The Vale of Tears (3L Job Hunting) (No advice for 0/1/2Ls) Forum

[dresden doll]

Just picked up my fucking dream job with the federal government. Literally, if I had my pick of the litter of all the jobs out there, and I most certainly did not, this is the job I would have picked.

Congrats, dude. Good stuff.

Yeah, that's awesome.

EDIT: apologies for the accidental anon - dresden.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone here interviewing with Citi for their compliance program?

[TheFutureLawyer]

x

[BVest]

jobfind
byucougars

[FSK]

That combo just failed for me

[Anonymous User]

Anyone here interviewing with Citi for their compliance program?

I did last week. Totally bombed it. They have a form with behavioral questions on it that they write your responses on, so be ready for that. It was just a typical consulting/finance behavioral interview, such as what are your strengths, tell me a time you've been a leader, how do you work in groups, etc.

[Anonymous User]

3L out of the vale! Just got a fellowship at an appellate law firm. So I think clerkships/big law are still an option later on.

[Nebby]

Results: I got one interview from each group. No offer from the experimental group. Offer from the control group.

DOOOOOOOOOOO Congrats on the JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, by control group do you mean the one that you didn't email?

[TheFutureLawyer]

x

[Anonymous User]

Nvm

[zot1]

Also, it's crazy I got the job at one office, but then almost all the other office locations (doing the same job) didn't even interview me. Fed gov is weird I guess. Or maybe I'm just a stupidly lucky son of a bitch to have gotten this job.

Remember that different offices have different people hiring and people are, well, different.

Someone from office A might find your resume boring, while someone from office B might see something they love about you. Also, it depends on the pool of applicants each individual office gets-you might be a big fish in one pool but not others.

Finally, no matter all of this, I'm sure luck played a role too.

Congrats!

[Anonymous User]

Now is about the time when this unemployed 3L has no choice but to face the awful reality that I'm just not going to have a job before graduation, and possibly not afterward for a very long time. Even after months of being optimistic and reaching out to people, after keeping a smile on my face and nodding like an idiot when people exclaim over my T14 and grumble over just how much those lawyers make, after thousands of resumes and only a nibble here or there, I'm dealing with the very unpleasant fact that I've gone and made myself unemployable, and locked a future that would have been very workable into what could be decades of shackles. I know how entitled this sounds, and I'm sorry. But I am at a total loss, for what feels like the first time in my life.

[TheFutureLawyer]

x

[Anonymous User]

Now is about the time when this unemployed 3L has no choice but to face the awful reality that I'm just not going to have a job before graduation, and possibly not afterward for a very long time. Even after months of being optimistic and reaching out to people, after keeping a smile on my face and nodding like an idiot when people exclaim over my T14 and grumble over just how much those lawyers make, after thousands of resumes and only a nibble here or there, I'm dealing with the very unpleasant fact that I've gone and made myself unemployable, and locked a future that would have been very workable into what could be decades of shackles. I know how entitled this sounds, and I'm sorry. But I am at a total loss, for what feels like the first time in my life.

I know the feeling. All your classmates are talking about their great jobs lined up. It sucks. But things aren't as grim as you might think. TONS of jobs open up over the summer. I neglected to take advantage of them because I was studying for the bar. Don't be that guy. Double time it. Apply while studying. You'll find something respectable for sure.

[Anonymous User]

Stupid questions incoming...

Is it too late to be applying for clerkships (3L), state or federal? I also don't get how to apply for jobs at this point. I can't start for like another year, who takes that application seriously? Do I only apply to places with actual jobs posted, and just include when I'm taking the bar in my resume or cover letter? Pointless to apply to jobs that require experience as practicing attorney right?

Also, how bad is working workers comp defense? I know, take the job (if its there), but I'm curious if anyone here knows much about it. The pay is fine, considering my COL and debt.

[TheFutureLawyer]

x

[Anonymous User]

Also, how bad is working workers comp defense? I know, take the job (if its there), but I'm curious if anyone here knows much about it. The pay is fine, considering my COL and debt.

I kinda did workers' comp defense at the appellate level, and I enjoyed it (though, obviously, appellate is pretty different from the early stages of a case). Take the job if its there, and look for something better on your off time.

Is it too late to be applying for clerkships (3L), state or federal? I also don't get how to apply for jobs at this point. I can't start for like another year, who takes that application seriously? Do I only apply to places with actual jobs posted, and just include when I'm taking the bar in my resume or cover letter?

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=120382

Thanks for this. As far as the clerkships go, I wonder if there is any way to find which positions have actually been filled in my state (NJ).

[Anonymous User]

Anon from above. Clearly, I'm pretty late on the clerkship wagon. Does it seem appropriate to contact the clerk/secretary of judges and just asking if they have appointed a clerk yet?

[BVest]

Anon from above. Clearly, I'm pretty late on the clerkship wagon. Does it seem appropriate to contact the clerk/secretary of judges and just asking if they have appointed a clerk yet?

No, it does not seem appropriate. Check OSCAR which will give you some information. Check with the clerkship contact at your school (even if you don't have a clerkship office, there will be at least one CSO who's designated as the clerkship director/coordinator/whatever). Check threads in the Clerkship forum. Check websites for the state courts. And if you're still unsure if the position is still open, you can either have the clerkship contact at your school contact the chambers you're interested in OR just send the application anyway. If the spot is filled, an application isn't going to hurt you, and if it's not filled, you've saved the step of inquiring.

[Anonymous User]

Anon from above. Clearly, I'm pretty late on the clerkship wagon. Does it seem appropriate to contact the clerk/secretary of judges and just asking if they have appointed a clerk yet?

No, it does not seem appropriate. Check OSCAR which will give you some information. Check with the clerkship contact at your school (even if you don't have a clerkship office, there will be at least one CSO who's designated as the clerkship director/coordinator/whatever). Check threads in the Clerkship forum. Check websites for the state courts. And if you're still unsure if the position is still open, you can either have the clerkship contact at your school contact the chambers you're interested in OR just send the application anyway. If the spot is filled, an application isn't going to hurt you, and if it's not filled, you've saved the step of inquiring.

Okay thanks. Doubt I'm a competitor for fed clerkships but I'll look. Thanks for the other information.

[ballouttacontrol]

Anon from above. Clearly, I'm pretty late on the clerkship wagon. Does it seem appropriate to contact the clerk/secretary of judges and just asking if they have appointed a clerk yet?

No, it does not seem appropriate. Check OSCAR which will give you some information. Check with the clerkship contact at your school (even if you don't have a clerkship office, there will be at least one CSO who's designated as the clerkship director/coordinator/whatever). Check threads in the Clerkship forum. Check websites for the state courts. And if you're still unsure if the position is still open, you can either have the clerkship contact at your school contact the chambers you're interested in OR just send the application anyway. If the spot is filled, an application isn't going to hurt you, and if it's not filled, you've saved the step of inquiring.

This seems to be very contrary to all of the advice I've ever heard on this. This forum and my career office both suggested callling when a Judge didn't list openings on Oscar. I don't see how this could possible hurt you to just call and ask if they are still soliciting applications.

[baal hadad]

Anon from above. Clearly, I'm pretty late on the clerkship wagon. Does it seem appropriate to contact the clerk/secretary of judges and just asking if they have appointed a clerk yet?

No, it does not seem appropriate. Check OSCAR which will give you some information. Check with the clerkship contact at your school (even if you don't have a clerkship office, there will be at least one CSO who's designated as the clerkship director/coordinator/whatever). Check threads in the Clerkship forum. Check websites for the state courts. And if you're still unsure if the position is still open, you can either have the clerkship contact at your school contact the chambers you're interested in OR just send the application anyway. If the spot is filled, an application isn't going to hurt you, and if it's not filled, you've saved the step of inquiring.

This seems to be very contrary to all of the advice I've ever heard on this. This forum and my career office both suggested callling when a Judge didn't list openings on Oscar. I don't see how this could possible hurt you to just call and ask if they are still soliciting applications.

I don't see a problem w calling. It's probably gonna be a courtroom deputy or clerk who answers the phone and they will not care. They won't even know your name

[Anonymous User]

I have landed an interview at a mid-sized/large shop (roughly 130-160 associates), and I am both excited and extremely nervous.

Also, I have a question for yall. I know someone who works at the firm because she was in my study group 1L year. I, however, subsequently transferred out of the school that summer. I want to bring up speaking with the person because I think it could show interest, etc. However, I don't want to receive any negative backlash for transferring, etc. Do, you guys have any suggestions? Would it be best not even to mention the associate?

[zot1]

I wouldn't mention it unless it comes up for some reason.

[Anonymous User]

Anon from above. Clearly, I'm pretty late on the clerkship wagon. Does it seem appropriate to contact the clerk/secretary of judges and just asking if they have appointed a clerk yet?

No, it does not seem appropriate. Check OSCAR which will give you some information. Check with the clerkship contact at your school (even if you don't have a clerkship office, there will be at least one CSO who's designated as the clerkship director/coordinator/whatever). Check threads in the Clerkship forum. Check websites for the state courts. And if you're still unsure if the position is still open, you can either have the clerkship contact at your school contact the chambers you're interested in OR just send the application anyway. If the spot is filled, an application isn't going to hurt you, and if it's not filled, you've saved the step of inquiring.

This seems to be very contrary to all of the advice I've ever heard on this. This forum and my career office both suggested callling when a Judge didn't list openings on Oscar. I don't see how this could possible hurt you to just call and ask if they are still soliciting applications.

I don't see a problem w calling. It's probably gonna be a courtroom deputy or clerk who answers the phone and they will not care. They won't even know your name

OP anon. I actually did it for two judges before I found that my school had a listing of which state judges had accepted clerks, which is a good starting point. I should have said, I wasn't planning on calling and asking for the judge directly, you just get a clerk or secretary.