Lateral move not working out Forum

[roger8219]

Hi,

I moved across country to join a new group, and I'm finding it's not a good fit. Lots of personality conflicts--and the group is cliquish, leaving me on the outside. I got a signing bonus and relocation benefits, so I'd have to repay them if I left. Does this situation happen often? Any advice you could share?

Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

I lateralled from a small firm to a big firm. After about two months I realized it was a miserable place to work. I started looking for new jobs about 5 months in and left at 10 months. If I were you, I’d start looking and get an idea of the local market (if you want to stay there) you elsewhere. Financial considerations aside, if your concern is having new employers look down on why you’re leaving so fast, don’t. It might be harder to land an interview only having been at your job for less than a year, but once you’ve actually been invited to interview, your new potential employer is already accepting of that fact.

[Npret]

You need to try to fit in as best you can. I would try to sta a year, but start networking. Hopefully this is the market you want to stay in.

[dixiecup]

I'm sorry for this but it happens. You need to play out this bad hand, until the next hand is dealt in a year or two. Look for positives if you can.

[tier4_partner]

I was in this situation a few years back. Went from a mid-sized firm to a boutique. It was awful. Personality conflicts and just a general dislike of the way the firm worked. It was awful. After about 7 months I had lunch with my old boss and was invited back with a raise. A few years later I was promoted to partner (early for my firm’s normal track).

If you had a good relationship at your old firm and would consider relocating back - maybe talk to them. It’s less awkward than you think. If not, start to prepare for a search right at about the one year mark (even a bit sooner). If you have an otherwise good work history (ie one or less Post law school move), don’t feel like you have to stay longer than a year - it’s not worth your mental health.

Best of luck.

[Anonymous User]

I had a rough initial lateral (practice group was hyper busy when I interviewed, cratered a few months after I joined). I’m still at the same firm a few years later as things have turned around. But I did do a few interviews along the way, and I’ll say this:

1) A second (quick) lateral move is a lot harder than the first. Firms and people are really suspicious about multiple (or even one) jumps under 2 years at each firm. You can make it happen, but it’s difficult and more than a few will ding you immediately for it. Sometimes you’ll get interviews only to have a partner on your schedule who is dead set on saying no because of your movement.

2) Joining in and getting integrated can take time. The best time to do this was months ago, but make it a focus now. Even if you do try to move, it might not work out and the worst thing you can do is half-ass your current firm only to strike out on the interview market 6 months from now and be stuck in a much worse position.

[Anonymous User]

I would guess at least half of all lateral hires never really “stick”

Most firms under estimate how hard it is to slot someone in with less than perfectly aligned experience, and how frsutrating it can be for an experienced new hire to be asked to do things they have zero experience.

If you think it’s not a good fit, it probably isn’t. The good news is they probably won’t even think about firing you for 18 months.

I would start looking immediately. The market is pretty hot.