Gunderson? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have an upcoming interview for a mid level position at the firm.

A few things I wanted to ask:

1) should I wear a suit to the interview? I know it’s more laid back but I just always feel like a suit is necessary for an interview.

2) partnership prospects. I’ll be on the lower end of mid level associate, but I was wondering what partnership prospects are like.

3) any financial information available anywhere? The firm clearly makes more than many of the AmLaw 200 firms (would definitely need to to pay market salary and bonus). Does anyone know what RPL, PPP, etc. are? I’m just not sure how profitable working with early stage start-ups is and wanted to see if there are consistent financials that show that the firm won’t go belly-up if a recession hits.

4) how are the benefits?

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Wear a suit.

[Anonymous User]

I have an upcoming interview for a mid level position at the firm.

A few things I wanted to ask:

1) should I wear a suit to the interview? I know it’s more laid back but I just always feel like a suit is necessary for an interview.

2) partnership prospects. I’ll be on the lower end of mid level associate, but I was wondering what partnership prospects are like.

3) any financial information available anywhere? The firm clearly makes more than many of the AmLaw 200 firms (would definitely need to to pay market salary and bonus). Does anyone know what RPL, PPP, etc. are? I’m just not sure how profitable working with early stage start-ups is and wanted to see if there are consistent financials that show that the firm won’t go belly-up if a recession hits.

4) how are the benefits?

Anon because I work at Gunderson.

1. Better to not wear a suit, but if you don't have something professional/comfortable (think sportcoat) that you KNOW you look good in (i.e. something that will give you a confidence boost in the interview), wearing a suit won't be held against you. Don't waste energy overthinking this one.

2. As good as anywhere else? The firm does put emphasis on building client relationships and bringing in independent business starting as a midlevel, so success on that front becomes a major consideration in partnership promotion decisions.

3. Not really, and I believe that's intentional. Business is good but be mindful of the possible lack of countercyclical practice areas (not that anyone knows what cycle VC/EC follows in the first place) and come to your own conclusions.

4. Pretty standard as far as I can tell. There's a movement to improve associate benefits, but that might just be reactive to a broader trend across law firms.

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Wear a suit.

I stand corrected?

[SFSpartan]

Agree that it's better not to wear a suit, particularly if it will make you feel uncomfortable.

When I lateraled earlier this year, I listened to my recruiter and wore suits to 2 of the 3 callbacks I had with Gunderson's peer firms. At both firms to which I wore a suit, people commented on it (with a negative connotation). I ended up receiving an offer from the firm I didn't wear a suit to, so make of that what you will.

[BeeTeeZ]

Dinging someone for wearing a suit to an interview is lunacy. Sounds like some sandals-with-socks wearing hippie bullshit to me.

[SFSpartan]

Dinging someone for wearing a suit to an interview is lunacy. Sounds like some sandals-with-socks wearing hippie bullshit to me.

To be fair, I don't think they dinged me because I wore a suit. At one of the interviews, I was super uncomfortable because I was wearing the suit, and interviewed poorly as a result. Bottom line - if OP is comfortable sans suit and decides not to wear one, nobody at the big SV firms is going to notice or care.

[Anonymous User]

I wore a suit when I interviewed to lateral at Gunderson. It didn’t move the needle.

I’ve also interviewed at places that were super casual. Still wore a suit and in some cases was told by insiders that I should definitely wear a suit.

I’ve also been ribbed (but still got the offer) when I dressed “down” and just wore a blazer with an otherwise casual outfit.

I agree that getting dinged because you’re wearing a suit is lunacy and unlikely. At the end of the day dressing more casual is more risky that dressing up.

[Anonymous User]

Have interviewed at Gunderson for a lateral position and with a number of Gunderson's peer firms in SV/SF. Wore a full suit and tie to each, got snarky remarks but were always in spirit of good fun (insomuch as you can have that within the stress of an interview context). People realize it's an awkward position to be in re: not wearing the typical attire of the office but not wanting to be seen as non-serious/informal and don't really hold it against you. Didn't stop me from getting offers. Unless you're directly told otherwise, I'd wear a suit and tie and roll with the jokes made at your expense.

[RedGiant]

I have an upcoming interview for a mid level position at the firm.

A few things I wanted to ask:
---
2) partnership prospects. I’ll be on the lower end of mid level associate, but I was wondering what partnership prospects are like....

If you're a woman, your partnerships prospects are either excellent because they have very few female partners, or nil, because they have very few female partners. Either way, bro culture at GD is real.