The Truth and Nothing but the Truth?But Not the Whole Truth

Of course there are different degrees of telling the truth. Does your prospective employer need to know that you stole a pencil from a classmate when you were in second grade? Obviously not. Do you need to disclose to a legal employer that you failed the bar exam and will need to take it again? Of course. Your bar status is highly material to your job as an associate.

In an interview, you need to tell the truth about material facts. You also have an obligation not to mislead an interviewer through omission. For example, if it is clear that an interviewer believes that you left your last firm voluntarily, you need to set the record straight if you were actually asked to leave. But you are under no obligation to share all of the sordid details of your demise.


The prospective employer does not need to know that you had a messy affair with the managing partner's secretary. It is sufficient to state that both you and the partners you worked for agreed that the firm was not a good fit. Telling the truth does not require telling all!

Too Much Information Can Unnecessarily Weaken Your Job Prospects.

I was once screening a candidate for a search, and I noticed that she had a big gap on her resume. I asked her what she was doing during this time. She answered, "I was a drug addict." While that seemed to be the truth (and clearly a phase that had long passed in her life), it would have been more effective to tell me that she had taken some time off to deal with personal or family issues.

What if the partner you worked for was unbearable? Try "Smith & Jones was a difficult place to work." Saying that the partner you worked for is a notorious jerk will only raise questions about your ability to be discreet. It will also suggest that you are apt to blame someone else when things go wrong.

What if you received a poor performance review because you were bored out of your mind? Try "Some of the partners I worked with were very impressed with my legal skills. But I did not find residential real estate closings challenging, and I don't think I did my best work for the partners in charge of the residential side of the practice. That is why I want to be at a firm that principally does commercial real estate." In other words, take some responsibility for your demise, but do not feel the need to elaborate at great length.

The "Whole Truth" Can Prevent an Interviewer from Drawing Negative Inferences.

Sometimes the whole truth is best because it provides a good explanation for something that might be perceived as a negative. It also removes any speculation that you have some skeletons in your closet (e.g., the gap in your resume is there because your mother was sick and you left work to care for her).

I often joke with candidates that in the absence of contrary information, employers will presume that you were institutionalized during any breaks on your resume. But in general, the rule is that you need to tell the truth and nothing but the truth; but you do not need to tell the "whole" truth, as long as you do not mislead.

Are You Planning to Relocate to Boston Permanently?

Where you intend to live long term provides a good illustration. What if your significant other is in her third year of medical school in Boston? If she lands a residency in California, in all likelihood, you will want to make a lateral move to California in order to be with her. But it is also possible that she will end up doing her residency right in Boston. Furthermore, you would eventually like to return to Texas, where your family lives.

Do you need to disclose this to potential legal employers in Boston? I would submit that you do not. As long as you have a meaningful chance of staying in Boston, your future employer does not need to know the "whole truth" (i.e., that you would consider remaining in Boston for the long term but there are a lot of unknowns).

What if you like employment litigation but are not crazy about employment counseling? If you are applying to a firm that mainly does litigation but expects you to do some counseling, it is okay to say, "I really enjoy employment litigation, and I'm happy to also spend a portion of my time doing counseling." As long as the job would have a litigation focus, no one needs to know that in a perfect world, you might avoid non-litigation work. That's the "truth" and "nothing but the truth."

Conclusions

It is impossible to address every issue that might arise in an interview setting. But that underscores why it is so critical to prepare for interviews. Learn what you can in advance about the firm, department, and interviewing attorneys, but also take the time to think about the questions that you might be asked. If you take the time before an interview to think this through, you will have much greater success in being truthful. At the same time, you will come across as a straight shooter without providing information that you will later wish you had withheld.

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.