Lying about competing offer? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi guys. I am in the process of lateral interviews (big law) and have finished final round of callback interviews for a firm I am very interested in two weeks ago. For very personal reasons, I HAVE to make a decision on where I'll be going by start of May. While I don't have any other offers yet, given my tight time frame, I was wondering if I could possibly fib to this firm I've just finished interviewing with that I have an outstanding offer I need to respond to put some pressure and get a response from them. I know this puts my fate with this firm in a little jeopardy, but if I don't get a response soon, I won't be able to take it anyway, so I'm figuring as a last resort, why not? For what it's worth, I felt pretty good about the interview, and I'd say I have a decent shot that I could get it. I'm really only planning on using this as a last resort, but what are people's thoughts?

[Lawworld19]

I wouldn't do it. I am all for leveraging and I would say I am for sure not the pillar of ethics, but I'd just be honest and bold. After all my interviews I tried to keep them accountable from when I would be hearing from them next. I'd never just lay down and let them dictate everything. I'd write them after the interview thanking them for their time and I asked when I could expect to hear something. Just stay on them.

[albanach]

Is your purely personal reason one you can share with the firm? If it is, why not just be honest with them?

[Anonymous User]

Don't lie.

If the very personal reason in fact imposes a deadline on you, then explain that. The only reason exploding offers work is because they impose credible deadlines. They're not the only source of credible deadlines. The firm that receives your explanation can either respect your explanation or not. Chances are, if they want to hire you, they'll respect your credible deadline.

But don't lie.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thank you for the comments. The personal reason I have is not something I want to share with the firm because it will raise more questions than answers (which, on the other side of the fence, I know will work itself out, but I feel from an outsider's perspective, just raise red flags). That is why I'm thinking about this as a very last resort. I would hate to lose this opportunity just because I found out about it a week later.

[Anonymous User]

Non-standard opinion, lying about the competing offers is the move needed in several situations. It is the equivalent of a hail-mary, there is some added risk, but when you got 2 minutes left to go in the fourth, it is the move you have. Go for it, I know people who got offers *smartly* playing this card.

[truevines]

Don't lie.

If you lie about having a competing offer, the HR may ask about the competing offer. The HR likely knows someone at the firm you claim to have an offer from. This is highly likely, if both firms are in the same market. He/she may simply email his/her friend about your competiting offer. This is a very small world -- people know people - especially those working in BigLaw or firms in the same market. Don't jeopardize your career with lies.

Further, the firm could simply tell you that they can't rush the hiring process and that you should take on the imaginary competing offer....

[northwood]

Don’t lie . Your reputation is at stake and is what really matters.

[chem]

Don’t lie . Your reputation is at stake and is what really matters.

+1

[Anonymous User]

If the personal reason is legitimate but TIM/too awkward for a professional environment, could you frame it in a way that isn't, or just tell the firm that you have some personal circumstances requiring you to make a decision? I wouldn't like about a competing offer for sure. I find it more acceptable to fudge the personal details of why you need to make a decision within a certain time frame and for your intents and purposes, it is an exploding offer situation.

[Anonymous User]

You'd be in a bad position if they said ''Which firm are you considering?'' 'Uh.. I don't want to say...'' ''Okay..''

Just ask for an update on where they are in the process and when you can expect to hear back. Still a long time until May

[Anonymous User]

You'd be in a bad position if they said ''Which firm are you considering?'' 'Uh.. I don't want to say...'' ''Okay..''

Just ask for an update on where they are in the process and when you can expect to hear back. Still a long time until May

I'm scared of this exact thing. A Firm recently asked me if I have any outstanding offers. I said no, but then lied and said I actually have three interviews coming up. Thank God that he didnt ask a follow up question!