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Title says it all. I am looking to make a cross country move after bonuses are paid out. I am only interested in lateraling to a big law shop. When is the ideal time to begin applying?

Yesterday. These sorts of positions are already being given out.

Anonymous User wrote:Yesterday. These sorts of positions are already being given out.

Really? I feel like there are so many fewer headhunter calls at this time of year than in December/January

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Yesterday. These sorts of positions are already being given out.

Really? I feel like there are so many fewer headhunter calls at this time of year than in December/January

A lot of that is headhunters going for low-hanging fruit. They know that associates will wait until they actually get their bonus to start looking for jobs. But in reality you can be interviewing for post-bonus jobs now, and firms have already started giving out those offers. It never hurts to be on the early side of things. Postings also tend to start quieter, looking low-key for high quality associates, before then being blasted out by the volume recruiters later on.

Of course, I think it depends which types of jobs you're looking for. If you want to move to a smaller market, e.g., they may not be as attuned to the bonus schedule and be surprised that you're interviewing in October for a job to start in January. But in New York that's expected.

Firms will know that bonus issues will come up in offer negotiations.

Agreed with the above posts. I already have an offer in hand for February. Now is the time to start looking/interviewing actively.