Two Externship Interviews - Same district court, same day Forum

[Anonymous User]

Title is pretty self-explanatory. 9am and 10:30am, same courthouse. Already told clerk of second judge about the first interview, and asked if this was a problem, which it was not. She suggested the 10:30 time actually.

My career office told me it is OK to tell the first one that i have a second one the same day, and if he makes an offer, to say I will get back to him in the afternoon. And that I would tell the second one the same if he gives me an offer too, so I have a chance to consider. Does this sound kosher?

Also, do judges tend to make offer on the spot if they like you?

Thanks guys!

[ChattelCat]

I think the on the spot offers are usually reserved for post-graduation clerkships, not so much for externships. At least everyone I know (quite a few people) who worked for federal judges heard back by phone call. I wouldn't stress about it too much - if they already know you have an interview with the other judge they'll probably wait. (also, in my experience, they talk to make sure no double offers are made)

[Hitachi]

I'm sure it depends entirely on the judge/clerk. I only had a phone interview, and got offered at the end.

[Anonymous User]

Title is pretty self-explanatory. 9am and 10:30am, same courthouse. Already told clerk of second judge about the first interview, and asked if this was a problem, which it was not. She suggested the 10:30 time actually.

My career office told me it is OK to tell the first one that i have a second one the same day, and if he makes an offer, to say I will get back to him in the afternoon. And that I would tell the second one the same if he gives me an offer too, so I have a chance to consider. Does this sound kosher?

Also, do judges tend to make offer on the spot if they like you?

Thanks guys!

1. Ninety minutes is probably enough time, but maybe not. I had judicial internship interviews that lasted anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours. I would call the first judge's chambers and ask them if they think you would have enough time to make it to the second interview.

2. Timing of offer will depend on the judge. I had five judicial internship interviews throughout law school. Each time, the judge/clerk offered the job during the interview (one of whom basically said I had the job at the beginning of the interview). To the contrary, I had two clerkship interviews, and the one that eventually made an offer took over two weeks. I have a couple friends who went through the federal plan, and none of them got offers on the spot (usually made to wait 1-2 weeks before hearing an answer).

3. In my experience, judges have been pretty open to allowing interns to split the summers. So if you get a good vibe from the first judge/clerks and want to split, you might want to bring it up. Depending on the vibe, you might just want to see if the judge/clerks bring it up.

Good luck! Working for a judge is awesome.

[Anonymous User]

OP here.

Thanks for the replies, seems like this could depend on the judge.

Also, 10:30 is just an estimate. The clerk for the second judge said to just come when I am finished with the first, either earlier or later. Very considerate to me, imo.