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I’m really unsure that I’m going to clear probation with how things have been going, and I have a feeling I might be asked to leave at the end of it. I obviously hope I’m wrong, but I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for that possibility.
What’s worrying me more is that I genuinely don’t know what I do after that. I was thinking of trying for another T1, but I have no idea how firms look at someone leaving exactly at the end of probation, especially after such a short stint. Would I be seen as a massive red flag? Would recruiters assume there was some serious issue with my work, or is it something that can realistically be explained as just a bad fit?
I don’t think I’m a bad lawyer, and I don’t think I’m someone who is difficult to work with. I just think maybe I wasn’t a good fit for this particular place. But I’m worried that, on paper, none of that matters if all someone sees is a few months at a firm followed by an exit.
And honestly, right now I’m much more worried about the immediate practical side of things. I have rent and regular expenses to take care of, and I don’t really have the financial cushion to be unemployed for very long. I’m completely open to taking a pay cut or taking something that isn’t necessarily my first choice. I’d be willing to look at T1s, T2s, boutiques, chambers, in-hous, honestly, anything that gives me some stability and lets me keep paying rent.
The problem is that I’m tied into my current rent agreement, and if I have to leave the flat early, I’d have to take on expenses that I genuinely cannot afford without a job. So even a short gap in employment is something I’m quite worried about, at least till my rent agreement ends.
Do you think I’m going to be at a serious disadvantage applying elsewhere because I’m potentially leaving right at the end of probation? And should I just start applying broadly now rather than waiting to see what happens?
Also, if I do start interviewing, how do I explain the short stint? I obviously don’t want to lie about what happened or badmouth the firm, but I also don’t want this one experience to become something that follows me around and makes me unemployable.
I think that’s what is scaring me the most — the possibility of getting out of here and then not being able to get into anywhere else, and ending up in a cycle where I can’t find a job but still have rent and expenses to deal with.
I genuinely don’t know what the sensible move is right now. I’m starting to panic a little, and I’d really appreciate an honest view on how bad this actually is and what you think I should be doing from here.