Cold offer -- what's next? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I received a cold offer from my SA firm today. Very disappointed but will try moving on forward. I haven't told this to anyone--not even my family. I had already thought of switching markets due to a family reason so will spin on it if I get interviews in 3L hiring.

So...can I still tell the firms I have an offer from my SA? Should I tell my career counselor that I received a cold offer? I have a planned family trip for two weeks from next week. I will send as many as apps over this weekend but should I cancel this trip? When does 3L hiring usually move on? Any advice and encouragement will be appreciated. It is really a rough day for me.

[jlyyap]

I received a cold offer from my SA firm today. I had some conflicts with a senior in my group and think this was a reason. Very disappointed but will try moving on forward. I haven't told this to anyone--not even my family. I had already thought of switching markets due to a family reason so will spin on it if I get interviews in 3L hiring.

So...can I still tell the firms I have an offer from my SA? Should I tell my career counselor that I received a cold offer? I have a planned family trip for two weeks from next week. I will send as many as apps over this weekend but should I cancel this trip? When does 3L hiring usually move on? Any advice and encouragement will be appreciated. It is really a rough day for me.

Definitely tell the firms you have an offer! That's the whole point. Start mass mailing over the weekend (it's not too late; firms are bogged down by 2Ls) and hopefully you'll start getting some bites over the next two weeks, but I wouldn't be too optimistic; 3L hiring moves pretty slowly at first.

You got this! You're not the first person to be cold offered and you won't be the last.

[dabigchina]

1. Yes you can tell firms you have an offer with your summer firm. That is the point of a cold offer.
2. Yes you should tell your lawschool career people.
3. You should cancel this trip with your family. You need to have your head in the game for 3L OCI. Take a trip with them after you have an offer and you are 3LOLing.

[QContinuum]

The whole point of a "cold" offer is that it's a formal, official offer that you have the ability to accept. You are expected not to accept, but you can, technically, accept it. So, assuming the above accurately describes your situation, then absolutely you should note on your resume that an offer was extended.

[Anonymous User]

The whole point of a "cold" offer is that it's a formal, official offer that you have the ability to accept. You are expected not to accept, but you can, technically, accept it. So, assuming the above accurately describes your situation, then absolutely you should note on your resume that an offer was extended.

OP here, what a hiring partner basically told me was that I can tell my future employer I received an offer because the firm would not tell anyone if I received an offer or not. I am unsure if I will get a formal offer letter you described.

[CardozoLaw09]

The whole point of a "cold" offer is that it's a formal, official offer that you have the ability to accept. You are expected not to accept, but you can, technically, accept it. So, assuming the above accurately describes your situation, then absolutely you should note on your resume that an offer was extended.

OP here, what a hiring partner basically told me was that I can tell my future employer I received an offer because the firm would not tell anyone if I received an offer or not. I am unsure if I will get a formal offer letter you described.

I don't think QC said anything about an offer letter

[Barrred]

3. You should cancel this trip with your family.

This is bad advice. Go on the trip, come back refreshed and ready to hit the ground running with respect to the job search. You'll find something if you work hard/apply broadly enough.

[Tenzen]

The whole point of a "cold" offer is that it's a formal, official offer that you have the ability to accept. You are expected not to accept, but you can, technically, accept it. So, assuming the above accurately describes your situation, then absolutely you should note on your resume that an offer was extended.

OP here, what a hiring partner basically told me was that I can tell my future employer I received an offer because the firm would not tell anyone if I received an offer or not. I am unsure if I will get a formal offer letter you described.

I don't think QC said anything about an offer letter

This. You likely won't get an offer letter.

But keep in mind that you should apply to other firms (I agree with anon who says skip vacation - suffer now to be set for the rest of your life), and you can always email to accept the cold offer if you absolutely have no success. Aim for small - midlaw, biglaw too, but don't be arrogant about where you apply. Personally, I'd secure a small firm asap, then jump shit to midlaw, then biglaw as able. And yes, people will say you'll look bad. Just remember all the firms who readily fire people, readily rescind extended offers that have been accepted, etc. You don't own firms anything except effort when you get in the door.

[dabigchina]

3. You should cancel this trip with your family.

This is bad advice. Go on the trip, come back refreshed and ready to hit the ground running with respect to the job search. You'll find something if you work hard/apply broadly enough.

Ok, but 3L OCI is gearing up/has already started. Assuming OP's school has 3L OCI, he/she should be available to do those interviews.

[Anonymous User]

3. You should cancel this trip with your family.

This is bad advice. Go on the trip, come back refreshed and ready to hit the ground running with respect to the job search. You'll find something if you work hard/apply broadly enough.

Ok, but 3L OCI is gearing up/has already started. Assuming OP's school has 3L OCI, he/she should be available to do those interviews.

OP here, my school doesn't seem to have a 3L OCI although I need to double check with the CSO.

[Barrred]

3. You should cancel this trip with your family.

This is bad advice. Go on the trip, come back refreshed and ready to hit the ground running with respect to the job search. You'll find something if you work hard/apply broadly enough.

Ok, but 3L OCI is gearing up/has already started. Assuming OP's school has 3L OCI, he/she should be available to do those interviews.

I didn't think about that. My advice: Dont skip 3L OCI to go on vacation with your family, but dont skip vacation with your family just to sit at home and stew about your cold offer/google firms/mass mail (you can do all that when you get back, refreshed).