2016-17 Post-Clerkship Hiring Thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

I've been handling the limbo pretty well, but today may be my breaking point. This was supposed to be the easy part of clerking. Welp.

Seriously. I just can't believe how bad the litigation market is. Is anybody else having better luck that doesn't have obscene credentials?

I really thought HYS + decent lit summer and clinic experience + clerkship would be a golden ticket. Newp.

I don't mean this as criticism at all, but I think there aren't a lot of consistent rules about post-clerkship hiring, and it's still much too early to worry. Timelines are all over the place - it's not like OCI. I get that it's agonizing, but try not to despair yet.

I don't see it as criticism at all. Thank you! It's just a new experience, and the rejections are tedious. Always helpful to get feedback from people who aren't currently mired in it.

[Anonymous User]

Do firms ever call to reject? Or would that generally be done over email or letter?

Almost never.

Yes, so if a firm's number shows up on your phone, it's almost always good news!

OP. Just checked voicemail. Rejection. UGH. So awkward, and now I know to always let it go to voicemail.

I'm sorry. That is terribly awkward. I had assumed that people never like to give bad news over the phone.

[Anonymous User]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

[Anonymous User]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

I believe it was just an email to their recruiter. The interviews have already been taking place.

[Anonymous User]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

I believe it was just an email to their recruiter. The interviews have already been taking place.

Yeah, I had a screener that didn't go well. Assuming a ding is pending.

[Anonymous User]

Barely holding it together at work. Got a rejection over lunch from my top choice firm, post-interview. I need to pull it together and revamp my strategy.

[Anonymous User]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

I believe it was just an email to their recruiter. The interviews have already been taking place.

Yeah, I had a screener that didn't go well. Assuming a ding is pending.

Sorry to hear that.

Approximately when was your screener, if I may ask?

[Anonymous User]

Barely holding it together at work. Got a rejection over lunch from my top choice firm, post-interview. I need to pull it together and revamp my strategy.

This happened to me yesterday. I know those feels. For a few minutes, I seriously contemplated buying a house in the country and tapping out.

[Anonymous User]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

I believe it was just an email to their recruiter. The interviews have already been taking place.

Thanks. Hopefully I haven't missed the boat.

[clerk1251]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

It doesn't say exactly. It has the partner's email address at the top of the letter, but otherwise it just directs you to their website. It's a three page letter that is more or less a glorified sales pitch for the firm, talking about the benefits of going there. If you're interested, PM me with your contact info and I can send you a copy of it.

[Anonymous User]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

It doesn't say exactly. It has the partner's email address at the top of the letter, but otherwise it just directs you to their website. It's a three page letter that is more or less a glorified sales pitch for the firm, talking about the benefits of going there. If you're interested, PM me with your contact info and I can send you a copy of it.

Thanks. PM'd.

[Anonymous User]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

I believe it was just an email to their recruiter. The interviews have already been taking place.

Yeah, I had a screener that didn't go well. Assuming a ding is pending.

Sorry to hear that.

Approximately when was your screener, if I may ask?

More than a month ago. Anybody had a callback with them yet?

[Anonymous User]

Barely holding it together at work. Got a rejection over lunch from my top choice firm, post-interview. I need to pull it together and revamp my strategy.

This happened to me yesterday. I know those feels. For a few minutes, I seriously contemplated buying a house in the country and tapping out.

+1. This thread is like a support group.

[Anonymous User]

For some reason, our 10th Circuit chambers hasn't received the Wheeler Trigg solicitation that (seemingly) everyone got. Would anyone mind sharing how they suggested applying? Their online system is pretty annoying to deal with.

I believe it was just an email to their recruiter. The interviews have already been taking place.

Yeah, I had a screener that didn't go well. Assuming a ding is pending.

Sorry to hear that.

Approximately when was your screener, if I may ask?

More than a month ago. Anybody had a callback with them yet?

Can confirm that callbacks have happened.
(Editing to say that there may well be more coming, I have no idea.)

[Anonymous User]

Barely holding it together at work. Got a rejection over lunch from my top choice firm, post-interview. I need to pull it together and revamp my strategy.

This happened to me yesterday. I know those feels. For a few minutes, I seriously contemplated buying a house in the country and tapping out.

+1. This thread is like a support group.

I'd be losing it even more if I thought I was the only one getting these rejections. Seriously grateful for you all.

[Anonymous User]

Clerking for a circuit judge, and just checking in to say that the struggle is real. Numerous call-back rejections and a lot of silence. Makes it really hard to buckle down and focus on work.

[Anonymous User]

Clerking for a circuit judge, and just checking in to say that the struggle is real. Numerous call-back rejections and a lot of silence. Makes it really hard to buckle down and focus on work.

Mind sharing as many specifics as you're willing about the callbacks that you've gotten?

[Anonymous User]

Clerking for a circuit judge, and just checking in to say that the struggle is real. Numerous call-back rejections and a lot of silence. Makes it really hard to buckle down and focus on work.

Mind sharing as many specifics as you're willing about the callbacks that you've gotten?

[Anonymous User]

I'm vaguely terrified that this is such a struggle for everyone. Why is it so hard? Did everyone have stats that were competitive for biglaw before clerking?

[Anonymous User]

I'm vaguely terrified that this is such a struggle for everyone. Why is it so hard? Did everyone have stats that were competitive for biglaw before clerking?

I had decent stats, but I didn't do a SA by choice. I was median-ish at HYS. The silence has been frustrating, but people keep saying that it's just a sluggish month, so hopefully that's it?

I've had six callbacks, three rejections, and one non-market offer.

[Anonymous User]

I'm vaguely terrified that this is such a struggle for everyone. Why is it so hard? Did everyone have stats that were competitive for biglaw before clerking?

This is what I am most confused about. Don't most of us have offers already from 2L SAs?

[Anonymous User]

I'm vaguely terrified that this is such a struggle for everyone. Why is it so hard? Did everyone have stats that were competitive for biglaw before clerking?

This is what I am most confused about. Don't most of us have offers already from 2L SAs?

(Commenter with multiple callbacks above) I did a public interest 2L summer. I suspect that's what's holding me back from final offers. The firms seem to doubt my sincerity.

[Anonymous User]

Clerking for a circuit judge, and just checking in to say that the struggle is real. Numerous call-back rejections and a lot of silence. Makes it really hard to buckle down and focus on work.

Mind sharing as many specifics as you're willing about the callbacks that you've gotten?

Five interviews thus far, mostly in dc. 2 boutiques and 3 biglaw. I have just about saturated that market with applications. Thus far gotten rejected from the boutiques and one of the biglaw firms. Still waiting on the other two (although it's been several weeks). I have been surprised by how few responses I have gotten--especially from what one would consider the more dc centric firms. Don't know if that means that these firms haven't started moving, don't plan on hiring, or are looking for someone with stronger credentials.

Also not sure whether my experience is indicative of poor interviewing skills (didn't exactly light the world on fire during OGI) or a less than robust litigation market.

[Anonymous User]

I've gotten nothing but quick rejections so far but I'm also a mid level D Ct clerk with unexceptional grades aka apparently unemployable or applying too early.

[Anonymous User]

Anybody have thoughts as to what you'd wear to a post-screener meeting with an associate that the Firm arranged because you happen to be in town?