Dealing with the Interview Taboo

One of the most common reasons why candidates seek to switch law firms is dissatisfaction with their current firm. Whether it be salary, opportunity for future advancement and promotion, lack of work, or a bad working environment due to difficult supervisors or colleagues, there are a whole host of reasons many attorneys want to seek out the proverbial greener pastures within the law firm world.

The vast majority of attorneys who have worked for firms from the smallest boutique to the largest international powerhouse firm has likely experienced at least one of the factors listed above, if not many of the others that can lead to dissatisfaction with one's firm. That being said, however, not every attorney will be understanding or sympathetic to the difficulties those factors can cause.


In fact, it is often the case that many attorneys who have overcome those factors through diligence, hard work, luck, perseverance, politicking, building their own book of business, and other notable accomplishments to become partner believe that any attorney they hire should have a similar drive and resolve to succeed in their career, even in the face of tremendous adversity, the worst work environment, or any other barriers or pitfalls that might impact a more junior attorney.

Being partner involves not only overcoming many of these factors throughout the course of developing a career, but a whole host of additional stresses and problems, such as building and maintaining a client base, pitching business, firm management and marketing, and supervising and training more junior attorneys while handling an active caseload. So while many of us wish that partners were more sympathetic to the plight of the younger attorney who is seeking to move due to being stuck in a difficult, if not intractable, work situation, it is certainly understandable why this may not be the case.

This is a long introduction, and hopefully a partial explanation, of the ultimate topic of this column, which is how to deal with the question of why you are seeking to leave your current firm when the short and sweet answer is "my current firm/partner/work situation is terrible."

For fairly obvious reasons, giving such a straightforward and honest answer is both impolitic and generally taboo in an interview setting. Bad-mouthing your current employer, even if completely justified, reflects poorly on you as a candidate. A candidate who says negative things about their current firm or partner risks being perceived as: someone with a negative attitude, someone who is difficult to work with because they are unwilling to buckle down or compromise in the face of adversity, someone who is difficult to manage, someone who may speak negatively about the firm they are interviewing with in the future, or someone who comes across as a victim rather than as a successful attorney in charge of his or her career.

On the other hand, if you give no good reason as to why you are seeking to leave your current firm, a prospective employer may not see the requisite enthusiasm or motivation to make the move. Instead, you must look to balance an honest answer with a more subtle and positive way of framing the situation.

I find the following approach to be the most helpful and successful in terms of framing an answer to the question of "why are you looking to leave your current firm" when the underlying reason is dissatisfaction with the firm or your current partners:

First, you should start out by mentioning what is positive about your experience with your current firm, whether it is solid training and work experience, the opportunity to have worked on sophisticated or interesting matters, having been challenged to develop a skill set, getting along with coworkers and staff (hopefully you get along with at least somebody there!), etc. This is beneficial, because it will serve to demonstrate that you are not simply a negative person or complainer who will seek to find the fault in every situation.

Second, it is good to acknowledge the taboo of speaking ill of your current (or recent, if you left or were laid off) employer. Acknowledging that you are aware of this taboo shows that you at least have the social skills and judgment to handle things with politic and grace. This can be accomplished as simply as stating something like "while there are things I do like about my current job, and it is not my intention to denigrate my current employer since that is bad form, it is obvious that I do not believe it is the right long-term place for my career, otherwise I would not be here interviewing with you and exploring my lateral options."
 

• See Top Ten Interview Questions for more information

Again, you are framing an honest answer to the question in a way that demonstrates tact and thoughtfulness.

You can then move on to discussing your issues ("concerns" is a better word to use), although here again you have to be careful. Saying that you are overworked is not a good concern, for instance, because it implies to your interviewer that you are not willing to be a hard worker.

Better concerns are things like a top-heavy structure leaving less room to make partner or take on more responsibility on future matters (although in this example or any other, make sure a top-heavy structure is not the status quo where you are interviewing!), the departure of some key partners which you fear may lead to a decline in available work in your practice area and you want to stay busy, or perhaps a lack of flexibility on billing rates that will impact your ability to develop your own client base as a more junior attorney.

Finally, you want to be sure to demonstrate with your concerns and reasons for moving that your reasons are not the result of any problems with your own performance, but rather that you are an eager, hard-working attorney looking to advance your career, and you are simply looking for a better long-term platform to accomplish your goals, ideally the firm at which you are interviewing. Any answer that displays you are on an upward trajectory in your career and seeking to continue to develop your skills, practice, and book of business, is generally a solid answer in a law firm interview setting.

This is just a general guideline to how to handle this issue, and your own answers will obviously be unique depending on your situation, but it is very important to think this issue through before heading into an interview to make sure that you have some thoughtful and practiced answers to the question of why you are seeking to leave your current firm.

As always, best of luck with your search!
 

• See Interviewing Tips for more information

Learn why attorneys usually fail law firm phone-screening interviews in this article:
 

• Why Most Attorneys Fail Telephone-Screening Interviews

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

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.