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I have my first callback this week and am pretty nervous about it. I'm doing the firm research and everything, but was wondering what gets people rejected from their callbacks? Assuming you're normal and can carry a conversation and have questions ready and such, what separates out the people firms offer and those they don't?

I know its a broad question, but wanted to throw it out there to see if any interviewers had any insight or anyone who's gone through it that can help. Thanks!

Anonymous User wrote:I have my first callback this week and am pretty nervous about it. I'm doing the firm research and everything, but was wondering what gets people rejected from their callbacks? Assuming you're normal and can carry a conversation and have questions ready and such, what separates out the people firms offer and those they don't?

I know its a broad question, but wanted to throw it out there to see if any interviewers had any insight or anyone who's gone through it that can help. Thanks!

just focus on controlling what you can control. know the firm. know the questions youre gonna ask your interviewers. know your softball answers. enjoy the lunch, and bring it home.

I always thought that if they liked me enough for a callback and the callback went well then it must have been the competition. Optimistically it could have been as simple as they had 10 spots and I was #11 out of 25. The part that really gets me is that you’re dinged and then a bigger firm comes along and offers you a spot...not that unusual.

I think it's about getting the balance between "This is a person I wouldn't mind working late nights with" and "This person is competent." So try to maintain a healthy balance between showing a cool personality and meaningfully speaking to your experiences and how they show that you're a solid hire.

Also interviewing with partners and interviewing with associates should be different. Don't necessarily try and impress a junior associate, because they really just want to make sure you're cool. And don't try to be overly chill with a partner, who wants to know that if they ask you to do something, it's going to result in excellent work product.

I don't know if this necessarily answers your question, because it seems like you're asking if any specific behavior will ding you, but I hope it helps.

being from out of state and recruiting late. if costs more to call you back and you're late so if they already have the candidates they like, you're screwed unless one doesn't accept