Prepare for On-Campus Interviews
On-Campus Interviews (OCIs) connect Bowen students with legal employers recruiting for summer and school year clerkships. Career Services helps students prepare early through HIRE Bowen, Bowen’s online career management system, while providing resume and transcript guidance, mock interviews, and individualized support throughout the recruiting process.
First-year students receive access to HIRE Bowen in early fall and become eligible for On-Campus Interviews beginning in February. During the second year, students participate in both fall and spring recruiting cycles with a broad range of legal employers.
Connect with Employers Early
Career development at Bowen begins during your first semester, giving you time to build professional skills, connect with employers, and prepare for recruiting well before interview season begins.
On-Campus Interviews (OCIs) connect students with law firms, government agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and other legal employers recruiting for summer and school year clerkships. Career Services also supports broader job search strategies through networking, judicial clerkship advising, direct applications, and individualized career counseling.
OCIs is one part of Bowen’s relationship-driven approach to career development, helping students build professional connections that continue throughout law school and into practice.
Your OCI Journey at Bowen
Fall Semester (1L)
Activate HIRE Bowen & Prepare Your Materials
Receive your login, complete your profile, upload your resume, and begin exploring opportunities.
Attend workshops, polish your resume, receive your HIRE Bowen login, complete your profile, upload your resume, and begin exploring options.
Fall Semester
Meet with Career Services, attend workshops, polish your resume and writing sample, and participate in mock interviews.
Spring Semester (1L)
Your First OCI Opportunities
Beginning in February, first-year students may participate in OCIs for summer and school year clerkships. Mock interviews will be available prior to the Spring OCI round.
Second and Third Years
Expanded Recruiting
Continue participating in Fall and Spring OCI programs, including opportunities with firms, government agencies, corporations, and other employers recruiting for summer and school year clerkships
OCI Preparation Checklist
Before participating in OCIs, students should:
鈥� Complete their HIRE Bowen profile
鈥� Attend and Resume and OCI Workshop
鈥� Upload a current legal resume
鈥� Create a modifiable cover letter template
鈥� Prepare a writing sample
鈥� Obtain an unofficial transcript
鈥� Identify three professional references
Beyond Grades: What Employers Look For
While academic performance matters, employers also evaluate how you present yourself as a future colleague and advocate. OCIs are an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism, communication skills, and preparation as much as your resume.
Career Services helps students build these skills through individualized counseling, mock interviews, resume reviews, networking opportunities, and employer engagement.
The students who stand out aren’t always the ones with the highest grades. They’re the ones who come prepared, communicate well, and show genuine interest in the work.
Successful OCI candidates demonstrate:
鈥� Professionalism and preparation
鈥� Strong communication skills
鈥� Sound judgment and work ethic
鈥� Confidence and authenticity
鈥� Genuine interest in the employer
鈥� The ability to build professional relationships
Looking Beyond Arkansas?
Career Services works with students pursuing opportunities throughout the country. We help students understand national recruiting timelines so they can apply early and remain competitive for summer clerkship positions. While relatively few out-of-state employers recruit on campus, we help students develop individualized job search strategies and prepare competitive applications for regional and national employers.
Summer Associate Timeline
| Year | Recommended Application Window |
|---|---|
| First Year | December 1 鈥� February 1 (earlier is better) |
| Second Year | June 15 鈥� August 15 (earlier is better) |