Switching markets after 2L Summer Forum
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Switching markets after 2L Summer
I'm looking to switch markets after my 2L summer, hopefully to NYC. I'm top 15% at a T10 with and have a 2L SA. I know its a struggle for everyone, but has anyone been in a similar position and have anecdotes/advice to share?
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Anonymous User
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Re: Switching markets after 2L Summer
Had some experience with this. Your number one goal is to get an offer from the firm you're at this summer, so focus on that.
Come August when you have your offer, you can start making progress. First, does your firm have an office in NYC? Express interest in starting there. This will be subject to their hiring needs, but it isn't the first time a rising 3L will have asked to switch. Some argue you should express this earlier than later. I think you risk annoying/offending people at the non-NYC office before you have your offer. I'm sure others would say better to let them know early on. Something you may have to feel out, unfortunately. Think about what you can say as to why you want to switch markets.
It is true 3L hiring isn't what it used to be, but it is still doable if you have a 2L SA and return offer. I applied via cold e-mails to firms I suspected were hiring, wrote a cover letter saying I had a return offer, but now wanted to switch markets. I got a phone call from one recruiter the next day. Lasted no more than two minutes, was mostly checking to confirm I had a return offer and explain the market switch. Scheduled me for a callback interview the following week. This is the reason getting your offer is the most important thing to do in the medium term -- without an offer, you can't ask to switch between current firm's offices, and most firms hiring 3Ls will think you're damaged goods, fair or not. Having said that, remember it is pretty easy to get a return offer (plenty of threads on that), so don't stress.
3L hiring isn't the one-stop shop that 2L hiring is. Some firms may interview for 3Ls on campus, but you'll need to complement that with cold e-mailing, checking your school's career site for firm postings, checking firm websites (K&E is good about posting what/where they are hiring; others are not), and asking law school classmates if they know if their firm is doing any supplemental hiring for incoming associates.
Best of luck.
Come August when you have your offer, you can start making progress. First, does your firm have an office in NYC? Express interest in starting there. This will be subject to their hiring needs, but it isn't the first time a rising 3L will have asked to switch. Some argue you should express this earlier than later. I think you risk annoying/offending people at the non-NYC office before you have your offer. I'm sure others would say better to let them know early on. Something you may have to feel out, unfortunately. Think about what you can say as to why you want to switch markets.
It is true 3L hiring isn't what it used to be, but it is still doable if you have a 2L SA and return offer. I applied via cold e-mails to firms I suspected were hiring, wrote a cover letter saying I had a return offer, but now wanted to switch markets. I got a phone call from one recruiter the next day. Lasted no more than two minutes, was mostly checking to confirm I had a return offer and explain the market switch. Scheduled me for a callback interview the following week. This is the reason getting your offer is the most important thing to do in the medium term -- without an offer, you can't ask to switch between current firm's offices, and most firms hiring 3Ls will think you're damaged goods, fair or not. Having said that, remember it is pretty easy to get a return offer (plenty of threads on that), so don't stress.
3L hiring isn't the one-stop shop that 2L hiring is. Some firms may interview for 3Ls on campus, but you'll need to complement that with cold e-mailing, checking your school's career site for firm postings, checking firm websites (K&E is good about posting what/where they are hiring; others are not), and asking law school classmates if they know if their firm is doing any supplemental hiring for incoming associates.
Best of luck.
