Problems converting callbacks to offers Forum

[Anonymous User]

I had what I think to be a decently large umber of callbacks (went to 11/14 - didn't do the other 3 because of various issues). So far, I've received 4 dings, lots of silence, and 1 offer. I don't expect any other offers given that most of the other 6 callbacks were several weeks ago.

Are there any common mistakes or reasons for poor offer results? I'm at a "T1" school, top 5% w/law review. The largest markets I interviewed in were Dallas/Houston, and several smaller markets in the southeast and midwest. I think I'm a pretty good interviewer, or at least that's what I've been told by practice interviewers. Not being at a top school, I wouldn't expect that many cbs with poor or average interviewing skills - and most of my cb interview sessions went at least as well as my screeners that led to the cbs.

Do smaller markets tend to extend offers to fewer of their cbs?
I have a transient background and loose ties to most of the places I've interviewed; could that have been the problem? If so, why did I get cbs there in the first place?
Is it just more common to get no-offered post-cb coming from an average T1 rather than a T14, etc.?

I'm just curious to hear from other people who had similar problems so that I can evaluate what happened. I can't complain much since I ended up with an offer from a good firm, but I have to say that my results were disappointing because I feel in retrospect like a fringe/participation candidate at most of those firms.

And I don't mean this to come across as asshole-ish, just trying to diagnose. Thanks for any input.

[star fox]

So far, I've received ... 1 offer.

Congrats!

[Anonymous User]

^Thanks, and I get the point...I don't mean to sound ungrateful or entitled because I know I'm incredibly lucky to have an offer at all.

[Anonymous User]

I'm having a similar problem--Have completed 6 callbacks with 2 more on the way. So far only one rejection and a lot of silence. Granted these firms I'm getting callbacks at are hiring 2 SAs, with one just 1 SA. I felt all of the callbacks went really well, but now I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong before going into my next two callbacks.

Is it typical to not hear from these firms hiring so few SAs weeks after a callback?

FWIW in major market (Chi) at T1.

[Anonymous User]

I can reiterate that you aren't the only one with this problem. While I can't say why you are getting these results, I surmise that it is just tough competition for the few spots that exist, I can at least say you are fairing better than I have thus far. Top 10% at T1, Law Review, 25+ screeners ---> 4 CB's ---> 2 dings\2 silence. (However these are all Chicago firms).

[PMan99]

I'm having a similar problem--Have completed 6 callbacks with 2 more on the way. So far only one rejection and a lot of silence. Granted these firms I'm getting callbacks at are hiring 2 SAs, with one just 1 SA. I felt all of the callbacks went really well, but now I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong before going into my next two callbacks.

Is it typical to not hear from these firms hiring so few SAs weeks after a callback?

FWIW in major market (Chi) at T1.

Firms with that few slots can utilize a 'waitlist,' but the odds actually getting an offer are still pretty low. And a lot of firms are just slow with rejections in general. Converting CBs to offers at small satellite offices is going to be much more difficult than doing so at bigger ones.

[Anonymous User]

I had a similar stat line as you a few years ago and I went 0/6. So definitely congrats on your one offer. It only takes one to have a successful OCI.

I think personally my biggest problem was that I would do well in a screener but when it came to the CB I did not do enough to make my self stand out. What I mean by this is I think there is smaller threshold to get a CB then there is to get an offer. So when you are at the CB I think it is important to make yourself stick out better so you do not get lost in the crowd (especially in this part of the country where classes are not as large as NYC).

Personally, my biggest problem is that my CB were unfocused and lacked a theme/narrative of who I was and why I specifically wanted the firm I was interviewing with. I took a general approach to all CB and I think that proved fatal. If I could do it over again I would have done way more firm research and had well articulated reasons why I specifically wanted the firm.

Again, congrats! I also bet one of those six CB will extend an offer.

[Anonymous User]

Interestingly, I had the opposite problem. Failed to get callbacks at firms I had the gpa for but ultimately did ok (3/6) in callbacks.

[Anonymous User]

To the above, how is six callbacks failing to get them?

[Anonymous User]

Having the same problem. Objectively great grades, but so far nothing but silence from the firms I've done CBs with thus far. I seem to keep missing on just one interview.

This may be deflecting, but what do you do when the interviewer just stares at you blankly after EVERYTHING you say? Friggin worst conversationalist I've ever encountered. Or was I being tested? Ugh

[Anonymous User]

Wow that exact thing happened to me at more than one callback. Associates and a few partners are really great, but then there's always one interviewer who has no social skills or looks so disinterested in you/life in general. And, of course it's always a senior partner. What can you do??

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I keep going 5/6 or 4/5 or whatever and it's driving me crazy

[Anonymous User]

What about when one of the not so great interviews during CB is with an associate, but then when with a partner we just shot the shit talking about sports and what not but nothing really professionally related? Could the not great associate interview be enough to not get an offer?

[Anonymous User]

My guess is that would be firm depenedent. Like the above poster mentioned a firm may require a positive review from everyone

[Anonymous User]

Exactly. I want to hear from anyone who had a similar experience and still got an offer??

[Actus Reus]

What about when one of the not so great interviews during CB is with an associate, but then when with a partner we just shot the shit talking about sports and what not but nothing really professionally related? Could the not great associate interview be enough to not get an offer?

Jesus. You can't do anything about it now so stop reading tea leaves and mass mail.

[Anonymous User]

Original OP here. Reading these posts and thinking more about my cbs, I think it's just a total black box. The one offer I have went probably 2/6 really good interviews, and the others were pretty meh at best. They offered on the spot (unusual for them) and they're recruiting me heavily. Yet nothing from peer firms with cbs that seemed to go far better and where other factors lined up better...

I think each firm is looking at different things and when one or two factors don't line up in your favor (lack of ties, one sub-par interview, not from a top school, etc.), the competition is stiff enough that having a good cb and otherwise great credentials can leave you on the outside looking in.

[Emma.]

What about when one of the not so great interviews during CB is with an associate, but then when with a partner we just shot the shit talking about sports and what not but nothing really professionally related? Could the not great associate interview be enough to not get an offer?

Sure. For many firms any one of your interviewers can effectively veto you by giving bad review. As an example, at the firm where I spent my 2L summer, if any interviewer rated you below 3/5 that meant no offer.