How to Succeed in Your Interim Job Search Working with a Legal Recruiter

Lawyers looking for new opportunities often consider exploring interim assignments to help them springboard into an in-house role, supplement their income while they search for a permanent position or find more work-life balance with a part-time/project-based schedule. Sometimes these opportunities can be found by searching popular job boards. But many times, the best avenue to these roles are through working through a legal recruiter.

Companies and law firms will reach out to recruiting firms with specific and usually immediate needs for legal talent. Recruiters then turn to their network of candidates who excel at the desired type of work to offer an opportunity first, before they source for new candidates. 

And while recruiters are working for the organizations that hired them, they can provide help and support to candidates throughout their legal career.

Here are some examples:

• For interim roles, companies do not have time to sift through resumes. Working with a recruiter not only gets your resume in front of a hiring manager, but the recruiter will also advocate on your behalf as to your fit for the role.
•  A recruiter will also be a great resource for helping craft your resume and provide guidance with interview preparation. They will advise you on how to handle anomalies on your resume and highlight your unique work experience.
• A recruiter will offer insight into the interview process and provide information about a company that other job seekers are not privy to. Where time is of an essence, this information can be the difference between quickly securing a job and heading back to start your search from scratch.
• Your recruiter keeps a strong line of communication open, which ensures success on the project. They will stay in touch throughout your assignment to make sure everything is going well and help you navigate challenges that may come up. They will share feedback from the client and discuss any issues of improvement that are needed. 

Before you start making new connections on LinkedIn or reaching out to numerous recruiters—or taking their calls—make sure you do your homework and research the recruiter and their company. Does the recruiting firm have a good reputation in the legal industry? After you have confirmed their legitimacy, then you can start forming a relationship with emails, calls and video conferences. Through those conversations, you should paint a clear picture for your recruiter of what you are seeking, not in just your next job and employer, but also of your overall career path. Be clear and transparent with your recruiter about what you're looking for with regards to position, salary, location and length of assignment. It also doesn’t hurt to share with him or her what your ideal company culture and management style look like.

The value of a strong, long-term relationship cannot be overstated in the interim market. Working with a recruiter gives you a partner in the ever-changing and sometimes frustrating job search process. Partnering with the right legal recruiter can help you achieve your goals and introduce you to opportunities you may never have discovered on your own.