How soon would be too soon to leave a first job? I’ve recently started my first job with a small firm and have enjoyed the people and the work. However, my pay is based on what I bill. At first this sounded fine, as my billing rate is very good and I take home a third of what I bill. But there has been so little work for me to actually do that I’m beginning to worry this isn’t financially feasible long term. Thoughts?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I wasn’t paid based on what I billed, but I started as a first year in October at a small firm (low salary) with intent on leaving as soon as I found a better job (covid job market and had to take what I could get). My billing was terrible because they didn’t give me work and then yelled at me for quite a long time beginning of February about it. I gave notice in February. I think as soon as you can find something better that is more financially stable (this salary structure seems risky, as you can’t control how much work you or the firm gets) and I’d look elsewhere ASAP. Don’t worry about it being “too soon” to leave. Do what’s right for you. This was hard for me to hear when I was in the position, but it’s really true.

like

I think the taboos of leaving jobs “too soon” or “under the one year mark” are behind us. As long as you have a valid reason for making the transition, where here it sounds like you do based on the compensation structure, you shouldn’t force yourself to stay due to an unwritten and outdated “rule.” However, if besides compensation, you’re happy and learning there, I’d suggest voicing your concerns to your employer and see if they would agree to restructure your compensation before you make a plan / decide to leave.

like

Depends on what you mean by “recently started.” It takes a while to ramp up to any job, especially as a first year. If it’s been a couple weeks I wouldn’t sweat it. If it’s been a few months, then yeah that might be a problem.

like

Yeah then in that case I agree with the other advice in the thread. This compensation structure makes more sense for laterals or more senior attorneys. If you’re wholly dependent on others for work, which as a junior you would be, the firm is putting you in an untenable position. I would leave as soon as I found something better.

like

This is a little more complicated because I've been at my firm since I was a 2L but I only plan on staying for 1 year.

like

I left my first job after 7 months and got hired afterward. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. My first job was also one where I got paid based on what I billed and I hated it. Being on a salary is very low stress in comparison.

like

Related Posts

Switching to PWC. Is this a good move? 30% hike. Currently in tech consulting(big4) to Risk Consulting- DnA (PWC). Yoe-3yrs Cctc-10lpa Pwc EY KPMG Deloitte PwC How is risk consulting in Pwc

like

Oliver Wyman fish. Negotiating for a Senior Consultant or Associate role. Any insight on comp, etc would be super helpful. Thanks!

like

Anyone at EY know about VBM practice and SM comp?

like

Any ZScaler Commercial AEs here?

Just got a call about a 96k base:
/160k OTE role out of Plano TX

I’m intrigued but I want to know 2 things:
1. Culture/WLB - how is it?
2. Realistic market opportunity/opportunity to crush quota (obv dependent on many things)

Background: Currently making 95k/160k OTE at a boutique research and consulting firm. I’m happy but we’re extremely flat with little to no opp for promotion in the next 2+ years.

like

McKinsey & Company McKinsey & Company internal employees. Do you have the opportunity to earn annual VC/bonus? Are there opportunities to grow (comp, level, training) in internal roles?

like

Last round for a VP level front office transformation role @Citi . TC is looking like 160k base + 20% bonus (5 YOE ). Will be making this in a couple months when promoted to NYC strategy and consulting M1 @ Accenture. Is it worth the move ? Are there other perks I am not considering ?

Can anybody tell which band and level is Senior Consultant -infrastructure management in Infosys Limited, Infosys

like

With 2 years of SAP basis experience, how much CTC should I be asking for. I am currently getting 4 LPA .

like

I have an offer in PE VP role in Citco and JPM and I am at cross road on which is one to company to choose. Their pay is very similar but JPM is offering an attractive signing on bonus. I need a honest advise on which is better between these two firms.

like

Hi,
I am 3 years experienced in technical writing, currently working at 6 lpa. I am now looking for a change.
What salary should I expect, given that I am certified in DITA and Instructional Design Writing. I also know Wordpress (elementary), XML, Javascript, SQL, C, C++ and HTML 5.

Persistent Systems Limited Hello fishes, Please suggest which one is best in terms of WLB, Job security and carrier growth. 1. Hitachi Vantara 2. Rakuten India 3. Persistent systems limited 4.Neudesic LLC 5. Thoughtworks
6.Publicis Sapient

Not received offer so far. All the above in pipeline please suggest me how much can expect.

Tech stack: Dot. Net Full stack developer, 7+ exp Please provide some insight about the company suggest by you.

CTC: 15 LPA fixed

like

What is a good salary range for a Principal UX Designer with 15+ years of experience working in either Finance, Tech or Media industry in NYC?

like
like

I have a little over a year of experience as a Partner Success Manager at a Tech company. My company is looking to do salary negotiations this year. When I started out, my base was 70k plus commission of 10k minimum extra. Curious to know what others are making as a PSM and also looking for other opportunities!

like

Hi fishes, any idea if I still get a bonus if my last day with Accenture is 01-Nov?

like

Can anyone anyone help with a salary range for a senior E&S UW. 5 years of experience. Interviewing but don’t want to sell short for my salary expectations.

like

I’m in discussions to become the GC of a mid size but international company that does ~$1 billion in annual revenue. Smallish legal department. They’ve asked for my comp expectations. I don’t have specific expectations but I want to be compensated at least market for a NYC based GC (which looks like cash comp of at least $300k plus bonus, etc). Any suggestions on how people would respond?

like

What’s a fair operations manager salary

What’s your pay range at different firm and region/city at managing director level? I am not sure I am underpaid

like

More Posts

Planning to take the CIPP and CIPM. Will be doing self-study. What is the “book” everyone refers to for studying? Is it just the “study guide” the IAPP sells? Does anyone know if the study guides and sample questions you can buy on amazon are sufficient to use for passing? Appreciate any and all advice.

like

Anyone else dying this week 😅

like

Anyone know Salary for B4 consultant in London?

What are some Entry Level jobs at AWS in Project Management/Implementation Consulting?

like

Has anyone been told that the role they are interviewing for will start in Jan 2023?

like

Deloitte Manager or IBM Manager?? Please suggest.
Almost same fixed package.. skill SAP Functional Close to 10 Yrs experience.

Dear Sharks,

What will be my In hand salary per month ?

LTA, Food coupon, upskill allowance , Tele bill-- all these includes In take home salary ?

My CCTC is 7.5 as Fixed, take home monthly 56k. Is this a good deal ?

Please Help
Société Générale

Post Photo
like

What is average CTC for Scrum Master with 13 years experience in IT and 5+ years as scrum master

like

Is Havas Health and You different from Havas Life? What are the main differences, culturally and business-wide?

like

New here! Can you please like my post :)

like

Both my grandparents died within the last few years (husband/wife) and now the siblings (including my dad) need to divide up the remaining estate. My dad is the oldest and has been the primary caretaker for both of his parents, who lived to their late 80’s/early 90’s and his disabled sister. He also manages an apartment building for the family. Now the youngest brother wants to do a bunch of auditing of accounts and is ready to take my dad to court. I’m like, you had 15+ years to get (cont)

like

Hi
I am working in Amazon from June 2020 as L3 HR Generalist. My current CTC is 5.2 LPA. I have a post graduation degree in English.
I was wondering if doing an MBA distance course from Symbiosis would help me get a better position and salary?
Can anyone please suggest? If not symbiosis then can I choose any other University for doing the MBA?

like

What does everyone think about the volume of scripts vs low staff situation? A huge room for error issue? This is what I'm hearing and seeing

like

When emailing someone for an interview for the first time do you address them by Mr/Mrs last name or by their first name?

like

Working Moms/Dads: Do in-house positions exist with flex time hours? I need to be able to leave work at 4pm to pick up my son from daycare, but i can get back online at home to resume any unfinished work at 8pm. Is this realistic to convey to any companies in an interview? Pandemic aside, is face time 9-7pm really important? Or should i just try to find a job with a salary that covers a nanny salary and accept that i will never see my son on weekdays (which would be sad for both of us)? TIA!

like

Anyone have insight on how to move in-house at EY?

like

I applied to Microsoft and a recruiter reached out saying I’m being moved forward. I was asked to fill out a written questionnaire, which I submitted about a month ago. I’ve heard nothing since. My status online still says in review. Is it time to give up hope on this one?

like

Is anyone at meta able to share the position levels. I’m trying to compare to my current company structure. Thanks!

like

I am CA FINAL student, i have done most of my internship into audit but post qualification i want to start my career into taxation( direct & international). Any suggestions or recommendation on whether any big 4 will take a fresher.

I am working hard on my theoretical knowledge before interview.

Also preparing for Enrolled Agent USA, IRS

like

Additional Posts in Law

What’s the answer comrades?

Post Photo
likehelpful

How do I train my critical thinking skills? Any book recommendations?

like

Messed up a document production. What now?

like

I got a job offer at Fisher Phillips and I’m debating on taking it. Does anyone have any insights on the firm’s culture? Is there a decent work/life balance? And if you know, what is the average salary for a third year attorney?

like

What would you do? 34 years old. Offered partnership in hometown local firm 7+ years in the making that offers opportunity to earn 150-200k+ per year + benefits. Also just received unsolicited offer to be in house at young small company that will start at 200k and offer equity totaling payouts of low 7 figures over next five years but requires me to be away four nights/wk 2 hrs from home. May be able to work remote 2 days eventually. Life span of company is 5ish years. Married w/ 3 kids under 5

like

Plaintiffs attorneys - do you typically run public record searches on potential clients? Similarly, if potential client has been involved in 50+ lawsuits since 2010, how fast do I run for the hill?

like

Linguistic question, should an associate say "my partner" when talking to a client about a partner? To me this comes off like implying your also a partner, but saying "our partner" sounds weird too...

like

At a midsize am law 200 firm with subpar salary and bonus structure. Just became an attorney in September 2019. So I feel that it’s too soon to leave. See more below...

like

Brand new baby lawyer dumb question - I am tasked with drafting response to request to produce. How long should this take? And follow up… how do I bill this?

like

Feel like I’m going to turn out to be a loser doing ID and be making crap money forever.

like

Constantly worried I’m going to get fired because I don’t know where I stand at my mid sized law firm (second year associate).

like

Feel like I am potentially on the verge of developing tendonitis / carpal tunnel. I try to keep my (standing) desk ergonomically aligned but the reality is that I spend 8-14 hrs a day typing (and, probably, tense) and I’m concerned about rendering myself physically unable to do this job. Anyone dealt with this?

likehelpful

Mid-level associate at a mid-size regional insurance defense firm practicing coverage litigation. Salary is capped b/c my firm only does I.D./coverage and has no direct-hire comm clients. Second round of interviews with a comm lit boutique where I would be the only associate with 5 partners. Other than partner track, salary/benefits, and switching from coverage to general comm lit, what qualities of the move should I be thinking about as I weigh my options? I've never worked at another firm.

like

How long is acceptable to ask to decide on an offer, especially when another place you really want to work at is moving a bit slower? I know this question has been asked before but I feel like 2022 has been its own beast in the legal market and would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

like

Gripe in here about Legal Assistants (more in comments)

likehelpful

Any good referrals for criminal defense attorney in PA? The sister of someone I know was accosted while moving, she went indoors and called the police who did not show, then once back outdoors she got into an altercation w/ the person who accosted her but was only trying to defend herself. Now the aggressor has pressed charges. Please lmk ASAP !

likehelpful

Advice on managing up / enduring toxic deal teams? I’m at the point where my stomach drops any time I see something come in from certain people. Everything is behind, client is unhappy, I’m exhausted and simultaneously being micromanaged without guidance on big-picture/substantive issues. I keep trying to tell myself at least this is consulting and the project will be over... eventually...

like

Does anyone practice White Collar criminal defense in NYC or know a decent amount about it? Is it fun or fulfilling? Is it a good way to break into government work in the future?

like

We’re barely past Wednesday and I’ve already billed 40 hours. Pls send help

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal