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

[A. Nony Mouse]

is it credited to apply to gov't positions during the weekend when the application only asks applicants to send an email/attachments to atty_recruiting @ blahblah.gov and not via online application such as usajobs? or should i wait until the work-week? i don't want to have my app overlooked.

- groot

It's not going to matter. It's pretty unlikely anyone will look at it over the weekend, but it's not going to get overlooked - it's an e-mail address designated for recruiting, people will check it whenever they've set aside time to do so. Your e-mail isn't going to get lost in other e-mail because it's just for recruiting.

[Puttanesca]

is it credited to apply to gov't positions during the weekend when the application only asks applicants to send an email/attachments to atty_recruiting @ blahblah.gov and not via online application such as usajobs? or should i wait until the work-week? i don't want to have my app overlooked.

- groot

You shouldn't have to wait, but I will say, that at one previous govt internship, a number of emails I sent over the weekend or even on week nights to my supervisor seemed to have gone missing (or were overlooked). Didn't have that problem with emails that I sent to her early in the morning before the workday or during the workday. Was probably just her though.

It should be fine to send it now, but just wait until Tuesday if you feel more comfortable (or could use the extra time to review your app). I doubt it would be any advantage to send it today instead of Tuesday since no one will be looking at it over the weekend.

[Puttanesca]

How is this for an interests section? Is it too "blah"?
"• Kayaking, hiking, bicycling, birding, beachcombing, animal rescue, salsa dancing, digital photography, and Scrabble"

Too many interests. My CSO suggested just putting 3 (others may differ in opinion though). Also, as other posters said, you could be a little more specific in some of the interests.

[Gefuehlsecht]

How is this for an interests section? Is it too "blah"?
"• Kayaking, hiking, bicycling, birding, beachcombing, animal rescue, salsa dancing, digital photography, and Scrabble"

This is cringeworthy and seems contrived. Maybe I feel that way because I'm a cynical old fart, but good grief, man. Good for you if you're doing all these things, but less is maybe more in this case. Pick something for me to talk to you about, some kind of hook. I don't want to talk to you about damn Scrabble or what kind of pretty sparkly trash you found on the beach. Out of all of those, Animal Rescue is the only salient (and potentially risky) entry.

Or simply forget the preachings of your Career Development Office and just do away with the interest section alltogether. What do they know about the real world anyways?

[A. Nony Mouse]

Stuff in my interests section has come up in almost every interview I've ever had, so I think they're valuable to include. You're not going to get hired just because you have one, but they can help the conversation in an interview. I agree that the example is too long/elaborate. I agree that 3 is a pretty decent number to include, and more specificity rather than less (without getting ridiculous). As for Scrabble, for instance, I would leave that off - unless you mean you actually play Scrabble in competitions, which is pretty cool/unusual, in which case I'd say "competitive Scrabble."

[Anonymous User]

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[Gefuehlsecht]

Stuff in my interests section has come up in almost every interview I've ever had, so I think they're valuable to include. You're not going to get hired just because you have one, but they can help the conversation in an interview. I agree that the example is too long/elaborate. I agree that 3 is a pretty decent number to include, and more specificity rather than less (without getting ridiculous). As for Scrabble, for instance, I would leave that off - unless you mean you actually play Scrabble in competitions, which is pretty cool/unusual, in which case I'd say "competitive Scrabble."

I don't see what keeps the interviewer from popping the good old "So what do you do in your spare time?" question if he or she is really concerned about a candidate's interests. But if people think it'll help to put a section on their resume, be my guest. However, don't overdo it.

[Anonymous User]

a cool or interesting hobby/interest can help an interviewer remember/distinguish you from other candidates. if you dont have the interests section, the interviewer might never ask about your presumed boring hobbies (reading, hiking, etc.)

plus, sometimes if you have a hobby/interest that the interviewer shares, it can be a real catalyst to help you connect and make an impression.

[Anonymous User]

a cool or interesting hobby/interest can help an interviewer remember/distinguish you from other candidates. if you dont have the interests section, the interviewer might never ask about your presumed boring hobbies (reading, hiking, etc.)

plus, sometimes if you have a hobby/interest that the interviewer shares, it can be a real catalyst to help you connect and make an impression.

This. I had a screener where we spent the first half just talking about a specialty instrument I play, and I'm pretty sure I got a callback because of that.

[Gefuehlsecht]

All right, all right, go ahead and put beachcombing on your resume.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone seen results from networking? Us unemployed folk can't get help from networking in time to get a job before October, ima bet.

[Anonymous User]

Stuff in my interests section has come up in almost every interview I've ever had, so I think they're valuable to include. You're not going to get hired just because you have one, but they can help the conversation in an interview. I agree that the example is too long/elaborate. I agree that 3 is a pretty decent number to include, and more specificity rather than less (without getting ridiculous). As for Scrabble, for instance, I would leave that off - unless you mean you actually play Scrabble in competitions, which is pretty cool/unusual, in which case I'd say "competitive Scrabble."

since it is too long/elaborate, which three from that list should I put on the resume?

[Chuck59]

Anyone w/ a no-offer ever ask for a piece of work-product back? I have a short, non-confidential memo in mind that would be a great writing sample moving forward.

[BlueLotus]

Should I ask my former employer for permission before using a memo I wrote for her as a writing sample? Of course I will change any clients' identifying info.

[Pleasye]

Should I ask my former employer for permission before using a memo I wrote for her as a writing sample? Of course I will change any clients' identifying info.

Definitely ask. Employers usually have policies about what can/can't be used, what you have to do before you use it, etc.

[BlueLotus]

How is this for an interests section? Is it too "blah"?
"• Kayaking, hiking, bicycling, birding, beachcombing, animal rescue, salsa dancing, digital photography, and Scrabble"

This is cringeworthy and seems contrived. Maybe I feel that way because I'm a cynical old fart, but good grief, man. Good for you if you're doing all these things, but less is maybe more in this case. Pick something for me to talk to you about, some kind of hook. I don't want to talk to you about damn Scrabble or what kind of pretty sparkly trash you found on the beach. Out of all of those, Animal Rescue is the only salient (and potentially risky) entry.

Or simply forget the preachings of your Career Development Office and just do away with the interest section alltogether. What do they know about the real world anyways?

why is animal rescue potentially risky? that's on my resume too!

[A. Nony Mouse]

He might be thinking animal rescue = PETA.

[Gefuehlsecht]

He might be thinking animal rescue = PETA.

No, he isn't. But a potential interviewer might think all kinds of things. Not everybody loves cute puppies. I just don't see the point of giving biased people a reason.

[A. Nony Mouse]

But really, though, it looks bad to volunteer for the humane society? I don't get that at all. At least, not that it's any riskier than any other activity an interviewer might find pointless.

[Johann]

Sometimes you just have to take some risks and be who you are (assuming who you are is nothing that ridiculous - the case here is pretty normal). Will one of your interviewers find animal rescue to be a negative? Yeah, prolly. But if you neutralize who you are completely there is also a chance none of your interviewers will bond with you.
I'd go with something like nature activities, animal rescue, and salsa dancing. It shows adventure, commitment, caring, and an ability to take risks. More importantly, it's specific yet covers a broad enough spectrum for people to relate.

[Mal Reynolds]

He might be thinking animal rescue = PETA.

No, he isn't. But a potential interviewer might think all kinds of things. Not everybody loves cute puppies. I just don't see the point of giving biased people a reason.

(Idiot)

[vandalvideo]

I'm more interested in how people make room for interests on their resume. After thesis topics, bar admissions, experience, and education there isn't much room left in a one page resume if any. Or is the conventional wisdom of a one page resume obsolete?

[Johann]

just has to be one line. not hard at all.

[Mal Reynolds]

I'm more interested in how people make room for interests on their resume. After thesis topics, bar admissions, experience, and education there isn't much room left in a one page resume if any. Or is the conventional wisdom of a one page resume obsolete?

One line is extraordinarily easy to fit on a one page resume. You must not be very good at word processing.

[vandalvideo]

I'm more interested in how people make room for interests on their resume. After thesis topics, bar admissions, experience, and education there isn't much room left in a one page resume if any. Or is the conventional wisdom of a one page resume obsolete?

One line is extraordinarily easy to fit on a one page resume. You must not be very good at word processing.

Ok, so redraft of question; Is the comparative value of the interest section worth ditching one job experience? After listing four or five positions I simply do not have room on my resume for an interest section. Even with the text being single spaced and the header separations being multiple-spaced 1.5. with thin margins. My current setup is Residence info -> Bar exam status -> EXPERIENCE -> 4-5 positions with three sentences each -> Education -> UG and JD -> Thesis Topics. And bam, I am at one page.