Anonymous wrote:I really wanted to be an AUSA and was willing to move anywhere to be one. I interviewed all over the country and ultimately took a job in a city I never set foot in until I was hired. Some offices definitely care about ties to the community but others cared more about my background and commitment. The big offices (Chicago, NY-ED and SD, Miami, LA) tend to hire tons of folks from outside local areas and they are used to that and don't seem offended or surprised that you'd move anywhere for the job. The smaller offices are more interested in "why us" kind of questions.

Good luck! I applied to probably 30 offices and interviewed at 6. It just takes one!!

How long after your initial interview were you contacted for a follow-up interview or informed that you didn't get the position?

I really wanted to be an AUSA and was willing to move anywhere to be one. I interviewed all over the country and ultimately took a job in a city I never set foot in until I was hired. Some offices definitely care about ties to the community but others cared more about my background and commitment. The big offices (Chicago, NY-ED and SD, Miami, LA) tend to hire tons of folks from outside local areas and they are used to that and don't seem offended or surprised that you'd move anywhere for the job. The smaller offices are more interested in "why us" kind of questions.

Good luck! I applied to probably 30 offices and interviewed at 6. It just takes one!!

I know a few people who were hired in states they didn't have connections to. Not sure how they got them.

I'm seeking advice on how best to be attractive to USAOs outside of DC, particularly in a part of the country where we have no ties at all.

Are AUSA positions in other parts of the country run like they are here? As in, local connections and local experience drive hiring decisions?

How best can a fully qualified attorney (with trial experience, etc.) make him/herself attractive to out of state USAO? Does it make sense to indicate on a cover letter that I hope to move to the area, or does that make it sound like I only want the position in order to be able to move there? In other words, is it a good idea to mention desire to be in that specific city, or is it better to show passion for an AUSA position wherever it may be (i.e. leave it open as though I may be applying to any/all AUSA jobs because I want to be an AUSA so badly)?

Has anyone here been hired for an AUSA slot somewhere entirely different from where you live or are from?