Tell firm they are your top choice? Forum

[lawhopeful10]

Title basically says it, I was just wondering if it ever makes sense to let your interviewer know their firm is your top choice or does that come off as desperate. Thanks in advance.

[Law Sauce]

Need more specifics. In the abstract, yes it often does make sense. I do not think it makes you look desperate. But you should have some reasoning to support this that is convincing. I know a number of people who have had success doing this well.

[kaiser]

Its certainly a good idea, but of course you have to be sincere and truly have a good reason why they are your top firm. When I expressed to my current firm that it truly was my top choice, they immediately asked me why. Your answer to that is key. If its truly your top choice, then you already know your answer, and im sure its something personal to you. Doesn't make you look desperate at all to express this. The firms don't just want the best recruits for the firm, but also want the recruits to feel like they are picking the best place for themselves, so they would be happy to know that you also feel that the match would be perfect.

[transferror]

When I expressed to my current firm that it truly was my top choice, they immediately asked me why. Your answer to that is key.

Yeah, it seems like your ability to answer this question sincerely/convincingly determines whether or not you should bring it up in the first place.

[lawhopeful10]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm in a secondary market with limited firms doing transactional work but one or two seem to dominate the market for so if I interviewed with them I was thinking of saying I know you guys do most of what I am interested in ect. And you guys are my number one choice for that reason basically.

[Anonymous User]

My top choice firm left me hanging with no response for a few weeks after my post-OCI callback (this was a V100 satellite office with a niche practice group I really wanted in) but then extended an offer just a day after I called the recruiting coordinator and told him or her I would prefer working there over the offers I did have (a handful of interchangeable V50 NYC firms). Before I called, I took a lot of time to write out and better articulate the reasons I preferred my target firm, and I think that really paid off in my short conversation with the recruiting coordinator. My impression was that my phone call played a decisive role in getting me the offer, though I cannot say so for sure.

Now, the success of my call may have hinged upon my specific set of circumstances, but I think it can be generalized from to show that it can certainly help to reach out to a firm post-interviews and make a stronger case for yourself. Of course you should ultimately use your best judgment as to what is appropriate in your own circumstances, though.

[ChardPennington]

IMOit only makes sense if you need to battle a perception that they're a safety

[NotMyRealName09]

The desperate chick is a huge turnoff. Job interviews are like dating. Everyone wants someone out of their league, not the fat chick eye-fucking them all night from across the way - unless they're desperate.

[Anonymous User]

Title basically says it, I was just wondering if it ever makes sense to let your interviewer know their firm is your top choice or does that come off as desperate. Thanks in advance.

No, I did this. Got my summer job.

[Anonymous User]

I did it via email--basically just said that they were #1 and if an offer were to be extended, I would accept. Got the offer and accepted on the spot. Never looked back.

[09042014]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FltRUoAaGdo

^ actually answers teh question. I promise.

[enibs]

Classic case of overthinking. If they're your top choice, tell them. It can only help.

[Florence Night]

Classic case of overthinking. If they're your top choice, tell them. It can only help.

I did this, actually going so far as say "if you offer, I"m there," and it worked out well for me. Obviously, don't do it if you're not sincere, though.

[Anonymous User]

Do you email/call the recruiting coordinator or one of the people you interviewed with?

[Anonymous User]

Also, is it okay to tell this to the hiring partner(s) while they're interviewing? Such as when they ask why their firm?

[Anonymous User]

Also, is it okay to tell this to the hiring partner(s) while they're interviewing? Such as when they ask why their firm?

Also relevant to my interests.

[20141023]

.

[KidStuddi]

I did this after a pre-OCI CB with Boies. Did not help. Still bitter years later.

[First Offense]

Did this during a screener. Will report back with results.

[Anonymous User]

Also did this. Think it gave the screener a little boost mentally, but don't think it made a big difference. Plus, he really started talking about actual life at the firm (which was interesting). Just happened so don't know if it was effective or not.

[mephistopheles]

I did this during 1L with one of the firms I CB interviewed with. It wasn't sincere. I got dinged.

lol yeah

[Anonymous User]

So if we're doing this, do we tell each interviewer (if it comes up naturally) or only one or two or recruiting manager?