4 callbacks, no offers

Unfortunately in interviews, everything you say and do basically counts against you, and every aspect of your identity is factored in. Come from a poor/humble background? Ding, because you don't fit the standard of prestige in line with the firm. Come from a middle class background? Too boring with nothing to offer, but good luck elsewhere! Come from a wealthier/fortunate background or have some varied life experiences/stories? You will be the first one getting cut off, because the interviewers and staff are too jealous to see you to––what they believe to be––coasting by in life while they had to get raked through the coals to get to where they are, and they don't want to be outshined by someone like you. Even all of that doesn't matter, because they will make every assumption from the first contact and sight and you're screwed from the start to go through the hoops and tricks. The only people they will genuinely hire are your typical white dudes, and diversity quota folk, but mostly people they are already actually connected with (the children of other higher ups they know) and not some kid thinking a few coffee chats here and there are 'connections'. How many dumb shits have you seen get spots at top firms who had shit grades, or stupid transgressions on their C&F? A black guy would probably get turned down for 'questionable moral behavior' over a traffic ticket or missing a credit card payment (something many go through at some point) but a white dude who's rich parents can bail him out of anything would pass C&F with flying colors even with a DUI or sexual harassment charges on his record.

Now with that said, your best bet is basically

1) get the best grades possible so on paper you look good and there is nothing to question or doubt, you are book smart, great.

2) invest in quality, fitted/tailored clothing and any other grooming/hygiene/cosmetic products needed to look good for the interview. Every politician/actor/etc does this so they look put together, regardless of race and gender.

3) don't sound cocky or brag in your interviews, don't be too warm either. which lawyer is a judge going to side with in the courtroom? the warm, bubbly one with the sparkle in their eyes or the cold but calm and aggressive one? be like that in your interview. you are only there for business, you already know what you're doing, you know WHY you are doing it and you don't NEED to try so hard to convince them, they can smell the desperation from a mile away.

it even helps to dumb yourself down just a little bit so you are not seen as a 'threat', if you appear too smart or intelligent in personality/personable skills the interviewer is going to be feel uneasy. they don't want top gunners, they want someone who can get the job done with the least amount of bullshit and noise and someone with the least likelihood of fucking up or trying to climb the ladder over them.

/r/LawSchool Thread