Fall On Campus Interview Program FAQ

2008 Fall OCI & 2008 Fall Resume Collection
 Frequently Asked Questions

Important Dates 2008 Fall OCI

**7/14 is the last day to request a resume review before bidding begins.

6/30 Students review opens                         
7/28 Students bidding begins
8/05 Students bidding ends
8/20 Students accept/decline begins
8/22 Students accept/decline ends             
8/25 Students alternate accepts begins       
8/26 Students alternate accepts ends            

Resume Drop Schedule:

8/25 Student bidding begins             
9/08 Student biding ends                            

Communication

The email address in Symplicity is the email we will use to update students about OCI over the summer.  If using your school email account, please be sure to empty your inbox and deleted items to have sufficient room.

Documents (have these prepared before bidding and if at all possible, save as a PDF before uploading) 
Resume - Remember in reporting your GPA/Rank, (1) Truncate GPA, do not round up (2) Summer school grades will not be included in class rank and (3) Do not calculate between the percents (e.g., Top 12%)

Transcript - Employers have agreed to accept unofficial transcripts.  Most students copy and paste from the grades web page to create their own transcript.  Be sure your transcript includes your name, the name of the school and a cumulative GPA. 

Writing Sample - (Try to limit to about 10 pages)

References are rarely requested.  If it is, provide a one page document with the name, address, phone, and email of three references who know your work. 

Cover Letter - If an employer requests it, you must provide one to bid for that employer.

To Upload Documents
            Once you have logged into Symplicity:
1. Click on the Documents tab located on the top of the navigational bar.
            2. Click on the Add New box to upload a new document.
            3. Enter in the title of your document in the Label field.
            4. Select a document type.
5. Under File, Click on the Browse button to select a file to upload.
6. Choose the document and click Open.
7. Once you select the document click on the Submit button.
You cannot bid unless you have uploaded all the documents requested by the employer.

Review List and Research Employers Before Bidding on Them
Research: 
Hiring Criteria - manage your bids by being close to their criteria
Practice areas (and size of those sections)
Affinity/connection to UH (alums)
Press (good & bad), mergers, office openings/closings, high profile cases - particularly in practice area of interest)
Work environment information 
Where to look:
                        www.martindale.com
Westlaw Legal directories
Texas Legal Directories
Firm Website
NALP Directory (employers who are not members may have a form on the CDO website here.
Vault 
News/Periodicals

2008 Fall OCI Bidding

Maximum Bids/Interview Fall OCI:
Bids:   30    Interviews:  22

Resume Collection
*Your OCI maximum number of bids are not reduced by bidding/dropping your resume in   the Fall Resume Collection.

      To Bid

1. Click on the OCI tab located on the top of the navigational bar.
2. Select the Employers/Bidding Tab.
3. Under Search Filter, either 2008 Fall OCI or 2008 Fall OCI Resume Collection and Show All under Employers.  You can also find specific employers by size, type, state, date, practice area, or by entering information into the Keywords field if the employer has filled out the information.  Then click the Search button.
4. Review Schedule details by clicking on the Review button to the left of the desired organization.
5. To bid for an employer, click Apply under the Bidding Column.
6. On the right side of the screen under Bid Details, select your documents (from the dropdown lists) that the employer has requested and click Apply. 
           
* In the Default OCI Resume Box you can select one of your resumes to become your default resume for all employers you apply to by clicking Update Default. 
If you want to submit an updated resume to all of the employers you bid on click Update All.
*You are also able to update your submitted resume under the Default OCI Resume box by clicking Update Default.  This will update your resume on all of your bids.
* Review upcoming dates on the Important Dates sidebar.

Scheduling Interviews

Students must check Symplicity daily for updates of interview offers as the system does not give email notification.  Interviews are scheduled on a first-come basis. 

It is a complication when employers respond late – and they sometimes do.  You may be notified of interviews at different times and it is a judgment call/management decision for each individual student to determine which interviews to schedule and at which times.

When you are notified you have been selected and wish to accept, click on accept.  This takes you to the employer schedule.  Choose your interview time from available time slots and click sign up.  Take your class schedule into consideration when scheduling. 

Attire for On-Campus Interviews – Business

Men:  Conservative dark-colored suits, conservative ties, shined shoes, clean-shaven and well-groomed hair.   
Women:  Dark-colored skirt suits, panty hose, closed-toe pumps (no sling backs).
Some firms may expect business casual for call-backs or receptions so ask when you rsvp.

Be Punctual

Arrive in the Career Development Office at least 10 minutes before your interview.
Call-back interviews: arrive at your interview no more than 15 minutes early (if you are early, don’t hang around the lobby area).  Remember parking will be very limited during interview days so plan accordingly.

Cancellation Policy   
It is in the best interest of both students and the school that students attend all scheduled interviews.
If you must cancel an interview we ask you to do so at least 48 hours in advance. 
If you miss an interview, whether as a “no-show” or due to a personal emergency, to remain in good standing and continue to participate in the career programs, you must prepare a letter of apology to each interviewer.  Bring the letter to the career office for Dean Beassie’s review and forwarding to the employers within two business days of the interview.

Thank You Notes

            We recommend handwritten thank you notes for interviewers and recruiters.
            Personalize to each interview interviewer – as they may all end up in one file.
            Check for spelling and grammar.

Timing of Offers and Decisions 
Most firms follow the NALP guidelines for offers.  Students can review the relevant Principles and Standards here (www.nalp.org).