Careers
How to React to Bad Hiring News
Posted Aug 13, 2008 11:07 AM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Law firms are deciding this month whether to extend permanent employment offers to their summer associates. Those who are getting bad news would do well to follow the advice of the recruiting and professional development manager at Bryan Cave.
Writing for the Am Law Daily, Lynne Traverse tells of one recent summer associate who handled the bad news in the most professional—and advantageous—way.
The associate remained calm, asked the recruiting chair about his drawbacks, and how he could do better elsewhere. He asked how the firm would portray its decision to other employers and whether anyone there would be willing to serve as a reference.
The associate then considered if he would prefer a different kind of law practice or legal environment. He began to search for a job in nearby states and received help from the firm. He remained friendly the entire time and landed a job by early November.
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Comments
Woodside Bob
Aug 13, 2008 11:36 AM CST
This advice assumes that you get to meet with the recruiting chair, and that he or she will answer those questions you ask so calmly. My experience is that when they don’t want you, they don’t tell you why and they don’t make it easy to remain “friendly.”
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Bobby H
Aug 13, 2008 12:40 PM CST
I agree with Woodside. This story is a gee-wiz, best case scenario that is not typical of most situations. It also assumes that you work in a specialty that is in such demand that you can find another job quickly. For most people, it is the employers with the majority of the power. I work in healthcare. Sure if we let go a board certified endocrinologist he/she would have a job in a week!
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