Can I interpret this as a cold offer? Forum

[Anonymous User]

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[esther0123]

It sounds like a no offer with the firm being kind about not ratting you out to future employers. I'm not sure what more there is go back and clarify.

[cheaptilts]

They’re just letting you know that they will only confirm dates of your employment and will not disclose to other putative employees whether you received an offer from the firm—just like they said. To me, the “no offer” seems clear and standard.

Whether you choose to tell employees that you received an offer (even though you didn’t) is totally up to you. I personally wouldn’t lie, but I certainly
understand the pressure to do so. I’m sorry you were no-offered.

[smokeylarue]

Sorry this happened. A lot of times when people say "cold offer" here, it's really a no offer with the firm letting you tell other firms you can say you were offered. Very rare to see an actual "cold offer" where they say "we really don't want you back, but we're going to offer you anyway".

Anyway, you should out the firm and office because it sounds no one should be attempting to start a career there.

[Dcc617]

Anyway, you should out the firm and office because it sounds no one should be attempting to start a career there.

Do not do this.

[jimmythecatdied6]

i don't think you can "interpret" it as an offer, so no, I would not represent it as much.

[cheaptilts]

Sorry this happened. A lot of times when people say "cold offer" here, it's really a no offer with the firm letting you tell other firms you can say you were offered. Very rare to see an actual "cold offer" where they say "we really don't want you back, but we're going to offer you anyway".

Anyway, you should out the firm and office because it sounds no one should be attempting to start a career there.

For the record, I’ve only ever heard of “cold offers” being done this way, especially at the traditionally 100% shops.

And I don’t think I agree that many posters tend to mix up Cold offers with no offers on TLS. One scenario literally results in no job. The other just results in you winding up in a different practice group/being told you would fit better elsewhere. Happens all the time.

[cheaptilts]

Anyway, you should out the firm and office because it sounds no one should be attempting to start a career there.

Do not do this.

Yes, you also shouldn’t do this.

[QContinuum]

Sorry this happened. A lot of times when people say "cold offer" here, it's really a no offer with the firm letting you tell other firms you can say you were offered. Very rare to see an actual "cold offer" where they say "we really don't want you back, but we're going to offer you anyway".

Anyway, you should out the firm and office because it sounds no one should be attempting to start a career there.

For the record, I’ve only ever heard of “cold offers” being done this way, especially at the traditionally 100% shops.

And I don’t think I agree that many posters tend to mix up Cold offers with no offers on TLS. One scenario literally results in no job. The other just results in you winding up in a different practice group/being told you would fit better elsewhere. Happens all the time.

That's a more "liberal" definition of a "cold offer" than I've heard before. It's hardly uncommon for SAs to not wind up in their preferred practice group when they return. I don't think it's accurate to characterize all of those SAs as having been "cold offered." More just that practice group needs outweighed their practice group preference.

My view of a "cold offer" is one where a SA is told they are receiving an offer, but are strongly advised to decline it/look elsewhere. There could even be an express statement along the lines of the firm "not expecting" the SA to accept the offer.

[cheaptilts]

Sorry this happened. A lot of times when people say "cold offer" here, it's really a no offer with the firm letting you tell other firms you can say you were offered. Very rare to see an actual "cold offer" where they say "we really don't want you back, but we're going to offer you anyway".

Anyway, you should out the firm and office because it sounds no one should be attempting to start a career there.

For the record, I’ve only ever heard of “cold offers” being done this way, especially at the traditionally 100% shops.

And I don’t think I agree that many posters tend to mix up Cold offers with no offers on TLS. One scenario literally results in no job. The other just results in you winding up in a different practice group/being told you would fit better elsewhere. Happens all the time.

That's a more "liberal" definition of a "cold offer" than I've heard before. It's hardly uncommon for SAs to not wind up in their preferred practice group when they return. I don't think it's accurate to characterize all of those SAs as having been "cold offered." More just that practice group needs outweighed their practice group preference.

My view of a "cold offer" is one where a SA is told they are receiving an offer, but are strongly advised to decline it/look elsewhere. There could even be an express statement along the lines of the firm "not expecting" the SA to accept the offer.

For the record, I didn’t say that every time a person is put into a different practice group it’s because they were no offered. Every time (in real life, not anonymous tls stories) I’ve heard of cold offers, they’ve either been (1) situations where you’re given an offer later than everyone else, your work product and/or personality is critiqued, and you’re told that you may fit in better at another firm; or (2) all of the aforementioned PLUS they tell you that you’re not getting your desired practice group.

[esther0123]

To chime in on the distinction between a cold offer and a no offer, based on my understanding, is that you can actually accept a cold offer and return to the firm. It just means you'll likely be treated very poorly (e.g. won't get your choice department or a team, will be put on terrible assignments or get no assignment at all, will be clear that the firm does not welcome you) and the firm expects and wants you to leave soon. Upon giving out a "cold offer", the firm will make clear that it does not want or expect you to accept. However, to reiterate, you can accept.

On the other hand, for a no offer, there is no offer to accept and you have no offer of employment.

[cheaptilts]

To chime in on the distinction between a cold offer and a no offer, based on my understanding, is that you can actually accept a cold offer and return to the firm. It just means you'll likely be treated very poorly (e.g. won't get your choice department or a team, will be put on terrible assignments or get no assignment at all, will be clear that the firm does not welcome you) and the firm expects and wants you to leave soon. Upon giving out a "cold offer", the firm will make clear that it does not want or expect you to accept. However, to reiterate, you can accept.

On the other hand, for a no offer, there is no offer to accept and you have no offer of employment.

My thoughts exactly when stating “One scenario literally results in no job. The other just results in you winding up in a different practice group/being told you would fit better elsewhere.”

OP’s situation is a very straightforward no-offer.