7 Benefits of Working With a Legal Recruiter
Whether actively looking for a lateral move or keeping up with job market trends, the rewards of a new job are often offset by the daunting tasks of the job search such as updating your resume, filling out applications, attending multiple interviews, sending thank-you letters, and waiting for responses. It’s enough to keep put at your current firm whether satisfied or otherwise!
But working with a legal recruiter streamlines this taxing process, often relieving you from a number of these steps. They give you a competitive edge – getting your resume in front of top firms, removing the stress of the job hunt, and finding you exclusive opportunities to elevate your legal career.
Why It’s Better to Work With a Legal Recruiter
Here’s why a legal recruiter is your biggest advantage in your job search:
They are experts in the legal job market
They are your ally in the hiring process
They know about new job openings first
They save time in the job search
They know what you’re worth
They’re looking for the best fit, not to fill positions
They speak the truth
Let’s go into each of these in more detail.
They are experts in the legal job market
As a job candidate you may have a cursory understanding of current trends in the legal job market, including which practice areas might be in demand, or alternatively which are seeing a dip due to economic factors - but your knowledge may begin and end around there.
A legal recruiter however is an expert in the legal job market. They have their finger on the pulse of job and firm hiring trends because keeping abreast of this is to their direct benefit when working with Recruiting Managers and job-seeking candidates.
Their role is to be an expert in the legal field, which is why they are best equipped to advise on which roles you should apply for and when, firm hiring trends, practice area salary expectations, and more.
They are you ally in the hiring process
One of the greatest benefits of working with a legal recruiter is the edge you receive in the hiring process. Recruiters have spent years fostering close relationships with Recruiting Managers within law firms, connections which directly benefit your chances of landing a meeting and being hired at your dream firm.
Great recruiters also offer guidance, support, and reassurance along the way. They’ll help to sharpen your interview skills ensuring you make a great first impression, prepare you for specific questions based on the firm you’re interviewing with, which of your skill sets to highlight, and a firm’s hiring ceremony in full (i.e. how long you should expect to be interviewing).
They Know About the New Job Openings
Speaking to recruiter relationships: in most cases, legal recruiters are going to know about firm openings that you may not find on your own. Online job boards and networking certainly help, but recruiters are often the first to know about those coveted open positions at top law firms that aren’t widely advertised (or sometimes not advertised at all).
At Swan Legal Search, we’re proud to have maintained trusted relationships with law firms of all shapes and sizes and have a solid understanding of their differentiating characteristics, unique hiring practices, recent news, and the like. Firms come to us directly with new roles and specific candidates they’re seeking because we have a reputation for matching the best candidate for the role.
Additionally - law firms that work with legal recruiters typically give priority to candidates that they recommend, giving you a foot in the door you may not have otherwise.
They Save Time in the Job Search
Job hunting, especially in the legal industry, is a stressful and time-consuming process. Working with an attorney recruiter can help you zero in on your skill set to find the ideal job, making the entire process more efficient with often minimal work on your end.
Whether you’re currently working and looking for a new position or you’ve suddenly lost your job, time is of the essence - particularly in the latter category. Your legal recruiter works smart and swiftly to help you get as many resumes to qualified roles out as possible.
They Know What You’re Worth
A legal recruiter brings a wealth of information to the table that you may not know about yourself, including how much someone in your position, with your experience, education, and skill set, commands as a job candidate. This can be invaluable in ensuring that you are compensated fairly and you’re seeking roles that are an ideal fit both in practice and monetarily. They are truly your ally!
They’re Looking for the Best Fit, Not to Fill Positions
It’s a common misconception that recruiters are just looking to fill positions with able bodies. While that may be true of some recruiters, legal recruiters are hired by law firms and companies to fill legal positions with the most suitable candidates for the role and the firm.
The recruiter’s success is in delivering exceptional results to the client, so they are looking for the best fit. That means they want you to get a position where you excel in, that meets your needs as much as you fit the firm’s practice and clients. Otherwise, both you and the client may be unhappy, leading you to leave and the whole process to start over.
They Speak the Truth
Delivering feedback in a straightforward manner can be difficult under any circumstance, but this is a skill legal recruiters have mastered. They are experts in offering transparent and honest feedback across all fronts - your experience, which firms are the best match, salary expectations - areas where you want a learned professional to be your guide and straightforward with you.
Legal recruiters handle a number of applications for top law firms – they know what their clients are looking for. Your colleagues, friends, or family are not only unaware of the market, but they may want to be positive or avoid hurting your feelings. But growth comes from uncomfortable truths and constructive criticism - delivered with tact of course - that helps you improve, not being told what you want to hear.
Where Can You Find a Legal Recruiter in California?
At Swan Legal Search, we are THE experts in the California legal recruiting market. Our team of legal recruiters understand the lateral job market and demonstrate an unprecedented passion for the work. Most of our recruiters practiced in Big Law and understand the unique challenges and demands that attorneys face firsthand.
Our success is a direct reflection of the commitment, accountability, and integrity we bring to every search. We open doors so you can walk through them. Contact us and let us know how we can help!
Frequently Asked Questions About Working With a Legal Recruiter
Still have questions? Here are the answers to the most common questions about working with a legal recruiter:
What is the difference between a legal recruiter and a legal headhunter?
These terms are used synonymously to describe a recruiter for legal professionals, but there’s some nuance to the differences. Typically, legal headhunters aim to fill executive positions. Legal recruiters are more broad and fill positions in a variety of roles.
Another difference is that recruiters usually work with candidates who are actively seeking new employment opportunities. Headhunters often reach out to candidates who are employed. Both of these roles are different than staffing, which is an agency that’s hired to provide temporary workers. Recruiters are acquiring talent to fill a permanent position.
What do legal recruiters look for?
Legal recruiters are looking for good lawyers, naturally, but there’s more to it than that. During the recruiting process, they’re looking for signs that you have a winning way, which includes an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership qualities, creativity, communication skills, and self-motivation.
What questions should I ask a legal recruiter?
Legal recruiters are the link between employers and prospective employees browsing job openings, so it’s important to ask the right questions. Here are some examples:
Can you tell me about the job?
What do you know about this firm?
Why is the position vacant?
How long has the job been open?
What are the top skills needed?
What is the time frame for filling the position?
What is the salary the firm expects to pay for this role?
Why do you think I’m a good fit?
Can you work with multiple legal recruiters?
Though there’s nothing to prevent you from working with multiple legal recruiters, it’s not ideal. Working with several recruiters could put you in the middle of tense negotiations and may harm your reputation as a job candidate.
It’s better to work with one trusted recruiter for your job search. Be sure to vet your recruiter thoroughly and select them based on a strong reputation and presence in the local market, positive testimonials, and a good track record with past placements.
How do I know if the recruiter is a good one?
A good recruiter has a rich knowledge of their industry and a passion in helping match law firms with qualified associates. Good recruiters put in the effort and try to get to know their candidates and their career goals, maintain good communication, and respect boundaries and expectations.
There are several steps in every firm’s recruiting process and they’ll be your trusted guide throughout. A good recruiter is genuinely interested in helping you find the best role and matching you with the firm that you align with best, both in practice areas, size, and most importantly, values.
What are the requirements of a legal recruiter?
Most legal recruiters have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like law, criminal justice, business, or communications. Many strong legal recruiters, like our recruiters at Swan Legal, have worked at a law firm or legal department of a company in some capacity as well.
Aside from formal education, legal recruiters need a variety of skills to be effective in their work. Strong negotiation skills, empathy, compassion, and the ability to read a room can separate a good recruiter from a great one. It’s a job which requires adaptability and the ability to speak to many types of people.
At Swan Legal Search, our recruiters have diverse backgrounds in the legal industry. Some worked at law firms as recruiting managers, others worked in law schools in the career services department, and most were practicing attorneys in California. This unique combination of experience and skills offers different perspectives and a vast network of law firms in the area.
What things should I consider before working with a recruiter?
Before working with a legal recruiter you should consider whether they have the time, resources, or bandwidth to research the available job opportunities on the market to find the best fit. If you said ‘no’ to any of these: a legal recruiter will offer a great deal of benefit and value for you as a job seeker.
Even if you want to look for opportunities on your own, having a recruiter’s help improves your chances of landing your dream job.
What should I do if I get a call from a legal recruiter?
Legal recruiters are, among many things, information brokers. They gather facts about different job opportunities that match with appropriate candidates and the job search process.
Even if you’re happy with your current firm when a recruiter calls, we believe it’s still worth the conversation. It’s insightful to learn about the legal job market as it compares to your firm and practice area - your skills for example may be in higher demand now than they were this time last year, there may be a merger outside of your firm that affects your area or practice, or you may be unknowingly underpaid based on current salary trends.
Expanding your knowledge in your incredibly competitive field is truly to your advantage - next time a recruiter calls we say take it!