Career Clinic: Should I stick by my job acceptance?

As a recruiter I would expect your own due diligence should have thrown up more compelling issues than this. Associates come and go all the time - it's when partners leave with their clients that you have to worry. Also, if you've met the firm in question several times and you have liked/trusted them enough to accept an offer verbally then why not schedule a chat to see how they view these changes and are dealing with them? You shouldn't let hearsay and gossip dictate your career - trust your own judgment.

headhunter -15 Oct 2007 | 17:10

People are always leaving law firms, so I would not base my decision not to go to the other firm just based on some rumours about people leaving, unhappy ship etc. But if you decide you're not sure about the place, then best for you to stay. You can always continue looking. But call that firm immediately and tell them you've decided to stay where you are. You should not keep them waiting, if they assume you're joining. As for your firm, casually mention to your bosses at the next informal gathering that you were courted to go elsewhere but you decided you didn't want to go because you realised what a great firm you're at, etc. Might be best if that came from you, rather than you say that in response to someone alleging that you might be looking elsewhere, but even that is OK. Important thing is that "they" were courting you, and "you" decided you wanted to stay. Good luck. M

May -15 Oct 2007 | 17:10

Are you dealing with the firm through a recruitment consultant? If so, it might be worth raising the concern with them if you can (though obviously they will try to talk you into going).One thing firms quite often do when they are trying to woo you is arrange for an informal lunch/drink with associates in the department before you formally accept. If you haven't done so already, try to arrange that and see what the mood is like. Finally, if you do decide to pull out, have a good reason. Don't tell an obvious lie but do find something real that is linked to the reason you were looking for a new job originally that you can put a good spin on. For example, you've had an unexpectedly positive review at your current firm and realise there are more opportunities for you there than you'd thought. Or you've asked to look after a new/exciting/important client or are being considered for an overseas posting...

Ex-MC Lawyer -15 Oct 2007 | 17:13

I have to completely agree with headhunter. Do not listen to rumours, go with your own feelings and judgement. If you made the decision to go in the first place, there must have been a good reason. It is always dangerous to second-doubt yourself. However, if you have changed your mind (a different thing and hopefully it wasn't based on rumours alone), then I would follow May's usual sensible advice. You do have the right to change your mind, if that is what has happened. I find that it is not usually the situation people are in that prejudice them, but how they deal with it that does. Be firm and calm about this and you will be fine. Good luck.

Jo -15 Oct 2007 | 18:46

First of all, there are no ethics or obligations once you've accepted a job offer. You can turn it down even after you have accepted it, they are not going to hold you to the letter of the law if it means taking an unhappy employee before they have even started their first day. Secondly, the recruitment process typically takes a month or two, and in all that time you didn't research the firm??? I can hardly imagine the law firm in question became an unhappy ship and suffered a wave of resignations the moment you accepted their offer. This is just carelessness on your part, very worrying for your prospective clients as due dilligence should be second nature to corporate lawyers. Please let me know which law firms you are leaving and joining so I can make sure my bank doesn't refer any corporate work to the law firm that employed you and the law firm that agreed to hire you, this is a good example of due dilligence.

Investment Banker -16 Oct 2007 | 12:56

what a "classic" response from ibanker..

Anonymous -16 Oct 2007 | 15:13

Investment Banker rocks. He is right, your naive question encourages one to query what kind of corporate lawyer you are. My initial response to the number of associates leaving would be ask my headhunter where these associates have moved to. For example, it is not unusual for associates to leave firms in order to move to an in-house role or perhaps work for a client in a non-legal capacity. I pray that you are not joining my firm as one of the new corporate NQs.

Concerned Associate -16 Oct 2007 | 17:26

Investment Banker, please let me know which bank you work for, we are usually a bit reluctant in working with banks that hire teenagers... by the way, shouldn't you be doing any work given your precocious wisdom?

General counsel -16 Oct 2007 | 18:10

I received a job offer with a law firm and I got that job through a recruitment agent. I worked for 15 days in my new role and I was dismissed without any reason. Now, after some research I found out that the recruitment agent obtained commission in placing me in that job and it was a manoeuvre being employed in law firms right now. Basically, the HR Manager, the law firm partner and the agent offer you the job. The firm (in its own name) pays the commission to the agent. Then, behind curtains, this commission is sliced up so that the partner, the HR person and the agent get their slice of the cake too . What should I do now? Should I report it to the Solicitor Regulation Authority?

Peter -17 Oct 2007 | 14:38

I doubt you are telling us the full story. With "for no good reason", I interpret that as meaning you did nothing that an objective bystander would consider questionable or out of the norm, and I also assume you weren't told why you were dismissed. Please disclose the law firm concerned.

Investment Banker -17 Oct 2007 | 16:55

Firstly, in response to the initial question regarding whether or not you should take the role - the simple answer is to consult your head-hunter and be open and honest with him/her about your concerns. If the role is not right for you, any recruiter with the slightest appreciation of their reputation in the future, will consult you and the client and address the situation in a way that ensures everybody wins. Even if it means placing you somewhere else.In response to the rather earth shattering allegations made about recruiters, HR managers and partners all plotting together at the expense of associates' careers, I would have to disagree entirly. It sounds like the confused ramblings of a mad conspiracy theorist to me. The far more likely situation is that either you, the head-hunter or the partner and HR manager simply didn't qualify you well enough and you were not right for the job. Simple. It's a shame and any good head-hunter would make sure it wouldn't happen but Iguess maybe it does - although certainly not to me. Are you seriously suggesting equity partners are so inclined as to rip off the company they work for - essentially ripping off other equity partners? I don't think so, unlikely would be an understatement. My sympathy though. I would suggest finding a reputable head-hunter, explain the situation that's just taken place and put it behind you.

Head-Hunter101 -17 Oct 2007 | 17:03

Peter are you serious? I've never heard of anything like that in nearly 20 years in the business. If you can prove any of it I'd call the police - must be fraud of some kind!

headhunter -17 Oct 2007 | 17:10

Peter you are a moron. How do you think recruiters make money? I'm sure they did not hire you in order to dismiss you, what is the point in that? The recruitment process is expensive and law firms are very keen to ensure that they are hiring the right person, that is why they pay money to get the best candidates.

Anonymous -17 Oct 2007 | 17:18

Peter, that can't be right. The HR person and recruitment partner would take a serious dent in their reputations if they hired someone considered so unsuitable they had to be let go within a fortnight - not to mention the recruitment consultant who almost certainly doesn't get commission unless you stay at the firm for a minimum period of time.

Ex-MC Lawyer -18 Oct 2007 | 17:19

Thanks head hunter. 'call the police, it must be fraud'?! Good reason you're a headhunter not a lawyer perhaps.Or do you really want this guy to just look even more silly. 'Ethics of it..?' - seriously? Trust me; if things go badly they'll sack you. Just as if things go badly at your current firm they'll sack you. As anyone will. Don't hold that moral card too tightly on this one, mate.

lawyer -23 Oct 2007 | 11:01