Insight into the OCI Process for Law Firm Job Search

The 2L Law Firm Job Search: An Overview of the OCI Process Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 Office of Career Development & Public Service Victoria Behr, Assistant Director for the Private Sector Blair Edwards, Associate Director for Judicial Clerkships & the Private Sector Chloe Morse, Assistant Director for Employer Relations & Outcomes

Introduction to OCI OCI and other recruitment programs are the primary hiring process used by large law firms, both in and outside of Boston. Some government and public interest employers also participate in OCI, but the majority of employers are law firms. Most of the firms that participate in OCI hire 2L summer associates with the hope of giving post-grad offers, so long as your performance meets expectations.

Is OCI Right For You? Think about your long-term career goals. Consider whether you meet the participating employers hiring criteria. While grades are an important factor, they are not everything. Firms consider diversity, prior work experience, leadership experience, technical skills, etc. Not participating in OCI is a valid choice! Talk to your CDO Advisor about whether OCI is right for you.

Types of Large Law Firm Recruiting Off-Campus Recruitment Programs Specialty Job Fairs On-Campus Interviewing Resume Collections Direct Applications

Recruiting Flow Chart Not Invited Employers Viewable (May 22) Employers Make Selections (Early-Mid July) Bidding Deadline (June 30) Alternate Bidding Begins (June 12) Preselect No Callback Extended Schedule Screening Interviews Schedule Callbacks (August/Sept.) Screening Interviews (July/August) Callback Extended No Offer Acceptance/ Notification Second Looks Callbacks Offer

Key Statistics, Class of 2021 79% 21% Did Not Participate Participated in OCI* 8% of those who bid were Not Selected for Screener Interview 92% of those who bid were Selected for Screener Interview 21% of Callbacks Did Not Receive Offer 24% of Screeners Did Not Receive Callback 79% of Callbacks Received an Offer 76% of Screeners Received Callback *Includes OCI, off-campus programs, resume collections, job fairs, and direct applications

Preparation Timeline MAY OCI OnRamp Begins Networking, Researching, Materials, Direct Apps, and Interviewing Mid May May 22 Employers Viewable in Symplicity JUNE Bidding Begins June 12 Resume Review Deadline June 19 Bidding Deadline OCI Week 1 + NYC Off-Campus Recruitment Program June 30 (at NOON) JULY Bidding Deadline OCI Week 2 TBD Additional Bidding Deadlines Exist for OCI September and October Sessions. Check the CDO website and Symplicity for updates.

Interview Timeline JULY New York City Off-Campus Recruitment Program July 13 Boston Lawyers Group Interview Program July 16 Washington DC Off-Campus Recruitment Program July 20 Miami Off-Campus Recruitment Program Philadelphia Off-Campus Recruitment Program July 22 Chicago Off-Campus Recruitment Program (Walk Around) Loyola Patent Law Interview Program (Chicago) July 23 San Francisco Off-Campus Recruitment Program Loyola Patent Law Interview Program (Chicago) July 24 OCI Week 1 (BU Law) July 28 - 31 Additional Employers will be participating in smaller OCI sessions in August, September, and October

Policies Governing OCI NALP Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process Apply to students, employers, and schools WWW.NALP.ORG/PRINCIPLES BU Law Policies: Job Acceptance Policy YOU CANNOT RENEGE ONCE YOU ACCEPT AN OFFER Resume Integrity Guidelines Interview Cancellation and No-Show Policies Non-discrimination policy (recruiting employers must not discriminate on any basis) Military exception Students notify CDO on a weekly basis of callbacks, offers, and acceptances BU Law offer policy: employers participating in BU Law recruitment programs must honor a 21-day offer expiration period Additional specific requirements Professional Presentation Conduct, appearance, phone/email contact

Direct Applications Some firms will be receptive to direct write-in applications Use this approach for: Firms who are not participating in any of BU s OCI or other recruitment programs (NY/DC firms, other markets) Firms with whom you have developed a strong connection (through networking, undergraduate and law school ties) Firms you are particularly committed to

Direct Applications Timeline/Procedure Ongoing June July/August - Identify target firms - Check to see if they have a Summer Associate 2022 job posting on website (some are live now, some will go live as late as June/July) - Particularly strong candidates may email recruiter directly or apply as directed online - Once grades are released, send direct applications. - Some firms may review write-in candidates prior to/during their OCI candidate review - Some will conduct a separate review after their OCI/recruiting programs are completed

New in 2020 Early Look BU Law s Early Look facilitates opportunities for pre-season recruiting. Firms in the Boston area, and other markets including NY, DC and NJ will participate. Materials you will submit: Resume, Grade Sheet, Cover Sheet (if requested) TIMELINE CDO will send email with instructions on how to participate next Tuesday, 3/10 Students can view employers participating in Early Look in Symplicity on Wednesday, 3/11 at noon Students can begin to submit materials on 3/11 at noon Application materials are due on Friday, 3/27 at noon Employers may choose to screen and call-back students at any point (interviews are all at the firm s office) Students who submit materials to a firm through Early Look can also bid on that same firm through OCI

Next Steps Continue to focus on your studies Research firms to find those that match your goals, interests, and other criteria Strategically attend firm visits/ on-campus programming, and reach out to alumni Watch your email for more information from the CDO throughout the entire process

Online Presence Keep your LinkedIn profile updated by: Because today's employers research candidates online, it is time to clean up your online presence: o Uploading a professional photo (your headshot from last fall s Career Conference is a good way to go) o Writing summaries of your prior experience, relevant skills, and future goals o Everything on your profile must be 100% factually accurate. NOTE: During the recruiting season, it is NEVER appropriate to connect on LinkedIn with a person with whom you have or will interview.

Student Panel Tamsin Kantor- Weil Gotshal & Manges (NY) Ellen Miller- Goodwin (Boston) Tom Stephenson- Holland & Knight (Orlando, FL) Manny Valle- Ropes & Gray (Boston) Angela Zhou- Withers Bergman (New Haven, CT)

Questions? Contact: Chloe Morse, Assistant Director for Employer Relations & Outcomes cgmorse@bu.edu Or your CDO advisor!