Should I attend CB? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Considering a lateral move. Working in DC, considered a move to NY. The more I think about it, I really don't think I want to be in NY, but my video interview went really well earlier this week, and they want me to come in to meet more people. I said I was very interested during the interview, but now I'm thinking I'm not.

I was seriously considering the move when I put feelers out in the market, and it seems like it would be a great place to work for many reasons.

That said, will it be a bad career move if I say I'm no longer interested (so as to not waste the firm's money paying for my train and people's time interviewing me)? I'm just concerned it might be seen as disingenuous and they'll think I was lying in the interview and have a bad perception about me. Or, do I just go anyway and maybe they'll sell me on how great the move would be?

[Anonymous User]

I’m in a very similar position. Maybe we’re interviewing for the same job! I accepted the callback and they already set it up but now I’m having second thoughts.

I think another reason I’m a bit anxious is that someone at work may find out I’m interviewing and I’ll be in an awkward position, especially given the fact that I don’t think I want to leave anymore.

For me, I’ve planned the flight and hotel already, so I decided to just risk it. I don’t think they’ll be able to sell me on NY, but who knows. I work in a very small practice, and the partners at my firm and the firm I’m interviewing at know each other, and I feel like if I cancel my interview, that wouldn’t go over well.

[Anonymous User]

I’m in a very similar position. Maybe we’re interviewing for the same job! I accepted the callback and they already set it up but now I’m having second thoughts.

I think another reason I’m a bit anxious is that someone at work may find out I’m interviewing and I’ll be in an awkward position, especially given the fact that I don’t think I want to leave anymore.

For me, I’ve planned the flight and hotel already, so I decided to just risk it. I don’t think they’ll be able to sell me on NY, but who knows. I work in a very small practice, and the partners at my firm and the firm I’m interviewing at know each other, and I feel like if I cancel my interview, that wouldn’t go over well.

Do you know if you land an offer at this place (even if you don't want it), if you could use it to negotiate with your current firm? I'm at a biglaw firm, but paid below my class year (due to hours issue a couple years ago). If I landed an offer elsewhere, could I use it to bargain with my current firm to bring me up to market, or does that run the risk of my current firm saying just take the other offer and leave?

[Anonymous User]

bump.

[Anonymous User]

I personally wouldn’t do the callback if I were you. New York is a lot to handle and DC is such a great place to live and a more difficult market to break into. What if you end up hating NY? Not sure if you’ll have the luxury of moving back to DC,

I’m assuming you’re at Mayer Brown because they pull that whole class year BS. Mayer Brown is a great firm, though, so probably not worth it unless you’re dead set on going to NY.

Random question that may change things - is it corporate/lit or a niche practice?

[Anonymous User]

I personally wouldn’t do the callback if I were you. New York is a lot to handle and DC is such a great place to live and a more difficult market to break into. What if you end up hating NY? Not sure if you’ll have the luxury of moving back to DC,

I’m assuming you’re at Mayer Brown because they pull that whole class year BS. Mayer Brown is a great firm, though, so probably not worth it unless you’re dead set on going to NY.

Random question that may change things - is it corporate/lit or a niche practice?

Corporate. It's just difficult to not feel undervalued/appreciated at my current firm, since my "classmates" are paid more than I am (even though I'm still well compensated and can generally afford the things I need/want, it's still just a kick to the groin). And I'm actually not 1 class year behind, my salary was essentially frozen until my next review. So, I'd immediately be getting a ~$20k salary bump, plus if my next review doesn't go well in my current spot, a year from now the difference in pay could be $35-45k (not factoring in bonuses and assuming I'm not shown the door here eventually anyway). But, obviously the COL is a bit higher in NY.

Also, are signing bonuses typical for all class years, or is it usually just the senior associates, or how does that work>

[BulletTooth]

Considering a lateral move. Working in DC, considered a move to NY. The more I think about it, I really don't think I want to be in NY, but my video interview went really well earlier this week, and they want me to come in to meet more people. I said I was very interested during the interview, but now I'm thinking I'm not.

I was seriously considering the move when I put feelers out in the market, and it seems like it would be a great place to work for many reasons.

That said, will it be a bad career move if I say I'm no longer interested (so as to not waste the firm's money paying for my train and people's time interviewing me)? I'm just concerned it might be seen as disingenuous and they'll think I was lying in the interview and have a bad perception about me. Or, do I just go anyway and maybe they'll sell me on how great the move would be?

If you don't want to be in NYC, decline the CB. It may be a little awkward to decline the CB, but it won't look nearly as bad as you declining an offer after doing the callback (and presumably reaffirming your interest in NYC). And if the firm wants to hire you, it is going to everything to sell you on NYC, so it very well may be able to sell you on how great the move would be. But if you're hesitant to move to NYC now, I would stick with your gut instinct on that. If you prefer DC right now, after you've considered your options, it might not make much sense to let a firm "sell you" on NYC.