Finding the Right Recruiter for You

Stellar Interpersonal Skills

In your first conversation with a potential recruiter, you should be assessing his/her communication style, tone, and professionalism. It is a good idea to work with someone who has a similar style to you, as they will be representing you to potential employers. It is also very important that you feel comfortable with this person and that an immediate rapport is established. Try to avoid working with someone who comes off as indifferent, in regards to your candidacy. You want to work with someone who is not only passionate about legal recruiting, but also passionate about your job search!
 

• See A Comprehensive Guide to Working with a Legal Recruiter for more information.

Effective Marketing Expertise

Great recruiters are fully committed to developing the marketability of their candidates. As recruiters, we are keenly aware of what law firms are looking for in their candidates, and attorneys can really benefit from this type of market knowledge. Therefore, your recruiter should be willing to critique and revise your resume with you. At BCG Attorney Search, we also craft highly personalized and effective cover letters for our candidates. One of the largest benefits of using a legal recruiter is that they can brag on your behalf! If a recruiter is not willing to invest the time and effort to help you create superior marketing documents, you may want to speak to other professionals.
 

• See How to Easily Determine the Best Attorneys and Law Firms: The Five Prestige Levels of Attorneys and Law Firms for more information about how to determine which law firms are the best.

An Open-Door Policy
Honesty is important in any relationship, and the relationship you have with your recruiter is no exception. It is always alarming when I hear that a candidate has conducted a "blind" job search with another recruiter. In other words, there are recruiters out there who 1) do not disclose job openings to their candidates, and 2) do not disclose where their candidates' resumes have been sent.

In my practice, I openly present firm openings to my candidates and only submit them to firms, after I have received their express authorization. It is imperative that you keep track of where your resume is being sent and when it was received by the firm. One of the worst things you can do regarding your candidacy, is to "double submit" to the same employer. Sending your information more than once to a firm, tells them that you are disorganized, unprofessional, and do not have a handle on your job search. It is very possible that a firm will choose to reject you, solely because you submitted your resume to them more than once. In order to avoid this situation, a lot of candidates choose to work with only one recruiter. If you do decide to work with more than one recruiter, just make sure that you are organized and on top of your job search.

Timeliness

As with an attorney/client relationship, your recruiter should also be very responsive to your questions and concerns. I always try to put myself in the shoes of my candidates. Let's face it, looking for a job is a very stressful undertaking, even if you are currently employed. Therefore, make sure you work with a recruiter that is sensitive to this fact and is very responsive to your questions and concerns. Responding to someone in a timely manner is a sign of respect and care. Therefore, I try to keep my candidates informed of any positive and new developments as soon as possible, as I know they are anxiously awaiting feedback on a resume submission or interview.

In the same way, I try to ensure that I am very responsive to any questions or interest a law firm has, in regards to my candidates. It is important to look for a recruiter who will be consistent and articulate in following up with firms and informing you of new opportunities. Ideally, you want to work with a recruiter who will become a seamless bridge between you and your targeted employers.

Zealous Advocacy

A great recruiter will zealously advocate on your behalf, throughout your job search. With my candidates, I take both a direct and indirect advocacy approach. In regards to direct advocacy, I will present the accolades and highlights of a candidate's background, directly to a law firm. This type of advocacy is done through my cover letters, email communications, and conversations with the firm. As a third party, I can unabashedly present noteworthy achievements and information about my candidates, in a straight forward manner. It is my job to accurately portray you in the best light possible, throughout your job search.

I also indirectly advocate on behalf of my candidates, by ensuring that they are able to successfully market their candidacy during interviews. I often conduct mock interviews, so I can assess my candidates and their abilities to convey their strengths, intelligence, and interpersonal skills. The fact that my candidates are excellent and accomplished attorneys, does not always guarantee that they will be excellent interviewers. By providing in-depth interview coaching, I can help my candidates be poised, confident, and relaxed, in their interviews.

Conclusion

I hope this article was helpful to you, in describing some of the positive qualities you should seek in a legal recruiter. Please choose your recruiters wisely, as they are the portal to an effective law firm search and potential job offers! If you are in the market for a new job, or if you have any comments about this article, We would love to hear from you. You can reach us at jobs@bcgsearch.com.

See the following articles for more information:

• What Characteristics Should I Look for in a Legal Recruiter?
• Interview yourself first - questions to ask before starting your lateral search
• How to Choose a Good Attorney Recruiter
• Why You Should Be Talking to a Legal Recruiter Right Now
• Choosing a Legal Recruiter
• Your Legal Career as a Small Business
• Should I Use a Legal Recruiter? Top 10 Reasons to Use a Legal Recruiter
• How to Select the Best Legal Recruiter and Maximize the Effectiveness of Working with One
• What makes a world class recruiter
• 10 Things That Most Legal Recruiters Will Not Tell You

Want to learn more about legal recruiter jobs? Find out more in this in-depth article about legal recruiting.
 

See What Other Candidates Are Saying: Testimonials and Reviews

 

BCG Attorney Search is looking for driven recruiters to join our team. BCG Attorney Search covers the entire United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We offer first-rate training and coaching, pay top of market commissions, pay our recruiters as employees and not independent contractors, and offer medical insurance and other benefits. Additionally, BCG is the best known brand in the industry and is part of a 200+ employee legal employment company. We offer a supportive cooperative atmosphere and provide you with everything you need to be the most effective recruiter possible (continually updated internal job database, massive advertising support, incredible back office support, and many other perks designed to ensure you match every possible candidate with every available position).

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.