Why Casting a Wide Net Matters
The most successful lateral candidates are the ones who apply broadly. It may sound simple, but it has a major impact on how the process unfolds and what kinds of opportunities you will have at the end of your search.
The Case for Applying Broadly
Don’t Limit Your Search Too Soon
Even the strongest candidates will not land interviews at every firm they apply to, and not every interview will lead to an offer. That is the reality of the market. Limiting yourself to a small number of firms dramatically reduces your chances of getting to the finish line.
A broader strategy gives you more opportunities. It increases the likelihood that you will get interviews, receive offers, and ultimately find a firm that fits your goals. It also gives you a broader base of information to compare. With more interviews and more offers, you are in a better position to evaluate culture, practice mix, team dynamics, and long-term potential. These are the things that really matter when choosing your next move.
Applying broadly is not about compromising your standards. It is about maximizing your opportunities.
More Offers, More Leverage
Having multiple offers is not just reassuring. It is a clear advantage. With only one offer, your ability to negotiate is limited. If the compensation or terms are not ideal, you may feel stuck.
When you have several offers, you gain real leverage. Your recruiter can negotiate with more authority. Firms that have been slow to respond often pick up the pace once they know you are in demand. An expiring offer can create the kind of urgency that gets potential employers to move forward with your candidacy. The more interest you generate, the more power you have to shape the process.
Be Open to the Unexpected
Most candidates begin with a list of firms they recognize by name or reputation, and that’s completely understandable. However, some of the best outcomes happen when candidates remain open to firms they hadn’t previously considered. These might be firms with a uniquely collaborative culture or a distinct practice area where a candidate may make an unexpected connection and ultimately choose to accept an offer.
Applying to a firm is not a commitment. It is an opportunity to explore. The risk is low, but the potential upside is substantial.
Think Like You Did When You Were Applying to Law School
Approaching the lateral process is not unlike applying to law school. You probably had a mix of reach, target, and safety schools. That was a smart strategy. You wanted options. You wanted to see what was out there. Most of all, you wanted the ability to choose.
That logic still applies. While it is fine to include a few reach firms, do not ignore the ones you think of as targets or safeties. In fact, there is no such thing as a guaranteed offer. A firm you assume is a backup may have a competitive pool of applicants or shifting hiring needs. Nothing is guaranteed. That is why it is so important to keep an open mind and apply to a broad range of firms.
The firm you end up choosing may not be the one you initially expected. It might be the one where the work plays to your strengths, the culture feels right, and the long-term growth aligns with your goals. But you will only discover that if you give yourself enough opportunities to explore a wide range of options.
Bottom Line
Applying broadly gives you greater access to opportunities, stronger negotiating power, and better insight to guide your decision. It allows you to discover firms you may have initially overlooked and puts you in a position to make a well-informed choice about your next move.