Keeping Busy as the Market improves
You don’t have to be an In-House legal recruitment specialist to realise that we are currently experiencing a cautious approach to appointing lawyers into industry. A newspaper cannot be opened or TV turned on without the media bestowing more bad news to the public regarding the economy. The ‘powers above’ in companies are therefore keeping their hands firmly in their pockets with regards expanding their In-House legal teams.
Firstly, do not panic! We spend most of our working week speaking with General Counsel, Heads of Legal and other hiring managers, the good news is – they are busy. In-house teams are being stretched to capacity, lawyers are being asked to ‘spread themselves more thinly’ and take on extra work. This is the most important element if recruitment is to take place; there must be a significant caseload to justify an extra pair of hands and I can tell you, the majority of teams are crying out for an additional solicitor.
With that in mind, the market is changing and we are already starting to see an increase in new instructions. But what can you do during this period to make sure you position yourself in the best place for when the flood gates open and a raft of new vacancies become available?
Pick your Recruitment Partner
Many jobseekers make the mistake of believing that the more recruiters you sign up with, the more roles you will be made aware of. This can be detrimental to your job search. Things such as CV duplications and CVs being sent out without authorisation cause headaches for you, the hiring manager and the one recruiter who acted in the appropriate way (ie with your consent). You become ‘known’ in the market for the wrong reasons (albeit due to the actions of less scrupulous recruiters) and it becomes difficult for a consultant to market you and your skillset to an employer who has speculatively received your CV from a variety of other sources.
With a bit of due diligence you will soon work out which consultants are the experts in this field. Those who will get to know you, understand what you want from your career and ultimately find you your dream job. Ask colleagues, visit websites, call a couple of consultancies and get an idea of what they can do for you but only pick 1-2 recruiters to work with. You can always make a change if you are not happy with them. Rumour has it that the recruiters who take time out to write blogs are pretty good!!
Sharpen Up the CV
Now is the time to get your CV fully updated. Have you worked through a complex case recently? Have you been given management responsibilities? Fill the CV with your latest experiences and try not to worry about discussing every single project you have ever worked on. Remember, a CV can be tailored for a specific role or business once a vacancy arises so it is best to get the most frequent elements of your working day on the CV, as opposed to detailing EVERYTHING you have done.
Help can be found at Sacco Mann CV Preparation Advice or feel free to call one of our consultants for further assistance.
In closing, I advise you not to worry about the timid approach to In-House legal recruitment at the minute as the market is changing and the signs are positive. Just make sure you are ready for when the time comes.
To discuss how Sacco Mann could work with you and for you as your recruitment partner please call one of our consultants who will be happy to explain how we can assist.
