EDIT: 2L heading into OCI
Reached out to some alums in the practice area/location that I want. Landed a few phone calls ... now what? What types of questions should I ask? Obviously, not asking for a job or anything like that. But what types of questions should I ask to keep the conversation fluid, while also sounding somewhat intelligent/hire-able?
Phone call w/ alum Forum
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Anonymous User
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Phone call w/ alum
Last edited by Anonymous User on Tue Jul 14, 2015 3:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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kaiser
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Re: Phone call w/ alum
Are you a rising 2L who is soon going into OCI?
I did thus during my 1L summer, and had some great networking conversations and got some great input. I mostly contacted younger alums who would clearly remember OCI, and who could relate to my situation. Here are some of the things we discussed:
1. First, just learn more generally about the person, what they do, their practice, etc. Maybe speak generally about where they are from, how they ended up in the specific locale, etc.
2. Talk generally about their experience at your school. Get them nostalgic bit, and solicit their input regarding upper level courses, the benefit of being on a journal, etc.
3. Ask about their experience at OCI, whether they have any tips for someone going into it, etc.
4. If you are interested in their particular firms, it definitely can't hurt to note that. Ask them what drew them to that firm, what they like/dislike about it, etc. The key is to pick up details about the firm and a working knowledge that will come off in a good way at OCI. Its one thing to just browse the website and say at OCI "I like that you have a large so and so practice area" but its another to sound like you genuinely did your research and have some deeper knowledge of the firm.
I did thus during my 1L summer, and had some great networking conversations and got some great input. I mostly contacted younger alums who would clearly remember OCI, and who could relate to my situation. Here are some of the things we discussed:
1. First, just learn more generally about the person, what they do, their practice, etc. Maybe speak generally about where they are from, how they ended up in the specific locale, etc.
2. Talk generally about their experience at your school. Get them nostalgic bit, and solicit their input regarding upper level courses, the benefit of being on a journal, etc.
3. Ask about their experience at OCI, whether they have any tips for someone going into it, etc.
4. If you are interested in their particular firms, it definitely can't hurt to note that. Ask them what drew them to that firm, what they like/dislike about it, etc. The key is to pick up details about the firm and a working knowledge that will come off in a good way at OCI. Its one thing to just browse the website and say at OCI "I like that you have a large so and so practice area" but its another to sound like you genuinely did your research and have some deeper knowledge of the firm.
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Trippel
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Re: Phone call w/ alum
Ask about the alum's particular practice area. Why they chose to work at this firm. What assignments are given to summer and 1st yr associates, etc. Try to get info that you can use in a future interview to articulate why you want to work at the firm.
