Career Clinic: Should I lower my NQ expectations?

Lower your standards and go for something now (providing it's still credible). If you do well you can trade up several years down the line and will have the benefit of getting more responsibility at a smaller firm and also the experience of having worked at different firms, which will make you more adaptable.

Anonymous -15 Jun 2009 | 13:17

I moved firms earlier this year at around the 2PQE level after a very determined global search for suitable positions. I was previously at a high-profile City firm, but now work for a regional practice who are market leaders in their county. Although I would have preferred to stay in the City, I am now developing skills that I would not have been able to do otherwise, such as building my own client list and being responsible for matters from start to finish (including wangling fees out of clients) with no partner involvement. I am having far more fun than I used to in London!

Given your circumstances and speaking from experience, I would go for anything relevant that comes up - and the sooner the better, because the longer you are out of work the harder you will find it to get another job. If you are exceptionally lucky (and determined) you might just get a couple of offers to choose from.

Anonymous -15 Jun 2009 | 14:26

You don't say what area of work you do (unless I have misread your question). If you are a derivatives lawyer, then perhaps working outside a small number of firms is likely to mean you will be changing practice areas.

Equally, though, if you are a real estate, corporate/commercial or litigation lawyer, I would agree with the other comments. Better to be getting the experience under your belt and you will probably find you get "better" experience than you would at other firms. I have a friend of similar PQE to me who has a following which would not have been as possible at a larger firm. It at least means that if you want to move somewhere larger you may lose that following but you will have demonstrated you can get one in the first place. Best of luck.

Anonymous -15 Jun 2009 | 15:35

A partner in a top Scottish law firm told me "loyalty counts for nothing". Secure the roof over your head and the food on your table.

ANON -15 Jun 2009 | 20:55

Agree with all the comments so far. There are hardly any NQ roles going at the moment so go for the most relevant one. You can always trade up in the future. What is the alternative? If you dont work for 6 months, you will still be an NQ at the end of the year and won't have kept your hand in gaining experience. Good luck!

Anonymous -16 Jun 2009 | 09:04