Ask A Recruiter - Law

After a few recent interviews, I’ve started to think that interviewing is almost a separate skill from being a good lawyer. I’ve met outstanding lawyers who struggle in interviews, and others who inte...

Interviews seem to be getting longer and longer. recently went through a process with multiple interview rounds, meeting several stakeholders over a few weeks. By the end, I felt like the company knew...

Hey for the question of “what is your expectation for compensation”, how do you usually handle this question? I used to just give a range or ask about their range etc. but I now wondered if giving a n...

What is the best way for senior (as in 55+, not senior level) attorneys to find work? I know of a few quality lawyers over 55 who aren’t ready to pack it in looking for work. Are there recruiters who ...

I wasn’t planning to change jobs, but a recruiter reached out with what sounded like an interesting opportunity. It made me wonder whether I should always take the initial call, even if I’m happy wher...

I’m preparing for an interview for next week, and as I’ve become more senior in my career, I’ve realized I’m interviewing the company just as much as they’re interviewing me. Beyond the usual question...

I’m one of three attorneys at a tiny boutique firm where the name partner plans to practice until he’s ninety. I handle about 80% of the actual courtroom work. I need to move to a mid-sized firm to ge...

I lateraled to my current firm exactly four months ago, and it has been an absolute disaster. Planning to leave as soon as possible.How do I frame this quick exit so I don't look like a flight risk or...

I recently realized that after being in the same role for a long time, I’d become a bit rusty at interviewing. Even though I wasn’t actively looking, it took me a couple of interviews to get back into...

Hi. I’m currently waiting on a background check to come through. It goes back 10 years and the company I worked for 10 years ago is no longer in business. I provided the cell phone number of the owner...

Looking for insight on in-house claims positions with insurers. I have a few years of insurance defense experience. What is it like on the inside? For various reasons, I’m looking to transition to a n...

Got laid off from my in house job at a startup back in May. Really liked my job and don’t want to go back to biglaw. Any tips for finding a new in-house gig? In the Bay Area, for context. 11 YOE.

Is curiosity a good reason to Interview? I’m not actively looking for a new job, but I still accept recruiter calls from time to time because I’m curious about the market. I had a recruiter call recen...

I recently found out through a mutual friend that a recruiter I’ve been talking to has been looking through my personal, private Instagram account by following one of my friends. Nothing on there is i...

Odds a first year or second year labor and employment associate at a big law firm in NYC is able to move in house?

Is it okay to ask why you weren’t selected? I recently made it to the final round for a role that I was genuinely excited about but didn’t get the offer. I debated whether to ask for feedback or simp...

I had an interview where one unexpected question threw me off. The interviewer asked me “If we offered you this role today, what would make you hesitate to accept it” I hadn’t anticipated that one. Wh...

I have a good in-house job with competitive pay, a supportive team, and interesting work. I’m not unhappy, but I still find myself curious about other opportunities when recruiters reach out. Does an...

What is the best way to shop around / see what’s out there? Both in terms of big law cultures and in house opportunities. If it’s to work with a recruiter, how do I find one (I assume better to find m...

For in-house counsel, is switching companies the only realistic way to get promoted? In several in-house roles, I’ve noticed that promotion opportunities seem quite limited, regardless of performance....