After you've been rejected after an interview... Forum

[Anonymous User]

is there anything you can do to give yourself a shot at clerking for the judge during later terms? I felt like I had a good connection with the judge I interviewed with and everything, but it didn't work out for me. He said he would have another opening for a clerk later on this year, so I'm wondering if I should apply and/or if I should write a thank you note or something to see if I can get back on his radar.

[Grazzhoppa]

probably do los dos

[Citizen Genet]

Yes, definitely write a thank you note after the rejection. It's classy and a good way to show the judge you appreciate his/her time.

Did this for a judge I was rejected by and he ended up inviting me to lunch in response. Good things can happen.

[Anonymous User]

How long after a rejection is too long to wait to send a thank you note?

[Anonymous User]

Should thank you notes be paper or email? Either one preferred?

[lolwat]

paper

[Anonymous User]

paper

Any recommendations on how to go about doing this? Buy fancy paper somewhere? Use a certain type of pen?

[lolwat]

I always just typed it in Word, printed it out on normal paper, signed it and mailed it in. Wouldn't hurt to use something like resume paper. I don't think you need anything terribly fancy. Never did a handwritten one. If you're going to, I'd make sure whatever pen you use reads well on paper. Don't want to use a sharpie or highlighter or anything, but also not necessary to use a fountain pen.

[A. Nony Mouse]

paper

Any recommendations on how to go about doing this? Buy fancy paper somewhere? Use a certain type of pen?

Yes, ordinary paper is totally fine. If you really want, you can get decent-looking inexpensive stationery at any Staples or Office Max (plain white or cream, sheets or folded note - whatever looks "business"-y rather than "wedding thank you note"-y), and just a pen that writes. It's really really not a big deal and there's no need to overthink it.

[Anonymous User]

paper

Any recommendations on how to go about doing this? Buy fancy paper somewhere? Use a certain type of pen?

Yes, ordinary paper is totally fine. If you really want, you can get decent-looking inexpensive stationery at any Staples or Office Max (plain white or cream, sheets or folded note - whatever looks "business"-y rather than "wedding thank you note"-y), and just a pen that writes. It's really really not a big deal and there's no need to overthink it.

You just snail mailed the judge after your interview (as opposed to handing the JA the thank you note after the interview--prewritten I guess)? Sorry, probably overthinking it, but just wondering.

[Citizen Genet]

Snail mail it.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Yeah, don't pre-write and hand to the JA after the interview - you're supposed to work at least something specific to your conversation with the judge into it (even if you don't, you should at least look like you could). Some people get them out the same day (depending on what time your interview was), but the next day - or even the day after, especially if you're traveling - is fine. Wouldn't go later than that, though, if I could avoid it.

[Anonymous User]

Depending on how close you are to the office, and if there is a front desk, you can also drop it off in person a few days later if you don't get it in the mail in time. One candidate I interviewed for my last job did this and I had no issue with it. But again, this may not work due to logistics.

[Anonymous User]

Should I write notes to the clerks too? Or is it customary to just write one to the judge?

[ZyzzBrah]

Should I write notes to the clerks too? Or is it customary to just write one to the judge?

yes, write everyone a note, and enclose a gift certificate as well.

[Anonymous User]

I would write the law clerks as well.

[lolwat]

I personally wouldn't write notes to the clerks. Unless, through the interview, you figure out that they have a big say in whether the judge hires you.

I would consider writing a note to a career clerk though.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I just mentioned the clerks specifically in my thank-you to the judge. As a clerk, I think I did get a separate thank you note once, and I thought it was a little excessive. But whether or not that candidate sent me a thank-you note (or didn't) had nothing to do with whether the judge hired them.

(But I would happily take a gift certificate, judicial impartiality be damned.)