I am a third-year corporate associate with a large New York firm. I know that most members of my class are frequently contacted by headhunters. For some reason, I never have been. Should I be worried?
Answer: There may be a few reasons why the headhunters are not contacting you, so let's try to figure out what could be happening.
The first thing that comes to my mind is that you may not be listed in Martindale-Hubbell - the multi-volume directory of lawyers and law firms worldwide. If so, there is no way that the headhunters are going to have your name, class year, law school, practice area and/or phone number. If the other associates in your firm are listed in Martindale and you are not, go to the firm's administrator and correct the error for the next edition of Martindale on CD, which is released about three to four times per year. Trust me, that will take care of the problem right away!
If you are in Martindale, then where did you go to law school? Do you go to a fourth-tier law school and graduate without any honors? If so, that may be the reason why you are not hearing from the recruiters even though you are with one of the city's large law firms. But, frankly, that doesn't account for the fact you've received zero calls. Even if you were from the nation's worst school, I would think that you would be receiving at least some recruiting calls.
How about your practice area? Do you work in an obscure department or are in a practice area that is unique to your firm? Or are you in a department that is slow at this time, such as M&A? But again, this explanation does not ring true to me because even an associate in a slow or unique practice group is bound to get some calls from the headhunters simply because you are at a major law firm.
Do you have a secretary that screens all of your calls? Maybe she is not letting any of those calls through to you. Of course, most recruiters generally know how to get around a tough secretary - or else they just wait until after the secretaries have gone home for the day. So, that rules that one out!
Headhunters also get the names of associates from companies that sell the names and practice areas of attorneys. There are internal law firm directories. There are referrals. Given all of these methods, I can't imagine why your name has not shown up.
You have asked how recruiters determine whom to call. Basically, the rule of thumb is to call every associate in the national law firms first, and then work your way through Martindale (or any other resource at hand) until you have called just about every associate out there that seems to be a marketable candidate.
The definition of a marketable candidate is different from search firm to search firm, but basically this kind of candidate falls into specific parameters. He or she has gone to a national law school and, if it is not ranked in the top 25 or so, then he or she has significant academic honors. The large national law firm associates are generally considered to be marketable whether or not they went to a top 25 law school. Anyone in a very specific or unique practice will be sought out when a search for this type of attorney commences. Anyone in a very hot practice area will be sought out regardless of law school and/or current employer. Just like everything else in the world, timing has a lot to do with when or why you might be recruited.
You might want to call a few of the recruiters that have been calling your classmates. Go over your educational and professional background and ask them to assess your marketability. Perhaps that will shed some light on why you are not being inundated with headhunter calls.
Don't stand on ceremony ... pick up the phone and call some of the recruiters and let them know that you want to meet with them to determine who will represent you when you are ready to make a move. I suspect from that point on you will be hearing from these recruiters on a regular basis!
Summary: I am a third-year corporate associate with a large New York firm. I know that most members of my class are contacted often by headhunters, but I have never been.
See the following articles for more information:
- Is Telling a Headhunter That You Are about to Be Laid Off a Good Move?
- How to Find the Right Headhunter
- Rules of Engagement: Tips for Working with a Legal Recruiter
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
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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
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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.
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Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
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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:
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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:
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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.
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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.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
