Looking for a new job is time-consuming and, at times, incredibly challenging – particularly in the legal industry. It is essential to understand all your options, get in front of the right firms and, most importantly, know your worth.
To increase your chances of success, it is advised to seek the help of a specialist recruiter who holds an abundance of knowledge about current trends and developments within multiple markets, be it national or international.
There are many ways you can leverage the recruiting experience, so value this time and get the most out of your recruiter with these top tips…
1. Build a relationship
Get to know your recruiter and let them get to know you. You need to be able to trust them when finding your next legal role, and they need the ability to understand what firm and work environment you will thrive in the most. Let them know your circumstances, views on remote working and past good and bad experiences. Meet up for a coffee or jump on a video call to get the ball rolling.
2. Maintain open communication
Effective communication goes both ways. Ensure that you stay in regular contact with your recruiter. If you have a busy schedule, it’s sensible to plan calls in advance and dedicate time to the recruitment process. Let them know your preferred communication method and take it from there.
3. Tailor your CV
Your recruiter knows exactly what their clients are looking for, so there is no better person to help tailor your CV. They can provide integral advice regarding layout and formulate your skills and experience to showcase exactly what the client needs.
4. Let the recruiter guide you
Specialist recruiters will have the knowledge to guide you through each stage of the recruitment process and, most crucially, the interview stage. Listen to their advice and find out where all the hot jobs are located. Use your recruiter’s industry expertise to your advantage, take notes and follow up with more research.
When you are invited to interview, run through some potential questions and scenario’s with your recruiter – this will increase your confidence and chances of success.
At Sonder, our offices are always open to candidates for one-to-one interview prep or if they would prefer to conduct a video interview in an office environment rather than from home.
5. Be honest with the recruiter
Don’t be afraid, to be honest with your recruiter. To thrive in a new firm and potentially a new city it needs to be the right one. So any concerns, no matter how big or small – make sure you voice them. Again, the more conversations you have, the more your recruiter can refine what roles will be ideal for your expertise and personality.
6. Be open to feedback
Constructive feedback from a recruiter will enable you to tidy up your approach and ace interview scenarios. You may end up considering something you never thought was possible! Overall, feedback is essential to professional development, so always ask for advice on improving and increasing your chances of landing a top role.
6. Keep in touch even after you’ve landed a job
It’s important to stay in touch with your recruiter. You never know when you might be in search of a new job, so it’s always good to keep them onside. This could simply be an email every few months to let them know how you are getting on in your new job or a phone call to digest the latest market intel.
Ready to take the nest step in your career with the help of a legal recruiter by your side? Get in touch with our friendly team today and set yourself up for success.
“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water”.
– Benjamin Franklin
