Working with the right legal recruiter can make all the difference between you securing your ideal role or settling for a position that doesn’t match your ambitions or talent. A strong recruiter should act as a strategic advisor, first understanding what truly drives you, then helping you make smart career moves that genuinely align with your ambitions and talent. You may be planning your next step up, trying to escape a difficult workplace, or returning to the market after redundancy or maternity leave – so having the right support is key so you have the guidance, insight and discretion you need to secure the right role.
With many recruiters in the market, how can you determine if yours is doing enough?
Here are some key ways we think a good legal recruiter should be helping actively support your career:
Giving You Informed and Candid Career Advice
A strong recruiter should assess your position objectively and honestly – advising on salary expectations, hiring trends, and career progression options. They should offer candid feedback – be it telling you to refine your CV, expanding your skill set, or repositioning yourself in the market. If you are looking to switch specialisms or sectors or change things up, they should provide you with true insight to inform a clear plan, so you know what to expect and are prepared for any hurdles along the way.
Managing Your Search with Discretion and Professionalism
If you are exploring opportunities while still employed or dealing with a difficult work environment – your recruiter should be patient and understand protecting your privacy. They should handle your search confidentially and with sensitivity throughout – so you feel at ease and supported.
Introducing You to the Right Opportunities
A tailored approach is key – every job position they pitch to you should be carefully considered, aligning with your skills, goals, and expectations. A recruiter should not just send you publicly advertised roles, however. They should take a personal and proactive approach and (where necessary) use their network to find firms that are hiring strategically or willing to consider strong candidates through introductions. This extra support and extra mile may make a world of difference to your prospects.
Preparing You to Succeed in the Hiring Process
Your recruiter should offer detailed insights into each firm’s structure, culture, and expectations based on their unique knowledge. They should offer to help prepare you for interviews, so you can make the very best impression with hiring teams.
Managing the Process with Transparency and Efficiency
Your recruiter should be on the ball and keep you in the loop, particularly as applications can be stressful and daunting. They should carefully oversee your applications, coordinate interviews, and keep you informed. They should also be upfront about their commission structure, so you have full transparency of the process.
Negotiating a Strong Offer
As well as negotiating pay, your recruiter should help you negotiate to match your expectations – be it flexible working arrangements or other perks, so you can get the best out of a package. While it won’t always be possible to negotiate the ideal, they can help you put your best foot forward.
Adding Value and Keeping Ahead of Market Trends
Where you are waiting for the perfect move or time to move, your recruiter should keep you informed about salary benchmarks, hiring trends, and industry developments. They should help you plan your career strategically and ahead rather than waiting for you to react to the market.
Knowing the Market and Role
Your recruiter should understand the nuances of different firms and what makes them tick, as well as in-house roles. They should know the role and business to help you understand it, advising clearly on expectations around billable targets and working patterns – helping you make informed choices about your future which add more value than you directly applying yourself without inside knowledge.
Acting as a Long-Term Career Advisor
A strong recruiter should also keep in touch, so you feel you have support and someone invested in your career beyond just your next move. They should check in with you even when you are not actively looking and provide long-term guidance to keep you ahead of the competition – even where you’re not actively on the look out, perhaps an interesting role might come across which could be a great fit for your skills.
We are recruiters who understand the legal market and we believe in our candidates. We work hard for our candidates to help them secure the best roles and achieve their full potential. You can get in touch with us for confidential and trusted advice.
