Is it worth it to apply to an in house job posting you’re overqualified for to get your foot in the door, hoping there will be quick advancement or they will adjust the salary and title to meet your qualifications?

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

In my experience it’s unlikely you’ll make a “quick advancement” and get a significant salary/title increase as a result. That’s just not how in house hiring/promotion works.

like

100%. If OP gets the job, they're set up for a bitter & frustrating experience on the comp front.

Can’t hurt. Worse case scenarios are they reject you for being overqualified or they give you an offer that doesn’t meet your expectations and you decline.

like

It depends on how overqualified. A year or two? Sure. 5 plus years? Probably not worth it unless you have some connection to the company.

Many companies have pretty strict time in service/role requirements before even being considered for advancement, or they just don’t have an opening for you to advance into so I wouldn’t count on getting a promotion quickly in house. It can also be difficult to move up several levels or “skip” levels when applying to a new company if you’re coming from a role where you are very overqualified.

I have seen companies adjust the role/title/salary band to accommodate a more experienced person, but that’s often a longer hiring process because they’ll have to go back and get approval/budget for the hire at a higher level or grade. I’ve also mostly seen it when the company wants to hire a known attorney - someone who’s already outside counsel for the company and they want to bring them in house.

likehelpful

This highly depends on the legal department. If it's a rather large department with defined subgroups and hierarchy, what you see is what they want. If it's a small group with just a few people, there may be some wiggle room.

likehelpful

We were hiring for a role and my GC is very suspect of overqualified candidates because he thinks they’ll leave the second they get a better opportunity. We ended up hiring someone more junior and downscaling the role instead. We’re a super small legal team, so can’t afford to hire someone who doesn’t seem committed for the long term.

like

Funny because my thought was that I’m so committed to the team/company that I am willing to take a lower salary than I think my experience dictates but I understand GCs concern… sigh!!

like

I've seen it happen twice -- once I was overqualified, but they were open to making it work, and then they hired someone even more overqualified than I was. Second time was internal, we posted for a role marginally more senior than mine, but for which I was qualified. Ended up hiring someone much more senior and changing the role to suit. But I've also been rejected after the screening interview when applying to more junior roles and hoping for similar results.

like

Unlikely

like

Related Posts

Hi Fishers, What can my expected CTC be for a PO role at Servicenow? My current profile is 6 years experience with 19 LPA. I have couple of offers with 23LPA and 25 LPA.

like

Dear Fishes, Anyone is aware about retention policy of Synechron Inc. ? It’s been 6 months since I have joined and feeling that I have worst wlb in citi account. I may get 30% more hike with other company.
I am curious if they will try to retain me. Tech Stack : ETL Testing

like

Hey everybody. Got laid off at D. BTA within strategy and analytics. Mostly LS/HC experience. Anybody can help out with a referral anywhere? Thank you!

like

Anyone at the Q center today/this week?

like

Anyone working at JPMorgan Chase? I have some questions about a job offer I got.

Thanks

like

EY TARAS or EY GCR??? Between these 2 service lines which has better pay and opportunities??

like

Anyone looking for senior level media account managers with programmatic experience in Chicago or remote?

4D Friday vibes 🙏🏼

Post Photo
like

Tips on remote interviewing? Lateraling and this is my first one coming up. Kinda nervous since I haven’t done an interview in years.

like

Flat refusing to look at me

Post Photo
likefunny

How many spark points have you got since the initiative began. I've received about 2200 spark points till date.

Hey friends. Recently joined a startup with a heavy reliance on outbound sales strategy. Without a phone number... what are some of your best ways to get meetings booked with prospects?

Our product sells itself, but how do you set yourself apart to get the initial meeting booked?
What mediums do you use with cold outreach that you find most effective?
What copy have you found gets the best ppen/reply rate?

I am not a sales PRO, but I'm also not a newbie. Really just looking for a think-tank.

like

Ok guys, I'm gonna link things up wild. The following are facts
1. David Marcus, former head of PayPal and a top guy at Facebook who was leading Messenger (FB really put in a lot of work into.. cont.

likesmart

Anyone with systemwide upgrades to sell on American Airlines ?

like

MLS or CLS what the catch to travel? What are your pros and cons ?! Who do you travel thru?

like

Planning a trip to Bali with my bf. He’s never been on a long flight like that but we are probably planning a 2week vacation. What areas should we stay at?? we’re beach bums but I also love the forest/Hiking and a big foodie!

like

I have an offer and want to negotiate

1. London base salary but I have to absorb all the expenses (train + stay)
I am thinking to negotiate to

2. home base salary and have my expenses paid for

I know that's depends on the amount I have to travel (and potentially stay) but at the moment this is unknown. Past 8 months was just twice a month + 2 nights stay.

The only thing I know is it won't be every week, the return trian ticket is about £80-100, depends I could plan ahead.

How do you go about driving up business as a freelancer? I used to search for email contacts but I’ve started to connect more on linkedin and IG

like

Best weekend duffel bag? I need space for shoes and organization! And stylish but not over the top. A “grown up” looking 💼

I need some new boots. What are y’all wearing these days?

Post Photo
like

Additional Posts in In-House Counsel

Had two rounds of interviews for an in house role and really like the company/job. I followed up Friday regarding next steps and was told they are still interviewing and should be wrapping up soon. Advice on how to stay calm? I want the position and need to know if there’s a way to speed up the process.

like

Considering a move in-house to NBC Universal in any litigation role (though I’d really go to wherever there is a need, whether litigation or business affairs generally). Coming from 4th year law firm litigation experience in a variety of areas but mostly data breach, e-discovery, breach of K. Do I apply with an employee referral or via LinkedIn recruiter that reached out? Alternatively, if anyone has experience applying/at NBCU, I’d so appreciate general advice :) TIA.

likehelpful

Currently working on a three person team in a larger GC group. I lateraled from a different group that did not pay attorneys on an attorney scale. I’m stuck in my old pay scale but have gotten promotions and raises quickly with more on the horizon. A recruiter reached out with a new role for 2-2.5x more than I currently make doing something similar. I love my company and the people I work with but the money isn’t there. Is it worth trying to get a counter to stay if I get the bigger offer?

like

My background is in tech transactional. I joined a cybersecurity SaaS startup at the end of last year and now also handle more generalist matters in addition to all things commercial-related. I have a number of books on contracts that I’ve found super helpful over the years (The Tech Contracts Handbook, A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting, Sign Here, etc.). Can anyone recommend books they’ve found helpful for L&E matters, privacy matters, product matters, or marketing/advertising matters?

like

Anyone have insight into salary for associate counsel role at Google?

like

Has anyone been given an offer or received further movement on their application after a month or more from your last interview? Not sure if it’s odd that the company reached out after my final round interview to have a call and “discuss next steps” but then they haven’t responded to me since I’ve followed up (I’ve poked 3 times every 11 days or so but I plan to leave it be now until they respond).

like

Got a temp offer for less than a year without promise of turning into full-time. Wanted to know what ppl think about temp jobs (looks bad on resume if I don't turn full-time later within the company?) and what comp should look like (e.g. 1.2× of regular comp?).

Got another perm offer in a different industry for similar salary, but I might have to relocate and I'm concerned the work may involve translation instead of pure legal work.

like

I have the option to leave Biglaw for in-house position at Fortune 100 for 320k TC with 10 YOE in HCOLC. This is my first in-house role and so I wanted others' thoughts on TC range for my level.

like

This is the great resignation, right? Thoughts on jumping for the fourth time in seven years? I’m chasing the pay to get to where I want to be and have an offer but am getting reservations on making a move within a year. Appreciate any similar personal experience.

like

Anyone have insight into Plaid’s legal group? Interviewing for a product counsel role.

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

Have interviews set up at FAANG co and getting good signals, for a position that was posted widely (all across US) but not remote. Haven’t broached the subject of location yet. Would you (1) early on clearly state that you’re not open to relocation but that you would be open to visiting a big office once or twice a month; (2) not say anything now and wait to get an offer and ask for an exemption; or (3) something else?

like

What would be a typical salary for a junior in house counsel role (3 yoe) at a publicly traded company in a secondary market (think Austin, Tampa, Charlotte)? I’m having a really hard time finding what a reasonable range would be. Most positions I’m applying to require desired salary in the application, and the truth is I’d accept anything north of 125k but don’t want to undersell myself and take a bigger cut than necessary coming from biglaw.

like

When my job is to handle all the corporations issues does it ever get hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel? Like that this business will survive? It will get its next round of funding? This litigation won’t wipe us out… something’s I just become very pessimistic about the future of the company.

like

How far do you require depts be with negotiating commercial contract terms before your legal review? I’m talking routine low value and risk contracts (e.g., vendor services), where Legal terms won’t kill the deal. My clients blindly forward contracts. I say “are you sure this term is ok?” And often get “no.” They’re surprised because they never read them. Checking the temp to see what others experience, what might be normal. I feel contract training in my clients’ future...

like

Anyone going to the security/privacy conference in DC this week?

Very specific to retail and/or hospitality in-house roles: has anyone found a good solution for predictive scheduling? Our retail division has one set of software for scheduling and one for payroll, and neither of them can handle predictive scheduling compliance issues unless they’re used for both the scheduling and payroll functions. I’m coming up empty on ideas for them to bridge the gap, but I’m also new to my compliance counsel role, so I would be overjoyed if anyone has suggestions.

like

Considering joining a small 50-person company as the only attorney (prior attorney is retiring). (I am currently in-house at a F50). For others who have done the same path, what surprises did you have when moving from a large company to a small one?

For example, it sounds like I should not expect a document management system, based on a prior post in this bowl. I’m guessing expenses like state bar fees and cell phone are not reimbursed.

Any advice on things to expect (or not expect)?

like

Hi Everyone! 

I'm currently recruiting for 2 in-house opportunities with a mission-driven FinTech startup based in Los Angeles. Both roles are remote, but the company is prioritizing CA based candidates. As such, you must be CA barred/or able to become RHIC.

The first role is for a Sr. Lending Counsel. The client is looking for someone with a strong financial services background to provide business and strategic counsel to internal business partners in support of (cont. below)

like

I am considering taking a position with a current client (multi family and hospitality real estate developer and operator) that is experiencing rapid growth. If I accept the position, I will be the company’s first GC. Any advice or recommend resources would be welcomed!

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