STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kari · Dooney & Bourke

Somebody tell me i am crazy...

Eurodaisy · Dooney & Bourke

Being an associate at a firm is a lot different from working there part-time during school. You have your own cases, responsibilities, and clients... and you'll probably have a lot more interaction with the parters, including the scary guy. Punched a hole in his office wall? Seriously, that is over the top... who does that? If he worked at a law firm that wasn't his own, he'd be on a mandatory "vacation" at some resort where they teach anger management classes.

I'd think real hard about this one... what are your other options? Given your experience, could you find work in the same practice area/city etc?

Kari · Dooney & Bourke

I'm sure I could...

But, I am so overwhelmed with graduation and passing the bar that I guess I just thought it would be nice to already have the job thing figured out even if it were just long enough to get passed the bar and then focus on the "real" job hunt.

And, I've never competed for a job before...they have all just landed in my lap. I guess I am just scared of rejection!

I have made up a resume...it just needs some fine-tuning. I'll get it out there and see what happens...but at least I will have this as a back-up to pay the bills. Until the hole in the door thing...I wasn't too concerned, but that is whacky!

kittenheels · Coach

Oh no. That sounds very distressing. I hope things get better there. You know, if you stuck it out until after you pass the bar, you will be in a much better situation to look for other jobs. On the other hand, please be careful...someone who punches holes in the wall sounds like a very volatile person to work for. Be careful, and best luck with the bar!

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

This one is tough. I've worked with door punchers before - it's manageable if you don't care that they're upset. So if you think it can work, I would stay there and like you said, use it to get a better job. Just for the stress minimizing effect. (My friends who took the bar last year were pretty frazzled, especially the ones who didn't know where they were going!) On the other hand, if you think working there will make it more stressful for you at a difficult time, it's probably a good idea to get out now.

Some factors I would consider: Has the door puncher ever targeted you? The secretary who's leaving might have been his lightening rod, and he might be lookign for a new victim. Is there any possibility that would be you? As for the fights and the unprofessional atmosphere, eh. It's really just kind of funny most of the time. If you can let it roll off you, it really shouldn't make much of a difference. I've worked with drunks and criers and who knows what all - just smile and pat their hand and do what you want. They won't bother you much if their manipulative factors don't work on you. But if it's goign to give you a "Who the hell are these people?" vibe every time, though, it could be really hard on you.

To evaluate that: Does bad behavior bother you generally? Do you hate being around people who are strife-prone? Do you have to "win" over the crazy? Does someone who's out of touch with reality make you nervous? If you can honestly say no to all these, odds are the craziness won't bother you much. Good luck!!!

laken1 · Hermes

I agree that it's a tough situation. I think I worked with this guy! Only mine threw staplers & said the f word a lot - to customers & employees alike.

Is it a situation that you can start there & get a new job after your aren't weighed down with the bar, stress from school, etc? If so that may be a good option. I imagine that if you are in a half way small city & from the turnover that everyone knows the working environment there is volitale. If so I doubt it would hurt you to leave after a short period of time from a resume standpoint.

Good luck & stay out of the line of fire with the hole puncher!