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I am fortunate to have two offers going into a CB this Thursday at a firm that is my absolute first choice. Is it appropriate to throw the offers on the table and say during an interview with the partner that I would accept an offer from them on the spot?

Probably not.

Only if you literally throw paper offers on the table as though they were gauntlets and you were challenging the interviewer to a duel.

i think if they ask you where else you are looking, you could say you have those offers but would take an offer at X firm over them. doing it the way you suggest might be weird, unless they're weird too.

cavalier1138 wrote:Only if you literally throw paper offers on the table as though they were gauntlets and you were challenging the interviewer to a duel.

OP: Don't listen to cavalier. His advice is poor.

The proper approach here involves a cigarette lighter, which you should use to burn the two existing offers in front of the partner. Once those offers have turned to ash, unroll your sleeve to reveal the name of your top firm—which, of course, you should have carved into your arm with a knife during the hour before your interview.

Anonymous User wrote:I am fortunate to have two offers going into a CB this Thursday at a firm that is my absolute first choice. Is it appropriate to throw the offers on the table and say during an interview with the partner that I would accept an offer from them on the spot?

Absolutely not.

rpupkin wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:Only if you literally throw paper offers on the table as though they were gauntlets and you were challenging the interviewer to a duel.

OP: Don't listen to cavalier. His advice is poor.

The proper approach here involves a cigarette lighter, which you should use to burn the two existing offers in front of the partner. Once those offers have turned to ash, unroll your sleeve to reveal the name of your top firm—which, of course, you should have carved into your arm with a knife during the hour before your interview.

This isn't a bad approach, but partners might be disturbed by the blood. (They really shouldn't be if they're partners at a prestigious firm, but I'm not sure where you're interviewing) It's best to go with a tattoo here, IMO. It is more prominent and permanent that a cut, is easier to read, and doesn't drip.

I absolutely agree with burning the offers though, just be sure to have an empty metal trashcan close.

Anonymous User wrote:I am fortunate to have two offers going into a CB this Thursday at a firm that is my absolute first choice. Is it appropriate to throw the offers on the table and say during an interview with the partner that I would accept an offer from them on the spot?

No, it's not. Most partners don't have the power to just extend offers without the proper internal approvals and the ones with such power will not be interviewing you.

Ive had many interviewers ask about where I am in the process? Ive been upfront and basically told them that I have 4 offers and listed the names of the firms..I also tell them I am only interviewing at places where I am genuinely interested in working. Its worked for me just about everytime ...

Original Anon here, it's not so much that I would expect an offer on the spot as opposed to showing my level of interest. But I guess it doesn't come off too well

Anonymous User wrote:Original Anon here, it's not so much that I would expect an offer on the spot as opposed to showing my level of interest. But I guess it doesn't come off too well

I think the directly above post is the best tact--if they ask, you can say you have two offers from other firms (though I wouldn't name the firms--that's a bit gauche) and that you are genuinely most excited about their firm. If they don't ask during an interview, I would say something in your thank you email to the partner (after you've said thank you bla bla bla) along the lines of how your callback piqued your interest in that firm and that, while you have two other offers, the callback confirmed that [x] is the firm you want to work at.

Anonymous User wrote:Ive had many interviewers ask about where I am in the process? Ive been upfront and basically told them that I have 4 offers and listed the names of the firms..I also tell them I am only interviewing at places where I am genuinely interested in working. Its worked for me just about everytime ...

That's all fine. You should of course tell a partner (or a recruiter or whomever you're talking with) about your existing offers if asked.

I know any number of people who've said "You're my top choice," and that seems fine to me, provided it's true. But "I'd pick you over them" sounds like fast-talk and a bit disrespectful.

Anonymous User wrote:I know any number of people who've said "You're my top choice," and that seems fine to me, provided it's true. But "I'd pick you over them" sounds like fast-talk and a bit disrespectful.

This distinction makes zero sense to me.

rpupkin wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:Only if you literally throw paper offers on the table as though they were gauntlets and you were challenging the interviewer to a duel.

OP: Don't listen to cavalier. His advice is poor.

The proper approach here involves a cigarette lighter, which you should use to burn the two existing offers in front of the partner. Once those offers have turned to ash, unroll your sleeve to reveal the name of your top firm—which, of course, you should have carved into your arm with a knife during the hour before your interview.

Hikikomorist wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I know any number of people who've said "You're my top choice," and that seems fine to me, provided it's true. But "I'd pick you over them" sounds like fast-talk and a bit disrespectful.

This distinction makes zero sense to me.

I think it reads differently when you don't volunteer having offers with other firms. Obviously, different deal if asked.

Anonymous User wrote:

Hikikomorist wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I know any number of people who've said "You're my top choice," and that seems fine to me, provided it's true. But "I'd pick you over them" sounds like fast-talk and a bit disrespectful.

This distinction makes zero sense to me.

I think it reads differently when you don't volunteer having offers with other firms. Obviously, different deal if asked.

Got it. I was thinking both approaches started with, "I have X and Y offers, but..."

No reason to bring up other offers unless they ask specifically. Also no reason to tell a firm they're your top choice. At best it makes you look interested, which you can do in less direct ways, and at worst it makes you like overeager and desperate.

I think they assume you have other offers unless you are a marginal candidate for some particular reason? I don't see the value add of mentioning it--law students are a dime a dozen for these firms. If you're a superior candidate on paper and a good fit, you'll get the offer anyway

You better have a damn good reason for wanting to work there so bad.

dixiecupdrinking wrote:You better have a damn good reason for wanting to work there so bad.

what reason is good enough?

Anonymous User wrote:

dixiecupdrinking wrote:You better have a damn good reason for wanting to work there so bad.

what reason is good enough?

I won't speak with any serious authority because I'm only a law student, but how much do these firms actually differ outside having different clients or being in different markets? There are cultural differences that a law student won't be fully aware of while interviewing and won't be privy to in this process, but if we're talking about big firms generically in similar markets doing similar work, will there be a demonstrable reason to prefer one firm over another? If the difference is between Covington DC vs. Williams & Connolly DC for lit, there will be important differences, but the overarching advice to pick based on practice area, size, firm culture, and the vibe you get from the firm is probably much more important.

These are all ultimately somewhat arbitrary decisions being made by those of us who are trying to decipher between options, but there isn't one specific reason that is "good enough" or "not good enough." Each person is different.

How does this calculus change if you're telling a non-interviewer at the firm (partner you know personally) of your absolute preference for their firm? Obviously my phone call to them will not present an opportunity for fire or flesh wound, but curious on best practices for this kind of move (or advice not to do it).

Anonymous User wrote:How does this calculus change if you're telling a non-interviewer at the firm (partner you know personally) of your absolute preference for their firm? Obviously my phone call to them will not present an opportunity for fire or flesh wound, but curious on best practices for this kind of move (or advice not to do it).

Are you absolutely dead set on working for this firm? You should only mention that the firm is your top choice if you'd accept an offer, regardless of who you're talking with at the firm, and regardless of other options available to you. Otherwise, be cordial, appreciative, and non-commital until they make a decision. Your control of the process begins and ends in the interactions you have with the firm, and you should appreciate that. It doesn't matter if it's an interviewer or not, because everyone at the firm can affect your candidacy at the firm. But if you have a strong advocate at the firm because you want to work for them, absolutely leverage that relationship.

UVA2B wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:How does this calculus change if you're telling a non-interviewer at the firm (partner you know personally) of your absolute preference for their firm? Obviously my phone call to them will not present an opportunity for fire or flesh wound, but curious on best practices for this kind of move (or advice not to do it).

Are you absolutely dead set on working for this firm? You should only mention that the firm is your top choice if you'd accept an offer, regardless of who you're talking with at the firm, and regardless of other options available to you. Otherwise, be cordial, appreciative, and non-commital until they make a decision. Your control of the process begins and ends in the interactions you have with the firm, and you should appreciate that. It doesn't matter if it's an interviewer or not, because everyone at the firm can affect your candidacy at the firm. But if you have a strong advocate at the firm because you want to work for them, absolutely leverage that relationship.

If some people got cbs for a firm and nobody got rejections yet, does it pay to follow up with the partner? He liked me and I said I could email him something we spoke about and then I did not (because it wasn't a promise, but a "I can email you")
Does it ever help to email follow up? Sigh