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I interviewed with two judges this week--one Monday and another yesterday. How long should I hold out hope? Also, do judges let you know if you don't get the job after interviewing?

I had a judge wait two months to get back to me, and another took six days. So...it all varies. Don't give up hope if weeks begin to pass. Also, don't bother emailing asking for an update (unless you yourself have news on your end, like a competing offer); the judge hasn't forgotten about you.

Yes, judges will generally tell you if you didn't get a clerkship. They're interviewing so few candidates that it won't slip their mind to inform you if you're not chosen. They understand that you're trying to figure out your future. Hell, I've had a couple judges mail me rejection letters despite not even interviewing me (though that is admittedly rare). If a judge is such an a-hole that they can't be bothered informing interviewees about their rejection, well... I wouldn't want to work for that judge.

It took me something like six months with a couple judges I interviewed with. By then you're pretty sure you didn't get the job, but in both cases I eventually heard second-hand that the position was filled.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:03 pm

It took me something like six months with a couple judges I interviewed with. By then you're pretty sure you didn't get the job, but in both cases I eventually heard second-hand that the position was filled.

Same here. Ghosting is unfortunate, but it happens. And I had it happen to me even though the judge swore they would get back to me. (I’m not that mad, since chambers is crazy busy, but I appreciate it more when they don’t promise to let me know either way)

Depends on who you interviewed with OP and their cycle. Was it COA, DCt, or State?

COAs take longer to get back (like a month after interviewing, but obviously this can be a huge range especially if they are not going to pick you)

DCts get back to you usually within 2 weeks (but obviously depends on district judge)

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:09 pm

Depends on who you interviewed with OP and their cycle. Was it COA, DCt, or State?

COAs take longer to get back (like a month after interviewing, but obviously this can be a huge range especially if they are not going to pick you)

DCts get back to you usually within 2 weeks (but obviously depends on district judge)

I don’t think you can generalize even this much. It just depends on the judge (especially if they’re interviewing now, not on the federal plan).

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:09 pm

Depends on who you interviewed with OP and their cycle. Was it COA, DCt, or State?

COAs take longer to get back (like a month after interviewing, but obviously this can be a huge range especially if they are not going to pick you)

DCts get back to you usually within 2 weeks (but obviously depends on district judge)

I may disagree with this. I’ve heard of COA offers one day after the interview and D.Ct offers several months later. It is totally idiosyncratic.

Hi all-- OP here. Thanks for the insight. both were district judges

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:09 pm

Depends on who you interviewed with OP and their cycle. Was it COA, DCt, or State?

COAs take longer to get back (like a month after interviewing, but obviously this can be a huge range especially if they are not going to pick you)

DCts get back to you usually within 2 weeks (but obviously depends on district judge)

Adding to the voices that disagree with this take - I think the better distinction is on-plan vs. off-plan. Many of the on-plan judges will move pretty quickly (some will give offers at the end of the interview, some that day, and some within a week/2 weeks after interviewing). Off-plan judges (both district and appellate) generally seem to take longer - though it's not always the case (as one example, I interviewed with an off-plan COA judge in the middle of the week a few months ago, and I heard back by Friday).

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 2:10 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:09 pm

Depends on who you interviewed with OP and their cycle. Was it COA, DCt, or State?

COAs take longer to get back (like a month after interviewing, but obviously this can be a huge range especially if they are not going to pick you)

DCts get back to you usually within 2 weeks (but obviously depends on district judge)

Adding to the voices that disagree with this take - I think the better distinction is on-plan vs. off-plan. Many of the on-plan judges will move pretty quickly (some will give offers at the end of the interview, some that day, and some within a week/2 weeks after interviewing). Off-plan judges (both district and appellate) generally seem to take longer - though it's not always the case (as one example, I interviewed with an off-plan COA judge in the middle of the week a few months ago, and I heard back by Friday).

Both of my clerkships came from "off-plan" judges. The COA judge offered at the end of the interview, the D. Ct. judge the day after the interview.

The only lesson here is that there is no lesson. Just try your best to stay sane. Distract yourself and focus only on the things actually in your control

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