How many in-house applications to get an offer? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Corporate M&A rising 4th year looking to move in-house. Generally open in terms of salary because I'm just getting burnt out. I've been just applying to any decent openings I can find on LinkedIn. How many applications did it take for you to land an offer in your in-house search?

[Anonymous User]

Corporate M&A rising 4th year looking to move in-house. Generally open in terms of salary because I'm just getting burnt out. I've been just applying to any decent openings I can find on LinkedIn. How many applications did it take for you to land an offer in your in-house search?

When I was going from biglaw to in-house, I applied to two in-house jobs and got one offer, and likely would have gotten a second had I not withdrawn. However, keep in mind that I didn't just send applications into the void. In both cases, I had fairly high level inside connections I could work. My credentials were decent, but not sterling (above median T14, v100 biglaw).

Since then I have tested the market with a few random lateral in-house apps and have gotten much less traction. It was mostly just random linked in apps. I've gotten some follow-ups, but not even a formal interview at any. Frankly, I wasn't really looking to leave, and I think that level of engagement showed. I was also shooting for higher level positions for which companies were likely to be much more selective than the entry-level in-house jobs targeted at the 4-7th year associates- I'm sure I was competing with partners and others with more experience.

It's quality over quantity.

[Anonymous User]

Corporate M&A rising 4th year looking to move in-house. Generally open in terms of salary because I'm just getting burnt out. I've been just applying to any decent openings I can find on LinkedIn. How many applications did it take for you to land an offer in your in-house search?

When I was going from biglaw to in-house, I applied to two in-house jobs and got one offer, and likely would have gotten a second had I not withdrawn. However, keep in mind that I didn't just send applications into the void. In both cases, I had fairly high level inside connections I could work. My credentials were decent, but not sterling (above median T14, v100 biglaw).

Since then I have tested the market with a few random lateral in-house apps and have gotten much less traction. It was mostly just random linked in apps. I've gotten some follow-ups, but not even a formal interview at any. Frankly, I wasn't really looking to leave, and I think that level of engagement showed. I was also shooting for higher level positions for which companies were likely to be much more selective than the entry-level in-house jobs targeted at the 4-7th year associates- I'm sure I was competing with partners and others with more experience.

It's quality over quantity.

Do you feel like you went in-house too early?

Like OP, I'm also a rising fourth year in M&A likely making the jump soon (to a tech company), and my largest concern is years down the line I won't be able to lateral into another in-house position (ideally a larger tech company). It seems to be a common refrain on TLS about not going in-house too early. But then when I look at job postings that often require 8+ years experience, there's a lot of specific experience I'm frankly never going to get in my current position, so it seems like it would be an advantage to have both experiences.

OP - FWIW, I applied to about 10ish positions, 2 interviews, 1 offer. The only ones I got traction on are where I spent a fair amount of time tailoring my cover letter to mirror the job posting.

[Anonymous User]

That depends on a number of factors. How strong are your credentials? Are you at the upper end of their job requirements? Do you have industry-specific experience? Is the job in your geographic area?

At the end of the day, the number of offers isn't really a product of how many applications you sent out (i.e., don't expect X number of interviews per Y applications). Its better to think of this in a more targeted and tailored way. Also, keep in mind that the process can take awhile, even for the most qualified candidates. My process took over 6 months from first application to offer. So if its only been a little while, don't get discouraged.

I sent out around 20 applications, but there were only 3 jobs that I really wanted, and which were perfect matches for me. And of those 3, I ended up with 2 offers (that came on the same day). I could have sent out 20 more random applications, and the end result would likely have been the same. I agree with those who said its about quality of your applications, not quantity. Though casting a wider net can't hurt, if you still put in the work to make your application strong.

[Anonymous User]

Corporate M&A rising 4th year looking to move in-house. Generally open in terms of salary because I'm just getting burnt out. I've been just applying to any decent openings I can find on LinkedIn. How many applications did it take for you to land an offer in your in-house search?

When I was going from biglaw to in-house, I applied to two in-house jobs and got one offer, and likely would have gotten a second had I not withdrawn. However, keep in mind that I didn't just send applications into the void. In both cases, I had fairly high level inside connections I could work. My credentials were decent, but not sterling (above median T14, v100 biglaw).

Since then I have tested the market with a few random lateral in-house apps and have gotten much less traction. It was mostly just random linked in apps. I've gotten some follow-ups, but not even a formal interview at any. Frankly, I wasn't really looking to leave, and I think that level of engagement showed. I was also shooting for higher level positions for which companies were likely to be much more selective than the entry-level in-house jobs targeted at the 4-7th year associates- I'm sure I was competing with partners and others with more experience.

It's quality over quantity.

Do you feel like you went in-house too early?

Like OP, I'm also a rising fourth year in M&A likely making the jump soon (to a tech company), and my largest concern is years down the line I won't be able to lateral into another in-house position (ideally a larger tech company). It seems to be a common refrain on TLS about not going in-house too early. But then when I look at job postings that often require 8+ years experience, there's a lot of specific experience I'm frankly never going to get in my current position, so it seems like it would be an advantage to have both experiences.

OP - FWIW, I applied to about 10ish positions, 2 interviews, 1 offer. The only ones I got traction on are where I spent a fair amount of time tailoring my cover letter to mirror the job posting.

It was the right time for me. I had to move cities anyways, and I think I was better served making the in-house move rather than jumping to a different biglaw firm (and then in-house). I don't think more time in biglaw would have helped me go in-house or gotten me into a better position in-house. In some ways it would have gotten more difficult as the number of in-house openings in my field commensurate with a biglaw partner is pretty tiny. Being a senior associate instead of a midlevel wouldn't have changed the available roles at all.

I'm a SME, which provides a natural ceiling to my advancement unless I transition to a generalist role or go to a larger company, so YMMV if you are a general M&A type. My applications were to larger companies (Fortune 50 instead of Fortune 500) where being the top SME required a bit more prominence in the field. Perhaps my expertise would have gotten deeper with more time in biglaw, but it wouldn't have had the breadth I need for in-house. I have outside counsel when I need depth.

[Anonymous User]

This is very dependent on your practice area and experience. I'm in a niche area and I wasn't even looking, but was approached by a GC of a client about coming to work for them and ended up making the move. That said, while this process was going on I applied to 3 other similar roles, and got offers at 2 and withdrew my candidacy at the other one. I'm in a very hot practice are and was at an elite firm in the space, but I fully expect my experience is not the norm.

[Anonymous User]

I applied for three or four in house positions in one weekend and came away w one offer. I know I was lucky. I regularly check LinkedIn just to see what would be out there if I reached my breaking point x months/years later. The cupboard is totally bare for my practice area. Thank goodness I ran out of steam when I did.

On leaving too early vs too late, one of the places I interviewed at, which was looking for someone with three to five yrs of exp, told me they were receiving apps from people with two or three times that on their resume. Maybe I left some money on the table by leaving early but holy crap would I not want to get trapped in biglaw as a super senior associate.

[Anonymous User]

On leaving too early vs too late, one of the places I interviewed at, which was looking for someone with three to five yrs of exp, told me they were receiving apps from people with two or three times that on their resume. Maybe I left some money on the table by leaving early but holy crap would I not want to get trapped in biglaw as a super senior associate.

I have spent some time thinking about this too, as I look ahead into my career. There is definitely a trade-off there. I will take the money though. Savings wise, each year in Biglaw is like 2+ years in other jobs and this can add up quickly as we all know, even before we factor in compound interest.

[Anonymous User]

On leaving too early vs too late, one of the places I interviewed at, which was looking for someone with three to five yrs of exp, told me they were receiving apps from people with two or three times that on their resume. Maybe I left some money on the table by leaving early but holy crap would I not want to get trapped in biglaw as a super senior associate.

I have spent some time thinking about this too, as I look ahead into my career. There is definitely a trade-off there. I will take the money though. Savings wise, each year in Biglaw is like 2+ years in other jobs and this can add up quickly as we all know, even before we factor in compound interest.

I wouldn't necessarily assume you'll save that much more in biglaw over in-house. My in-house gig actually helped with savings vs biglaw a lot because I have a cash balance pension, 401k match, and company RSUs that collectively add about $75k-100k a year to my savings. In biglaw, it's all cash up-front, so it can be a little bit difficult psychologically to save vs having significant forced savings as part of your benefits package.

[Anonymous User]

On leaving too early vs too late, one of the places I interviewed at, which was looking for someone with three to five yrs of exp, told me they were receiving apps from people with two or three times that on their resume. Maybe I left some money on the table by leaving early but holy crap would I not want to get trapped in biglaw as a super senior associate.

I have spent some time thinking about this too, as I look ahead into my career. There is definitely a trade-off there. I will take the money though. Savings wise, each year in Biglaw is like 2+ years in other jobs and this can add up quickly as we all know, even before we factor in compound interest.

I wouldn't necessarily assume you'll save that much more in biglaw over in-house. My in-house gig actually helped with savings vs biglaw a lot because I have a cash balance pension, 401k match, and company RSUs that collectively add about $75k-100k a year to my savings. In biglaw, it's all cash up-front, so it can be a little bit difficult psychologically to save vs having significant forced savings as part of your benefits package.

This is a good point that should not be overlooked. If you can constrain spending to live on the in-house salary, the RSUs can turn out to be a windfall, if you join the right company.