As second semester wraps up, many 1Ls begin to think about the
infamous on-campus interview (OCI) process that awaits them this
summer. Below are a few tips on how to successfully prepare for and
manage this process.
Preparation. Before applying to just any firm
on your school's OCI list, consider where you want to live after
law school. Unlike other professions, it isn't as easy for lawyers
to move around from state to state. While the new Uniform Bar Exam
has certainly made relocation easier for lawyers, not all states
have signed on to accept the UBE, so you may find yourself taking
another bar exam if you decide to move across state lines in the
future. As a result, other than for applications to firms in a
city, such as New York, tailor your resume and cover letter
accordingly, and don't be afraid to let your potential employer
know in your cover letter the reasons you plan to be in that area
after you graduate.
Firms. Many students know from day one that
they want to go into Big Law, but that's certainly not for
everyone. If you're unsure of whether you want to be working with
hundreds, or potentially thousands, of other attorneys at the same
firm, consider focusing your search instead on mid-size firms,
boutique firms or Big Law firms that have smaller offices in the
locations in which you are looking.
Once you've decided the type of firm to which you want to apply,
consider the area of law in which you want to practice. Some of you
may know without any hesitation which practice area you want to
pursue. Others of you may know that you're more interested in
transactional law than litigation, but still haven't figured out
exactly what you want to do. The remainder of you still have no
idea what it is you want to do - after all, you only have one year
of law school under your belt.
Whichever category you fall into, you should consider where you
are on that spectrum when applying to firms, because some firms
require you to pick an area of law in which you will practice even
in advance of your time as a summer associate, while other firms
have a standard rotation program or provide a pool of work during
your summer so you can experience different practice areas.
Every firm is different, and you are going to want to research
them well so that you end up at a firm where you have the
opportunity to confirm your interests, solidify your interests or
discover your interests.
Interviews. Once you make it to the on-campus
interview, your goal is to stand out, in a good way, of course.
Interviewers sit in a room and can meet upwards of 20 law students
in one day, all of whom are asking the same questions and answering
the interviewer's questions in the same way. So, how can you stand
out? Simply by being a human being.
If you see a suitcase in the corner because the interviewer
traveled to be at your school that day, be a human being and wish
them safe travels before you leave. Ask them how they are doing and
how the interviews are going. Don't be a machine and simply go
through the process.
If you're going to be spending countless hours at a firm, odds
are you are going to want to be around people you can connect with
and get along with well. The interviewer may be thinking the same
thing, so don't be afraid to show some personality, but of course
always remain professional.
Questions. While in your interview, be sure to
have answers ready if asked why you are interested in that
particular geographical area and that particular firm. In addition,
on-campus interviews are oftentimes filled with time for you to ask
questions of the interviewer, so be sure to have at least two
questions prepared for each person with whom you will meet. A good
rule of thumb is to ask one question about the firm generally and
one question about that person's particular practice. Avoid
questions that you could get answers to simply by looking at the
firm's website, and ask educated questions that show you did your
research. Don't be afraid to ask substantive questions.
OCI can be a daunting process, but if you get a head start and
follow these tips, it will hopefully be a successful and rewarding
experience for you. Remember, just as much as these firms are
interviewing you, you are also interviewing them. Best of luck!
Jeffrey Morlend is an attorney in the Corporate and
Capital Markets practice groups at Sullivan & Worcester LLP in
Boston, where he is actively involved in the hiring and recruitment
processes. He is also a lecturer in the first year legal writing
program at Boston University School of Law and is a member of the
board of directors of the Massachusetts Bar Association, Young
Lawyers Division.