I recently had a firm ask to revisit a candidate that they had passed on several months ago. Their first question, logically, was whether or not the candidate was still on the market. “Are they still interviewing?” To my chagrin, I had to tell the firm that while this candidate was still on the market, she was no longer with her firm. Unfortunately, now the firm has decided to hold off bringing her in for an interview so that they can look at some other candidates.
The truth is that this candidate left her job willingly and happily and did so because “she had enough money to last a while and wanted some time off.” You work hard and deserve to take some time off. However, I can not stress to you enough to take the time off AFTER you secure employment.
I once wrote an article geared toward law students regarding the importance of how they spend their summers and how it can speak volumes to a law firm. Firms want to know their junior associates are focused, goal oriented and are going to be long-term hires. One way to gauge that focus is by looking at how they choose to spend their summers. Backpacking in Europe or billing hours at Skadden Arps?
The same goes for a candidate’s judgment when it comes to leaving one job before securing another. It is rare that a firm’s needs are so urgent that they are willing to walk away from an ideal candidate because they have asked to take a few weeks for some much needed rest.
While every situation is unique, I urge you to talk to your recruiter before taking that walk down the hall and giving your two weeks notice. Otherwise, you may be taking a much longer vacation than you had anticipated!
Related posts:
- Don’t Panic Over Law Firm Silence
- Put Down That Hot Dog and ….. Get Creative!
- Notworkenoughtofillthedaylius
