how to interpret CB offer but no pay Forum

[Anonymous User]

So I recently got a CB offer by mail, strangely, from a firm I mass-mailed. however, I am across the country and they won't pay for the CB. told me to let them know when i'd be in the area. Its a top firm in DE, so not quite secondary market (or maybe it is). is it worth making the trip? if they're not paying, i feel like they really need to be impressed to hire me. Trying to go at another time hen i go to another firm but depends on getting a cb there first... should I just go?

[Single-Malt-Liquor]

$1000 for a 1/3 chance at $160K per year. Sounds like a good gamble to me.

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

So I recently got a CB offer by mail, strangely, from a firm I mass-mailed. however, I am across the country and they won't pay for the CB. told me to let them know when i'd be in the area. Its a top firm in DE, so not quite secondary market (or maybe it is). is it worth making the trip? if they're not paying, i feel like they really need to be impressed to hire me. Trying to go at another time hen i go to another firm but depends on getting a cb there first... should I just go?

I would pay to go (I did this last year). Email every other DE firm and try to schedule other CBs for when you're there.

[Anonymous User]

So I recently got a CB offer by mail, strangely, from a firm I mass-mailed. however, I am across the country and they won't pay for the CB. told me to let them know when i'd be in the area. Its a top firm in DE, so not quite secondary market (or maybe it is). is it worth making the trip? if they're not paying, i feel like they really need to be impressed to hire me. Trying to go at another time hen i go to another firm but depends on getting a cb there first... should I just go?

I would pay to go (I did this last year). Email every other DE firm and try to schedule other CBs for when you're there.

Hmmm this is not a bad idea. This firm isn't available until the 22nd earliest so I have some time. Do you think I should schedule a date and work around that, or just tell the firms i haven't set a date yet but I will be in the area? Bc I don't want to be shut out of other firms just because they weren't available at that time.

[lawhoo16]

$1000 for a 1/3 chance at $160K per year. Sounds like a good gamble to me.

I hate this line of reasoning. It's not like he's just paying 1k. He's also paying 150k+ to go to a law school that gives him a chance at a job paying 160k. A law firm making you fly across the country is absolute bullshit. They've got the cash. If they were interest in OP to the point where he had a 1/3 chance, they'd pony up.

OP, everyone's financial situation is different, but if it were me I'd only go if 1) I had no other leads (read: CBs or offers) and 2) DE was my target market. If you're only marginally interested in DE or if you've got other leads, then forget this firm and keep hustling. You'll get something.

[Anonymous User]

$1000 for a 1/3 chance at $160K per year. Sounds like a good gamble to me.

I hate this line of reasoning. It's not like he's just paying 1k. He's also paying 150k+ to go to a law school that gives him a chance at a job paying 160k. A law firm making you fly across the country is absolute bullshit. They've got the cash. If they were interest in OP to the point where he had a 1/3 chance, they'd pony up.

OP, everyone's financial situation is different, but if it were me I'd only go if 1) I had no other leads (read: CBs or offers) and 2) DE was my target market. If you're only marginally interested in DE or if you've got other leads, then forget this firm and keep hustling. You'll get something.

Currently offerless. 1 CB left at the moment. In a secondary market. So yeah, i'm pretty desperate. and i want corporate, so DE work would honestly be awesome.

[WokeUpInACar]

$1000 for a 1/3 chance at $160K per year. Sounds like a good gamble to me.

I hate this line of reasoning. It's not like he's just paying 1k. He's also paying 150k+ to go to a law school that gives him a chance at a job paying 160k. A law firm making you fly across the country is absolute bullshit. They've got the cash. If they were interest in OP to the point where he had a 1/3 chance, they'd pony up.

OP, everyone's financial situation is different, but if it were me I'd only go if 1) I had no other leads (read: CBs or offers) and 2) DE was my target market. If you're only marginally interested in DE or if you've got other leads, then forget this firm and keep hustling. You'll get something.

The 150k+ you're paying for law school is a sunk cost. Honestly the firm could be partially testing OP's commitment to the firm/area and he could have an even better chance by flying out there on his own dime. Forgoing this opportunity on "principle" or whatever would be incredibly dumb.

[Anonymous User]

$1000 for a 1/3 chance at $160K per year. Sounds like a good gamble to me.

I hate this line of reasoning. It's not like he's just paying 1k. He's also paying 150k+ to go to a law school that gives him a chance at a job paying 160k. A law firm making you fly across the country is absolute bullshit. They've got the cash. If they were interest in OP to the point where he had a 1/3 chance, they'd pony up.

OP, everyone's financial situation is different, but if it were me I'd only go if 1) I had no other leads (read: CBs or offers) and 2) DE was my target market. If you're only marginally interested in DE or if you've got other leads, then forget this firm and keep hustling. You'll get something.

Currently offerless. 1 CB left at the moment. In a secondary market. So yeah, i'm pretty desperate. and i want corporate, so DE work would honestly be awesome.

I actually had the same experience from two Philly firms. I had no ties to the region really and was states away. It seems like they really want to see your commitment to the area. Why us and not NYC/DC etc? I went on my own dime and got offers.

So...IMO, you should go!

[Anonymous User]

$1000 for a 1/3 chance at $160K per year. Sounds like a good gamble to me.

I hate this line of reasoning. It's not like he's just paying 1k. He's also paying 150k+ to go to a law school that gives him a chance at a job paying 160k. A law firm making you fly across the country is absolute bullshit. They've got the cash. If they were interest in OP to the point where he had a 1/3 chance, they'd pony up.

OP, everyone's financial situation is different, but if it were me I'd only go if 1) I had no other leads (read: CBs or offers) and 2) DE was my target market. If you're only marginally interested in DE or if you've got other leads, then forget this firm and keep hustling. You'll get something.

Currently offerless. 1 CB left at the moment. In a secondary market. So yeah, i'm pretty desperate. and i want corporate, so DE work would honestly be awesome.

I actually had the same experience from two Philly firms. I had no ties to the region really and was states away. It seems like they really want to see your commitment to the area. Why us and not NYC/DC etc? I went on my own dime and got offers.

So...IMO, you should go!

mind saying what your stats were like? i'm not top 10%, T14, etc, but generally good grades (decently above median) and T20. id be more comfortable if i was top 10% or something like that, obviously.

[onionz]

$1000 for a 1/3 chance at $160K per year. Sounds like a good gamble to me.

I hate this line of reasoning. It's not like he's just paying 1k. He's also paying 150k+ to go to a law school that gives him a chance at a job paying 160k. A law firm making you fly across the country is absolute bullshit. They've got the cash. If they were interest in OP to the point where he had a 1/3 chance, they'd pony up.

OP, everyone's financial situation is different, but if it were me I'd only go if 1) I had no other leads (read: CBs or offers) and 2) DE was my target market. If you're only marginally interested in DE or if you've got other leads, then forget this firm and keep hustling. You'll get something.

Currently offerless. 1 CB left at the moment. In a secondary market. So yeah, i'm pretty desperate. and i want corporate, so DE work would honestly be awesome.

I actually had the same experience from two Philly firms. I had no ties to the region really and was states away. It seems like they really want to see your commitment to the area. Why us and not NYC/DC etc? I went on my own dime and got offers.

So...IMO, you should go!

mind saying what your stats were like? i'm not top 10%, T14, etc, but generally good grades (decently above median) and T20. id be more comfortable if i was top 10% or something like that, obviously.

They're not going to waste attorney time on someone who has no shot. Don't worry about quantifying your chances and focus on killing it.

[Anonymous User]

I would not go. From my own experience, for those out-of-state firms who paid my call back, which includes flight +hotel+any out of my own pocket expenses, I feel they treat the callback really seriously. They normally send multiple partners for interview and treat me with a good lunch.
For those local firms who only need pay for my cab/parking, their interviewers obviously just filling in the position and most of them even not read my resume before the call back dates.
Probably out-of-state firms only call back people they are really interested because of the costs, but local firms call back A LOT of candidates since the cost is low and some of their associates really could use a 30min coffee break talking to a desperate law students.

[Anonymous User]

I would not go. From my own experience, for those out-of-state firms who paid my call back, which includes flight +hotel+any out of my own pocket expenses, I feel they treat the callback really seriously. They normally send multiple partners for interview and treat me with a good lunch.
For those local firms who only need pay for my cab/parking, their interviewers obviously just filling in the position and most of them even not read my resume before the call back dates.
Probably out-of-state firms only call back people they are really interested because of the costs, but local firms call back A LOT of candidates since the cost is low and some of their associates really could use a 30min coffee break talking to a desperate law students.

This is not how the DE firms do business. They only CB people they're serious about. OP should definitely go under the circumstances.

[Anonymous User]

I would not go. From my own experience, for those out-of-state firms who paid my call back, which includes flight +hotel+any out of my own pocket expenses, I feel they treat the callback really seriously. They normally send multiple partners for interview and treat me with a good lunch.
For those local firms who only need pay for my cab/parking, their interviewers obviously just filling in the position and most of them even not read my resume before the call back dates.
Probably out-of-state firms only call back people they are really interested because of the costs, but local firms call back A LOT of candidates since the cost is low and some of their associates really could use a 30min coffee break talking to a desperate law students.

This was my experience as well. Interviewed in ties sensitive locations and I think they were kinda hoping that when I actually interviewed I'd be able to demonstrate more ties.

Also, Delaware firms are probably the most tie sensitive of just about any market. I had interviewers that were straight rude when I interviewed there from Philly but with no DE ties. Actually, it was Young Conaway and fuck that guy.

But other de firms that were very cordial told me at receptions, in their words, it's more important where you went to high school than law school. Obv tongue in check but not really inaccurate ime

[Anonymous User]

call as all other firms in the area. do not email. tell them you have a callback in the area already and would love to speak with them. if you are lucky, more than 1 firm will give you a cb. if you are really lucky, some of those firms might even offer to split costs with you/each other

[Lwoods]

Definitely go. Schedule a couple weekdays if you can. See if your school has any funds for this sort of thing (mine had a $100/student travel allowance, which isn't a ton but definitely helps). Set your dates before contacting the other firms because you'll get more response that way. (If you don't have set dates, firms will either not believe you're actually coming or won't want to deal with scheduling drama as you set your travel plans.)

I targeted a geographic region far from my school, using mass mail and networking. IME, only OCI firms (which were not in my desired market) paid cb expenses. While OCI cbs were certainly more formal than my mass-mail interviews, the latter were still legit, offer-resulting interviews. Don't go in thinking they're not serious, and don't read into anything. Just be prepared, go in there, and show them why they should hire you.

Best of luck!

[Desert Fox]

Are you on the Northeast train line? You can train in - interview - train out that night

[fundamentallybroken]

Is it really a callback if it's by mail, in response to a mass mail? Sounds more like an offer to give you a screener, "if you're in the area." The CB would come later, and they'd probably pay.

[ymmv]

Is it really a callback if it's by mail, in response to a mass mail? Sounds more like an offer to give you a screener, "if you're in the area." The CB would come later, and they'd probably pay.

Its a callback. You don't get invited to an office for a screener.

[WokeUpInACar]

Is it really a callback if it's by mail, in response to a mass mail? Sounds more like an offer to give you a screener, "if you're in the area." The CB would come later, and they'd probably pay.

Its a callback. You don't get invited to an office for a screener.

Not true. This happened to me for a resume collect firm at a job fair. I went to their office for a screener.

[Anonymous User]

Definitely go. Schedule a couple weekdays if you can. See if your school has any funds for this sort of thing (mine had a $100/student travel allowance, which isn't a ton but definitely helps). Set your dates before contacting the other firms because you'll get more response that way. (If you don't have set dates, firms will either not believe you're actually coming or won't want to deal with scheduling drama as you set your travel plans.)

I targeted a geographic region far from my school, using mass mail and networking. IME, only OCI firms (which were not in my desired market) paid cb expenses. While OCI cbs were certainly more formal than my mass-mail interviews, the latter were still legit, offer-resulting interviews. Don't go in thinking they're not serious, and don't read into anything. Just be prepared, go in there, and show them why they should hire you.

Best of luck!

I would be a fool not to listen to Elle Woods lol. I think I'll call them tomorrow to get a date, then email the other firms on Monday.

for everyone else - it's a specified cb. not a screener.

[hoos89]

Is it really a callback if it's by mail, in response to a mass mail? Sounds more like an offer to give you a screener, "if you're in the area." The CB would come later, and they'd probably pay.

Its a callback. You don't get invited to an office for a screener.

Not true. This happened to me for a resume collect firm at a job fair. I went to their office for a screener.

I got the same letter. Specifically says that it's a full interview.

[Anonymous User]

Is it really a callback if it's by mail, in response to a mass mail? Sounds more like an offer to give you a screener, "if you're in the area." The CB would come later, and they'd probably pay.

Its a callback. You don't get invited to an office for a screener.

Not true. This happened to me for a resume collect firm at a job fair. I went to their office for a screener.

I got the same letter. Specifically says that it's a full interview.

yup, lol. are you going hoos? i feel bad posting anonymously now lol, thought i may have been outing myself.

[hoos89]

No, which is part of why I don't care about outing myself. They probably send a lot of these; I'm guessing they essentially let the expense of flying out do the screening for them. I would absolutely go were I in your situation, though.

Also, who the hell sends interview requests via snail mail?

[Anonymous User]

No, which is part of why I don't care about outing myself. They probably send a lot of these; I'm guessing they essentially let the expense of flying out do the screening for them. I would absolutely go were I in your situation, though.

Also, who the hell sends interview requests via snail mail?

I know, I'm so happy I didn't throw it out. Unfortunately I opened it up before a post-CB ding, so it kind of gave me false hope for the second letter haha.

[eastcoast_iub]

Go. I landed an offer from a DE firm in this exact scenario. For me, I was only about an hour away so it was obviously not as big of a deal. But they would not bring you to the office if you did not have a serious chance.

Be prepared with a thorough, specific answer to "Why DE?"