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Likelihood of offer after callback
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 4:13 pm
by aurelian
Hi all, I am interviewing with a firm as a lateral and I did not have a screener at this firm, only a callback. What is the likelihood of getting an offer from the firm after the interview? Know that this generally changes from firm-to-firm but ballpark numbers?
Re: Likelihood of offer after callback
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 4:29 pm
by nealric
aurelian wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2024 4:13 pm
Hi all, I am interviewing with a firm as a lateral and I did not have a screener at this firm, only a callback. What is the likelihood of getting an offer from the firm after the interview? Know that this generally changes from firm-to-firm but ballpark numbers?
I don't think anybody can really answer the question definitively.
Many factors can influence the likelihood for laterals. For example: Is this a publicly listed opening? Recruiter arranged? Friend invite? What's your seniority? Is the firm desperate to hire now or are they uncertain of whether they want to add someone? How specialized is your practice area? How large is the office? Growing office or stable? Etc, etc.
You probably have better insight than any random on the internet. But I will say that firms rarely waste time with callbacks if there isn't a real shot they are going to hire the person. The things that might keep you from getting the offer are: 1) after talking to you they realize your experience isn't a fit, 2) personality conflict, 3) there's a stronger candidate, or 4) they just decide they don't need to add a lateral and/or need someone of a different seniority level.
This isn't like 2L hiring where they are definitely hiring a certain number of people and the candidates are mostly interchangeable. They are looking for someone who can hit the ground running (billing) within their practice. If after talking to them, that seems to be the case, then your odds are good. However, I had experiences where I did a callback and they decided not to hire anybody or delayed the decision for months because they were uncertain if they could support another associate. Good laterals who can hit their hours are very profitable for firms, but they also don't want to risk hiring someone they won't keep busy.