According to Statista, online dating apps are big business in the United States with over 44 million users and annual revenues of $600 million. Those numbers, though, paper over a lot of subtlety. Just as every match has his or her own unique character, so dating portals each possess a different nature, some focusing on different demographics, others connecting with specific commitment levels.
Everyone understands that you wouldn’t search for true love while on a site specializing in quick fling — and legal recruiters work in surprisingly similar ways to dating apps. More than a few legal recruiters are simply trying to make a connection — any connection — as quickly as possible. The best legal recruiters, though, want an established relationship, one that won’t vanish at the first sign of trouble. In essence, it’s Tinder versus Match.com.
It’s that Match.com relationship you should pursue if you want an excellent job, and in this article, we’ll provide you with seven tips that will help you figure out how to find a good legal recruiter.
Don’t be pressured by the first recruiter that calls you
There’s an old saying about dating that goes something like this: “Desperation isn’t an aphrodisiac.” Potential dates who absolutely have to make a connection with you right this very moment don’t spark a lot of interest. The same should be true for recruiters who initially reach out to you. If you’re wondering how to find a legal recruiter that’ll stick with you through the ups and downs of your job search, don’t swipe (so to speak!) too soon. See who else responds, and try to examine at least a half-dozen different prospects. You might find a better option sooner than you think — and there are industry-specific reasons why being a successful legal recruiter doesn’t mean pressuring potential clients into selecting you. If a recruiter is making numerous cold calls to lots of legal clients, it’s likely that he or she isn’t giving any of them adequate attention. But working as a legal recruiter is about cultivating relationships, and that takes time.
Select the best legal recruiter for your needs
“Mercy dates” rarely work for anyone involved, and if a romantic relationship is going to persevere beyond a single night, then both parties need to get something they want out of it. If recruiters want to work with you, then you already possess something they want, namely the skills and accomplishments necessary to be a hireable prospect. But does the recruiter you’re considering offer similar advantages? Does the individual specialize in the kind of law you want to practice, have extensive experience, possess a good reputation, and work in the geographical area where you hope to get hired? (More on that last point in a bit.) If not, you should seriously consider going with another option.
Verify the recruiter online
Individuals interested in short-term flings might only be interested in confirming that potential partners aren’t serial killers. The same can’t be said for those seeking long-term relationships, and you ought to do as much digging into a legal recruiter’s history as you would when considering someone you’d like to marry. Some of the areas you ought to investigate include the following:
- How long has the recruiter worked in this field?
- How long has the recruiter worked with this particular recruiting firm?
- Does the recruiter have an online profile available? (If not, then the individual is almost certainly new to the field.)
- Can the recruiter provide you with multiple, successfully placed candidates and can you actually reach these individuals to validate their experience?
- Are any of the successfully placed candidates in situations similar to your own?
- Does the recruiter have an established reputation in the community?
- Does the recruiter try to pull tricks, such as offering an “exclusive” placement when the position is already posted on the firm’s website (which definitely makes it exclusive in name only)?
Choose a recruiter who is physically located in your market of interest
Long-distance romantic relationships rarely work out. Too much space tends to dampen connections, and interpersonal associations typically require proximity before they grow into something more. Similarly, legal recruiter jobs require recruiters to develop strong connections with the practices and firms for which they will hire. This generally requires face-to-face meetings and repeat conversations about what the firm needs. So if you’re interested in working in a particular market, make sure that it’s the place where your recruiter is also located.
If possible, try to meet your recruiter in person
When trying to secure a date online, you may encounter someone who seems witty, accomplished, bright, attractive, and charismatic — at least on this side of the keyboard. But in reality, that carefully crafted facade may fall away. Similarly, apparent wallflowers may bloom when exposed to one-on-one interaction. You’d never know the true nature of either unless you’d taken the time to meet.
Resumes can behave a lot like dating profiles, illuminating and obfuscating in equal measure. Because legal recruiting is a relational enterprise, meeting helps you get to know your recruiter better and let’s your recruiter get a gauge on your personality. Who knows? That little bit of extra knowledge could end up getting you placed at your ideal firm.
Ask the recruiter about their recent placements
You’d like to know what a potential date’s old romances would say prior to going out on a date, right? Similarly, you ought to ask any potential recruiter about their recent placements. Such a query accomplishes a number of things. First, it lets you know that the recruiter does, in fact, actually have successfully placed clients! Far from being an extraneous step, it helps you verify that you’re working with an actual professional. Since the profession of recruiting doesn’t technically require credentialing and because it isn’t overseen by a regulatory body, there’s precious little to keep any self-styled expert from setting up shop — except a spotty track record.
Second, any reputable legal recruiter ought to be able to provide you with names and numbers of actual satisfied clients. And that leads us to our final step.
Ask for references
Your potential legal recruiter ought to be able to give you the names and contact information of satisfied clients — and you should contact them directly to learn more about your potential recruiter. Did the recruiter perform well? Was the firm’s specialty, salary, schedule, and culture what the candidate expected? Does the candidate enjoy working there? In fact, is the candidate still working there at all? With a reputable recruiter, you should receive the positive answers you expect.
When you need to find a legal recruiter that will stick with you through thick and thin, look no further than Legal Recruiter Directory. We’re the most reputable and comprehensive directory that you’ll find — guaranteed.
Disclaimer: Legal Recruiter Directory is not affiliated with Match.com in any way nor is this article an endorsement of Match.com, its products, or its affiliates.
