Interviewing, a play in three acts

Prologue: The way employment out of law school works in a ideal world/economy

Law school is not the traditional training program for lawyers. In fact, law schools are a fairly new invention; as few as two hundred years ago, there was no such thing. Prospective lawyers either studied independently or apprenticed for a lawyer until they were educated enough to pass the bar exam.

Part of that legacy is the modern manner that most law firms solicit new lawyers. While still in law school, you interview with employers who hope you will tentatively commit to becoming a part of their firm or office through summer employment. Summer associate or clerk positions are considered extended interviews, where you the student and "they" the firm can both decide whether you fit. The 1L summer is nonessential; the 2L summer is key. That isn't to say that some won't find great employment as 3Ls, but in an ideal economy, the 2L spends her summer at a law firm that plans to hire her after graduation.

Act I. The on-campus interview

At KU and many other law schools, the career services office invites employers to come to campus to conduct interviews. Employers choose a day; law students submit resumes, cover letters, transcripts, etc online; employers review the applicants' credentials and invite a certain number to sign up for interview slots. From those interviews, employers select students for call-back interviews.

Because of on-campus interviews, I spent about two weeks wearing one of my two suits to class every day. Since they're both gray, I imagine many people assumed I was wearing the same suit every day.

Also because of on-campus interviews, I received several invitations for call-back interviews.

Act II, The call-back interview

Employers call, inform the student they were happy to have met her, and hope that their colleagues could have the pleasure as well. Law firms invite her for a half-day of shuffling between offices and being taken to lunch; they present her with a generous check for travel expenses. DA's offices file her in, interrogate her, speed-walk her through the office and move on to the next interviewee. All of these interviews are fun and interesting. She becomes adept at walking fast in heels through all indoor terrain.

Act III, The call

From among the call-back interviews, a few will result in a call wherein the employer makes the student an offer for summer employment. Law firms pro-rate the starting salary of a first-year associate at the firm. DA's offices cough up slightly above minimum wage. All opportunities have their own appeal. Ultimately she chooses the law firm she enjoyed visiting most, though not the one offering to pay her the most. It is a happy day!

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