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Contact alumni from your school at the firms ASAP. I sent out over 100 applications with no responses. I then contacted alumni at about twenty of the firms and politely asked if they could help me schedule an interview. I received several screeners and 8 callbacks. It works. Do it.

Calling or emailing the alumni? What do you say? PM me if you don't want to post it here.

CandyLand wrote:Calling or emailing the alumni? What do you say? PM me if you don't want to post it here.

ditto please

please triple that pm request

quadruple request

better to contact a partner or associate or doesn't matter?

I'd be interested in a PM, too, please.

May I also request a PM? thanks

+1 on the PM.
Thanks .

Oh heck, why not?

+1

+1 on PM.

Throwing my hat in the PM ring.

+1

With a cherry on top.

Hell, I'd like to know as well, since I have a bunch of apps pending this way. I've had a select few alums help me out when I make some joke about my resume being one in a stack in some dark dungeon room where resumes go to die. But I only joke around with the associates I already have spoken to in the past, and they usually take the hint and say they will try and bring my resume to the attention of the recruiter.

I'm interested to hear how you would suggest phrasing it in your first communication with someone. So, I'd appreciate a PM as well

Is it better to contact law school alumni or undergrad alumni?

I would like a PM too please. Do you think this is appropriate for small boutique/specialized firms as well (with about 10 or so attorneys)?

I would appreciate a PM too pretty please!!

Do I need a cover letter when emailing the recruiting department? Do they even look at it?

OP here. To answer a few questions:

(1) I have had equally good luck with partners and associates
(2) You need a cover letter with your application, but not with a follow up e-mail
(3) I think it is appropriate for any firm that you haven't heard back from regardless of size
(4) With regard to PMs I'd rather not send exactly what I wrote, but here is the gist:

Dear Mr. xxxx:

I am writing to you as an alumnus of the University of TLS College of Law.

Then, one sentence each:
-About yourself and/or where you are in the job search
-Explain your interest in that particular firm

-Explain that you recently submitted an application, but have not yet heard back from recruiting
-If you will be in the city where the firm is located, tell the alumnus when
-Politely ask if they can help you arrange an interview
-Thank them, and attach a copy of your resume

Sincerely,
XXXX

I hope this helps. I have found alumni to be an incredibly friendly and helpful bunch. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions.

Just to add my perspective on OP's helpful comments:

-I found that a cover letter isn't necessary in all situations. For example, a number of firms visited my school's OCI, but I wasn't able to interview with them (full lottery system), so I let them know I missed out on an interview, but was still interested. All I sent was resume and transcript since it is relatively late in the game, and either they like the academic profile and experiences or they don't. I've received multiple CB interviews without any screener this way.

"I am writing to you as an alumnus of the University of TLS College of Law"

You sure about this sentence? Sounds like you would be calling yourself the alumnus when you say that "you" write as so and so.

How do you politely ask them to help schedule an interview? Blatantly with thanks/appreciate or do you try to sugar coat it?

Anyhow, thanks for the advice - going for broke tomorrow. It's amazing how much more helpful TLS is than my school's careers office

Anonymous User wrote:"I am writing to you as an alumnus of the University of TLS College of Law"

You sure about this sentence? Sounds like you would be calling yourself the alumnus when you say that "you" write as so and so.

Not sure why this was posted anon, but otherwise I agree. It's syntactically weird. If you're an alum, I'd go with "as a fellow alumnus of TLS Law," otherwise I'd go with something like "As you are a TLS Law alum, I thought I'd reach out and see if you might be able to help."

Overall though, this strategy seems like a winner, and probably underutilized. People really like helping others from their LS get jobs at their firms.

Anonymous User wrote:OP here. To answer a few questions:

(1) I have had equally good luck with partners and associates
(2) You need a cover letter with your application, but not with a follow up e-mail
(3) I think it is appropriate for any firm that you haven't heard back from regardless of size
(4) With regard to PMs I'd rather not send exactly what I wrote, but here is the gist:

Dear Mr. xxxx:

I am writing to you as an alumnus of the University of TLS College of Law.

Then, one sentence each:
-About yourself and/or where you are in the job search
-Explain your interest in that particular firm

-Explain that you recently submitted an application, but have not yet heard back from recruiting
-If you will be in the city where the firm is located, tell the alumnus when
-Politely ask if they can help you arrange an interview
-Thank them, and attach a copy of your resume

Sincerely,
XXXX

I hope this helps. I have found alumni to be an incredibly friendly and helpful bunch. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions.

How big is your law school?

Anonymous User wrote:How do you politely ask them to help schedule an interview? Blatantly with thanks/appreciate or do you try to sugar coat it?

Anyhow, thanks for the advice - going for broke tomorrow. It's amazing how much more helpful TLS is than my school's careers office

Just be smooth. Say you are interested in their firm -- wanted to reach out to a fellow alumni. Ask if they have a few minutes to chat about the firm, and attach your resume for their convenience. Let them know you've applied a bit ago but have yet to hear back.

Now the ball is in their court. They know exactly how they can help you, but there is no pressure and it's not awkward.