No Offered, Recently Got a Job, Taking Questions Forum

[Anonymous User]

I graduated from T14 in May, 2011, approximately top third of my class, non law-review. Summer 2010, only received one offer from a big firm that no offered around half its class the year before me. The firm that no offered me is V100 and in a smaller market. 2010 was the year of fewer offers rather than the high no offer rates of 2009. Yet, I knew several students like me that got no offered in 2010 that went on to get government gigs, which I perceive as easier than remarketing yourself to other firms.

I just recently landed a year long regulatory/policy fellowship with Big Gov in D.C. I did tons of externships and took classes in the policy area relevant to the field. Some even big firms no offer, which seems like most peoples nightmares, but things do get better. I'll try to answer as many questions as I can. There was a dearth of these posts when I was trying to figure out how to come back from a no offer.

[c3pO4]

I graduated from T14 in May, 2011, approximately top third of my class, non law-review. Summer 2010, only received one offer from a big firm that no offered around half its class the year before me. The firm that no offered me is V100 and in a smaller market. 2010 was the year of fewer offers rather than the high no offer rates of 2009. Yet, I knew several students like me that got no offered in 2010 that went on to get government gigs, which I perceive as easier than remarketing yourself to other firms.

I just recently landed a year long regulatory/policy fellowship with Big Gov in D.C. I did tons of externships and took classes in the policy area relevant to the field. Some even big firms no offer, which seems like most peoples nightmares, but things do get better. I'll try to answer as many questions as I can. There was a dearth of these posts when I was trying to figure out how to come back from a no offer.

How many SA's did the firm have that year? How many were no-offered? Did you do something wrong or was it due to economic reasons? When did you realize some people would not be offered a full time position? When did you find out you would be no-offered? Is there anything someone can do not to be no-offered if no-offers are on the horizon, or is it random?

This would be really helpful for those of us going into SA's next summer. Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

How many SA's did the firm have that year? How many were no-offered? Did you do something wrong or was it due to economic reasons? When did you realize some people would not be offered a full time position? When did you find out you would be no-offered? Is there anything someone can do not to be no-offered if no-offers are on the horizon, or is it random?

This would be really helpful for those of us going into SA's next summer. Thanks.

So my year there were about seven SAs at the office, and this year six. I had a mediocre review on one assignment, and glowing reviews for most of the rest. I think one person on the committee not liking your work is enough to blow your chances. Also, the market I was in had a 10-20% no-offer rate that summer, and there were no promises or hints that we would all get jobs. It was just the usual "do your best, we want smart people" lines. Honestly the decrease in class size for the next summer seemed to indicate that they were contracting. They also didn't recruit after no offering. They called me and told me that I was not offered the position, but that people in the office would be references. Honestly, it's very market-dependent on insulating yourself from no-offers, but in smaller markets, really be ready to be able to show ties. Lots of ties. And have a great answer to show you want to be there for a long, long time.

[c3pO4]

How many SA's did the firm have that year? How many were no-offered? Did you do something wrong or was it due to economic reasons? When did you realize some people would not be offered a full time position? When did you find out you would be no-offered? Is there anything someone can do not to be no-offered if no-offers are on the horizon, or is it random?

This would be really helpful for those of us going into SA's next summer. Thanks.

So my year there were about seven SAs at the office, and this year six. I had a mediocre review on one assignment, and glowing reviews for most of the rest. I think one person on the committee not liking your work is enough to blow your chances. Also, the market I was in had a 10-20% no-offer rate that summer, and there were no promises or hints that we would all get jobs. It was just the usual "do your best, we want smart people" lines. Honestly the decrease in class size for the next summer seemed to indicate that they were contracting. They also didn't recruit after no offering. They called me and told me that I was not offered the position, but that people in the office would be references. Honestly, it's very market-dependent on insulating yourself from no-offers, but in smaller markets, really be ready to be able to show ties. Lots of ties. And have a great answer to show you want to be there for a long, long time.

Thanks. It sounds like it was a combination of weak ties to the market + 1 mediocre review. Can you describe how you got a mediocre review and how your work was different for the glowing reviews? Are these mistakes you can correct or did it just come down to making a mistake anybody could've made and somebody being an asshole?

[Anonymous User]

How many SA's did the firm have that year? How many were no-offered? Did you do something wrong or was it due to economic reasons? When did you realize some people would not be offered a full time position? When did you find out you would be no-offered? Is there anything someone can do not to be no-offered if no-offers are on the horizon, or is it random?

This would be really helpful for those of us going into SA's next summer. Thanks.

So my year there were about seven SAs at the office, and this year six. I had a mediocre review on one assignment, and glowing reviews for most of the rest. I think one person on the committee not liking your work is enough to blow your chances. Also, the market I was in had a 10-20% no-offer rate that summer, and there were no promises or hints that we would all get jobs. It was just the usual "do your best, we want smart people" lines. Honestly the decrease in class size for the next summer seemed to indicate that they were contracting. They also didn't recruit after no offering. They called me and told me that I was not offered the position, but that people in the office would be references. Honestly, it's very market-dependent on insulating yourself from no-offers, but in smaller markets, really be ready to be able to show ties. Lots of ties. And have a great answer to show you want to be there for a long, long time.

Thanks. It sounds like it was a combination of weak ties to the market + 1 mediocre review. Can you describe how you got a mediocre review and how your work was different for the glowing reviews? Are these mistakes you can correct or did it just come down to making a mistake anybody could've made and somebody being an asshole?

Little bit of both. First off, there weren't many assignments to choose one at the point I needed to choose one. I selected one in which I didn't have much experience. Rookie mistake. That combined with the fact that the assigning attorney didn't really get back to me or answer any questions put me off on my own. Caveat emptor for assignments with attorneys you haven't already worked with and in areas with little familiarity.

[Anonymous User]

I was no offered from a regional biglaw firm and it was because of the same issues that the OP posted.

Only person without ties to the area + 1 "ok" review on one assignment based from the luck of the draw. The assignment was almost impossible. They only wanted to hire half of the people in my summer class anyways.

To potential SAs... please check the offer rates for past years...


To the Op: did you prepare a reference sheet when you went into interviews with other firms?
how often did the other firms ask you whether or not you got an offer?
What do you tell them?