tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post8276049193014850616..comments2024-01-09T21:43:06.916-05:00Comments on Esq. Never: Worst. Interview. Ever.Esq. Neverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18248019550876835145noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-49834535412139706872010-06-10T17:57:10.257-04:002010-06-10T17:57:10.257-04:00In Canada, we do things slightly differently; afte...In Canada, we do things slightly differently; after graduation, it is a requirement to "article" with a lawyer for about a year (the specific duration depends on the Province) before one is allowed to write the bar exam. This is basically an aprenticeship/practical training course. Receiving an articling position depends in large measure on decent grades and/or personal connections.<br /><br />In one interview I had for an articling position, I had the lawyer ask me directly "You're not Roman Catholic are you?". Technically this is an illegal question and I could have complained to the Law Society. I did not do so as this would basically blacklist me and I still had hopes of becoming a lawyer.<br /><br />About 14 years later, I have moved across the country and changed professions and I can now (almost) laugh at this experience. <br /><br /><br />Another time, I had a telephone interview for a "copy editing" job that magically became data entry (paid at a piece rate!!!) when I arrived to start there. I lasted all of one day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-9432132290431323792010-05-26T23:46:16.937-04:002010-05-26T23:46:16.937-04:00"What if I was black or a woman? This would h..."What if I was black or a woman? This would have had EEOC suit written all over it."<br /><br />Lol. I remember interviewing for a position in 2004 that was just as rushed. The HR rep was insistent that I fill out their in-house application before I left; he basically stood over me to make sure I completed it.<br /><br />I later found out that they had a in house lady that had the position in-hand before I knew about the position. Best I can tell I was file filler to show the EEOC that they don't always hire white men.JoeInVegasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-55089600631661825972010-05-25T08:56:29.864-04:002010-05-25T08:56:29.864-04:00I had an interview where the interviewer probably ...I had an interview where the interviewer probably didn't even know I was coming for an interview. I had to wait 20 minutes until he was ready, then he asked me for my resume because he didn't have it, then he looked it over for a minute asked two cursory questions about it, then answered a phone call during the interview, and during the phone call he told the other person on the phone that he's giving an interview but it would be over soon and he would call him back in five minutes. So he then hung up the phone and asked me if I had any questions about the position. Needless to say I was pissed off, so I proceeded to ask him every question under the sun just to waste his time. The interview ended an hour later, I asked for his card, and he said just send any correspondence to his secretary, and he walked me out without giving me the secretary's information. Never heard from them again even after sending a thank you letter, by mail!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-57577558567176292232010-05-22T10:06:39.193-04:002010-05-22T10:06:39.193-04:00Hey, if you took any tax law courses/have a busine...Hey, if you took any tax law courses/have a business background you might want to try getting a job at an accounting firm. It's not practicing law, but at least it's a job in a profession that looks favorably upon the law degree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-75274942312114811112010-05-22T01:27:42.429-04:002010-05-22T01:27:42.429-04:00Wow, that was a bad interview. My guess is that th...Wow, that was a bad interview. My guess is that they already filled the position but were too lazy to cancel the interview. <br /><br />And I wouldn't worry about 7:44. He just wrapped up his first year of law school and is still in his "conquer the world" stage. Pretty soon he'll be clicking away...Willnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-54232198615367294542010-05-21T08:54:55.150-04:002010-05-21T08:54:55.150-04:00Companies are now making candidates go through 3 o...Companies are now making candidates go through 3 or 4 interviews for a chance to get hired. Yeah, but the economy is improving - according to the pencil-neck establishment shills and their "economist" counterparts.Nandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06423524039657355134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-91633077108269964192010-05-20T16:55:56.073-04:002010-05-20T16:55:56.073-04:00NoJob4U, I'm kinda wondering that. The convers...NoJob4U, I'm kinda wondering that. The conversation with Attorney A was all about how much was I getting from the temp agency (apparently they are paying a lot more to them then I am seeing) He asked me what I thought my salary should be, he also gave a ballpark # which surprised me cuz I make crap right now. Also asked if I get insurance through the temp agency (i do but it cost a lot). He had to talk to Attorney B and all day Tuesday it was like they kept missing each other. Finally just about 4pm Attorney A went into Bs office and closed the doors. I assumed they were going to discuss hiring me because that's the only thing either of them talked about with me all day. They were only in there for like 10 mins. I can't be completely sure the conversation was me or not because they both do have depositions next week, but the events of the day lead me to believe I was the topic of discussion and if that was the case, 10 mins doesn't seem very long. And neither of them have made any comments to me today or yesterday about hiring me as a full employee. So I'm kinda just in limbo. I really don't do anything to be honest. I sit at the front desk, answer the phone, do letters, and sometimes Attorney B gives me request for admissions or notice of depositions. I don't know if I should ask Attorney B if they have discussed hiring me on full time or not. But I really do need to know something, because all it is going to be is a temp, I have to find something else (and I have been applying for other jobs mostly state and fed which I know are highly unlikely but it cost nothing to apply so why not)Amynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-27358342044142174322010-05-20T15:56:20.231-04:002010-05-20T15:56:20.231-04:00Amy, I got the exact same "OK, we'll hire...Amy, I got the exact same "OK, we'll hire you, but we're not going to even bother training you to do anything because your presence is a waste of our time" routine at my last job.<br /><br />It sounds to me like, since the job is "temp to hire" that they don't actually want anybody to stick around until to receive the prize. They were probably hoping that you would disappear on your own with a fabulous job, and they would simply go back to the "temp to hire" pool and get away with not having to pay benefits or employment taxes for another 6 months. Now, they've got a problem because you haven't gone anywhere.<br /><br />Granted these people may simply be flaky individuals who enjoy terrorizing their staff, or they felt compelled to hire you because there was no reason not to give you the job and now they feel threatened that there is somebody who is a quasi-equal to them.Chief Constable for the Areahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824938329626712343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-48542593025107328642010-05-20T10:03:34.658-04:002010-05-20T10:03:34.658-04:00nojob4u - That's what I have been hearing a lo...nojob4u - That's what I have been hearing a lot lately. There was even an article a couple weeks ago that interviewed a girl from my region, and hasn't been able to find a HR job because they want 5 yrs experience and such. I currently work as a temp to hire admin assistant for a law firm, for the last 6 mos. Im not sure if I am going to get hired on or not. After a conversation with one of the attorneys I felt good about the possibility, but then I talked with the other one (the one I'm under) and didn't feel all that great about the conversation. Almost like he expects me to leave when I find something better (even in the interview they didn't think this would be challenging for me - all because oh I have a Masters degree) He's been holding back training me because he doesn't want to train someone thats gonna leave. I understand that I do, and granted this isn't what I envisoned myself doing and I have no paralegal experience. So maybe if I do get hired on, I get that experience, work for a couple years then maybe move up to a bigger law firm or something (just thinking out loud there) but honestly my gut is telling me that they won't because I have an MA, and this isn't challenging enough work for someone with an advanced degree. It's all so very frustrating.Amynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-87888969946534219392010-05-20T00:44:37.679-04:002010-05-20T00:44:37.679-04:0011:07 is dead on re: getting a job where you inter...11:07 is dead on re: getting a job where you interview others. Even though I didn't get paid to interview people for my own business, doing it has made me a far better interviewer. It's also allowed me to see things from the interviewer's perspective.<br /><br />That being said, someone told me something interesting about myself lately. Basically that I don't give a shit what anyone thinks of me & that's come into the search for a steady paying day job. <br /><br />I'm quite direct & pointed when I send in anything + will not waste my time going to an interview for a non-legal job unless I'm being given fair consideration. I won't even send in a resume unless the person handling the position tells me to do so after hearing about my overqualification for many of the paying positions I look at. If you have evidence of humor & a personality, I've found some people to find that kind of thing charming or at least a curiosity worth learning more about. I think it must be such a variation from the desperate beggars that it becomes noticeable. It's no wonder I've tried pursuing a career as a recruiter or an agent--recruiters have told me I could do the job but am overqualified.<br /><br />In closing, let me tell you about a worse hiring situation: You get hired by a company that purports to have paying work. A few days into working, the boss says he'll pay you "when the business takes off." The boss tells you about a former embezzling employee & later goes to court to resolve the issue. You're paying your own transportation costs & don't get a check for months. B/c he's a tad frightened of you, you get small amounts of money & other things covered once you raise a fuss. Later, you learn the business is a sham & the boss is a con artist who's done this all around the country. Your only recourse is small claims court or filing a claim w/the Department of Labor. You've wasted time working for free & if you'd stayed any longer, could have lost your license for lying to potential investors + participating in this scheme. There's no court record of the alleged embezzler.<br /><br />Feel better?Film Co. Lawyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11995928421833366660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-32498641700950582442010-05-20T00:08:31.146-04:002010-05-20T00:08:31.146-04:007:17 - that actually sounds like a good idea7:17 - that actually sounds like a good ideaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-13675869579045183052010-05-19T23:23:41.126-04:002010-05-19T23:23:41.126-04:00Amy, don't bother with an HR degree! Those peo...Amy, don't bother with an HR degree! Those people are taking a massive hit. Almost every job posting I've seen requires 5+ years of experience, and they can easily get those people because many highly experienced people were laid off.<br /><br />Esq. Never: That sounds like the typical armpit that is small business. You shouldn't interpret what they do as a reflection of you, as much as it is a reflection of them. I know it's a bit flip for me to say that you are better off not working there, however, based upon my very unscientific straw poll, the attitude employers have towards their staff is usually reflected in the job ad or in the interview. If you were lucky, you would simply be miserable but able to hold on while you looked for another job.Chief Constable for the Areahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824938329626712343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-86831730232771183882010-05-19T23:07:37.226-04:002010-05-19T23:07:37.226-04:00As a lawyer, and a hiring manager, I can see both ...As a lawyer, and a hiring manager, I can see both sides... In the 2001-2002 recession, I went through 23 interviews before I found a job. Several rude and unprofessional partners, but in most cases they were (justifiably) reluctant to hire a young attorney with minimal experience who would need tons of hand holding and training.<br /><br />Now that I'm a manager doing the hiring, I see the other perspective-- HR priorities shift from week to week. Budgets for new positions can vanish overnight in this economy. The hiring timelines can stretch out for months. <br /><br />"A" candidates are few and far between. Most of the people I interview are "Bs" and "Cs". I'm not talking about grades-- I couldn't care less about them. I'm talking about intelligence, education, and experience. When companies don't get back to you, it's because you're a B or C candidate-- they might like some things about you, but face the truth-- you're not a shinning star.<br /><br />In retrospect when I was young and looking for my first few law jobs, I was horrible at interviewing. I see now all the mistakes I made. They were correct in not hiring me.<br /><br />The best advice I could give is to get yoursef a position (McDonald's manager?) where you are interviewing and hiring people--you will improve greatly in your own law interviews.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-84263901211492303522010-05-19T21:30:38.158-04:002010-05-19T21:30:38.158-04:007:44, even though you're a troll, I'll sti...7:44, even though you're a troll, I'll still respond.<br /><br />First of all, there are plenty of perfectly good students who struggle to get work out of law school. Secondly, in my case, I don't even want a legal job, so my academic record is largely irrelevant.<br /><br />In any event, plenty of hot shot, Ivy Leaguers got canned by the big firms during the recession and are now struggling in the NYC doc review tanks.<br /><br />I wouldn't be so proud of your law school accomplishments; you could easily be a recession away (if the economy double dips) from finding yourself on the streets as well.Esq. Neverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18248019550876835145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-43592737418294340262010-05-19T20:51:43.370-04:002010-05-19T20:51:43.370-04:00Wow. This is a terrible story. I honestly cannot...Wow. This is a terrible story. I honestly cannot believe the lack of common courtesy and consideration on the part of HR peeps and interviewers. I almost wish I could become an HR person just so that I could start a movement for common kindness, including not calling people to interview who you are not serious about and responding to all reasonable inquiries post-interview.<br /><br />Esq., Never- maybe you should just try to get the guy on the phone and ask him nicely if there was a particular reason you were not selected or why the interview was so short. This is ridiculous!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-75151172405562340112010-05-19T19:44:04.161-04:002010-05-19T19:44:04.161-04:00What a bunch of losers. Maybe you should have ope...What a bunch of losers. Maybe you should have opened up a book in law school. Oh well the world needs click monkeys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-20131691069302010482010-05-19T19:17:48.175-04:002010-05-19T19:17:48.175-04:00you can rent a room with internet in the suburbs/o...you can rent a room with internet in the suburbs/outskirts of guadalajara for $100 a month. Many gringos go down there to live and smoke the cheap weed and drink cheap beer. With food and computer that is 2000 a year.<br /><br />Got 30K dollars? That will support you for 15 years down there....then come back up here for 5 years and work your ass off when the economy is booming. Save 50K and go back down there forever....<br /><br />once you hit 62, go on early SS and that is it....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-59155063032755444732010-05-19T18:24:28.032-04:002010-05-19T18:24:28.032-04:00Amy...I briefly entertained the notion of enrollin...Amy...I briefly entertained the notion of enrolling in an online LLM program with the hope of upgraded my corporate status. But that would have gone against everything I've been preaching -- that the notion of career advancement via formal higher education is largely a scam.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-66361071754798474082010-05-19T16:49:32.459-04:002010-05-19T16:49:32.459-04:00Been there done that. I flew 1200 miles for an int...Been there done that. I flew 1200 miles for an interview with a law firm only to have the guy interviewing me tell me i should never have been called for an interview due to my lack of experience. Someone obviously didnt read a fucking thing in my cover letter and resumetoiletlawyerhttp://www.toiletlaw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5618663158161665199.post-91243590202032963412010-05-19T15:41:25.445-04:002010-05-19T15:41:25.445-04:00wow, I've actually had a couple interviews lik...wow, I've actually had a couple interviews like that. Now while I don't have a JD, I do have a MA an apparently that automatically disqualifes me from some jobs because IT makes me seem over qualfied. Seriously people, you really can't do anything with a MA in Poli Sci. I actually considered going back for an HR degree, basing it on my type of experience which is all administrative/clerical, and thought if I decided not to go the law school route (lsat score sucks) then that was something to consider. Not sure if it is the right path I should take, but if I do, I'd like to think I would show a little more respect and tact then that guy showed you.Amynoreply@blogger.com