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Hi All,

I just finished 1L and I've been trying to schedule some informational interviews with associates in my target (secondary) city. For the most part, these are people from my undergrad or high school that I've reached out to out of the blue. I've set up the meetings by asking to learn more about the firm and their work. I'm hoping that being able to reference this homework will help during OCI.

I just realized that the hiring partner from one of the largest firms in the market went to my undergrad. Is it weird to reach out to this guy and see if he wants to chat? I just feel like there is absolutely no pretense and I'm clearly trying to get hooked up? At least with associates there's some ulterior motive. Thoughts?

No, wouldn't be weird. Undergrad is a much better connection than high school too (and law school is better than undergrad), unless the high school was really special or something.

I think the trick is generally to not make it obvious that you're trying to get hooked up, even if you are.

Treat it as any other informational interview, really, but probably make a bigger effort to make a good impression. If you do, he might tell you to give him your resume. Or remember you later on down the line. Or something.

Just my thoughts. I suck at networking though, so I'd defer to anyone with more knowledge. :p

I don't know if everyone feels this way, but personally I feel like a connection from hs would be much stronger than from undergrad (as a caveat, I went to a huge public state school for undergrad). It just wouldn't feel special that someone from my undergrad messaged me. But someone from my high school would definitely surprise me.

The purpose of these informal interviews should be to get to know these firms so that when the firms asks at OCI "Why this firm?" you have a great answer. If that's your purpose, then you don't have any ulterior motives, and the chat will probably go much smoother.

Contact the dude for an informational interview.

People know your lookin for a job, but you can't ask for one outright. It's all part of the song and dance. Do it up bro.