Callback Advice Forum

[personofinterest]

There is a lot of advice here on bid lists and screeners, but less so on what makes a good or bad callback. Could 3L's and grads please post examples of callbacks that went well/poorly? Thanks!

Format:
- Law firm rank range (eg.'s V10, V50, etc.)
- Callback story, end result

[justkeepswimming794]

There is a lot of advice here on bid lists and screeners, but less so on what makes a good or bad callback. Could 3L's and grads please post examples of callbacks that went well/poorly? Thanks!

Format:
- Law school range (eg.'s CCN, MVPB, lower T14, etc.)
- School rank (roughly)
- Law firm rank range (eg.'s V10, V50, etc.)
- Callback story, end result

i too would like this information

[kcdc1]

School prestige, grades, etc. matter a lot when firms determine whether to offer you a CB, but I'd recommend pushing all of that out of your mind for the actual CB. Once you are offered the CB, you have cleared the credential hurdles, and you are now being evaluated for professionalism, likability, interest in the firm, fit, etc.

My advice would be to relax and enjoy yourself -- or at least relax and enjoy yourself as much as you can while coming across as strictly professional. Unlike the screener stage, there is generally no strict schedule to keep. If interview conversations are going long and you're falling behind schedule, you're doing well.

[Anonymous User]

School prestige, grades, etc. matter a lot when firms determine whether to offer you a CB, but I'd recommend pushing all of that out of your mind for the actual CB. Once you are offered the CB, you have cleared the credential hurdles, and you are now being evaluated for professionalism, likability, interest in the firm, fit, etc.

My advice would be to relax and enjoy yourself -- or at least relax and enjoy yourself as much as you can while coming across as strictly professional. Unlike the screener stage, there is generally no strict schedule to keep. If interview conversations are going long and you're falling behind schedule, you're doing well.

i am a rising 2L but have had two successful CBs that led to offers and one not so successful CB that hasn't led to deny/offer yet, so it's fresh in my mind. i would say that the quoted is pretty solid advice. the CB that went off kilter for me was my first one - i hadn't done any real screeners yet and approached the callback like you would a screener where I was very formal and tried to answer everything with a "selling yourself" sort of answer. i was way too concerned with the sort of stuff that CSOs pitch where they say "if you feel like the interview is ending and you haven't made some point that you want to get across, make sure to guide the conversation in that direction." there were at least a couple times that day where i broke an otherwise great conversation by shoehorning some resume bullshit into the conversation and i could tell the interviewer was just like "uh ok."

after that first callback, i came on tls and was advised to just relax and that if you're trying to sell yourself too much, things are going wrong. for the next two, i just took it easy and focused more on staying positive, keeping a smile on my face, asking thoughtful questions, and having a good conversation. following that strategy ended with offers about a week later each.

[Anonymous User]

I went 0/6 on my first callbacks, then got offers on my last 2 after going through a mock interview with career services and having them call some of the firms I was rejected from. The biggest thing I think to remember is that the firm's goal in a callback is to make sure you're not a weirdo. It's really not much more than that. They've already seen your grades and determined they're sufficient. Once you start trying too hard, it's easy to come off as something less than genuine.

[personofinterest]

Thanks to those that have posted! Great advice so far. More anecdotes would be great!

[Anonymous User]

The biggest thing I think to remember is that the firm's goal in a callback is to make sure you're not a weirdo.

I feel like everyone says this, but the term "weirdo" is so generic as to be meaningless. It'd be helpful for someone to add a little more color to it.

[Traynor Brah]

a callback is just four screeners that are a tad longer. if they're bringing you in they would hire you. relax, share interesting stories, craft a compelling narrative about your life and career, show genuine interest in people's work, and you'll be fine. Realize they need you as much as you need them, and that a callback is, more than anything, a chance for both sides to assess the cultural fit. Asking probing questions that are still respectful but show genuine interest in the firm will go over very well.

[swampman]

The biggest thing I think to remember is that the firm's goal in a callback is to make sure you're not a weirdo.

I feel like everyone says this, but the term "weirdo" is so generic as to be meaningless. It'd be helpful for someone to add a little more color to it.

That advice is really only useful to people who aren't weirdos, to remind them they don't need try to impress everyone, just relax, be positive and don't put your foot in your mouth. If you don't immediately recognize what "weirdo" (ie socially awkward) refers to, you are likely a weirdo, and an internet forum is not going to help you — you need to sit down with real people who can point out what you're doing wrong and coach you through it.

[wolfie_m.]

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[NotMyRealName09]

There is a lot of advice here on bid lists and screeners, but less so on what makes a good or bad callback. Could 3L's and grads please post examples of callbacks that went well/poorly? Thanks!

Format:
- Law firm rank range (eg.'s V10, V50, etc.)
- Callback story, end result

I was going to offer my time-tested, proven interview advice, but wow, that's the prism through which you view socializing like a normal person? As if ranking has an impact on ability to make a human connection? Enjoy the smell of your own farts, I bet they are great.

[personofinterest]

There is a lot of advice here on bid lists and screeners, but less so on what makes a good or bad callback. Could 3L's and grads please post examples of callbacks that went well/poorly? Thanks!

Format:
- Law firm rank range (eg.'s V10, V50, etc.)
- Callback story, end result

I was going to offer my time-tested, proven interview advice, but wow, that's the prism through which you view socializing like a normal person? As if ranking has an impact on ability to make a human connection? Enjoy the smell of your own farts, I bet they are great.

Not going to respond to the insult, but I will clarify why I asked for that info. I imagine (though I could be totally wrong) that the culture of super prestigious firms is different than that of mid size firms or even firms ranked around 100. I thought this might affect the nature of the callback. Please keep things more civil in the future.

[Traynor Brah]

I think you are indeed wrong about that. Vault rankings do not strongly correlate with selectivity or "prestige," necessarily, and selectivity and prestige still do not correlate with intensity of a cb. The two v5 cbs I had this cycle were pretty easily the most chill and least probing, for example, even compared to the few "lifestyle" firms I cbed.

As the above person intimated, the point of the cb interviews is to make a personal connection with the interviewers and see if your personality meshes with personality of the firm (assuming recruiting is going to have you see people who are representative of the firm culture (which you need to vet on a post-offer second look if you get multiple offers)). But for a few particular firms, you have nothing to prove from a credentials or general intelligence/ability perspective if you are invited for a cb.

[californiauser]

Do CB interviewers usually ask for copies of transcripts?

[msdiiva]

Any tips on prepping for interviews when the schedule is released at reception instead of the night before?

[thesealocust]

Do CB interviewers usually ask for copies of transcripts?

No. At the average large law firm, recruiting will email or inter-office mail all of your materials to your interviewers before they see you, so you won't be asked for anything. Having extras in a padfolio is still smart though.

Any tips on prepping for interviews when the schedule is released at reception instead of the night before?

Just relax! Make sure you've read up on the firm and have some questions, get good sleep, by yourself? You won't have a chance to stalk your interviewers, but still ask them about themselves and their practice when you meet them, it's always fertile ground for conversations.

[Jay2716]

Do CB interviewers usually ask for copies of transcripts?

No. At the average large law firm, recruiting will email or inter-office mail all of your materials to your interviewers before they see you, so you won't be asked for anything. Having extras in a padfolio is still smart though.

Any tips on prepping for interviews when the schedule is released at reception instead of the night before?

Just relax! Make sure you've read up on the firm and have some questions, get good sleep, by yourself? You won't have a chance to stalk your interviewers, but still ask them about themselves and their practice when you meet them, it's always fertile ground for conversations.

This is basically what I was going to say. Do your research and ask good, thoughtful questions that show you've thought about the firm and are interested in what they do. People like people who are interested in them.

[NotMyRealName09]

Do CB interviewers usually ask for copies of transcripts?

No. At the average large law firm, recruiting will email or inter-office mail all of your materials to your interviewers before they see you, so you won't be asked for anything. Having extras in a padfolio is still smart though.

Any tips on prepping for interviews when the schedule is released at reception instead of the night before?

Just relax! Make sure you've read up on the firm and have some questions, get good sleep, by yourself? You won't have a chance to stalk your interviewers, but still ask them about themselves and their practice when you meet them, it's always fertile ground for conversations.

This is basically what I was going to say. Do your research and ask good, thoughtful questions that show you've thought about the firm and are interested in what they do. People like people who are interested in them.

Hey OP, I can be a moody bitch sometimes, your measured response was well played.

These guys have it right. Asking your interviewer what they do, and then HOW they ended up doing that can open the door to an easy, flowing conversation. Since you're a law student, still figuring out what you want to do with your career, you actually are interested in how people's careers develop. People love to talk about themselves, and even if it seems obvious that's what you're trying to get them to do, they'll be happy you oblige. Shit, it works on me when I'm doing the callback interview, I thought I'd be like "sneaky bastard don't use my tricks on me", but them I'm like "sure, let me tell you about how what I do is fun and cool."

This Gameplan tends to work out, but sometimes you just don't click with people and there's nothing you can do about that. I'm of the belief that, like "test taking" ability, some people have it, and some just don't. It's innate, and it can't really be taught.

And now I'm remembering my old pop psychology view of things, so I'll offer this too - be confident, like the hot girl at a party confident. You KNOW you're hot, and you know you can pick whoever you want to bang. If you seem needy, like you're desperate to impress, or need this job because you don't have other options - that comes out in how you interact. Make them want you by being a little unavailable, or like you have a little secret. Everyone wants the person they can't have. This sounds hokey, and I don't know how you can take it and put it into practice - it's just kinda how I naturally (and unknowingly?) approached things when I was doing call backs and, when I looked back, it's what I did.

KNOW you are the shit. KNOW they would be LUCKY to hire you. Be noncommittal but open to be persuaded. Ride that fine line of confident but not arrogant. It's comes out, maybe it's subconscious, but people like it and they won't know why. You're there not to convince them to hire you - you're there for them to try and convince you why you should accept their offer. It's why nice guys finish last and girls go for jerks, it's the same concept, even though the nice guy thinks it's all so unfair.

[Anonymous User]

Do CB interviewers usually ask for copies of transcripts?

No. At the average large law firm, recruiting will email or inter-office mail all of your materials to your interviewers before they see you, so you won't be asked for anything. Having extras in a padfolio is still smart though.

Any tips on prepping for interviews when the schedule is released at reception instead of the night before?

Just relax! Make sure you've read up on the firm and have some questions, get good sleep, by yourself? You won't have a chance to stalk your interviewers, but still ask them about themselves and their practice when you meet them, it's always fertile ground for conversations.

This is basically what I was going to say. Do your research and ask good, thoughtful questions that show you've thought about the firm and are interested in what they do. People like people who are interested in them.

Hey OP, I can be a moody bitch sometimes, your measured response was well played.

These guys have it right. Asking your interviewer what they do, and then HOW they ended up doing that can open the door to an easy, flowing conversation. Since you're a law student, still figuring out what you want to do with your career, you actually are interested in how people's careers develop. People love to talk about themselves, and even if it seems obvious that's what you're trying to get them to do, they'll be happy you oblige. Shit, it works on me when I'm doing the callback interview.

This Gameplan tends to work out, but sometimes you just don't click with people and there's nothing you can do about that. I'm of the belief that, like "test taking" ability, some people have it, and some just don't. It's innate, and it can't really be taught.

And now I'm remembering my old pop psychology view of things, so I'll offer this too - be confident, like the hot girl at a party confident. You KNOW you're hot, and you know you can pick whoever you want to bang. If you seem needy, like you're desperate to impress, or need this job because you don't have other options - that comes out in how you interact. Make them want you by being a little unavailable, or like you have a little secret. Everyone wants the person they can't have. This sounds hokey, and I don't know how you can take it and put it into practice - it's just kinda how I naturally (and unknowingly?) approached things when I was doing call backs and, when I looked back, it's what I did.

KNOW you are the shit. KNOW they would be LUCKY to hire you. Be noncommittal but open to be persuaded. Ride that fine line of confident but not arrogant. It's comes out, maybe it's subconscious, but people like it and they won't know why. You're there not to convince them to hire you - you're there for them to try and convince you why you should accept their offer. It's why nice guys finish last and girls go for jerks, it's the same concept, even though the nice guy thinks it's all so unfair.

i disagree with some of this. "ride that fine line of confident but not arrogant" is a good idea if you're absolutely sure you can stay on the right side. but when you act like "you know you're hot", that can easily be interpreted as over-confident by any one of your 4 or so interviewers. i've been burned by this tactic before, and i'm generally pretty good at knowing where that line is (or at least I thought). i'd recommend focusing more on making genuine connections with the interviewers than oozing confidence. yes you need to be confident to some extent - but i've been on the interviewer side in a past life, and being a little nervous isn't the death sentence that being cocky can be.

[NotMyRealName09]

Do CB interviewers usually ask for copies of transcripts?

No. At the average large law firm, recruiting will email or inter-office mail all of your materials to your interviewers before they see you, so you won't be asked for anything. Having extras in a padfolio is still smart though.

Any tips on prepping for interviews when the schedule is released at reception instead of the night before?

Just relax! Make sure you've read up on the firm and have some questions, get good sleep, by yourself? You won't have a chance to stalk your interviewers, but still ask them about themselves and their practice when you meet them, it's always fertile ground for conversations.

This is basically what I was going to say. Do your research and ask good, thoughtful questions that show you've thought about the firm and are interested in what they do. People like people who are interested in them.

Hey OP, I can be a moody bitch sometimes, your measured response was well played.

These guys have it right. Asking your interviewer what they do, and then HOW they ended up doing that can open the door to an easy, flowing conversation. Since you're a law student, still figuring out what you want to do with your career, you actually are interested in how people's careers develop. People love to talk about themselves, and even if it seems obvious that's what you're trying to get them to do, they'll be happy you oblige. Shit, it works on me when I'm doing the callback interview.

This Gameplan tends to work out, but sometimes you just don't click with people and there's nothing you can do about that. I'm of the belief that, like "test taking" ability, some people have it, and some just don't. It's innate, and it can't really be taught.

And now I'm remembering my old pop psychology view of things, so I'll offer this too - be confident, like the hot girl at a party confident. You KNOW you're hot, and you know you can pick whoever you want to bang. If you seem needy, like you're desperate to impress, or need this job because you don't have other options - that comes out in how you interact. Make them want you by being a little unavailable, or like you have a little secret. Everyone wants the person they can't have. This sounds hokey, and I don't know how you can take it and put it into practice - it's just kinda how I naturally (and unknowingly?) approached things when I was doing call backs and, when I looked back, it's what I did.

KNOW you are the shit. KNOW they would be LUCKY to hire you. Be noncommittal but open to be persuaded. Ride that fine line of confident but not arrogant. It's comes out, maybe it's subconscious, but people like it and they won't know why. You're there not to convince them to hire you - you're there for them to try and convince you why you should accept their offer. It's why nice guys finish last and girls go for jerks, it's the same concept, even though the nice guy thinks it's all so unfair.

i disagree with some of this. "ride that fine line of confident but not arrogant" is a good idea if you're absolutely sure you can stay on the right side. but when you act like "you know you're hot", that can easily be interpreted as over-confident by any one of your 4 or so interviewers. i've been burned by this tactic before, and i'm generally pretty good at knowing where that line is (or at least I thought). i'd recommend focusing more on making genuine connections with the interviewers than oozing confidence. yes you need to be confident to some extent - but i've been on the interviewer side in a past life, and being a little nervous isn't the death sentence that being cocky can be.

I don't disagree with this necessarily - I'll just tie it all back to an earlier point that I believe some people have it naturally and some don't. Sticking with the dating metaphor I enjoy so much, nice guys aren't jerks, and they can't just naturally be a jerk with a snap of the finger. But then again, speaking quite literally from my life dating experience, I once was the nice guy, thought that was what was right, but got sick of it because chicks don't like nice guys, so I tried to adapt and become, I don't know, more jerky(?), more like "if you reject me, no big deal, I'm just here for fun," - suddenly, I was having women flirt with me everywhere. Then I met my wife.

So maybe I'm saying you have to know yourself, and if you know you are desperate, or know you're a nervous type, or know coming off as confident isn't your strong point - keep that in mind and maybe try and adjust? It's like they say - smile even if you aren't really happy, because the mere act of smiling can actually make you happier. So if you act confident even when you're not, you might surprise yourself and start actually feeling confident?

Edit to add: You're right, there is risk when trying to ride that line between confidence and arrogance. But you'll never know if you can ride that line until you try. And sure, you might cross it inadvertently, but as with many things, with great risk comes great reward. Be the alpha.

[Anonymous User]

Is it OK during callbacks, when asked if I have any more questions for the partner/associate before moving on in the process to meet some other partner/associate, to look down at my notes in my portfolio?

I know obviously it'd be better to be candid, but when you're meeting 6-8 attorneys in one day, it gets confusing.

Is it better to try to be candid and just roll with what comes to mind, or is it OK to consult your portfolio for a brief glance at something you wanted to know (and wrote down) but forgot to mention?

[Traynor Brah]

I went maybe a bit better than 50% converting screeners and callbacks while essentially reading questions off a script for a lot of them. Just like cross your legs when you get in your chair and open your portfolio in the same motion. Dont draw attention to it by opening it or closing it until you leave again. If you dont have a natural chance to glance down, do the casual forehead swipe/hair adjustment thing and take a quick glance down; have your questions be basically buzzwords to trip your memory, triple spaced.

Is it the best look? Probably not; but It's not a big deal. If you're not asking interesting questions, though, then you'll look kind of silly.

[5ky]

I went maybe a bit better than 50% converting screeners and callbacks while essentially reading questions off a script for a lot of them. Just like cross your legs when you get in your chair and open your portfolio in the same motion. Dont draw attention to it by opening it or closing it until you leave again. If you dont have a natural chance to glance down, do the casual forehead swipe/hair adjustment thing and take a quick glance down; have your questions be basically buzzwords to trip your memory, triple spaced.

Is it the best look? Probably not; but It's not a big deal. If you're not asking interesting questions, though, then you'll look kind of silly.

I'm going to be honest, when I am doing interviews, if somebody appeared to be reading from a script, that would be an auto-ding for me right then.

[Johann]

I went maybe a bit better than 50% converting screeners and callbacks while essentially reading questions off a script for a lot of them. Just like cross your legs when you get in your chair and open your portfolio in the same motion. Dont draw attention to it by opening it or closing it until you leave again. If you dont have a natural chance to glance down, do the casual forehead swipe/hair adjustment thing and take a quick glance down; have your questions be basically buzzwords to trip your memory, triple spaced.

Is it the best look? Probably not; but It's not a big deal. If you're not asking interesting questions, though, then you'll look kind of silly.

I'm going to be honest, when I am doing interviews, if somebody appeared to be reading from a script, that would be an auto-ding for me right then.

I interviewed in house somewhere and just pulled out a sheet of questions because me and dudes were cracking up over something. they asked me if i had any questions and i was just like man i had a list but i forgot them all just now. then joked about how i was gonna pull out my list and did it. made it to the next round.

[Anonymous User]

so im a below median student at a lower T14 and have several callbacks coming up. is it safe to say that my grades have been deemed acceptable for the firms and now it is purely about fit and personality? some of these callbacks came from lottery interviews, so I know I can at least be normal and have interesting conversations with people