If at first you don't succeed: a pep-talk
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:11 am
This is a pep-talk, one I've given a few times recently to friends in law school. This sentiment doesn't get expressed nearly enough, so I thought it made sense to post something publicly.
Clerkship hiring is capricious. In fact, it's hard to think of another legal job—especially an "entry-level" one—for which the entire process is so bizarre. Landing a clerkship is an unpredictable admixture of conventional wisdom and flat-out witchcraft: "send a slim application package with a short cover letter, a transcript, three recommendation letters, a writing sample of precisely thirteen and one-half pages, and four newt eyes. That'll do the trick."
But that being said, lots of people do very well. Have great grades? You're probably going to get a ton of interviews; you may even have your pick of judges.
When I was first applying to clerkships many, many years ago (when the Hiring Plan was still in effect), the experiences and expectations of those at the top of the heap were most talked about. Tales abounded of attempting to schedule interviews to maximize the chance of landing a prestigious judge, or phones ringing off the hook on the first day that judges were allowed to contact students. "If you get an interview," we were told, "you've got a great chance of getting the job; it's up to you to not screw it up."
For the rest of us, the first round of clerkship applications was something else entirely. Think radio silence, lack of direction, and lots of conflicting advice. Most people struck out without any interviews. Some people got interviews but weren't able to seal the deal (despite being perfectly lovely, well-adjusted folks, who had no trouble getting firm offers in OCI). Calling it "frustrating" would be an understatement. There was a sense that, if you didn't manage to get a clerkship during law school, that was it.
Here's the wisdom: if things don't work out the first time, keep trying. My class of clerkship strike-outs graduated, started our jobs, and went our separate ways. But I kept applying. I eventually got a call from a judge to whom I had applied on at least three prior occasions. Four years after graduation, I finally landed the clerkship. I had a great year and it doesn't seem to have upset my (already somewhat confused public-service) career mojo one bit. If insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results, go nuts.
So if it doesn't work out right away, don't give up. The climate is changing and a lot of judges hire alums. After graduation may be a perfect time to clerk, before you've set down serious roots, but if you want to make it work, you can.
Clerkship hiring is capricious. In fact, it's hard to think of another legal job—especially an "entry-level" one—for which the entire process is so bizarre. Landing a clerkship is an unpredictable admixture of conventional wisdom and flat-out witchcraft: "send a slim application package with a short cover letter, a transcript, three recommendation letters, a writing sample of precisely thirteen and one-half pages, and four newt eyes. That'll do the trick."
But that being said, lots of people do very well. Have great grades? You're probably going to get a ton of interviews; you may even have your pick of judges.
When I was first applying to clerkships many, many years ago (when the Hiring Plan was still in effect), the experiences and expectations of those at the top of the heap were most talked about. Tales abounded of attempting to schedule interviews to maximize the chance of landing a prestigious judge, or phones ringing off the hook on the first day that judges were allowed to contact students. "If you get an interview," we were told, "you've got a great chance of getting the job; it's up to you to not screw it up."
For the rest of us, the first round of clerkship applications was something else entirely. Think radio silence, lack of direction, and lots of conflicting advice. Most people struck out without any interviews. Some people got interviews but weren't able to seal the deal (despite being perfectly lovely, well-adjusted folks, who had no trouble getting firm offers in OCI). Calling it "frustrating" would be an understatement. There was a sense that, if you didn't manage to get a clerkship during law school, that was it.
Here's the wisdom: if things don't work out the first time, keep trying. My class of clerkship strike-outs graduated, started our jobs, and went our separate ways. But I kept applying. I eventually got a call from a judge to whom I had applied on at least three prior occasions. Four years after graduation, I finally landed the clerkship. I had a great year and it doesn't seem to have upset my (already somewhat confused public-service) career mojo one bit. If insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results, go nuts.
So if it doesn't work out right away, don't give up. The climate is changing and a lot of judges hire alums. After graduation may be a perfect time to clerk, before you've set down serious roots, but if you want to make it work, you can.