How to switch practices when lateraling? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I’ve met a few people who have been able to switch practice groups and lateral. How does one go about doing this? I’m in tax and would like to go to a general corporate practice at a different firm (our corporate team isn’t the greatest). I’m still fairly junior so I don’t mind starting over, but I just don’t know how to go about convincing someone I want to change practice groups.

Do people use recruiters in this instance?

[s1m4]

I’ve met a few people who have been able to switch practice groups and lateral. How does one go about doing this? I’m in tax and would like to go to a general corporate practice at a different firm (our corporate team isn’t the greatest). I’m still fairly junior so I don’t mind starting over, but I just don’t know how to go about convincing someone I want to change practice groups.

Do people use recruiters in this instance?

Since you are fairly junior, can you try to spin your resume / cover letter saying that you have seen a lot of transactions while working on tax-related reps, and understand the general purchase agreement / deal structure? I don't think it would be too difficult to transfer; I'm not sure whether a recruiter would provide any extra benefit other than help look for you if you are too busy to do so yourself.

[redsox550]

You basically spin your experience saying you are a tax guy but are involved in corporate work and worked on some or assisted on some. You get lucky and find a firm that needs a corporate guy immediately and you come off as smart and hardworking etc.

[dabigchina]

OP: do you mind PMing me?

[Anonymous User]

I am a junior associate and just switched practice groups from tax to corporate. In fact, I start at my new firm on Monday.

I applied to junior corporate positions without a recruiter. I highlighted my transaction experience on my application materials and explained in my interview why I wanted to get away from tax. Like Redsox550 said, the group was in immediate need of an associate and I was a warm body to fill the seat.

Let me know if you have any other questions about my transition.

[Anonymous User]

I am a junior associate and just switched practice groups from tax to corporate. In fact, I start at my new firm on Monday.

I applied to junior corporate positions without a recruiter. I highlighted my transaction experience on my application materials and explained in my interview why I wanted to get away from tax. Like Redsox550 said, the group was in immediate need of an associate and I was a warm body to fill the seat.

Let me know if you have any other questions about my transition.

What were the years of experience they were looking for? How many years did you practice as a tax associate?

I think the one thing that I am worried about is that I haven’t been at my current job that long and I had previously applied to some of these firms for their tax associate position. So I’m just wondering if they’ll write me off from the getgo if they see that I previously applied

[Anonymous User]

OP: do you mind PMing me?

I will pm you when I can!

[dabigchina]

OP: do you mind PMing me?

I will pm you when I can!

Thanks! thinking about the same decision and would love to trade notes...

[Anonymous User]

I am a junior associate and just switched practice groups from tax to corporate. In fact, I start at my new firm on Monday.

I applied to junior corporate positions without a recruiter. I highlighted my transaction experience on my application materials and explained in my interview why I wanted to get away from tax. Like Redsox550 said, the group was in immediate need of an associate and I was a warm body to fill the seat.

Let me know if you have any other questions about my transition.

What were the years of experience they were looking for? How many years did you practice as a tax associate?

I think the one thing that I am worried about is that I haven’t been at my current job that long and I had previously applied to some of these firms for their tax associate position. So I’m just wondering if they’ll write me off from the getgo if they see that I previously applied

They were looking for someone with 1-3 years corporate experience, I had 6 months of tax experience. I would be concerned about having previously applied for a tax role and now applying for a different group, but you don't have anything to lose unless you are still holding out hope that they offer you a tax position.