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

[Anonymous User]

Anon OP, who is left in the dark with nothing but a job offer, from above... So I really do not know what to do in this situation.

I can not figure out what the fuck is going on. I emailed yesterday, and I did not receive a response. It is now almost the end of the day AGAIN, and I still have not received a response. Not even an email.

I was supposed to start today. But, he never returned an email I sent last week, an email I sent yesterday, and now I am still stuck in limbo. I just do not get wtf is going on. Seriously. I want to call, but I just sent that email yesterday, so I do not want to bother him too much.

It is a smallish firm, and I really do like it. I want to work there. I expressed that much very clearly in both of my emails. I simply wanted to accept the offer over the phone, and I thought that was the best idea. Apparently not.

[personofinterest]

Since you were already supposed to start, could you stop by the office in person? Would that be too weird? I think that, since the start date has passed, showing up to work would not be the worst thing. Either they are too busy to get back to you, or they hired someone else and are being very non-confrontational. Showing up to check in wouldn't hurt you in either case.

[Stanford4Me]

Not sure why you keep emailing when that's not working. You should call.

[Anonymous User]

Another day, another rejection...
I really thought I had this position in the bag. I connected really well with all my interviewers and it's for a practice area that I have experience in. Just don't know any more.

[Anonymous User]

Need some advice..
I applied to a firm in NY in September, and was given a CB but ultimately rejected. Today, I went back to their website and noticed another opening for a different, but related, department. Should I reiterate my interest and apply? Or will that seem weird?

[Anonymous User]

Need some advice..
I applied to a firm in NY in September, and was given a CB but ultimately rejected. Today, I went back to their website and noticed another opening for a different, but related, department. Should I reiterate my interest and apply? Or will that seem weird?

Do it. Who cares if it were to seem weird? If they are interested in hiring you, then you'll be glad you did it. If they aren't, then it doesn't matter. It's not like they are going to be like "this person is a weirdo. we should tell everyone not to hire him/her."

If it makes you feel better, I somewhat did this. I applied, had an interview, was rejected, and applied to a similar position. HR emailed me and said that they weren't interested in me for that position at that time, but I was encouraged to call back at the beginning of next year to see if any other positions had opened up.

[Anonymous User]

Not sure why you keep emailing when that's not working. You should call.

Yep, I know you are right. I will call him tomorrow, as I interviewed and have only been able to speak to him on Fridays, it seems those are the best days to talk to him.

Thanks.

edit: But, what just a shitty fucking existence. I can not believe I went to law school for this shit. Even if he found a different candidate why not just shoot me an email or call me.

[Anonymous User]

Need some advice..
I applied to a firm in NY in September, and was given a CB but ultimately rejected. Today, I went back to their website and noticed another opening for a different, but related, department. Should I reiterate my interest and apply? Or will that seem weird?

Do it. Who cares if it were to seem weird? If they are interested in hiring you, then you'll be glad you did it. If they aren't, then it doesn't matter. It's not like they are going to be like "this person is a weirdo. we should tell everyone not to hire him/her."

If it makes you feel better, I somewhat did this. I applied, had an interview, was rejected, and applied to a similar position. HR emailed me and said that they weren't interested in me for that position at that time, but I was encouraged to call back at the beginning of next year to see if any other positions had opened up.

What should I say? Just, "Hi, I interviewed with [x] group in September. I remain very interested in Dewey Cheetem & Howe, and to that end I applied for your [y] practice and also attach my resume here. Please let me know if you need any more information. Best, Anon"?

[Anonymous User]

Applied to some vacancies with a niche gov agency 100 hours ago that I previously worked at (and is my dream job).

I don't think I've had a waking hour this week where I haven't thought about this job. That includes when I was interviewing with another gov agency that I also worked at (lol).

I've been feeling super optimistic about the dream job, and very pessimistic about the agency I actually interviewed for.

It's kinda crazy that my dream job is one that I'm most optimistic about. I'm constantly going back and forth in my mind whether I'm being stupidly optimistic or not. But if this job doesn't work out, man I think I am seriously fucked, cause I can hardly imagine a job that I have a better shot at.

[zot1]

Have you contacted Orange County PD? If you haven't, try them. If you have and they didn't respond, go to the office and ask in person. I know they can use help.

Orange county was actually one of the offices I was able to make a connection with due to a guest speaker at my law school who had mentored someone who is now at that office. Even with that connection they still were not interested in a volunteer for the reason I cited above - did not want a licensed volunteer. I have no idea why.

That makes seriously no sense. I know a handful of people who volunteered there while licensed. Let me check with one of my contacts.

Per my contact:

Yes, many people volunteer while licensed but only because they were "hire" prior to bar results. Chances are they only keep people they have had working with them for a while.

If the person is willing to relocate, they should contact Monterey County PD. I have heard they take licensed volunteers.

I hope this helps.

[Anonymous User]

I spent hours over the past two days preparing a very detailed cover letter to follow the very particular instructions of a vacancy announcement on USAJobs. Damn thing asked for bullet points and numbered paragraphs. It turns out the job requires a minimum of two years of experience practicing as an attorney. This was not mentioned on the vacancy announcement and there was no option to preview the vacancy-specific questions. On the face of the announcement, it looked like an entry-level job. Basically, I poured hours of my life into this for nothing.

I'm so bummed. The job is basically the kind of work I've been doing for 4 years as a paralegal while attending law school at night.

/end vent

[Pleasye]

Need some advice..
I applied to a firm in NY in September, and was given a CB but ultimately rejected. Today, I went back to their website and noticed another opening for a different, but related, department. Should I reiterate my interest and apply? Or will that seem weird?

Do it. Who cares if it were to seem weird? If they are interested in hiring you, then you'll be glad you did it. If they aren't, then it doesn't matter. It's not like they are going to be like "this person is a weirdo. we should tell everyone not to hire him/her."

If it makes you feel better, I somewhat did this. I applied, had an interview, was rejected, and applied to a similar position. HR emailed me and said that they weren't interested in me for that position at that time, but I was encouraged to call back at the beginning of next year to see if any other positions had opened up.

What should I say? Just, "Hi, I interviewed with [x] group in September. I remain very interested in Dewey Cheetem & Howe, and to that end I applied for your [y] practice and also attach my resume here. Please let me know if you need any more information. Best, Anon"?

Nah just apply like you would to an entirely new firm. Don't point out that you were rejected.

[Anonymous User]

Have you contacted Orange County PD? If you haven't, try them. If you have and they didn't respond, go to the office and ask in person. I know they can use help.

Orange county was actually one of the offices I was able to make a connection with due to a guest speaker at my law school who had mentored someone who is now at that office. Even with that connection they still were not interested in a volunteer for the reason I cited above - did not want a licensed volunteer. I have no idea why.

That makes seriously no sense. I know a handful of people who volunteered there while licensed. Let me check with one of my contacts.

Per my contact:

Yes, many people volunteer while licensed but only because they were "hire" prior to bar results. Chances are they only keep people they have had working with them for a while.

If the person is willing to relocate, they should contact Monterey County PD. I have heard they take licensed volunteers.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for looking into this. Do you think the situation with OC would be different if I'm still going to be waiting at least another 3 months for C&F to process? (just spoke to the guy handling my application and told me its going to be that long, if not longer)

[Anonymous User]

Anon from above about the jerb.

Called and left a voicemail. So that amounts to a voicemail and a few emails over the past week and a half or so. I guess it is safe to say I had my offer retracted without an explanation or anything. I don't understand why she could not have sent me a simple phone call or email saying I do not have an offer anymore. Do hiring partners even understand that applicants are people too? All fucking week constantly stressed out waiting for an email or call. Fucking bullshit.

Sometimes I do not even know what the fuck point is of all this shit. Suicidal temptations plague my mind like Darrell Revis on a #4 WR.

Fuck my life.

[personofinterest]

Why would you not just show up in person? Worst case is they tell you to your face that you not longer have an offer. Stop being so passive.

ETA: Be super polite and calm when you go in, of course. But make them give you a definite no or yes w/r/t your employment status. It's possible that someone went on vacation for thanksgiving or just got really busy for a minute. It would really suck if they still were planning to employ you and you let it slip away because you were afraid to talk to someone face to face.

I hope it works out for you, and, if not, I hope you find employment somewhere else soon.

[Anonymous User]

I can't just show up to the firm because it is in a completely different state.

This would be an issue an all because I would have just showed up on my start date. That is why I sent confirmation emails because I needed to put down a deposit and get a car. I already had apartments ready because I paid money for the application fee, which I needed, and I now don't have.

So yeah.

[zot1]

Thanks for looking into this. Do you think the situation with OC would be different if I'm still going to be waiting at least another 3 months for C&F to process? (just spoke to the guy handling my application and told me its going to be that long, if not longer)

No clue. Contact just mentioned that everyone she knew volunteering while licensed had been with the office prior to being licensed.

[Anonymous User]

Anon from above about the jerb.

Called and left a voicemail. So that amounts to a voicemail and a few emails over the past week and a half or so. I guess it is safe to say I had my offer retracted without an explanation or anything. I don't understand why she could not have sent me a simple phone call or email saying I do not have an offer anymore. Do hiring partners even understand that applicants are people too? All fucking week constantly stressed out waiting for an email or call. Fucking bullshit.

Sometimes I do not even know what the fuck point is of all this shit. Suicidal temptations plague my mind like Darrell Revis on a #4 WR.

Fuck my life.

All the hugs, Anon. I really wish you well.

[Anonymous User]

I'm just having a hard time generally.

I'm a 3L at a T-14 doing a PI type field where I shouldn't have a job yet, but the uncertainty is hard. This is the most difficult semester of law school I've had yet and while most of my classmates are cruising, but I feel like I'm drowning. I overbooked with a fairly intense externship plus too many classes plus job search and ended up screwing up one of my classes pretty badly (with my favorite professor no less). I know that people mean well when they say "you'll get a job soon! Your resume is great! It will all work out!" but it just adds to the stress...because EVERYONE I'm competing against has a great resume! All of the candidates are amazing, why should anyone choose the schmuck who can't handle their shit as a 3L?!

I know this too shall pass, but right now I'm struggling.

[zot1]

I'm just having a hard time generally.

I'm a 3L at a T-14 doing a PI type field where I shouldn't have a job yet, but the uncertainty is hard. This is the most difficult semester of law school I've had yet and while most of my classmates are cruising, but I feel like I'm drowning. I overbooked with a fairly intense externship plus too many classes plus job search and ended up screwing up one of my classes pretty badly (with my favorite professor no less). I know that people mean well when they say "you'll get a job soon! Your resume is great! It will all work out!" but it just adds to the stress...because EVERYONE I'm competing against has a great resume! All of the candidates are amazing, why should anyone choose the schmuck who can't handle their shit as a 3L?!

I know this too shall pass, but right now I'm struggling.

I didn't have an offer until April. Fall wasn't so terrible but spring was hard. So many applications and not even hearing back. It was tough. I just kept applying. If you can, keep yourself distracted when not busy with school. During 3L I went to the movies, bowling, beach, and out in general a lot. It helped.

[Anonymous User]

I accepted a conditional offer from the government during the summer, subject to a security clearance. This is a 9-12 month process, so I have yet to start and am only probably half-way through the process. Investigators have reached out and met with employers, friends, etc.

I recently interviewed for a better position on Capitol Hill and received an offer. Can I take the offer and renege on the conditional offer I accepted back in the summer? The government has already spent considerable assets on the security clearance process.

[Nebby]

I accepted a conditional offer from the government during the summer, subject to a security clearance. This is a 9-12 month process, so I have yet to start and am only probably half-way through the process. Investigators have reached out and met with employers, friends, etc.

I recently interviewed for a better position on Capitol Hill and received an offer. Can I take the offer and renege on the conditional offer I accepted back in the summer? The government has already spent considerable assets on the security clearance process.

I'd graciously renege and go with the offer you want.

[fauxpsych]

I accepted a conditional offer from the government during the summer, subject to a security clearance. This is a 9-12 month process, so I have yet to start and am only probably half-way through the process. Investigators have reached out and met with employers, friends, etc.

I recently interviewed for a better position on Capitol Hill and received an offer. Can I take the offer and renege on the conditional offer I accepted back in the summer? The government has already spent considerable assets on the security clearance process.

That is tricky. I would be inclined to keep the original offer because I feel that getting the clearance is worth it long-term. It's an intense process and you may not have an opportunity to get one later on, but might have to pass on job openings you want in the future because they require clearance.

[A. Nony Mouse]

What jobs that require clearance wouldn't factor in the time for an applicant to get cleared? Clearances also expire, so unless there's something really specific looming in the near-ish future that you know will require one and not allow you to go through the clearance then, I'm not sure keeping a job for the clearance is worth it.

[zot1]

Go with the offer you want.

Let's not forget that as fatal as career offices make it seem, when a student/grad reneges on an offer, all the employer has to do is pull another resume from a stack of thousands. You'll do that other kid a huge favor.