But finding a suitable legal job can be intimidating if you are a law school grad searching for that first position or a seasoned professional wanting to take the next step in your career. For one, you could go through a legal recruiter. But is it the best decision for you? Let’s dive into the pros and cons and best practices to help you make the right choice.
Legal recruiters, also known as legal headhunters, serve as the go-between for law firms or businesses and potential hires. They’re a profession that specialises in law, frequently with decades of experience and heavy connections in industry. They want to quickly and simply connect the best candidates with the right jobs.
1. Access to Hidden Opportunities: Not all potential legal jobs are listed on job boards. Those “hidden” roles are often accessible to recruiters and will afford you opportunities you may not find listed on job boards or LinkedIn.
2. Industry Expertise and Insights: Legal recruiters are in touch with the market, know the benchmark salaries, and how to recruit. They can inform you about which firms are hiring, what skills are hot, and how to position yourself to compete.
3. Time-Saving Support: Looking for and applying to jobs is a job in its own right. They can also make this process even easier by screen suitable roles for you, submit your applications and organise interviews while all you need to worry about is preparing yourself.
4. Interview Preparation and CV Feedback: Good recruiters will shine up your CV for specific roles, they will give you interview coaching, teach you the Hospitality management interview questions.
5. Salary Negotiation Assistance: Trying to negotiate salary and benefits can also be uncomfortable. And that’s what recruiters work to do, use their market intelligence to negotiate for the best, fairest, and most competitive offers.
1. Limited to Their Clients: The recruiters have access only to the roles in their client base. If you only depend on them, you might miss companies or organizations that don’t use recruiters.
2. Prioritisation of Employer Needs: After all, recruiters are paid by the employer. They do their best to make a good match, but they are paid to fill roles for their clients, not simply to help you first and foremost.
3. Lack of Control Over Applications: If you work with a recruiter, you could potentially have no idea where your CV is being sent, how it’s being presented. Stay in constant touch with and let communication be alive for clarity.
4. Potential for Mismatched Roles: Some recruiters are chasing targets to fill roles fast, so you might get suggestions for roles that aren’t right for you, or you’re not right for. You must be clear about your preferences.
1. Choose Specialised Recruiters: Engage with legal recruiters. Their knowledge of the field means a better match and career advice for you.
2. Be Honest About Your Goals: Be transparent about your career goals, desired positions and your deal-breakers. By making everything clear, they are only able to put you forward to jobs that work for you.
3. Maintain Professionalism: Think of interactions with recruiters as job interviews. Professionalism instills confidence in acting on your behalf, to high-quality clients.
4. Don’t Rely Exclusively on Recruiters: Keep up your independent job search in addition to dealing with the recruiters. Contact firms directly or consider other networks to increase your chances.
5. Ask for Feedback: Consider how recruiter feedback can help you refine your CV, interview better, and perhaps make yourself more marketable — even if you don’t land a particular role.
Working with a legal recruiter can be a strategic tool in your job search, providing you with insider access, professional direction, and efficiency. But it’s not a panacea. Not only use the recruiter to help you find the right job but also continue your job search to ensure that you see any and all opportunities that are available so you may find the best fit for you.
Interested in more legal career tips? Follow our blog for advice on writing your legal CV, acing interviews, and getting hired in the competitive legal market in Singapore and beyond.
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