Page 4 - Law Schools

S4 | MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2014 | Law Schools
| NYLJ.COM

Interviews

Basic Rules for OCI

And Summer Associate Programs

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GST
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their summer associate programs and await- In this article, we offer advice to summer the irm represents. Practice your interview-
ing word whether they will receive offers of associates and those beginning the interview- ing skills by conducting mock interviews with
post-graduation employment.
ing process, culled from our experience in career services and alumni.
BY LARRY CUNNINGHAM Students should not be fooled into thinking both practice and academia. We have both Learn the lawyer’s dress code. For better
that these programs are all fun and games. seen interviewees and summer associates or worse, lawyers have a uniform. Your job
AND ANDREA M. ALONSO
TThey are, in effect, year-long job interviews prosper and fail. The difference between the interview is not the time to show off your tan,
his month and next, law irms around that begin with on-campus and callback meet- two is that successful students follow basic jewelry, or lashy clothes. Women should not
the country are interviewing rising ings in the Fall of the 2L year and conclude rules while unsuccessful ones do not.
wear multiple earrings or facial jewelry. Men
second-year students for summer asso- through the end of the summer associate should be clean-shaven, wear conservative
ciate positions next year. Meanwhile, rising program itself. For most irms, gone are the Interviewing
colors, and have a professional haircut. Look
third-year students are in the inal weeks of
days when every summer associate was guar- and act like a lawyer, not a student.
anteed a permanent offer when the summer The journey from law student to associate Always arrive early to interviews, but not
was over. In this competitive job climate, stu- begins with a polished resume that is accurate awkwardly early. Bring only a simple padfolio.

LARRY CUNNINGHAM, the Associate Academic Dean dents—if they wish to be invited to join the and conirms to norms in the legal community. Do not lug large, awkward backpacks or bags
at St. John’s School of Law, was formerly an Assistant irm after graduation—must demonstrate that It is typo-free.
to an interview. Have a few extra copies of
District Attorney in the Bronx. ANDREA M. ALONSO, a they will add value to the irm. They do so If selected for an interview, the diligent your resume and transcript handy. Do not take
partner at Morris Dufy Alonso & Faley, is president through hard work, proactivity, basic social prospective associate immediately begins to notes during interviews, but use the notepad
of the St. John’s School of Law Alumni Association manners, and professionalism throughout the work researching the irm, its practice areas, during a break to jot down notes so you can
Board of Directors.
entire experience.
recent cases, the key partners, and the clients
remember to send individualized thank you