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I have a lot of OCI interviews coming up (about 25-30). I mass mailed every 100+ firm in my major markets who are not coming with no success. I have high grades from a t-14, and was wondering what else to do (I'm not in either of my markets for the summer). I don't want to disclose the school or markets for anonymity purposes.

I do not think I'm a great interviewer, and have very little experience and can't get a single mass mail bite. My documents cannot be bad because I did very well with getting OCI interviews using these same documents.

My worst case plan is if I get no offered I would immediately drop out, and use my pre-law #s to get a full ride somewhere else. My law school is GPA is markedly higher than my UG gpa but it makes no sense to go 200k in the hole if I fail at OCI. I figure I could at least get the same class rank at a TT, and then start my own practice after graduation. I know hanging a shingle is normally a terrible idea, but I have past proven success at opening my own businesses that suggests I'm more likely to succeed at this than most. I would ideally like to work for a large firm, but want to be smart if that becomes >50% unlikely.

If you have high grades from a T-14 and 25 screeners, relax and work on your interviewing - as long as you interview well you'll be fine (and that you've identified this as a weakness ahead of time means that you have no excuse not to be spending as much as time possible fixing that).

Hi Hobbes, I do not know if I am bad at interviewing. Objectively, I am very personable and able to relate to people from all different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. However, I don't know what I'm supposed to be for these interviews because I can't get them! Is there a book? I am very good at making small talk at a bus stop, and very poor at coming off as serious.

Anonymous User wrote:Hi Hobbes, I do not know if I am bad at interviewing. Objectively, I am very personable and able to relate to people from all different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. However, I don't know what I'm supposed to be for these interviews because I can't get them! Is there a book? I am very good at making small talk at a bus stop, and very poor at coming off as serious.

I'd say that's a much harder skill to cultivate than the skill of sounding professional/coming up with answers to more straightforward questions.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Hi Hobbes, I do not know if I am bad at interviewing. Objectively, I am very personable and able to relate to people from all different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. However, I don't know what I'm supposed to be for these interviews because I can't get them! Is there a book? I am very good at making small talk at a bus stop, and very poor at coming off as serious.

I'd say that's a much harder skill to cultivate than the skill of sounding professional/coming up with answers to more straightforward questions.

What is it that you look at to do this - is there a book? It seems that connecting with an individual is all about not just giving "cookie cutter" responses, but that professionalism is very much about such BS responses.

And what do I do besides practicing for interviews? How much conversation is appropriate during these interviews - can I ask the interviewer where they are from, delve into football/restaurants, etc.? Am I just supposed to be a dork responding to dorky questions?

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Hi Hobbes, I do not know if I am bad at interviewing. Objectively, I am very personable and able to relate to people from all different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. However, I don't know what I'm supposed to be for these interviews because I can't get them! Is there a book? I am very good at making small talk at a bus stop, and very poor at coming off as serious.

I'd say that's a much harder skill to cultivate than the skill of sounding professional/coming up with answers to more straightforward questions.

What is it that you look at to do this - is there a book? It seems that connecting with an individual is all about not just giving "cookie cutter" responses, but that professionalism is very much about such BS responses.

And what do I do besides practicing for interviews? How much conversation is appropriate during these interviews - can I ask the interviewer where they are from, delve into football/restaurants, etc.? Am I just supposed to be a dork responding to dorky questions?

You've got to feel it out and understand whether it would be appropriate given the personality of the interviewer. The short answer is--it depends. And yes, you can talk about non-law related topics for as long as they engage you. If they engage you about sports--go for it. At the interview stage they are looking for fit/people they can stand being around. Discussing their interests is a great way of doing it. Just don't steer the conversation there awkwardly on your own.