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Discussing recent firm issues in screener

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:07 pm
by Anonymous User
Is it (ever) appropriate to ask about a firm's recent issues in a screener. Without getting into specifics, there is a firm that culturally and practice-group-wise I like a lot. However, the office I have a screener with has been home to some notable partner departures recently. So essentially, I'm very interested in the firm, but I'm worried about the stability of the office.

Is it reasonable to ask for the interviewer's opinion on the state of the office? My interviewer is a partner.

Re: Discussing recent firm issues in screener

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:10 pm
by dixiecupdrinking
Absolutely not. Get an offer first, then start asking these questions.

Re: Discussing recent firm issues in screener

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:11 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:Is it (ever) appropriate to ask about a firm's recent issues in a screener. Without getting into specifics, there is a firm that culturally and practice-group-wise I like a lot. However, the office I have a screener with has been home to some notable partner departures recently. So essentially, I'm very interested in the firm, but I'm worried about the stability of the office.

Is it reasonable to ask for the interviewer's opinion on the state of the office? My interviewer is a partner.
Bingham?

Re: Discussing recent firm issues in screener

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:12 pm
by Anonymous User
I ask these sort of things at callback, especially if an answer is determinative of whether you would accept the offer. (assuming you have somewhere in hand already that you would take if you don't like the answer)

Depending on the exact issue, an associate or managing partner may be better.

fwiw, anecdotal experience, i got an offer at a place where I asked on cb about a practice group leaving

Re: Discussing recent firm issues in screener

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:12 pm
by JamMasterJ
dixiecupdrinking wrote:Absolutely not. Get an offer first, then start asking these questions.
This. Dixie is right as usual on this one

Re: Discussing recent firm issues in screener

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:58 pm
by enibs
Anonymous User wrote:I ask these sort of things at callback, especially if an answer is determinative of whether you would accept the offer. (assuming you have somewhere in hand already that you would take if you don't like the answer)

Depending on the exact issue, an associate or managing partner may be better.

fwiw, anecdotal experience, i got an offer at a place where I asked on cb about a practice group leaving
You did not get an offer because you asked. You got an offer in spite of asking. Which only proves that it is not fatal in 100% of all cases. But it's not a good idea. Wait until you get an offer - then you can ask questions like this. But even then, do it circumspectly. If you end up accepting, you don't want to be "that guy/gal" going into your SA position.

Re: Discussing recent firm issues in screener

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:07 pm
by FlightoftheEarls
enibs wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I ask these sort of things at callback, especially if an answer is determinative of whether you would accept the offer. (assuming you have somewhere in hand already that you would take if you don't like the answer)

Depending on the exact issue, an associate or managing partner may be better.

fwiw, anecdotal experience, i got an offer at a place where I asked on cb about a practice group leaving
You did not get an offer because you asked. You got an offer in spite of asking. Which only proves that it is not fatal in 100% of all cases. But it's not a good idea. Wait until you get an offer - then you can ask questions like this. But even then, do it circumspectly. If you end up accepting, you don't want to be "that guy/gal" going into your SA position.

Re: Discussing recent firm issues in screener

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:12 pm
by soj
at best you'll get the party line, not the truth.