The legal market is no stranger to the challenges and uncertainties. Whether you're a lawyer who feels like you've hit a roadblock or someone who's surprised by an outcome despite your best efforts, it's crucial to remember that you're not alone.
For those navigating the current legal maze, here's some advice and insight:
1. Yes, the market is tight - nearly for everyone.
On every call, I take the chance to educate candidates on the market, the pace at which firms are moving, and certain trends or patterns we are seeing. I've been on the receiving end of plenty of frustration - candidates standing behind their own credentials and having a hard time understanding the pace at which things are moving. As I like to say "It's not you, and it's not me - it's the market "At the end of the day we can't change market conditions but we can work around them.
2. With the right guidance you will get there.
You need guidance, a mentor and most importantly, a strategy in the current market. With the right approach, you will find the right law firm to suit your requirements. Be patient and ask lots of questions throughout the process.
I have currently been working exclusively with a candidate for a little over two months. We cast a wide net, he was open minded, and he was patient. He understood the market conditions and was willing to be flexible where he needed to be. It took two months to secure one interview. He blew it out of the water. Our coordination throughout the process, getting feedback from firms on their decision to pass, and working hand in hand for interview prep all brought together a great result.
3. Remain in control.
Keep your process streamlined. Having several processes in motion with different recruiters or friends makes things much more challenging. If we do not have ownership over something, there is nothing we can do to speed along processes, slow them down, or negotiate them against each other. It can get complex if you are working with multiple recruiters, so try to keep it streamlined by working with only one.
