2015-2016 OCC Honors / Entry-Level Attorney Program Forum

[InSport]

I'm kicking off this thread for those interested in the OCC's Entry-Level Attorney Program commencing in 2016. The application period is currently open and will close on September 18, 2015.

In addition to starting a conversation among applications, I am very interested to hear from anyone who is currently in the OCC program (or is an alum of the program). Here is one question I will throw out to the universe: Approximately how detailed and in-depth should cover letters be? The application page mentions nothing of cover letters or statements of interest. Is a two-page cover letter too much?

[Anonymous User]

In an attempt to revive this, how'd the interviews go for those who got one at 3L OCI? Mine was quite a bit different than the typical firm interview. I was grilled pretty hard on the sections of my resume that were related to banking and securities regulation.

[InSport]

In an attempt to revive this, how'd the interviews go for those who got one at 3L OCI? Mine was quite a bit different than the typical firm interview. I was grilled pretty hard on the sections of my resume that were related to banking and securities regulation.

OCC just conducted 3L OCI interviews? Was this separate from the Entry-Level Attorney Program?

[Anonymous User]

In an attempt to revive this, how'd the interviews go for those who got one at 3L OCI? Mine was quite a bit different than the typical firm interview. I was grilled pretty hard on the sections of my resume that were related to banking and securities regulation.

OCC just conducted 3L OCI interviews? Was this separate from the Entry-Level Attorney Program?

No, almost all of OCC's screening interviews for the Entry-Level Attorney Program are done during certain schools' 3L OCI. I think they go to something like 30-40 schools.

[Anonymous User]

If they don't go to your school they will also do phone screeners, though.

[InSport]

My understanding is second-round OCC interviews are complete. Has anyone heard back by chance? I know they tend to extend offers fairly quickly (at least relative to other federal agencies).

[Anonymous User]

Nothing here. They told me that they would try to be done by the end of November. I guess that's relatively quick compared to other agencies out there, but it's still quite a bit of time to wait.

[gaddockteeg]

The screener to callback ratio here is horrendously low.

[Anonymous User]

The screener to callback ratio here is horrendously low.

That's because they do something like 400+ screeners for around 10 full time positions.

[Anonymous User]

The screener to callback ratio here is horrendously low.

Any idea what % of callbacks receive offers? If the screener-to-callback ratio is so low, I imagine the callback-to-offer ratio is pretty good.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if the OCC calls references after the second interview? I don't think the application required references, but I think I included them anyways.

[InSport]

Does anyone know if the OCC calls references after the second interview? I don't think the application required references, but I think I included them anyways.

My guess is OCC does not call references since they do not ask for them.

Has anybody heard yet? I imagine they'll start rolling out offers very soon, if they haven't do so already.

[Anonymous User]

I had an additional informal phone interview last week. Looks like offers will go out in the next couple of weeks, but I think it depends on the division you interviewed with.

[InSport]

I had an additional informal phone interview last week. Looks like offers will go out in the next couple of weeks, but I think it depends on the division you interviewed with.

Thanks for sharing. Was the additional phone interview with a regional office?

[Anonymous User]

I had an additional informal phone interview last week. Looks like offers will go out in the next couple of weeks, but I think it depends on the division you interviewed with.

Thanks for sharing. Was the additional phone interview with a regional office?

Nope. No idea about what other offices/divisions are doing, it sounded to me like they all have their own process.

[Anonymous User]

Was it your understanding they are doing additional phone interviews for their finalists, or was it different for every practice group?

[InSport]

Was it your understanding they are doing additional phone interviews for their finalists, or was it different for every practice group?

In my callback interview last month, the junior attorney with whom I met told me some groups like to reach out to the candidates that might be assigned to those groups, either for a phone conversation or an in-person meeting. Other groups do not contact the candidate. So it just depends. At least that's my understanding.

[Anonymous User]

Was it your understanding they are doing additional phone interviews for their finalists, or was it different for every practice group?

In my callback interview last month, the junior attorney with whom I met told me some groups like to reach out to the candidates that might be assigned to those groups, either for a phone conversation or an in-person meeting. Other groups do not contact the candidate. So it just depends. At least that's my understanding.

Had an interview with Enforcement and Compliance a couple of years ago and from my experience, each division seemed to operate independently when it came to hiring.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know off hand how the OCC handles hiring for the regional offices? For example, I indicated when I applied that I was interested in both Washington and Dallas. I then interviewed in Washington, but my interviewers didn't mention anything about geographic preferences or otherwise indicate where I would potentially be hired. It seems like someone from the Dallas office would have contacted me at some point if Dallas were still a possibility, but I was just wondering how this might compare to others' experiences.

[Anonymous User]

When I interviewed, I was told they weren't hiring for the regional offices, just headquarters. But it wasn't clear whether it was just the specific practice group that wasn't hiring outside of DC or *all* practice groups.

[Anonymous User]

Any offers rolled out today? I had a suspicion today would be the day, but doesn't seem like there was any activity.

[Anonymous User]

Crickets over here. Has anyone heard anything?

[Anonymous User]

bump. Any movement at all?

[Anonymous User]

bump. Any movement at all?

Nothing here.

[Anonymous User]

Bump for news? They told me during the interview that decisions would be coming around Thanksgiving; it would be nice if they got out before the holiday.