Soft Offer Rescinded/Delayed - Please help! Forum

[Anonymous User]

So here is the deal: I had three rounds of interviews with a AmLaw 100 firm for a mid-level associate position. Earlier this week I got a text from my recruiter that said she talked to the firm's recruiter and they said the firm would be extending me an offer the next day. However, the next afternoon my recruiter called me to tell me that the firm's recruiter contacted her to let her know that they would not be sending over the offer that day beause a Judge called a partner at the firm and asked them to interview someone for the position. The firm's recruiter said that they would fast-track the interview to try to get me an answer next week. My recruiter said she thought it was just a "courtesy interview" but also said that she would start looking at other firms for me. How worried should I be?? This process has been torture and I am in full panic-mode now.

I am coming from the government and am not super familiar with how these things work. Can someone please explain what a courtesy interview is and whether I should be concerned. I am really worried that I will not get the job now. Please help!!

[Anonymous User]

You never have a job until you have an offer.

Relax. There are other jobs out there. If this doesn't work out, at least you know it wasn't you.

[Anonymous User]

You never have a job until you have an offer.

Relax. There are other jobs out there. If this doesn't work out, at least you know it wasn't you.

OP here. Yes, I do understand that there is no agreement until you get the actual offer. I was just hoping someone with more experience could offer some insight on what a "courtesty interview" is. Thanks.

[TigerIsBack]

You never have a job until you have an offer.

Relax. There are other jobs out there. If this doesn't work out, at least you know it wasn't you.

OP here. Yes, I do understand that there is no agreement until you get the actual offer. I was just hoping someone with more experience could offer some insight on what a "courtesty interview" is. Thanks.

A courtesy interview is the fact that they're willing to interview this candidate solely because this judge recommended the person. They may be a great candidate, or they may be a horrible candidate.

[nixy]

Yes, the interview is done as a courtesy to the judge regardless of the candidate.

The problem is if the candidate is good and they’d like to keep the judge happy by hiring them.

[hdr]

This happens all the time with clients. If a client recommends someone, the firm will interview them as a courtesy, even if they don't have the right credentials or experience. Rejecting them outright would be seen as rude and disrespectful.

You should keep looking for jobs until you have an offer. It's possible the firm will decide to hire the other candidate instead; don't take the recruiter's word that it's a courtesy interview.

[Anonymous User]

How is it not a conflict/ethics issue for the judge?

[nixy]

How is it not a conflict/ethics issue for the judge?

The firm that’s interviewing the candidate doesn’t appear before that judge, maybe?

But it’s true that many judges won’t do this out of ethics concerns.

[Anonymous User]

How is it not a conflict/ethics issue for the judge?

The firm that’s interviewing the candidate doesn’t appear before that judge, maybe?

But it’s true that many judges won’t do this out of ethics concerns.

An acquaintance of mine clerked for a fed. judge in a top district court. The judge got the guy an interview at the USAO for the district (that appeared before him daily) and then when the USAO rejected him the judge called the USAO and told them that they were wrong, and in fact they would be hiring the guy. The guy got hired and ended up being a chief. So basically this happens, and OP shouldn't think a "courtesy interview" means that the judge's candidate won't get the job over him/her.

[bokampers]

Sucks that they yanked it out from under you after needlessly getting your hopes up. But no one here can really tell you what will happen — you may get it anyway, or you may not due to internal politics. Just have to wait and see. Take solace in the fact that either way it is not about an issue with your candidacy. And in the meantime, keep applying/interviewing elsewhere.