Need a couple hours off my SA, what excuse should I make? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Currently SAing in NYC biglaw. Need to take time during weekday work hours for a job interview, but obviously cannot tell them that. Need an excuse that will not be frowned upon by a hiring committee later or invite many follow up questions

[landshoes]

doctor's appointment seems standard, or maybe dental work if you don't want to seem sickly

(caveat: 1L who worked before law school)

[Lacepiece23]

Currently SAing in NYC biglaw. Need to take time during weekday work hours for a job interview, but obviously cannot tell them that. Need an excuse that will not be frowned upon by a hiring committee later or invite many follow up questions

I'd just leave and not tell anyone. Doubt anyone will care or even notice that you aren't there. I had to do this for something I'd rather not post on the internet and no one even noticed or batted an eye. This is especially true if it is between the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. when you could be at lunch.

[tyroneslothrop1]

While working as a law clerk (awaiting bar passage), I attended a concert and was until 5 in the morning. I awoke the next morning at 11 a.m. (people arrive at 8 a.m. here). I raced into the office thinking of what excuse I might use. When I arrived I walked in and didn't see anyone. No one said anything or seemed to notice that I was gone at all. They probably assumed I was doing something for a case. I would utilize a similar strategy.

[EzraFitz]

I may be in the minority here, but telling the truth is usually TCR in my opinion. What if the .01% chance that they catch you in a lie comes up? That will look 100 times worse than the truth, any day.

[rpupkin]

Currently SAing in NYC biglaw. Need to take time during weekday work hours for a job interview, but obviously cannot tell them that. Need an excuse that will not be frowned upon by a hiring committee later or invite many follow up questions

It's not obvious to me why you can't just tell them. I mean, what is the job? It's not like 3L OCI has started yet. And almost any other post-grad job wouldn't be interviewing candidates yet. Is it for a clerkship? If so, just tell the firm.

[ballouttacontrol]

Currently SAing in NYC biglaw. Need to take time during weekday work hours for a job interview, but obviously cannot tell them that. Need an excuse that will not be frowned upon by a hiring committee later or invite many follow up questions

It's not obvious to me why you can't just tell them. I mean, what is the job? It's not like 3L OCI has started yet. And almost any other post-grad job wouldn't be interviewing candidates yet. Is it for a clerkship? If so, just tell the firm.

a lot of firms will interview candidates during their 1L or 2L summer. Many many ppl get offers well before oci season starts

I'd go with the dentist appointment, personally. I would tell this to the recruiter or wtv. No attorney will notice or care

[nonever]

Just tell your secretary to tell anyone who calls for you that you will be out for a few hours, but that you will return calls and emails when you return.

If you are working closely with anyone on anything that they might touch base with you on while you're out, let them know you have an "appointment" and will have intermittent email access for a couple hours.

The number one rule of getting away with things is being as vague as possible. If you say dentist appointment, you are lying. Just say appointment. You have an appointment to meet with your interviewer.

No one will press you because they will think it is the gynecologist or something else that's uncomfortable to discuss at work.

[rpupkin]

Currently SAing in NYC biglaw. Need to take time during weekday work hours for a job interview, but obviously cannot tell them that. Need an excuse that will not be frowned upon by a hiring committee later or invite many follow up questions

It's not obvious to me why you can't just tell them. I mean, what is the job? It's not like 3L OCI has started yet. And almost any other post-grad job wouldn't be interviewing candidates yet. Is it for a clerkship? If so, just tell the firm.

a lot of firms will interview candidates during their 1L or 2L summer. Many many ppl get offers well before oci season starts

Thanks. I knew about the 1L summer thing (which 1L firms expect anyway), but I didn't know about firms interviewing for post-grad jobs during 2L summer.

[blsingindisguise]

I didn't summer (or work) in biglaw but I have been gainfully employed for several years and worked in two different firms -- my experience has taught me that, unless you work in a place (or for a partner) who is really big on being aware of where you are at all times, the less you say the better. When you are an actual associate, it will likely be perfectly normal and commonplace to occasionally have to disappear for a couple of hours, and as long as you are reachable, getting your work done, and not in a situation where you're expected to be on deck, it doesn't matter. I sometimes say "I have an appointment, I'll be gone between x and y" but more and more I just say nothing and watch my email carefully on my phone.