What to make of interviewer change at CB? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I was at my CB at a V20 firm today. After I badly screwed up one of my interviews, I had an interviewer change without any explanation. I was supposed to speak with a senior associate (8-9th year) but instead, I was taken to a second-year associate. We chatted briefly and she quickly moved on to "so you have any questions for me?" I wasn't given any timeline about when I should be hearing back. I did pretty well in other three interviews prior to the one I screwed up (that was my 4th interview), but having a jr associate instead of a super senior probably means it's a ding, right? Anyone with a similar experience? It really sucks bc that firm was my top choice firm.

[grixxlybear99]

Ehhhh, what the hell I'll throw my hat in the ring. I'll vote youll get an offer.

[Anonymous User]

The original attorney had something come up. It happens all the time.

[SmokeytheBear]

I didnt read your post at all, as there were too many words. All I read was the subject, which is all that matters:

make nothing of interviewer change. People have phone calls come up, meetings that go long, or just can't be bothered at that moment to do an interview that was scheduled. There's no mystery or conspiracy. Nothing to make of it. The person you were supposed to meet with just got busy.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but if the attorney got busy, wouldn't they explain that to me? I'm thinking there was no explanation bc they didn't have a good one other than "sorry youre not worth her time"

[cavalier1138]

See, the firm originally thought you were great. But then they got an anonymous tip from that professor/classmate/acquaintance who just hates you enough to pull shit like this (you know who I mean). And they thought, fuck it. We're not wasting our senior associate's time on this guy. Send him to a junior. We want him to know where he stands.

This is absolutely, 100%, without a doubt what happened. Let your imagination run wild. There's no way this was a completely normal schedule shift to accommodate the schedules of multiple busy attorneys who have actual work to get done in addition to interviewing you.

[SmokeytheBear]

OP here. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but if the attorney got busy, wouldn't they explain that to me? I'm thinking there was no explanation bc they didn't have a good one other than "sorry youre not worth her time"

You're over thinking it. They didn't give you an explanation because they didn't think one was necessary because the reason is pretty apparent.

[midwestrocks]

I don't know why the first interviewer was so pushy w/r/t to your answer on "why firm x?" as it seems like your answer was fine. In any event, there's zero chance that they somehow switched your interviewer because you gave a bad answer (although I like to imagine that partners have a button under their desk to alert the recruiters to take the loser candidate to the b-squad interview team).

People, particularly partners and sr. associates at law firms are busy and have to cancel the interview. When that happens, they send an email to the junior associates so they can sub in at the last minute.

[sublime]

You're overthinking it. The senior had something come up and they or recruiting found whoever they could with like an hour notice.

[lolwat]

You're overthinking it. The senior had something come up and they or recruiting found whoever they could with like an hour notice.

This. Stuff comes up all the time especially for ppl that have more responsibilities. So that fact alone means nothing. Can't help you re the previous interviewer though. I think your final answer would have been okay if you were able to further explain it.

[Anonymous User]

I hadn't the opposite happen in a callback. I was supposed to meet with a 2nd year associate, but instead, with no explanation, met with counsel. Did I think this was because I was doing great so they decided I got someone more senior? No, obviously the associate couldn't get away and they found whoever had a half hour to spare.

Don't overthink it.

[Anonymous User]

You're 100% overthinking it. Also I would edit your post and take out the second half if you don't want to be outed. I'm in the practice area market so I know which firm you're referring to based on your description.

Word of advice just going forward, that particular practice group is pretty niche and you have to have a more compelling reason for being interested in a firm besides "you're strong in XX group." You need to mention why you're into that group in particular, especially when that particular practice area isn't really sensitive to rankings at all. Anyway, 100% overthinking the interview change and the interview itself. Deep breathe and move on.

[Anonymous User]

You're 100% overthinking it. Also I would edit your post and take out the second half if you don't want to be outed. I'm in the practice area market so I know which firm you're referring to based on your description.

Word of advice just going forward, that particular practice group is pretty niche and you have to have a more compelling reason for being interested in a firm besides "you're strong in XX group." You need to mention why you're into that group in particular, especially when that particular practice area isn't really sensitive to rankings at all. Anyway, 100% overthinking the interview change and the interview itself. Deep breathe and move on.

Thx! Edited