Preparing for EIP is a multi-step process that includes updating your materials, researching employers, bidding on firms, practicing your interview skills, managing callbacks, and ultimately deciding on offers. Take some time now to learn about the Early Interview Program and what you’ll need to do before starting your summer job.

• Register for EIP
• Make sure you are reading the Hire Ground email regularly. See the Hire Ground archive for past emails.
• Like the OCS Facebook page to ensure you get key EIP information.
• Speak with an OCS advisor if you have questions about planning for EIP or your career goals.
• Deadline: April 29. Sign up for the Summer Mock Interview Program. This is an opportunity to practice interviewing and get feedback from an attorney located near your job this summer (even international locations).
• Deadline: May 24. Send in your resume for review through the EIP Resume Review Program.

Additional Resources

• Watch  the EIP Orientation video if you missed the live program on February 6.
• Watch the How to EIP Week videos.  
• Review EIP information for Joint Degree, Visiting and SJD Students if necessary.
• If you are a 3L considering EIP review EIP as a 3L/3L Job Search.

Get the following items out of the way early so you don’t have to worry about them later this summer.

• Browse the summer employer receptions in CSM and RSVP to the events/firms that you’re interested in. Check regularly as new receptions are added throughout the summer.
• Listen to podcasts on Strategic Networking, What to Wear to EIP and other summer podcasts to prepare for EIP.
• Fill in the job description for your 1L summer job on your resume.
• Take notes on your assignments and significant experiences during the summer job. Your notes will be helpful for interview preparation and conflicts review.
• Plan out your wardrobe for EIP week and callbacks.
• Prepare other application materials: transcript, list of references, and writing sample with writing sample cover sheet.

• Listen to the Research and Strategic Bidding Podcasts found in the Essentials section of the EIP Podcasts page.
• View firms that will be participating in EIP using the Employer Directory in CSM.
• Explore the Market Intelligence pages and podcasts for detailed information about each market and its firms.
• Listen to our practice area podcasts to learn more about areas of law that may interest you. 
• Brush up on networking and informational interviewing and be strategic about meeting people this summer. Networking with attorneys at firms you’re interested in is a great way to build rapport with the firms before your EIP interviews.
• RSVP for and attend law firm receptions in your area to network with attorneys and learn about the firms before bidding and interviewing. Review law firm reception etiquette.

Bidding strategy is an important key to EIP success. DO NOT wait until the last minute to research employers and prepare your list. Start working on the Strategic Bidding steps early and give yourself time to reflect and refine your list before bids are due.

• Work through the Strategic Bidding page to create your draft bid list.
• Schedule a call with an OCS advisor to discuss your bidding strategy.
• Consider additional employers and apply directly to those firms who do not recruit through EIP, including non-EIP firms in mid-sized and large markets.
• Deadline: June 3–July 17. Sign up for a Bid List Review appointment.
• Deadline: July 12–July 22 @ 12pm (noon). Bidding for EIP opens. Upload your resume and enter your bids into CSM. There is no submit button for bids; the rankings you have entered at the close of bidding will be entered into the lottery.
• Deadline: July 12–July 22. For students interested in finance. Apply to investment banks through the Finance Employer Resume Collection.
• Deadline: July 22–July 25. Record interview conflicts in CSM.
• Deadline: July 26 @ 12pm–July 27 @ 3pm. Review your interview schedule and drop interviews that you do not wish to attend. This is your last chance to drop EIP interviews.
• Deadline: July 27 @ 12pm–July 29 @ 12pm (noon). Add EIP interviews in CSM.
• Deadline: July 29 @ 12pm. Deadline to upload (or update) your resume and transcript in CSM. The resume you have attached to your bids is what employers will see. Employers will not be given your transcript.
• Deadline: August 5. Apply to EIP Resume Collection firms.

Do not underestimate the importance of the EIP screening interview. The interview, more than any other component of your application, is still within your control and can tip the scales in one direction or the other. The key to a successful interview is preparation. Being well-prepared means knowing what you want from a firm, knowing what the firm wants from an associate, and being ready to show the firm that those match. 

• Review networking and informational interviewing. Meeting with attorneys and learning about their firms will help you stand out as a candidate at EIP.
• Attend summer receptions at firms that interest you to learn things you can mention in your interview at EIP.
• Deadline: July 15–August 1. Sign up for an interview preparation and practice appointment with an OCS advisor.
• Review the Interviews and Networking section.
• Look over your resume and make sure you can speak meaningfully about each entry listed.
• Review interview questions that employer may ask you and you should prepare to ask employers.
• Consult the Employer Directory in CSM to make sure you have the proper firm pronunciation and understand which practice areas are prevalent at your office of interest.
• Know what to expect in an EIP Interview.

Additional Resources

• Familiarize yourself with the costs associated with interviewing.

Complete any last preparation steps now so you can focus on your interviews during EIP week. When EIP week is here you’ll want to know that you’ve set yourself up for success.

• Watch a Bird’s Eye View of the Charles Hotel for a quick overview of what to expect at EIP week and view the hotel layout.
• Listen to our collection of Succeeding at EIP podcasts: from the Hiring Partner’s Perspective w/Ropes & Gray, from the Hiring Partner’s Perspective w/Simpson Thacher, and from the Recruiting Director’s Perspective w/MoFo.
• Listen to the podcast Ten Tricky Interview Questions (forthcoming) and practice your answers.
• Review the Recruiting and Interview  Program Policies.
• Review What to Expect at EIP to get an overview of EIP week, including the format for EIP Interviews.
• Event: August 2 @ 1pm. Attend the EIP Prep Program.

• Bring only what you need—there is no bag or coat check—and be prepared to bring your belongings with you or leave them with a friend.
• Check the Daily Add openings to see which firms have available interview slots. The daily add table allows you to add interviews for firms that are at EIP that day and have open slots. The table is open daily from 8:30 to 11:30 am.
• Review the list of EIP Employers and see which ones will have Hospitality Suites.
• Before your interviews be sure to turn off your cell phone.
• Remember that employers might not be wearing business attire when they’re not interviewing. Be mindful of your etiquette inside the hotel and around Harvard Square. Maintain your professionalism with every person you encounter, from hotel staff to recruitment staff to your classmates.
• Bookmark What to Expect at EIP for easy reference.
• Visit OCS Advisors and Peer Advisors at the JD Students table for questions, mock interviews, and general check ins.
• Report and check in on callbacks – OCS tracks callbacks as they come in, so students can check in to see if a particular firm has begun extending callbacks.
• Deadline: August 5 @ 12pm (noon). Deadline to bid on Resume Collection firms.
• Start scheduling Callbacks (see below for more information).

Additional Links and Resources

• Sample Responses to Common Firm Emails and Calls
• Recruiting and Interview Program Policies for Students
• Employer Recruiting Policies and Guidelines

Most employers that participate in HLS recruitment programs have a second round of “callback” interviews at their own offices before they make final hiring decisions. A callback interview typically lasts two to four hours and gives the employer the opportunity to evaluate your fit for the firm. Use this time to evaluate firms.

Callbacks

• Listen to the Callback Interviews Podcast.
• During EIP Week visit the Peer Advisors to report callbacks.
• Complete the Callbacks tracking survey (link will be posted).
• Review sample responses to common emails if you’re not sure how to respond to a message from a firm.
• Review the Callbacks FAQs during EIP so you know what to expect before you receive a callback offer.
• Review preparing for Callbacks for information about logistics, scheduling, what to expect, and advice on callbacks.
• Research your callback firms.

Offers

• Law firm offers typically stay open for 28 days. Understand the timeline for holding and responding to offers.
• Review the Offers page to learn about evaluating firms, salary and other considerations, second looks, and other variables you should consider before making a decision.
• Listen to the Evaluating Offers Podcasts: 8 Factors that Matters and 8 Factors that Do Not Matter.
• If you want to discuss your options and next steps make an advising appointment.

Additional Resources

• Sample Responses to Common Firm Emails and Calls
• Recruiting and Interview Program Policies for Students