Follow Recommender's Advice? Forum

[Anonymous User]

One of my recommenders reached out to me recently telling me he had a nice chat with Judge X, and that if I don't hear from this judge by Y, I should reach out to chambers. That date has come and gone.

I wouldn't think it would be advisable to reach out to chambers as an applicant, but thought I'd check in here. If it is, however, any tips on how to go about it?

[Anonymous User]

Current clerk. Anecdotally, I reached out to my current chambers a few weeks after my interview. I had just received notice that my note would be published and I emailed him to announce the update to my application and to tell him that I enjoyed meeting him. He called me the next day to offer me the position, and told me later on that he had been deciding between me and another candidate and my update had pushed him towards choosing me. If you can think of a recent, relevant update to your resume, it's a good excuse to call or email.

Also, we've received calls from interested candidates who are checking up after their interview. The candidate chosen to replace me called to say she was interviewing with another judge the next week and wanted to see if a decision had been made. This is all my limited experience, and I'd imagine it depends on the judge. If your recommender has told you to reach out, however, I'd imagine it probably isn't a bad idea. Maybe contact your recommender first and ask his/her opinion.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks -- does it matter that I have not been asked for an interview? The recommender's conversation with the judge was essentially a "pull the app out of the pile and give an interview" type of conversation.

[rpupkin]

One of my recommenders reached out to me recently telling me he had a nice chat with Judge X, and that if I don't hear from this judge by Y, I should reach out to chambers. That date has come and gone.

I wouldn't think it would be advisable to reach out to chambers as an applicant, but thought I'd check in here. If it is, however, any tips on how to go about it?

You're right to think twice about contacting chambers directly in these circumstances. I suggest reaching out to your recommender. Explain that you have yet to hear from the judge. Your recommender obviously speaks to the judge from time to time, so perhaps he could check in and ask about you.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks -- does it matter that I have not been asked for an interview? The recommender's conversation with the judge was essentially a "pull the app out of the pile and give an interview" type of conversation.

Anon clerk responding. My original post was under the assumption that you had already interviewed. If you haven't interviewed and you don't have a relationship with chambers at this point, I wouldn't reach out to them. I would speak with your recommender instead.