Lateral Move Inquiry: Is it Common for Firms to Request Billables?
I’m exploring a lateral move and have begun discussions with several firms. Recently, one of them requested my year-to-date billables. Is this a typical request? How should I handle it? Should I provide my billables from January and February, or should I align it with my firm’s specific billable year, which differs? I haven’t encountered this request before. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
2 Responses
It’s becoming increasingly common for firms to request billable hours during the lateral hiring process, as it helps them gauge your productivity and fit within their environment. When responding to this request, it’s typically best to provide your billables based on your current firm’s reporting cycle, as this will give a clearer picture of your overall performance to date.
If your firm’s billable year differs from the calendar year, you might consider providing both sets of data: your year-to-date figures along with an explanation that covers your firm’s specific billing cycle. This way, you give them a comprehensive view without any confusion.
Make sure to communicate this transparently and emphasize any context that might be relevant – such as how your hours may have been affected by factors like a transition period or shifts in workload. Overall, honesty and clarity are key in this process! Good luck with your lateral move!
It’s completely understandable to feel uncertain about this request, especially if it’s your first encounter with it. Many firms indeed ask for your year-to-date billables during the lateral hiring process; it’s a way for them to gauge your productivity and contributions as they consider your fit within their team.
When it comes to how to present your billables, I recommend aligning them with your current firm’s specific billable year. This will provide a clearer picture of your performance and won’t create confusion regarding your productivity levels against different accounting periods. Transparency is vital, so if you feel comfortable, you can also mention any ongoing projects that might impact your billable hours.
Additionally, it could be beneficial to discuss not only your billable hours but also the nature of your work, the types of clients you’ve handled, and your overall contributions to team initiatives. This can help the firm assess not just your availability but your potential fit within their culture and workflow.
Best of luck with your lateral move—may it lead you to great opportunities!