Laid Off, Can't Find Anything Forum

[Anonymous User]

Embarrassed, so anon. Laid off in Novembercorporate 3rd year (class of 2021) from an AmLaw firm in a non major market. Have have several good interviews (getting to the final stage three times) just to get turned away because they're looking for more experience. Pay ends at the end of this month, website time at the end of Feb. Can't just pack up and move because my fiance has a job here, we have a life here. What can I possibly do? I have irons in the fire, including in other cities, because I need a job. We need income.

I want to stay corporate, but understand I may need to switch ot up now. I don't care about staying AmLaw anymore, but small firms don't really want to train a corporate guy to do litigation. Any tips? Any leads? Any idea what JD preferred jobs I can get? Is taking a non-law job a death nail to my legal career?

[Anonymous User]

Can you share more credentials? Which market? Which school? Tier of the firm? The market if better than last year but still tough. You may want to relocate to a major market and go back after one or two years.

[crazywafflez]

I don't have much advice for you, but I'm really sorry about the situation. Have you looked at trying to go inhouse? You're right at the cusp of the right amount of time. It might be a slight pay cut, but it could be a could move lifestyle wise.

[Anonymous User]

Embarrassed, so anon. Laid off in Novembercorporate 3rd year (class of 2021) from an AmLaw firm in a non major market. Have have several good interviews (getting to the final stage three times) just to get turned away because they're looking for more experience. Pay ends at the end of this month, website time at the end of Feb. Can't just pack up and move because my fiance has a job here, we have a life here. What can I possibly do? I have irons in the fire, including in other cities, because I need a job. We need income.

I want to stay corporate, but understand I may need to switch ot up now. I don't care about staying AmLaw anymore, but small firms don't really want to train a corporate guy to do litigation. Any tips? Any leads? Any idea what JD preferred jobs I can get? Is taking a non-law job a death nail to my legal career?

Very sorry you're going through this. I had a friend in a similar spot. Really consider reaching out to a legal recruiter. They may be able to get you in somewhere quickly.

[hangtime813]

I'm sorry OP, this is a terrible situation to be in. The legal job market, especially in house it feels, has been feeling slow for awhile now. Keep applying broadly and widely as it may take some time to get a few bites.

[mvp99]

Just here to say it’s valid but no reason to be embarrassed hang in there you will be ok

[Anonymous User]

Hang in there. Ask for more website time. The worst they can say is no.

I would think hard about taking a non-lawyer job or a small firm job; it may put a ceiling over what you can do for a long time.

If there's a major market close enough for you to semi-commute to, or even to take a couple quick flights a week, really consider pounding the pavement there and trying pseudo-long distance just to keep an income while you continue applying in your preferred market.

[attorney589753]

Not your fault, tough market right now. Just going to echo what other folks said and keep your head up and keep applying. It only takes one. The fact that you already got to final stages of three means you're really close (it probably takes about 3-5 final stages on average, in my experience). I also agree with asking for more website time and looking at in-house positions (which are also slow). Can you get by on just your spouse's income or not?

[CanadianWolf]

Hang in there. Ask for more website time. The worst they can say is no.

I would think hard about taking a non-lawyer job or a small firm job; it may put a ceiling over what you can do for a long time.

If there's a major market close enough for you to semi-commute to, or even to take a couple quick flights a week, really consider pounding the pavement there and trying pseudo-long distance just to keep an income while you continue applying in your preferred market.

The above is reasonable advice.