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Something on your mind? Chat about it here. While photographing my own work jewelry collection this past week, I started thinking about some of my favorite pieces that I probably wouldn’t wear to work — and one of them is definitely the druzy ring that my husband got me for my birthday this year. It’s sparkly but subdued, it wasn’t too expensive so I feel comfortable wearing it in a variety of situations, and I always get comments. This large cocktail ring looks even better than mine — it’s $270 at Endless. (Incidentally, Endless will soon be shuttered and become part of Amazon — so I’m hoping for some great closing sales!) Marcia Moran “Midnight” 18k Gold-Plated Dark Blue Druzy Organic Stone Ring, Size 6 (L-3)Workwear sales of note for 4.14.24
Our favorites are in bold!
- Ann Taylor – Mid-Season Sale: extra 40% off; extra 20% off sale styles; 40% off new spring styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 40% off purchase
- Boden – 25% off 4/14-18; 15% off 4/19-20; 10% off 4/21
- Eloquii – 50-60% off select styles; up to 40% off everything else
- Everlane – Spring Style: up to 60% off 600+ styles
- J.Crew – 40% off dresses; 30% off your purchase
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 70% off clearance; up to 60% off everything
- M.M.LaFleur – Save up to 20% on (almost) everything
- Nordstrom – Free 2-day shipping for a limited time; 30% off select shoes
- Talbots – BOGO 50% off everything, includes markdowns (ends 4/14)
- White House Black Market – 30% select styles; up to 50% off sale styles
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Help!
I need advice.
Background: I started working in the banking/finance dept of a corporate law firm this year. It’s my first job after graduating law school. The company is very well respected (the closest thing to magic circle/big law we have in the small European country where I live), so I feel lucky to have gotten this job fairly easily, especially since several of my friends struggled with finding work for months after graduation. The thing is, though… I’m starting to realize I kind of really hate it, and I think maybe I took the job for the wrong reasons (it was safe, it was expected of me, it paid well etc).
So I guess my question is… what do I do now?
I can ask to transfer to a different department, but we were told by the MP when we started that we should wait a certain amount of time to “settle in” before we request a transfer (which would put that sometime around christmas), and while I think I’d like the work in some of the other departments more, I think I’ve realized corporate law really isn’t what I ultimately want to be doing, and wouldn’t I be causing a lot of hassle if I am looking to move on in the not too distant future anyway?
I think I’m starting to have some idea about thing’s I’d rather be doing, and while I know I can’t expect to be doing exactly what I want right out of school, I would like to start trying to move in that direction. But how long do I wait before I start looking? On the one hand, aren’t you supposed to wait a while before changing jobs not to seem flaky? But then on the other hand, don’t first year associated cost the firm more than they bring in, and so shouldn’t I try to find a new job sooner for their sake as well as mine? Also, while I try to focus and work hard I know I’m probably not doing my 100% best work when I do something I find mind numbing, so maybe staying longer will a) not be good for them because they’re not getting my absolute best work and b) mean I’ll leave a not-great impression and get not-great references from them in the future? Like I said this is a small country and people know each other so if I do leave I want to do it nicely and right without burning any bridges. (I know I’m rambling at this point)
Anyway, do you all have any advice that can help me come up with some sort of plan of attack, or constructive way to think about this or find some resources (or even just stop the paralyzing anxiety thing I’ve got going on lately. I’m really not used to not handling stuff)
karenpadi
Ok. That’s a lot of words for a very common dilemma that we’ve covered here before (but not super recently) so try a google search. Here’s the plan I would try:
1. What are the redeeming qualities of your position? Big paycheck? Partners and senior associates who aren’t bullies? Billing within 1800-2100/year allowing for some social life, working out, etc? If you have all 3, you’ve hit the corporate law jackpot–think carefully before moving.
If the only reason you want to leave is mind-numbing work, sorry, all work is mind-numbing. Count your blessings. Heck, according to my Marine cousin, even being in the Iraq war zone is mind-numbing and, as a 30-yr-old, he now has PTSD and the lungs of a 52 yr-old. He’s psyched to have a job in a salt mine paying $30/hr.
2. What would change if you did change departments? From corporate, I’m guessing any move would be into litigation. Do you really want to be a litigator? Work with litigators (sorry, litigators but you are a different breed)?
3. This is US-specific but I would really wait until you have 2-3 years under your belt before leaving. Pay off loans (haha, you’re in Europe, no loans!), build up a savings cushion, and use your firm’s connections to network and explore your options. Maybe your firm will even help you transition once you are a known quantity.
In the US, only in a few circumstances would I worry about the firm’s “investment” in me. After the Great Layoffs of 2008-2009, everyone knows the firm would drop someone in a hot second so there’s no need for loyalty. Of course, this might be different in Europe.
No matter what, not doing good work will only hurt you by giving you a bad reputation. It won’t hurt your firm. So do your best work.
Help!
Thanks for the advice, it got me thinking :) And I’ll be looking for the other articles.
1. I’m not sure I buy the “be happy with something that is all right but doesn’t make you happy, because it could be worse”. I want to like what I do, I don’t want to “work for the weekend” or check the time throughout the day every day to see how long it is until I can go home. Maybe it’s naive, but I think I should at least try for a job that I’ll actually like most of the time.
I’m not saying I think I’d be happier at a different law firm, I was thinking of a more “radical” move like going into research – I always wanted to do a PhD and was encouraged to by my supervisor (but thought I’d get some practical experience first and the options are somewhat limited in the city I’m currently in, which I guess is sort of how I ended up where I am now).
2. I was thinking from banking/finance to some of the other areas the firm covers (IP law, european competition law etc.) which I enjoy more than the banking/finance stuff I’m currently doing (I originally applied to do competition law, but was put in banking/finance because they needed people as they have 3 ppl out on maternity leave, which is typically 40-52 weeks here). I am not to keen on our litigation dept, the senior partner is cray-cray.
3. Well, I wouldn’t be leaving until I had another job lined up and pretty much all the other jobs I have been thinking about would cover my expenses just fine. My current job certainly makes it easier to save for a down payment on a house/apt, but I already have a decent chunk of money saved so at this point I’d say I value a job I can enjoy most of the time over the extra money (which basically comes out to a difference of about $ 18,000/year between current salary and starting salary for the other jobs I’ve looked at).
Anyway, thank you again for your advice, I’m definitely thinking about all this some more :)
Em
Not all work is mind-numbing. I agree that those of us who have jobs we don’t find mind-numbing are lucky, and should be aware of that fact. And I wouldn’t tell “Help!” to quit her job with nothing else lined up because it’s boring (not that it sounds like she’s contemplating anything along those lines). But there’s no shame in thinking about how to find a job you will like: why else do we pursue secondary education at all?
That said, it’s true all jobs have things you won’t like. But I don’t think not liking a corporate law job (which, I will say it, aren’t exactly known for having high job satisfaction) is in and of itself a redflag that you’re expecting every single aspect of your job to be fun.
Ellen
I have learned to roll with the punche’s, which is AMERICAN saying for being flexieble.
I have a situation in MY firm where I am the ONLEY woman under 35 workeing there so I get all of the cases that NO one else want’s to do and ALL of the NEW stuff which is NOT easy anyway (Anti-Trust, Corporete, etc) as well as a boat Load of Litiegation in Worker’s Compensation that the manageing partner has shuffeled off to me. FOOEY!
I look to the good side. I am the onley person in my gradueating class that has a 20% clotheing allowance, where I get reimbueresed for clotheing that the manageing partner approves. Fortunateley, his taste in womens’ clotheing is pretty good, so I do NOT mind wearing the clotheing he approve’s for me. Yay!!!!!
Also, since I am the youngest person at the firm (other then one secratery, Lynn), people alway’s come to me for advise on what the younger generation is thinkeing on things.
Finally, whenever there is a firm outeing, I am alway’s picked early to be a team leader for event’s the manageing partner want’s to do. This year, I am orgeanizing a “round Manhattan” boat cruize, where we will all have dinner at a nice place, then take a boat ride around the Island of Manhattan (which is New York City).
So I wish you alot of luck. The one thing I did NOT mention was that it could be easier if you were MARRIED, but I am not goeing there, b/c of my Alan situeation. Mabye in a couple of years! Yay!
Sookie
This in its own way makes sense. You sound young. Find a guy, get married, and you can have the work life flexibility to figure out what makes sense for you especially if children are on the game plan for you. It’s time we get some benefit out of our relationships and given your age and outlook, family life should be a viable option. I don’t know what European country you’re in but I am sure there are eligible bachelors looking for an educated professional eager to start a family. Good luck to you and be sure to report back on your progress!
ELLENWatch
Are you affiliated with S&S Associates, perchance?
Apologies to all real persons on this thread. I am not responsible for COMENTS like the above, but I do want to be clear about their pedigree. A husband/kids answer pertaining to nothing and coming out of nowhere is always a sure sign.
Enthusiast. Archivist. Buffoon.
ELLENWatch
Cb
Do dry cleaning bags work? I got hit by a major dry cleaning bill and am trying to ease the pain a bit. Do they extend the time between cleanings?
Belle et Rebelle
I find they work pretty well for freshening up clothes between dry cleanings. I’ve also had some luck treating minor stains with the solution they provide. Worth a try, I’d say.
a lawyer
Another suggestion: for just about everything that’s not a formal lined jacket or skirt, I am washing on the “handwash” cycle in my washer (high efficiency) and hanging to dry. Do NOT hang wool to dry in the sun, though. Check out the Laundress line of handwashing detergents and their instructions. This REALLY works. I’ve even done lined wool pants, and they have come out smelling great and looking great.
I also use a Jiffy J-2000 clothes steamer. I steam after I hang to dry, and I also steam in between dry-cleanings. I thnk it freshens better than drycleaning and none of that goshawful drycleaner odor.
lawsuited
My biggest cost is dry cleaning my silk blouses, which need to be cleaned more often than my suiting. Have you had any luck washing blouses in the washer?
MelD
I wash them in the washer all the time and haven’t had any problems. I have a HE front loading machine, but I am not sure that makes any difference.
a lawyer
Me, too, the trick is to take them out, smooth them out and and either lay flat or hang to dry. Laundress makes a delicate detergent for silk and other delicates. I was very dubious about washing wool, silk, etc. until I was in a very highend shop in Highlands, NC (not usually my style but there for a wedding) and bought a cashmere cover up since it was unusually cold. They had the Laundress products and the sales people really insisted laundering is much better than drycleaning. Laundress website has a nice printout of how to launder all sorts of fabric.
Lalo
Any other Cal fans who currently want to cry?
ANP
Just needed a place to express that my to-do list is totally overwhelming me (both work and personal). For the second night in a row, I’m awake 2-4 hours past when the rest of my family went to sleep, working on all manner and sort of projects. I realize that I can/should downgrade some of these things importance-wise, but it seems like so much needs to be done NOW NOW NOW that I can’t get on top of the pile. Gahhhhhhhhhhh.
CapnKate
Anyone have any tips about what to do with small holes in a cashmere sweater? I spent wayyyy too much money on a pink cashmere cardigan from jcrew, and now it has about five tiny holes in it– a few under the arms and one on the back. I don’t know why this happened in the first place, but I can’t bear to just throw it out. Any ideas???
ss
The ideal fix would be to find matching yarn and darn the holes. The easy one is clear nail polish to seal the edges and continue to wear the thing, holes and all.
NYNY
It sounds like you may have clothes moths. You should be able to darn the holes with the little bit of yarn you get along with extra buttons when you buy the sweater if you kept it. But you should check your other sweaters, too. I hope it’s not too bad…
If you do have moths, this website has pretty thorough information on how to handle it: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05599.html
Chini
This has been a really common problem with J. Crew sweaters in recent years (check out the Aficionado blog, where the tendency for holes to appear in almost-new clothing is discussed in detail). They are making their sweaters thinner/lower quality. Don’t blame the moths if they seem to have a taste for J. Crew only. See if you can return it, even if it’s past the standard date. They know their clothes are having problems and might be willing to do an exchange.
anon for this
It is probably late in the weekend for this, but for those in the legal field, when did you know it was time to jump ship and switch firms?
a lawyer
1) when you have a better job offer! Seriously, though, I would not leave until I have another job.
2) When you hate what you are doing. I left one firm when I realized I was going to be doing primarily insurance work, and hated it philosophically and in the day to day doings of work.
3) When you realize you are not valued at your present firm–a harder issue. Previous firm, insurance defense, truly valued me and my opinions. Current firm, not so much, but I love the work I do (plaintiff). I probably should have seriously considered leaving 15 years ago when I realized one of the senior partners thinks he is the only one with half a brain and totally sexist in his view of women attorneys, although he thinks he is completely enlightened.
Caveat–these observations are from small firms, not Biglaw.
Advance Sheets
In my office we circulate bound copies of reported cases determined in my state’s Supreme Court in the last month or so, and I’m never sure of the best way to address these. What do others who circulate these in your office do? I’ve considered starting a word document of decisions related to my practice area to refer to, but I haven’t actually gotten that going yet. I’d love to hear others’ ideas and/or what you are doing. Thanks in advance!
a lawyer
We all just go online and read the advance sheets ourselves. If I see a case that is particularly helpful or even particularly bad for my practice area, I do a synopsis of it and add it to a single document in my personal directory so that I can search that document to find recent relevant cases.In the synopsis, I include all the info to allow me to find the case quickly on westlaw or the court’s website.
Circulating bound copies never worked for us, as someone would hold them for months so that by the time the next person got them, they were old news.
jj
Shoe/clothing advice needed: I have a big meeting coming up on Thursday, I work in healthcare and the meeting is all within our hospital, so no outside clients, but some big movers and shakers within our organization. My problem is footwear. Normally, I’d wear heels. However, I stepped on a chunk of glass last week and while I can get around on my feet, heels are out right now. I was going to wear a sheath dress (indian summer temperatures are killer right now), so my choice is A) flat loafers, B) a pair of flat ankle boots or C) snake print kitten heel pumps (1.5″). None are ideal, loafers don’t look all that fab with a sheath dress and both the boots and the pumps are a wee bit on the trendy side. Any thoughts?
anon
Agree none of your choices sound ideal. Some other options : ballet or some other dressy flats with your dress, trousers plus a sleek silk shirt or knit with your loafers, maybe even flip-flops or flat sandals plus a visible and self-explanatory bandage with your dress ?
(nicely-groomed feet if you go with the last option !)
Bonnie
I vote for the kitten heels. Snake print is trendy but could look nice if it goes with your dress. Definite no on ankle boots with a sheath dress.
AnotherLadyLawyer
My vote is simple flats (not boots, maybe not loafers. Do you have other flats?) with a bandage and be prepared to laugh off the injury if anyone asks (I doubt anyone will ask).
Avodah
I am a bit late for “weekend” questions, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’m making a career change from academia to asset management. I’m currently an exec. asst. I make more money doing this than I would in academia, and this is one step towards a career in asset management.
I describe myself as competent, educated, articulate, organized and driven. One problem- the younger males (early-mid 20’s) are quite rude to me and the other assts (all of whom are bright and good at their jobs). Their tone of emails and in-person conversations is rude, and they roll their eyes. In other words- they behave like 12 year old girls.
I don’t ask that my colleagues roll out the red carpet. I ask that they treat me with the same respect they would a fellow analyst.
Do you have any thoughts on how to stand up for myself w/out looking too sensitive/unprofessional/weak/dramatic?