“Sudden death” answers: Do they apply to an in-house interview?

NYU Professor of Management Suzy Welch identifies three “sudden death” answers that will “instantly disqualify yourself” in a job interview. But do they apply in a legal in-house interview? While two are spot on, the third requires more nuance, especially for Bay Area lawyers.

1. “I want to start my own business someday.” This is a definite no. Hiring managers want lawyers who are committed to the company and the role, especially because they invest significant time and resources into new hires and want to see a return on that investment. I’ve heard a similar but more common “sudden death” answer from in-house candidates: “I want to be GC someday.” While it sounds ambitious,  it tells the hiring manager you’re already thinking about the next step rather than the job in front of you.
2. “I’m looking for work-life balance.” Also no. Says Suzy Welch: “[W]e all want balance. But if you say this is your top priority, you’ll instantly disqualify yourself, at least in the eyes of many hiring managers. Companies want to know that you’re motivated, that you want to win, and that your goals align with theirs. Productivity and passion matter.” In-house lawyers already know law firms are demanding, so you don’t need to say you want to escape it. Hiring managers have told me they do not want burnt out big firm lawyers, or people looking to leave big law because they were passed over for partnership.
3. “I was let go as part of my company’s recent layoffs.” I disagree with Suzy that this answer is “sudden death” in the Bay Area, where many companies have made across the board cuts in the last couple years. But I do agree with her that you “need to explain your situation in more nuanced detail… For instance, you might explain that your company was getting out of a certain business line entirely.” And I would immediately add that you have done the (XYZ) work required by the job at hand with (123 metrics) so you can hit the ground running, and that you have been particularly interested in the company because (list reasons).

Make sure your answers are not misconstrued by thinking from the hiring manager’s perspective.