No, You Should Not Quit Your Job before Securing a New One

As I was about to say the word, ''Sure, I think I can assist you in your job search,'' this candidate said something I did not see coming: ''I put in my notice yesterday and have two weeks before I am finished at my current firm.''
 

After what seemed like a twenty-minute silence, I responded with ''You did what?''

Yes, it's true, this rock-star candidate up and quit her job without securing a new one. Was she living under a rock? Did she not notice that we are experiencing an enormous economic recession that has hit even the best law firms like a ton of bricks? Had she not read about the massive lay-offs at countless law firms across the country?


Truth be told, by resigning from her current job, this associate just made her job search exponentially more difficult, if not impossible. Even the best firms have cut back dramatically on lateral hiring, and those that are still hiring are now moving at a snail's pace. After all, the market is flooded with highly credentialed candidates with impressive experience from the top law firms in the country.

As a legal recruiter, it seems obvious that an attorney should not quit his or her job before securing a new one. However, this is clearly not as intuitive as I thought. Consequently, I have put together a brief discussion of the reasons one should not quit his or her job without finding a new one first.

The Impression it Leaves on the Firms to Which You Apply

Here's a simple fact: it's easier to get a job when you have one. But why? Simply stated, employers want to know that another firm (or company) values the candidate's talents enough to pay for them. Moreover, while a cover letter can explain the reasons for an attorney's departure from his or her previous employer, the resume usually cannot, which leaves the firm to guess why the candidate left. And make no mistake, the first thing the firm is going to ask themselves when they read the resume is ''was this person fired?''

Even if the firm doesn't assume that the candidate was fired, it is more than likely (especially in these current economic times) that someone reviewing the resume will jump to the conclusion that the candidate was laid off. At first glance, this may not seem like a bad thing. But think about it: even when firms lay off associates for ''purely economic reasons'' they are generally going to get rid of the least-valuable associates. Therefore, unless there are special circumstances involved, it is likely that an associate recently laid of from a law firm for economic reasons was not a top performer.

Even if the firm learns that the candidate left voluntarily, questions will still remain. Did the candidate leave because he/she saw the writing on the wall and was on the verge of being fired? If we hire this candidate, is she/he going to quit as soon as the going gets rough? Trust me, these are not the types of questions that you want prospective employers to ask about you when they review your resume for the first time.

Finally, this about this: in this saturated market, where attorneys with top credentials are a dime a dozen, an easy way for firms to narrow down the pool of candidates is to eliminate those who are not currently working, no matter the reason. This means that no matter how great you may think you are, a firm may pass on you because the guy sitting next to you has decided to stick out his job until he finds something better.

Quitting before You Have a New Job Permits Firms to Which You Apply to Contact the Old Job for a Reference.

If an associate quits his or her job before securing a new one, any firm to which he or she applies is going to want to contact the prior job for a reference. While this may not be a bad thing if the associate was in good stead with the firm upon his or her departure, chances are if you want to quit today, there are problems with the job and the reference may not be stellar. And we all know that in this market, stellar references are extremely important.

Moreover, if you quit in a huff, you will likely be leaving you former coworkers and bosses with extra work to do, which may leave them with a bad taste in their mouths about you. So, by quitting, you not only leave any prospective firm with questions about why you left, but you permit them to conduct an investigation into the gory details surrounding the departure.

The Financial Strain it Places on the Attorney

While we have always heard about the attorney who quits his or her job expecting to take three months off and then finds his or her dream job the very next day, this hardly ever happens in ''real life'' (especially in this market). In a good market, the experts say to expect a job search to take at least three months, so one can only guess how long it will take in this market. Therefore, the attorney contemplating quitting better have a nice savings account to live on while the job search takes place. I am shocked at the number of associates who have just about no savings and yet refuse to believe me that it can take upwards of six months to find a new job in this market.

Moreover, if an attorney quits and then begins to experience financial stress (which many associates do quickly based on the impressive spending habits they develop while earning a large law-firm salary) he or she may be forced to take the first job that comes along even if it is worse than the job they recently quit. In most cases, the financial pain of not having a job is much worse than the pain of temporarily staying at a job you hate.

The Importance of Having Benefits

While I honestly believe that most of the candidates with whom I work are genuinely smart, I am shocked at the number of attorneys who do not think about the fact that they may lose their health benefits if they quit their job (or they will be subject to COBRA, which many of us know can be outrageously expensive). Add on a spouse and some kids and losing benefits or struggling to pay for COBRA can put a family under water in no time.

Conclusion

So, the next time you feel like quitting your job, remember this: doing so may make the job search process insurmountable. By way of example, I am sad to say that upon learning that the young litigation associate who gave her notice without securing a new position, I concluded that I was not going to be able to help her find a new law firm job. Make no mistake, I would have loved to work with her, but in this tough economy, the single act of quitting made her too difficult to represent.

Please see this article to find out if litigation is right for you: Why Most Attorneys Have No Business Being Litigators: Fifteen Reasons Why You Should Not Be a Litigator


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.
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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.