Lateral Interviews - Are You Ready?, Logistics, Scrutiny, Checking References, Know Your Reasons For Interviewing, Discussions About Specialty
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Regardless of the economy, the demand for experienced young lawyers is always high. It is not uncommon for associates to receive daily calls from headhunters trying to recruit them. Lateral candidates have options: They can move up to higher-ranked firms, go to smaller firms with better partnership prospects, or obtain in-house or part-time positions. Many take advantage of these opportunities: Some studies estimate that more than 80 percent of attorneys change jobs at least once within five years of graduation. In fact, it is now completely acceptable for junior attorneys to move several times before finally settling down. With the growing mobility in the legal profession, lateral interviews are becoming significantly more important.
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Lateral interviewing is a very demanding process; it takes a great deal of time, energy, and effort. In light of this, do not interview if you are not ready, and do not interview “just in case.” Evaluate your likelihood of moving, and only apply for a job if you are ready to make a move within six months or less. Once you decide to leave, leave. Do not succumb to pressure or flattery…
Lateral interviewing is a bit different from on-campus and callback interviewing. First and foremost, as you probably realize, there is much more at stake when you interview as a lateral. This is especially true if you practice in a small legal market and have limited lateral opportunities available to you. Because of this, you must take interviewing process even more seriously than you did in law…
Lateral interviews are generally more comprehensive and thorough than interviews for summer associate positions. The reason for this is the employer's need to scrutinize lateral applicants. Employers are much more cautious when interviewing laterals because they cannot hire them on a trial basis. Rather, they must make long-term hiring decisions with limited time and information. Furthermor…
Many firms will want to call references at your current firm. If you are concerned about having a job while interviewing, you should ask your interviewers to call your references after you receive and accept an offer. Just be aware that many government employers, as well as some firms and in-house employers, will insist on calling references before making you an offer. Ask if they would be willing…
You will be asked why you are interviewing over and over again during lateral interviews because all employers will want to know why you desire to leave your current job. In fact, this is the single most important question during lateral interviews, and your answer will directly impact whether you get an offer. Practice your answer in advance, with friends or in front of the mirror, and make sure …
This topic rarely comes up during interviews, but as a good interviewee you should proactively address it. Here is why. A desire to make a lateral move can sometimes be perceived as stemming from lack of a definite career plan. From the employer's perspective, you have tried working at one firm, did not like it, and now want to “sample” another one. If time permits, therefore,…
You may be asked where else you are interviewing. You do not have to give a complete answer. Full disclosure never works to your advantage in answering the dreaded “how many” question. We suggest acknowledging that you are, in fact, interviewing with other firms, without specifying which ones or how many. Never lie about your job prospects, especially if you name names. Your intervie…
Last but not least, we will leave you with the most important advice of all: Never, under any circumstances, say anything bad about an employer. We have heard numerous stories about lateral associates who looked great on paper, passed the screening interviews with flying colors, but who broke down when they were asked about a current or previous employer. In one case, a junior associate went into …
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