AGC or Legal Director at FB After Rejection
Last year I was in the final stages of interviewing for an AGC position at FB and I was expecting an offer when COVID hit. My recruiter told me the job I was being hired for was placed "on hold" due to COVID but they would continue to consider me for other positions. After not hearing anything, I waited a year and just had a friend at FB refer me for a few other similar AGC positions. I was immediately told I would not be moving forward for any of them, and I think it might be because of the way things ended last year. I can reapply again in 90 days, but I don't want to apply again unless I have some chance at success. Any thoughts or ideas for getting over this weird and unfortunate hump?
Move on for now. You can always interview again at fb a job or so later. I got rejected there after going a full cycle a few years ago, went on to other roles. Couple of years later, interviewed again and got it. I'm AGC so slightly similar to your situation
Awesome -- thanks for replying and reinforcing that it isn't worth it to keep trying in the near term.
Apply to Amazon, they are desperate for talent given turn over and the easiest tech legal company to get hired into. Then leave for Facebook, Google, Salesforce, MSFT, etc. after 2-3 years. Easiest way to get into a Legal Dept at one of the better quality of life tech firms is to start at Amazon.
Thanks so much for the advice. Talking to my sources, it seems like Amazon is a tough place for lawyers, but it’s probably the best option for me in Seattle at this point (especially to maintain my current comp). The other sense I’ve gotten is that the other tech firms don’t really have a lot of lawyers in Seattle (when I was interviewing for the FB position that was put on hold it was for MPK and they wouldn’t let me stay in Seattle). Any thoughts on the best way to get in at Amazon? Probably through a referral?
Referral would help, but they just need bodies. If you have solid schools and companies on your resume and BS your way through their leadership principle interview questions, you'll have a really strong shot. Surprised FB wouldn't let you stay in Seattle. They have several lawyers, including ex-Amazon, folks up there. Salesforce, Twitter and Square also have people up there.
Based on what you’re saying about your credentials the only sole reason why you’re been shot down at the door in house is because of lack of ‘sufficient’ in house experience, if any, before partnership... I’ve seen Skaden partners been low balled brutally in position, salary, and prestige... In house can be quite brutal to enter if you didn’t join the club after law school or joined at some time before law firm partnership. Your top 10 credentials starts to become weak after partnership, sadly and strangely. Simply put you need to network like crazy. Find your law school alumni who I’m sure are probably GCs at this point in house. No shame just talk to them about your story. You’ll be surprise how many would want to help. Once you’re in you’re in! The buddy is deep in house. Who you know is everything even when you get in..how fast you move or get a bonus or promotion, it’s all about if you know someone GC or deputy at the top...
Thanks so much!!! The funny thing is....I’m a GC myself....just not at the type of company that I want to be working for, and frankly, all of the positions I’m applying for look like a serious demotion on paper. I’m willing to do it, though, as I see it as the cost of pivoting to a different industry. But you are totally right — I need to network like crazy with the law alums that are at the companies I want to be working for...and there are a lot of them...
Lots of GCs in not very plum roles only get to AGC at FB, not Director AGC. The last few Directors I saw getting hired there who I know were a Google Legal Director, Alphabet GC, and HPE DGC. FB can land very good people at the Director level in legal, so you're likely slotted right at standard AGC.
That’s great insight and super helpful if I ever try again. I’m feeling like it’s probably not happening anytime soon. Given my background, I thought Facebook Financial would have been a good fit, but now I’m thinking maybe I’ll try a Fintech Start-Up instead.
I’m not against us helping each other here. If you’re interested in something at Microsoft, let me know.
I totally looked, but there isn’t anything right now...when there is, I’m totally letting you know! Thank you SO much!
It sucks. I lost a few job opportunities after multiple round interviews due to positions being on “hold” too. I would just move on to another company. Facebook isn’t the end all be all.
Thanks...the "on hold" thing is so frustrating, but I also think that it just wasn't meant to be.