Fall On-Campus Interview Program - FAQ

Below you will find the most frequently asked questions regarding The Fall On-Campus Interview Program.  If after reviewing the information below you still have questions, please contact your assigned Career Development Office (CDO) counselor. 

What is the Fall On-Campus Interview Program (Fall OCI)?
Who is eligible to participate in Fall OCI?
How will I be notified about news regarding Fall OCI?
What are the important terms to know for Fall OCI?
When are the important dates for Fall OCI?
What documents do I need to prepare for the Fall OCI bidding process?
How do I upload documents to Symplicity?
How do I bid for an employer?
How many bids do I have?  How many interviews can I accept?
What does “no multiple interviews” mean?
What should my bidding strategy be?
I have updated my resume since I bid on employers.  How do I send the employers I previously bid on my updated resume?
I changed my mind about an employer I previously placed a bid for.  How do I delete my bid?
I want to place a bid but Symplicity won’t allow me to upload any additional documents.  What do I do?
Which employers participate in Fall OCI?
How can I research employers that participate in Fall OCI?
How do I accept an employer interview?
How do I conduct myself in a Fall OCI interview?
What do I wear to on-campus interviews?
When do I arrive for my on-campus interview?
What if I cannot make my scheduled interview time?
Should I send a thank you note after the interview?
When should I expect to hear from employers after I interview?
What should I expect from the callback interview?
How do I seek firm reimbursement if I travel out of the area for an interview?
What happens once I have an offer?

What is the Fall On-Campus Interview Program (Fall OCI)?

The Fall On-Campus Interview Program (Fall OCI) allows 2Ls and 3Ls the opportunity to interview with legal employers on campus.   Fall OCI takes place in two stages.  The first stage, termed Fall Early Week Recruiting, occurs the week before classes begin. This stage is the largest with over 60 employers participating.  The second stage occurs in mid-October.  This stage is smaller than the first stage with only 10 to 15 employers participating.

You should also read this very informative NALP Open Letter to Law Students which gives detailed and specific instructions about what to expect and etiquette for on and off-campus Interviewing, callback interviews, travel reimbursement and accepting and declining offers.

Who is eligible to participate in Fall OCI?

Fall OCI is open to rising 2Ls and 3Ls currently enrolled at the Law Center.

Evening students who have completed the first year of the evening program are considered 2Ls and are eligible to participate in Fall OCI.

Transfer students are also eligible to participate in Fall OCI. For more information, please click here.

How will I be notified about news regarding Fall OCI?

The email address listed in Symplicity is the email the CDO will use to update students regarding Fall OCI information. If using your school email account, please be sure to empty your inbox and deleted items to have sufficient room for emails from the CDO.

What are the important terms to know for Fall OCI?

Accept Schedule Period – The period when students can accept or decline interviews granted by employers.

Alternate Sign Up – The period when students who employers designated as alternates may accept interviews based on available interview schedule space.

Bid – An application for a specific employer.  The application includes a resume and any other documents requested by the employer.

Bidding Period – The period when students can place bids for employers that they are interested in interviewing with. 

Campus Interview Period – The period when employers come to campus to conduct interviews of the students who have accepted their interview request.

Fall Early Week Recruiting – The first stage of Fall OCI.

Resume Collection – A collection of resumes that an employer gathers from interested students and in lieu of coming to campus to interview viable candidates, the employer choses to follow up with the candidates at the employer’s convenience.

Resume Review Deadline – Students must submit their resumes to their assigned counselor by this date in order to receive feedback prior to the first day of the Bidding Period.  Resumes submitted after this date are not guaranteed to be reviewed before the Bidding Period begins.

Student Review Period – The period when students can log on to Symplicity and view the employers who have signed up to participate in Fall Early Week Recruiting.

When are the important dates for Fall OCI?

Below are the important dates for the 2013 Fall Early Week Recruiting:

July 1 – Student Review Period
July 8 – Resume Review Deadline
July 16-23 – Bidding Period
July 29-31 - Sign Up for Mock Interviews
Aug. 2-6 – Accept Schedule Period
Aug. 7-8 – Alternate Sign Up 
Aug. 8-9 - Mock Interviews
Aug. 19-22 – Campus Interview Period

The mid-October Fall OCI date will be determined at a later date.  Please check back here as it will be updated as soon as it is available.

What documents do I need to prepare for the Fall OCI bidding process?

The following documents should be prepared before the Bidding Period begins:

1. Resume
   GPAs should be brought out to the thousandth; do not round up.  You may update your class rank, but only if utilizing your spring GPA.  If you choose to update your resume with your summer GPA, you may not include a class rank (which is based on spring grades) and you must use the following format “GPA through Summer 2013: _____”.).  Finally, do not calculate between percentages (e.g., Top 12%) when denoting your class rank.
2. Transcript
   Employers have agreed to accept unofficial transcripts.  Please use the Unofficial Transcript Form found in the Career Resource Library on Symplicity as a template.  Be sure your transcript includes your name, the name of the school and a cumulative GPA. 
3. Writing Sample
   The preferred page range for a writing sample is 6 to 10 pages.
4. Cover Letter
   If an employer requests it, you must provide a cover letter to bid for that employer (Symplicity will not accept you bid unless a cover letter has been uploaded).  Cover letters should be addressed by name (e.g., “Dear Mr. Smith”) to the hiring attorney or recruiter at the firm.  If a cover letter is not requested, it is not necessary to include.

How do I upload documents to Symplicity?

1. Log in to Symplicity.
2. Click on the “Documents” tab located on the top navigation bar.
3. Click on the “Add New” button to upload a new document.
4. Enter the title of your document in the “Label” field.
5. Select a “Document Type”.
6. Under “File”, click on the “Choose File” button to select a file to upload.
7. Choose the document and click “Open”.
8. Once you select the document click on the “Submit” button.

Please note that you cannot bid unless you have uploaded all the documents requested by an organization.

If you have the ability to convert Word documents into .pdf documents, always convert your documents to .pdf prior to uploading them to Symplicity. This will eliminate any conversion errors with Symplicity.

If you do not have .pdf conversion software (such as Adobe), you may upload your Word document to Symplicity, which will convert it for you. However, please be aware that if your Word document contains excessive formatting or macros, or if it was created using a template, the format may be altered during the conversion process.

Once your document is uploaded and converted to a .pdf, be sure to open and view the .pdf document to ensure that there have been no format alterations. If the format on your document changes during the conversion, you may need to modify the format of your Word document and re-upload it to Symplicity. If you continue to have difficulties, please contact the CDO.

How do I bid for an employer?

1. Log in to Symplicity.
2. Click on the “Recruiting” tab on the top navigation bar.
3. Select the “Employers/Bidding” tab on the left-hand side under “on-campus interviews”.  (Your web browser should automatically default to this tab when you click on the “Recruiting” tab.)
4. In the “Search Filters” box on the left-hand side of the screen, filter the employer list by selecting “2013 Fall Early Week Recruiting” from the “Session” drop-down menu (the session may default automatically). Under the “Employers” drop-down menu select “Show All” (the employer list may default automatically). The resulting list of employers contains only those that have requested your class year. These are employers you are eligible to submit your resume to.
   Note: By clicking “Additional Employer Filters” you can search employers by size, type, state, date, practice area, or by entering information into the keywords field if the employer has provided this information.
5. Review relevant information about an employer by clicking on the “Review” button to the left of the desired organization.
6. To bid for an employer, click the “Review” button located to the left of the desired organization or the “Apply” button in the “Bidding/Application” box to the right of the screen. You will then be redirected to a review screen.
7. To apply, click the “Apply” button at the bottom of the “Bid Details” box to the right of the screen. Please pay close attention to this box. If a document type is listed here, it is a REQUIRED document for this specific employer. For example: If “Cover Letter” is in this box, and “none found” is to the right, you must return to the “Documents” section and upload a cover letter.
8. Your default resume* will be included with each application. To change your resume (or any required documents), select the appropriate document from the drop down menu in the “Bid Details” box.

*In the “Documents” tab in the top navigation bar, you can select one of your resumes to become your default resume for all employers you apply to by clicking “Make Default”.

How many bids do I have?  How many interviews can I accept?

For Fall Early Week Recruiting, students have a maximum of 25 bids and can accept a maximum of 15 interviews.  You may bid on as many Resume Collection employers as you like as Resume Collection bids do not count towards your total number of bids.

What does “no multiple interviews” mean?

If more than one office of an employer participates in Fall OCI, then you may only bid on one office.  For example, if the Houston and Dallas offices of Smith & Smith are both participating in Fall OCI, you can only apply to one office.  However, if the employer grants you an interview, you will have the opportunity to express your interest in multiple offices. 

What should my bidding strategy be?

Since students have a limited number of bids and a limited number of interviews they can accept, you want to bid strategically. Some things to look for when considering which employers to bid on:

What are the employer’s listed requirements?
The largest firms are typically the ones that have strict GPA cutoffs and are going to be the most competitive. Keep an open mind and be cognizant of your GPA. If you do not fall within 5 to 10% of their listed GPA cutoff, consider bidding on other smaller to mid-size firms that may have more relaxed GPA requirements.

Is the employer’s summer program the first or second half of the summer?
Most summer programs will be for either the first of second half of the summer. Distribute your bids between first and second half programs. Employers are generally not flexible when it comes to the dates of their summer programs.

What kind of work does the Houston office of this firm do?
Most large firms will list every single practice area on their website. But do your research! Take a look at what type of work the partners and associates in Houston are doing. A great place to get this type of information is on the NALP website.  Find the profile of the particular firm you are researching, then click “Practice Areas”. All practice areas conducted in that particular office of the firm will be listed along with the number of associates and partners participating in those practice areas. Make sure that your interests and background speak to that type of work.

I have updated my resume since I bid on employers.  How do I send the employers I previously bid on my updated resume?

To update your resume, log back into Symplicity, and upload the revised resume under the “Documents” tab.  Then click on the “Recruiting” tab and ensure that the session is set to “2013 Fall Early Week Recruiting”.  Under the “Default OCI Resume” box (next to the “Search Filters” box), you will be able to update your default resume by clicking “Update Default”. If you want to submit an updated resume to all of the employers you previously bid on click “Update All”.  This will update your resume on all of your bids.  Note that you can only update your resume during the Bidding Period.  After the Bidding Period ends, all bids are locked in and you cannot make any additional changes.

I changed my mind about an employer I previously placed a bid for.  How do I delete my bid?

To delete a bid, log back into Symplicity, click on the “Recruiting” tab and ensure that the session is set to “2013 Fall Early Week Recruiting”.  Under the “Employers” drop-down menu select “Show Bids”.  At this point, you will be able to see all the organizations that you have placed bids on.  Under the “Bidding/Application” box on the right-hand side of the screen, click “Withdraw” to delete a bid.

Remember that you can bid and withdraw bids at any time during the Bidding Period.  Your bids are locked in once the Bidding Period ends.

I want to place a bid but Symplicity won’t allow me to upload any additional documents.  What do I do?

In order to bid on an employer, you must have all application materials requested by that employer uploaded to the “Documents” tab.  For example, if the firm of Smith & Smith requires a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript, then all three must be uploaded to the “Documents” tab before Symplicity will allow you to bid on Smith & Smith.

However, Symplicity will only allow you to upload 10 application materials at a time. This means that once you bid on Smith & Smith, you may need to delete your existing application materials in the “Documents” tab in order to make room for new application materials tailored to another employer. Rest assured that deleting your application materials from the “Documents” tab will not affect your previously submitted bids.

Which employers participate in Fall OCI?

2013 Fall OCI employers will be available to review in Symplicity on July 1. Keep in mind that you should check Symplicity frequently after July 1st, as employers will continue to be added as they register. You can also review participating employers using the spreadsheet here (as of July 12, 2013). 

How can I research employers that participate in Fall OCI?

A great place to start is the employer’s website.  Additionally, you can review employer profiles on Symplicity.  Finally, these websites provide valuable information on large law firms:

National Association of Law Placement (NALP)
Chambers Associate
Vault
Martindale-Hubbell
Bloomberg

When researching, remember to investigate the following:

Hiring criteria (and manage your bids accordingly)
Practice areas and sizes
UHLC alumni presence
Recent press (mergers, office openings/closings, high profile cases, etc.)
Work environment/culture

How do I accept an employer interview?

During the Accept Schedule Period, you must log into Symplicity on a daily basis to see which employers have made their decisions and whether or not you have been chosen for any interviews. Keep in mind that you will not receive email notifications from Symplicity.

Log in to Symplicity and go to the “2013 Fall Early Week Recruiting” under the “Recruiting” tab and look for the following options:

 If you have been selected by an employer for an interview, you will see two buttons under the “Invitations” column; the buttons will read “Accept Preselect” and “Decline.” Once you click on “Accept Preselect” you will be prompted to choose an interview time. Interview times are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have been selected by an employer for an alternate slot, you will see two buttons under the “Invitations” column; the buttons will read “Accept Alternate” and “Decline.” You will have to wait until the Alternate Sign Up on August 7th and 8th to log back in and sign up for any available interview slots.

If you were not selected by an employer for either an interview or alternate slot, you will see the words “Not Invited” in the “Invitations” column. There is nothing you need to do in the system for these instances.

Occasionally employers are not timely with their selections. We will email you with al ist of the employers who have not yet made their selections on the morning of the Accept Schedule Period. Keep in mind that you will see "not invited" in Symplicity, but that is not hte case. You will also be emailed about interview selections as they are available.

Employers who participate in Resume Collection will contact students directly.

How do I conduct myself in a Fall OCI interview?

The best way to prepare yourself for Fall OCI interviews is to participate in the Fall Mock Interview Program.  The Fall Mock Interview Program will take place August 8th and 9th in the CDO.  Career counselors are paired with practicing attorneys from the local legal community to conduct the interviews.  To sign up for a mock interview, log on to Symplicity from July 29th through the 31st and select a time a date for the interview. Times are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

What do I wear to on-campus interviews?

The most important thing to remember is that the interviewer should be focusing exclusively on what you have to say and the substance of your resume – no aspect of your dress or personal appearance should distract the prospective employer from the matter at hand. Men should wear dark suits, white or light blue shirts, and conservative ties. Generally, men should also be clean-shaven. Women should wear dark skirt suits with pantyhose. The most predominate complaints regarding women’s attire are suits that are too tight, sheer blouses, low-cut neck lines, and skirts that are too short.

When do I arrive for my on-campus interview?

Arrive at your interview location (Career Development Office, Finnell Rooms or 2nd floor TUII (Red Printer Room) at least 10 minutes before your interview. If you have back-to-back interviews, please let one of the CDO staff know so we can inform the recruiters/employers if you are delayed.

What if I cannot make my scheduled interview time?

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.  The letter must be brought to Allison Regan within 48 hours of the missed interview for review and mailing by the office.  For more information on the CDO’s good standing policies please click here.

Should I send a thank you note after the interview?

We recommend handwritten thank you notes for interviewers and recruiters.
Personalize the note to each interviewer, as they may all end up in one file.
Some students find it useful to bring stationary on interview days and write the notes between interviews.  Remember to check your spelling and grammar and make sure your handwriting is legible.

When should I expect to hear from employers after I interview?
 
Some firms may make decisions very quickly and contact you very soon (within 24 hours) after the Fall OCI interview to schedule a callback interview.  Others may need more time to discuss candidates and may call much later. 

Be prepared to receive these calls by making sure your outgoing telephone message is professional and up to date.  Messages with music, background noise or utilizing jokes are seen as unprofessional.
 
What should I expect from the callback interview?

The callback interview is the chance for more people at the firm to meet you in order to decide if they would like to make an offer for you to join the firm for the summer.  Callbacks usually last several hours and could include lunch or dinner.  Typically, you will interview with numerous attorneys during the callback. While Fall OCI interviews occur the week before the semester begins, callback interviews happen throughout the school semester. 

Refer to the NALP Open Letter to Law Students for detailed and specific instructions about callback interviews.

How do I seek firm reimbursement if I travel out of the area for an interview?

If you travel outside the area for a callback interview, some employers will reimburse you for expenses you incur, such as transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals. Discuss expense reimbursement policies and procedures before you travel to meet with the employers. The employer may have its own reimbursement forms. Refer to the NALP Travel Expense Reimbursement Form and Instruction Sheet for an idea of what information you will need to obtain for reimbursement and read the NALP Open Letter to Law Students for tips on navigating firm reimbursement.

What happens once I have an offer?

Most large law firms are members of the National Association of Law Placement (NALP). The NALP Principles and Standards specify how and when firms can make offers to law students and how and when law students must accept offers from NALP member firms. For example, employers offering positions for the following summer to 2L or 3L candidates not previously employed by them should leave those offers open for at least 28 days following the date of the offer letter or until December 30, whichever comes first. Review these guidelines here and talk to your career counselor if you have any questions.

It is important to note that the NALP guidelines only apply to NALP members.  Some OCI employers are not NALP members, which means that they are not required to follow the aforementioned guidelines.  For example, non-NALP employers offering positions for the following summer to 2L or 3L candidates not previously employed by them are not required to leave the offer open for 28 days and may request an answer sooner.  You can determine which firms are NALP members by reviewing the firm’s profile on Symplicity or by visiting the Nalp website here.  Always speak to your career counselor if you have any questions or concerns about regarding offer timelines and please read the NALP Open Letter to Law Students and the NALP Student Professionalism During the Interview Season handouts for more specific tips about accepting and declining offers.