If you respond to a legal recruiter from a cold outreach, the recruiter should schedule a screening call to get to know you. Use this call as a chance to interview this recruiter. Do your due diligence in assuring that this recruiter is legit.
Here are some questions to explore with this recruiter.
- Experience: It is vital to find a recruiter with expertise in your practice area or industry niche. Ask them questions about how long they have been in the legal recruitment game and whether they focus on placing associates or partners.
- Track Record: Request a list of their past placements. Inquiring where a recruiter has placed prior candidates is essential information.
- Network: Connections matter! Inquire about the breadth and depth of their professional network. Ask them about the history they have with the firm behind the position and what kinds of relationships they have with the partners. A well-connected recruiter opens doors to a wider range of opportunities and can reach out to firm members directly. Sometimes, a subtle text goes further than a submission into the portal void.
- Understanding of Goals: A recruiter who understands your needs is more likely to find the perfect match. I recommend finding a recruiter who will meet you for coffee or Zoom with you.
- Client Base: What law firms do they represent? Do they work with Amlaw 100, boutique firms, or both?
- Specialization: If you have a specific area of expertise, like IP, ask about their knowledge of your field and what other candidates they have placed within it. A good recruiter will have specialized knowledge of particular fields of law and the top firms in your area.
- Location Focus: Determine where they primarily operate. Do they specialize in a particular city or state? A recruiter who works in specific markets will know them best.
- Number of Firms: If you are broadly looking for a new job, ask the recruiter about the number of firms they will apply you to. A good recruiter will typically send to 3-5 firms to start. This is a red flag if someone is sending your resume to 100s of firms at once.
- Interview Prep: Inquire about the level of support they provide in terms of interview preparation. A recruiter who helps you shine in interviews is a valuable partner.
- Offer Review & Negotiation: Discuss how they assist in offer review and negotiation. It is crucial to have someone in your corner who can help you navigate these critical stages of landing a job on favorable terms. You can ask about the status of the market for year-end bonus guarantees and see how they respond as well.
Ultimately, your job is to select a reputable and hard-working legal recruiter with a specialty in YOUR MARKET. A good recruiter can help you in more ways than just submitting your resume and application. If the recruiter can’t answer these questions, they are not your person. Keep looking!
