Quote:
Originally posted by misagreenville
I desperately need some advice.
I am a 1L trying to get a job with a firm for the summer. I realize that most firms don't hire 1Ls but I've found several that recruit 1Ls. I've sent out my resume and cover to several firms in my area...but because I am new at this; I'm not sure how the process works from there. I heard that the interview process is different from a traditional job interview. Can anyone give me some feedback on how the interview process works? What kind of questions do interviewers typically ask? Is there a standard G.P.A. requirement you must have before a firm will even consider your application? Is the G.P.A. the only tool firms use to determine if you are qualified or does work experience and a strong writing sample hold just as much weight?
Please help!!
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ETA: *Soror* Misagreenville
Misagreenville (and anyone else seeking advice),
You should seek out answers to these questions from your Career Services center. (Coming from a person who got firm offers as a 1L two years ago when the market was in pretty much the same condition as now) yes, firms hire 1Ls so don't believe the hype...you've just go to work that much harder to get in. Try working contacts (your school alumni association, attorneys or HR reps that you know, if you are African-American and involved with Black Law Students Association, tap the alumni network for BLSA as well). This will supplement your quest and is better than just sending letters only. Also, don't believe the hype about not contacting the firm. After a week, follow-up with a phone call - don't speak to a voicemail, speak to a live person in HR if possible.
The interview process works as such: usually you will have a 20-30 minute interview on campus and a follow-up day or half-day interview at the firm. Just study the firm, some of the recent cases that the firm has litigated, the areas of practice,, the area that you want to practice and be able to answer the question of why you'd like to work for *that* firm. An answer directed to something that sets the firm apart from others should suffice. For instance, if the firm has objectives/cred that is aligned with your personal way of doing things that works, if the firm has a nice pro bono program that you'd like to take advantage of to supplement your experience should you come there as a full-time associate after law school that should suffice. IMPORTANT NOTE: you MUST have personal or familial ties to a city before a firm will give you an offer. Be prepared to answer the question of why you want to work in a particular city **AND THE RIGHT ANSWER IS THAT YOU ARE FROM THE CITY AND WANT TO RETURN HOME, YOUR FIANCE LIVES IN THE CITY AND YOU WANT TO RE-LOCATE THERE AFTER LAWSCHOOL OR YOUR FAMILY HAS MOVED THERE. THE INCORRECT ANSWER IS THAT YOU LIKE THE CITY, ARE SINGLE AND UNATTACHED SO WHY NOT. REPEAT: THAT IS THE WROOOOONG ANSWER, DON'T SAY IT.
Things that firms use to decide:
Firms generally use gpa as a bar to get into the interview and after that it's really all about how you get along with the people that you interview with... no kidding. The interviews are not hard, they will not ask you about the rule against perpetuities generally or no other real substantive questions. It's usually a shooting the breeze kind of interview, with a few questions to see if you know anything about the firm and maybe a question or two as to why you chose to go to lawschool and what's you'd like to do with your JD. Whether you get along iwth the people at the firm will be what is called "whether you fit into the firm culture." You can also use the idea that you feel that you would fit into the firm culture as a reason for choosing a particular lawfirm (supplemented by the work that they do). But try to figure out what the firm culture is if you use that line - just look at the info at the firm's website to find out if they are the kind of people who value pro bono, workaholics who work 24-7 or what and go with it. Just be cheerful, smile and be on point with your responses and confident and you'll do fine.
Your writing sample will only be the icing on the cake to make sure that you are not completely out of it - AFTER they pretty much want to make you an offer. Get it reviewed by your writing instructor and fix any errors and amend the sample according to the feedback from your instructor - use something that you got a decent grade on and that shows your Bluebooking skills. If you don't have anything that you got a decent grade on, go to your writing instructor and ask the instructor to mark it up, understand the changes and why you should have presented your work that way, modify the text and use the modified sample as your writing sample. We all got our samples reviewed and modified them accordingly so this is ok.
Firms also love it if you have any work experience b/c it shows that you might have some increased level of maturity so put it down. Also, if you are involved in any clubs that are related to your legal or community service interest (and if you are not currently involved, join and put it down).
Hope this helps.
SC