, I'd be forgotten about by the time things ramp up.

Also, we don't find out about journals until mid-July. Stupid NDLS.

[ndirish2010]

Yeah, I'm waiting to do this until July 15, hoping that is the day that I sneak onto LR.

[cornellbeez]

FWIW, this appears to be working. Still have to hear back from a few others, but have some interviews lined up at V25 offices after sending them my resume.

Congrats!

[hls_2013]

Helm did you email a cover letter also, or just an email with your resume attached?

[thesealocust]

Helm did you email a cover letter also, or just an email with your resume attached?

Always send a cover letter. Rising 2Ls aren't the only people applying to the firm, it'd be obnoxious as hell to expect them to get your resume and piece together what or when you're applying for.

[Helmholtz]

Helm did you email a cover letter also, or just an email with your resume attached?

Always send a cover letter. Rising 2Ls aren't the only people applying to the firm, it'd be obnoxious as hell to expect them to get your resume and piece together what or when you're applying for.

credited

[gwuorbust]

Helm did you email a cover letter also, or just an email with your resume attached?

Always send a cover letter. Rising 2Ls aren't the only people applying to the firm, it'd be obnoxious as hell to expect them to get your resume and piece together what or when you're applying for.

agreed. although sometimes I do a "cover email" instead of attaching a separate document, not telling someone why you are sending in your resume is just dumb.