Summer Associate - Asking for Time Off Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have a handful of interviews coming up in regard to Summer Associate positions. I've looked around the Internet for answers to this question, but I haven't found any. Simply put, my best friend from undergrad is getting married in the middle of the summer. It's something I don't want to miss, obviously. I was wondering when I should bring it up with the firms, I'm assuming during the interview process, and if firms are even amenable to such requests. It would only be for 1-2 days off, and I'd be willing to start the SA position a week early/end a week late.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Don't bring it up until after you have accepted an offer. A day, maybe two for a wedding is not a big deal but let them know in advance (i.e., March/April).

[trebekismyhero]

Yeah, you would be crazy to bring up during the interview or before you accept any offer. If that was your instinct, they're very wrong, do some practice interviews with people to make sure you don't say other things that you shouldn't

[Anonymous User]

Firms are generally completely fine with summer associates taking a day off for weddings. In my BigLaw summer class of 20+ people, four (myself included) took one or more days off for weddings. No one cared. Just tell HR/recruiters about it before the summer starts, then remind the partners/associates you're working with as the day approaches.

[NYC2012]

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[BigZuck]

Yeah, wait until you get the offer. It's almost certainly not a big deal but make sure you tell them well in advance and try to make it only one day instead of two if you can help it. They almost certainly won't let you start a week early or stay a week late (at least based on what I've seen). Don't bring this up during interviews, that would be weird.

[Anonymous User]

You'd come across like this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhkRegjJqLM. You will remember your interviews much better than your interviewers will, because it impacts you much more than it impacts them. Given how odd it would come across to bring this up at an interview, it's possible the only thing they will remember is your asking to take time off at the job interview. Most people who are not emotionally invested in a situation tend to focus primarily on things that are different from the norm. It's not that it's bad to ask for a few days off. It's that it's weird to ask at the job interview.