You got through several rounds of interviews, fielded hypotheticals, talked about your deal sheet and met with a handful of partners. You got an offer. Amazing, right?
But there’s a problem. Your gut says no. It’s not the right fit, it’s not what you’re looking for, something isn’t sitting right. Saying “no” is not so easy and it’s a process that you should approach with care. It could impact your career in the future and is a reflection on you.
Relationships matter. The firm has invested a lot of time in you and you’ve invested a lot of time in them. You’ve met important contacts with whom you may very well cross paths with in the future. Interviewing is a form of networking and can be helpful for you even if you decline the offer in the end if you handle it strategically. Declining gracefully and professionally leaves the door open for you to reconnect in the future.
Langer Search will work with you to navigate your offers strategically. We will help you leave these doors open. Let us know how we can help support you.
YES. Working with a reputable and experienced recruiter is all about relationship building. Just as law & financial firms interview candidates, you should interview several recruiters to find the right match for you. It’s crucial that you research and talk to several recruiters as it can make or break your job search. The goal is to find a recruiter who you can trust to find the job opportunities that best align with your long-term goals, not to just “make a placement.”
Ask friends and colleagues for referrals and do diligence on each by conducting interviews and having conversations over zoom. You should be able to communicate well with your recruiter and enjoy working with him/her. I recommend working with just ONE recruiter because it’s ultimately going to get confusing and unnecessarily complicated. While the goal is to obtain several job offers, it’s not easy to find recruiters you can connect with and be able to trust. Working with just one experienced recruiter who specializes in your particular niche will help you land the best offers for you as an individual. Keep in mind that most firms work with multiple recruiters and some recruiters have better relationships with certain firms than others.
As a lawyer you’re hardwired to be risk-averse. I know this first hand because I often find myself encouraging senior associates, counsels & partners to “take the meeting.” If you’re curious about another firm, but aren’t exactly ready to make the change, there’s no downfall to talking with someone about a job at another firm. It’s beneficial to take the meeting, do some homework on the firm, explore their culture and gain insight. You can make connections, increase your network and also figure out systematically whether their firm is a better fit for you in the long-term.
I urge candidates to speak to the firms and THEN decide if a position there may help them achieve their long-term goals. Worst case scenario, as I mentioned before, you can cleanly pull out of the process. The best thing would be that you end up on an important partner‘s radar for a future move. Take these opportunities to network, find out market information and explore/evaluate your own worth. There are no negatives to doing this and confidentiality is always the top priority. Even if you’re in the partner pipeline at your current firm, you should be asking yourself if there’s a better way or more effective platform to achieve this goal.
Take the meeting and don’t overthink it!
It’s impossible to predict the future & I’m not even going to try. However, it’s prudent to pay attention to trends. In my conversations with attorneys, I try to find out what they’re working on. I also keep an eye on the financial markets & take note of the companies going public.
These are the buzz-worthy areas on the rise:
- Cannabis
- Cryptocurrency
- Artificial intelligence
- Gene-editing
- Healthcare innovation
- Autonomous driving
And here are some questions to consider:
- How is your particular practice positioned for the continued rise of the digital age?
- What’s your firm’s perspective on change?
- Are you representing companies that embrace technology or are they stuck in the past?
- Does your firm have a dedicated technology group? Privacy, Cyber, Blockchain, FinTech?
We’re knee-deep in a huge technology revolution and I’m urging you to get in on it! It always pays to be an early adopter and learn the lay of the land before others. You’ll be happy you did.
As an attorney you’re trained to weigh & measure facts to make decisions all day long. Pros, cons, risks & rewards. The legal mind is primed for successful decision making, based upon evidence & critical thinking. That being said, even the most skilled & sophisticated lawyer should partner with an experienced headhunter to pursue his/her professional goals. Together, we collaborate to create a personalized long-term plan, based on your individual lifestyle, skills & abilities. I enjoy being in a position where I help weigh, measure & align your goals with the best opportunities available.
It’s natural to seek outside perspective before making an important decision. But be careful who you ask, as not all advice is created equal. Some people enjoy hearing THEMSELVES speak & don’t actually consider YOU in the advice. And even if it comes from a good place, it might not be the best advice for you. Yes, gather advice & information, but make sure to pay close attention to the motivation behind it. Are they speaking in generalities or custom tailoring it to you as an individual? The wrong advice may hinder your career growth & get in your own way.
Your career path is highly specific & necessitates the consideration of a skilled headhunter. At Langer Search, we pride ourselves on listening & providing the most personalized guidance for your success.
