Cold offer? Forum

lserenfindis · Post by **lserenfindis** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:12 pm

I'm somewhat obtuse and am not sure if I've been cold offered or not. I got the phone call congratulating me on my offer, but at the end of the conversation, I was told that they highly recommended that I call this guy who is in charge of the employee assistance program "EAP" for my demeanor and I didn't get more than that. This guy is now on vacation so I haven't spoken to him yet, but is this the firm's clever way of cold offering me? Thoughts, please?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:19 pm

lserenfindis wrote:I'm somewhat obtuse and am not sure if I've been cold offered or not. I got the phone call congratulating me on my offer, but at the end of the conversation, I was told that they highly recommended that I call this guy who is in charge of the employee assistance program "EAP" for my demeanor and I didn't get more than that. This guy is now on vacation so I haven't spoken to him yet, but is this the firm's clever way of cold offering me? Thoughts, please?

Huh? Demeanor?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:20 pm

was told by a partner that when they cold offer they make it very explicit - like "we are extending you an offer, but we think you will be much happier at another firm"

ironically, he also said that about 80% of cold offers actually ended up coming back. so worse case scenario, even if you are cold offered you can still accept it.

lserenfindis · Post by **lserenfindis** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:21 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
lserenfindis wrote:I'm somewhat obtuse and am not sure if I've been cold offered or not. I got the phone call congratulating me on my offer, but at the end of the conversation, I was told that they highly recommended that I call this guy who is in charge of the employee assistance program "EAP" for my demeanor and I didn't get more than that. This guy is now on vacation so I haven't spoken to him yet, but is this the firm's clever way of cold offering me? Thoughts, please?
Huh? Demeanor?

Literally the caller said "demeanor" before dashing off. I'm just as lost as you are...

Sup Kid · Post by **Sup Kid** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:23 pm

From Wikipedia: "Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are employee benefit programs offered by many employers, typically in conjunction with a health insurance plan. EAPs are intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health, and well-being. EAPs generally include assessment, short-term counseling and referral services for employees and their household members."

Doesn't sound like they would be having you talk to the EAP person unless they thought you would be coming back. Still, even though its probably an offer, you need to figure out what is wrong. Something obviously happened over the summer that the firm (or at least this partner) is worried about, and wants to get you help to fix it. Do what they say, and fix yourself up.

5ky · Post by **5ky** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:25 pm

Agree with Sup Kid. How reserved are you? It's possible they thought you were slightly depressed.

luthersloan · Post by **luthersloan** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:26 pm

That is kind of bizarre, did you have any problems getting along with people during the summer or something? It does not really sound like a cold offer though, as a cold offer generally would involve them making it quite clear that while their are technically extending you an offer, they really want you to go elsewhere. So unless the person they told you to call is a hiring partner at another firm I would not worry about it.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:26 pm

Possible alcohol issues perhaps? Just a guess, but it's the kind of concern that may have surfaced during summer events.

Sauer Grapes · Post by **Sauer Grapes** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:27 pm

Anonymous User wrote:was told by a partner that when they cold offer they make it very explicit - like "we are extending you an offer, but we think you will be much happier at another firm"

ironically, he also said that about 80% of cold offers actually ended up coming back. so worse case scenario, even if you are cold offered you can still accept it.

This doesn't sound like a true cold offer to me. My understanding is that a cold offer is not welcome back. It's an offer in name only, and not in reality.

luthersloan · Post by **luthersloan** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:27 pm

5ky wrote:Agree with Sup Kid. How reserved are you? It's possible they thought you were slightly depressed.

Nah, they are in Biglaw. He would have to be really depressed for it seem out of the ordinary.

imchuckbass58 · Post by **imchuckbass58** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:28 pm

lserenfindis wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
lserenfindis wrote:I'm somewhat obtuse and am not sure if I've been cold offered or not. I got the phone call congratulating me on my offer, but at the end of the conversation, I was told that they highly recommended that I call this guy who is in charge of the employee assistance program "EAP" for my demeanor and I didn't get more than that. This guy is now on vacation so I haven't spoken to him yet, but is this the firm's clever way of cold offering me? Thoughts, please?
Huh? Demeanor?
Literally the caller said "demeanor" before dashing off. I'm just as lost as you are...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_a ... ce_program

5ky · Post by **5ky** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:28 pm

luthersloan wrote:
5ky wrote:Agree with Sup Kid. How reserved are you? It's possible they thought you were slightly depressed.
Nah, they are in Biglaw. He would have to be really depressed for it seem out of the ordinary.

Well played.

lserenfindis · Post by **lserenfindis** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:31 pm

luthersloan wrote:
5ky wrote:Agree with Sup Kid. How reserved are you? It's possible they thought you were slightly depressed.
Nah, they are in Biglaw. He would have to be really depressed for it seem out of the ordinary.

Hahaha, this is making me depressed.

Bronte · Post by **Bronte** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:37 pm

No I suspect the depression or alcohol thing or something akin to that is credited unless something else transpired that makes sense. Were there any incidents at social events? Are you a loud person? Did you curse a lot? Yell at anyone? Act weird towards women? If it's nothing like that and you can't think of anything, they may be worried that you were overly reserved or something. Ultimately, you should just remain calm and talk to this EAP or whatever it is. They'll tell you what's up I would hope.

lserenfindis · Post by **lserenfindis** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:50 pm

Thanks all. Don't think I ran into any of the above problems, but maybe I ran over some partner's pet cat or something without knowing it? My mid-summer evals didn't mention anything problematic.

goodolgil · Post by **goodolgil** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:41 pm

So you can actually accept these cold offers? Never thought about that before. What happens then?

mrloblaw · Post by **mrloblaw** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:47 pm

goodolgil wrote:So you can actually accept these cold offers? Never thought about that before. What happens then?

World's most awkward work environment; conveyor belt to layoffs?

goodolgil · Post by **goodolgil** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:49 pm

Just makes me think of George Costanza working at PlayNow!

Glock · Post by **Glock** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:51 pm

Probably not a cold offer. They probably want you to work on being less somber or something.

It isn't a cold offer unless they tell you to look elsewhere.

rayiner · Post by **rayiner** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:52 pm

lserenfindis wrote:Thanks all. Don't think I ran into any of the above problems, but maybe I ran over some partner's pet cat or something without knowing it? My mid-summer evals didn't mention anything problematic.

EAP is for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or depression. If you didn't look depressed, maybe you looked like you were high as a kite?

TheFriendlyBarber · Post by **TheFriendlyBarber** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:58 pm

rayiner wrote:
lserenfindis wrote:Thanks all. Don't think I ran into any of the above problems, but maybe I ran over some partner's pet cat or something without knowing it? My mid-summer evals didn't mention anything problematic.
EAP is for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or depression. If you didn't look depressed, maybe you looked like you were high as a kite?

He was probably high as a Georgia pine.

bgdddymtty · Post by **bgdddymtty** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:06 pm

TheFriendlyBarber wrote:
rayiner wrote:
lserenfindis wrote:Thanks all. Don't think I ran into any of the above problems, but maybe I ran over some partner's pet cat or something without knowing it? My mid-summer evals didn't mention anything problematic.
EAP is for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or depression. If you didn't look depressed, maybe you looked like you were high as a kite?
He was probably high as a Georgia pine.

So they want him to get help before he ends up buying the farm?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:28 pm

I'd probably do my best to get into another firm if it isn't too late. Your name is already tarnished here if the EAP is for substance abuse or depression.

rayiner · Post by **rayiner** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:34 pm

Anonymous User wrote:I'd probably do my best to get into another firm if it isn't too late. Your name is already tarnished here if the EAP is for substance abuse or depression.

Disregard this advice.

Renzo · Post by **Renzo** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 8:11 pm

lserenfindis wrote:Thanks all. Don't think I ran into any of the above problems, but maybe I ran over some partner's pet cat or something without knowing it? My mid-summer evals didn't mention anything problematic.

You sure there weren't any good times at a drinking event that were a little too good? That seems the most plausible.

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