Honors Attorney Program 2019-2020 (non-DOJ) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Getting references checked seems a good sign. I think some regional offices are open and back at work. Maybe they're doing the calls for headquarters/other offices.

I interviewed but haven't had references checked yet.

[Anonymous User]

My references were checked today. I'm nervous though; they called from the regional office I interviewed with and that is not where I'd like to go. I hope that is not a sign.

The same thing happened to me. The regional office told my references they narrowed it down to five candidates, but they only have one spot. My reference asked them if I was still being considered for DC, and the regional office said they knew I was interested in DC, but they didn't know anything about the hiring there. That confused me because I thought DC was making hiring decisions, not regional offices. I also don't know what happens if you don't get chosen for their "one spot." Do your other preferences still get to consider you?

[Anonymous User]

Interviewed Monday with the Chicago regional office. They asked me which regional office I was most interested in moving to. I made it very clear NYC was my first choice and DC was my second. I had only picked Chicago as a backup since I could transfer my UBE score (explained that to them during the interview). The attorneys reassured me that DC makes the final decision based on need. As of yesterday, the attorneys have contacted all of my references. One of my references called me today and she made it very clear Chicago seemed to be incredibly interested in me (although the attorney she spoke with mentioned I was in the running for both Chicago and DC). I've been offered a one-year clerkship in DC and while HUD is my first choice, I really did not think I'd be moving to a city I have zero familiarity with. I don't know how much weight DC really has in the decision-making process now. Have any of you interviewed with DC or NYC?

[Anonymous User]

Interviewed Monday with the Chicago regional office. They asked me which regional office I was most interested in moving to. I made it very clear NYC was my first choice and DC was my second. I had only picked Chicago as a backup since I could transfer my UBE score (explained that to them during the interview). The attorneys reassured me that DC makes the final decision based on need. As of yesterday, the attorneys have contacted all of my references. One of my references called me today and she made it very clear Chicago seemed to be incredibly interested in me (although the attorney she spoke with mentioned I was in the running for both Chicago and DC). I've been offered a one-year clerkship in DC and while HUD is my first choice, I really did not think I'd be moving to a city I have zero familiarity with. I don't know how much weight DC really has in the decision-making process now. Have any of you interviewed with DC or NYC?

This is really good to hear. Thank you for sharing this info. I also interviewed with Chicago on Tuesday. For some reason, the interviewers were under the impression that Chicago was my first choice (I don't know why they thought that). I made it clear I strongly preferred to be in DC. Also, the attorney who contacted my references said he knew I was interested in DC and Chicago, but he didn't know anything about the running for DC. I really wish he had some insight into that.

[Anonymous User]

It is frustrating to hear that basically no office seems to know what is going on or how this works. The office I interviewed with wasn't even an office I ranked as one of my three choices. HUD is my first choice also, but I have received an offer for another job in DC and if it comes down to location I will likely choose DC. That is where I want to be long term. I feel like there needs to be more clarity about how this process works and how selections are made.

[Anonymous User]

"The same thing happened to me. The regional office told my references they narrowed it down to five candidates, but they only have one spot. My reference asked them if I was still being considered for DC, and the regional office said they knew I was interested in DC, but they didn't know anything about the hiring there. That confused me because I thought DC was making hiring decisions, not regional offices. I also don't know what happens if you don't get chosen for their "one spot." Do your other preferences still get to consider you?[/quote]"


To the poster who posted about the 1 spot. Did you interview in Chicago office? If not, would you mind saying the region?

[Anonymous User]

"The same thing happened to me. The regional office told my references they narrowed it down to five candidates, but they only have one spot. My reference asked them if I was still being considered for DC, and the regional office said they knew I was interested in DC, but they didn't know anything about the hiring there. That confused me because I thought DC was making hiring decisions, not regional offices. I also don't know what happens if you don't get chosen for their "one spot." Do your other preferences still get to consider you?

"


To the poster who posted about the 1 spot. Did you interview in Chicago office? If not, would you mind saying the region?[/quote]

I interviewed in the Chicago regional office. During the interview, my interviewers told me that Chicago gets only one Honors Attorney from the program. (However, they didn't say that they needed to widdle down those interviewing with Chicago to one spot. In fact, they said they would send notes about our interviews to DC, which would make the final decision). But, after the interview, another Chicago-based attorney (not one who interviewed me) called my references, and he told them I was in their top five, but they only had one 1 spot available. My references told me he made it seem like the regional office had to choose one out of the top five.

That being said, it's possible that he didn't know the process (i.e., that DC will choose where we go, so they don't need to worry about the one spot at this time). Like other posters have mentioned, it appears that people in the regional offices don't have a clear sense of the hiring process.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the detailed response! My first choice is DC but haven't heard anything about number of spots there yet. I interviewed in regional office in south. They mentioned I should hear back in 3-4 weeks.

[Anonymous User]

Just curious how much notice did you guys get before they scheduled your interviews?

[Anonymous User]

I was contacted on a Friday and then had a choice of interview times on Tuesday/Wednesday the next week. So not much notice! My interview was 1 hour long.

[Anonymous User]

I was contacted on a Friday and then had a choice of interview times on Tuesday/Wednesday the next week. So not much notice! My interview was 1 hour long.

I was contacted on Monday for an interview Tuesday morning!

[Anonymous User]

2 days after my interview I was told by the Regional office that I preferenced (also the one I interviewed with) that I would be there recommendation to the national office in DC. However I withdrew my name because I had another opportunity just come up.

From what it sounds like, Regional offices recommend one or more of the candidates they interviewed with to the DC office. Also the Regional offices get to say who they would like to work for them too but the DC office has the last call. Typically it seems regional offices get their pick of who they recommended unless they have no preference.

Good luck to everyone!

[Anonymous User]

2 days after my interview I was told by the Regional office that I preferenced (also the one I interviewed with) that I would be there recommendation to the national office in DC. However I withdrew my name because I had another opportunity just come up.

From what it sounds like, Regional offices recommend one or more of the candidates they interviewed with to the DC office. Also the Regional offices get to say who they would like to work for them too but the DC office has the last call. Typically it seems regional offices get their pick of who they recommended unless they have no preference.

Good luck to everyone!

Do you mind sharing which regional office? And, congrats on your next job!

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone else heard back from HUD after their interview?

[Anonymous User]

I haven't heard back yet.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard about an offer yet? I haven't. And really want to email and ask about their timeline.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard about an offer yet? I haven't. And really want to email and ask about their timeline.

No, I have not heard back yet. I was told after my interview that we should hear something by the end of May.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone hear if their regional office had referred them to DC? I'm not sure if all the regional offices are doing that, but it would be good to know which are.

[Anonymous User]

Bump. Any updates yet?

[Anonymous User]

Bump. Any updates yet?

No updates here but an attorney I know is going to reach out to one of the attorneys that interviewed. I will update with any info I get.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone heard anything?

[Anonymous User]

Last I heard, a recruiter emailed me and asked me if I'm interested in the DC office. I said yes. Never heard back

[Anonymous User]

Anyone get a tentative offer from HUD? I'm starting to feel that they've postponed everything

[Anonymous User]

Last I heard, a recruiter emailed me and asked me if I'm interested in the DC office. I said yes. Never heard back

When did you receive this email? Based on an older thread, HUD apparently checks back in with people to confirm their location preference and then offers tend to go out the following week.

[Anonymous User]

Last I heard, a recruiter emailed me and asked me if I'm interested in the DC office. I said yes. Never heard back

Which office did you interview with?