Headhunters, Legal Recruiters, etc. Forum

[Anonymous User]

Should 2Ls who are having difficulty finding a job consider a headhunter?

[gk101]

Should 2Ls who are having difficulty finding a job consider a headhunter?

I'd say no. I'd be very surprised if a firm was willing to pay a headhunter to bring in a fresh graduate with 0 experience when they can just go to the nearest law school and pick one up

[El Pollito]

also a good head hunter isn't going to work with a 2L who can't get a job

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any experience with Randy Roth?

[Anonymous User]

would a headhunter ever work work with a no-offered 3L?

[Old Gregg]

Guys--Headhunters won't even work with big firm associates who they perceive as unable to grab another big firm job. Yeah, they'll "work with them," but they won't really prioritize them (i.e., answer their calls or be pro-active). Headhunters focus their efforts on associates likely to take offers that they broker because they stand to earn the most money that way. They don't give a fuck about the associate, just the commission and one's likelihood of getting them that commission.

In other words, no, headhunters are likely not to work with 2Ls who can't get jobs (that's by definition a money-loser for them, though if you have a good chance of getting a job they'd want to network for you so you'd use them for lateraling down the line), and definitely not no-offered 3Ls.

[El Pollito]

headhunters only want candidates who don't really need headhunters

[kingme23]

In this thread, I've seen a lot of associations mention being worried about their current firm finding out that they are looking at other places and I am curious whether at bigger firms associates get fired if they are reaching out to other firms? If you reach out directly to a recruiting coordinator at a firm, cant that also get back to your current firm.

Also, if you are reaching out directly, is it similar to mass mailing ( i.e. cover letter, resume, transcript).

[gk101]

In this thread, I've seen a lot of associations mention being worried about their current firm finding out that they are looking at other places and I am curious whether at bigger firms associates get fired if they are reaching out to other firms? If you reach out directly to a recruiting coordinator at a firm, cant that also get back to your current firm.

Also, if you are reaching out directly, is it similar to mass mailing ( i.e. cover letter, resume, transcript).

firms don't out lateral candidates to their current firms under normal circumstances. Any good recruiter is also careful about making sure that the current firm does not find out anything. I don't really think big firms would immediately fire the associate if they found out but it obviously strains the relationship. You might get left out of projects etc if the firm knows you are looking to leave in the near future

As for reaching out directly, I only forwarded a resume and cover letter initially. Usually, the firms then sent a follow up request for transcripts and writing samples

[El Pollito]

In this thread, I've seen a lot of associations mention being worried about their current firm finding out that they are looking at other places and I am curious whether at bigger firms associates get fired if they are reaching out to other firms? If you reach out directly to a recruiting coordinator at a firm, cant that also get back to your current firm.

Also, if you are reaching out directly, is it similar to mass mailing ( i.e. cover letter, resume, transcript).

it's very unlikely to get back to your firm unless you talk about it openly at work, and even if your firm does find out they almost certainly won't care

[Anonymous User]

3L doing structured finance work next fall, but I like M & A and I am curious what the best strategy is for transitioning to M & A. is this an easy switch ? How early in my career should I try to make the move? Should I ask my current firm first before I try to move? Would M &A opportunities be there even if I don't have the experience?

[Anonymous User]

What is protocol for giving notice and provision of reference(s) when I have a (conditional, of course) lateral offer? In terms of timing, can I give notice and then provide the reference contact, which out of necessity will be someone at the old firm? Please don't quote. Thanks guys.

[Old Gregg]

What is protocol for giving notice and provision of reference(s) when I have a (conditional, of course) lateral offer? In terms of timing, can I give notice and then provide the reference contact, which out of necessity will be someone at the old firm? Please don't quote. Thanks guys.

im going to quote this because your request not to quote this is (a) stupid and (b) the answers to this question are useful for all.

the "be nice" notice period is two weeks. the dick notice period is anytime shorter than 2 weeks. you can provide reference contact whenever. hiring firm knows sensitivity of situation and wont reach out unless you tell them to (and often times won't reach out at all...).

so id find a reference that you're comfortable will not say shit about you, and let them know in advance that you're using them as a reference. ive had colleagues proactively offer to be references in exchange for my being a reference to them.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Lucas Group for Atlanta lateral placement?

[Anonymous User]

Hi! I've been working with a headhunter for a couple months now in the hopes of lateraling to an American firm in a South American city. Unfortunately, I have not had any luck with the headhunter I was working with. She reached out to several firms, but without luck. I'm a HYS 2014 grad working as a corporate (mostly M&A) in a secondary U.S. market. I graduated with normal grades (not top of my class, but not horrible).

I feel like I need to either reach out to firms on my own or start working with a different headhunter. Any suggestions on how to go about doing this or when I can start? I've read that if a headhunter submits your resume, you can't submit your resume on your own or with a different headhunter for a certain amount of time. Does anyone know how long I have to wait? Thanks!!

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have experience with working/talking to multiple recruiters at once? Is this ok? Or is standard to just stick with one at a time.

[newlawgrad]

You shouldn't be looking to switch firms as a law clerk unless there are extremely compelling reasons. And if you do decide to switch, you should just apply directly.

Why do you say this? I'm almost certainly going to go to a new firm after two years of clerking (as a midlevel). My firm, while a v50, is locally almost completely devoid of clerks. I don't think they value it and I'm not sure there will be any monetary gains. Troubling statement.

[Anonymous User]

I have found most recruiters know less about opportunities in my practice area than I do.

I made the mistake of using a recruiter that cold-called me with an opportunity that sounded too good to be true. I ended up interviewing for, getting, and taking the job, only to leave that job within a couple months because it wasn't at all what I was expecting and a bad cultural fit to boot. I should definitely have vetted the position better (hindsight is 20/20?), but both the recruiter and the partner were very convincing that the position is what I was looking for. Sigh.

The worst part about the recruiter was that when he found out I was leaving, he wanted to have a call and discuss, and ended up being really defensive about it. And said that I should have used him again to find a new position! The gall.

[Anonymous User]

Can anyone speak to the value of recruiters if you are looking to go in-house?

I have received maybe three calls ever from headhunters in connection with in-house openings as opposed to about a bazillion for firms that "would be a great fit."

Worth looking into or just continue browsing GoInHouse, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.?

3rd year real estate associate FWIW.

[Anonymous User]

When you receive an unexpected call from a recruiter, what is it that they typically say? Any explanation on how or why a person is picked? Do they call asking if you are interested in lateralling, if so, what is a typical pitch?

[gk101]

When you receive an unexpected call from a recruiter, what is it that they typically say? Any explanation on how or why a person is picked? Do they call asking if you are interested in lateralling, if so, what is a typical pitch?

basically asking if you have any interest in switching firms. maybe begin by telling you know they are looking for a lateral at top 100 firm and your background fits. They usually just generate a list of attorneys who may meet the broad requirements of the job opening.

[Old Gregg]

Can anyone speak to the value of recruiters if you are looking to go in-house?

I have received maybe three calls ever from headhunters in connection with in-house openings as opposed to about a bazillion for firms that "would be a great fit."

Worth looking into or just continue browsing GoInHouse, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.?

3rd year real estate associate FWIW.

it really depends. Some companies will engage a recruiter for an inhouse job search. it's stupid but that basically means u have to work through them for that particular job (i.e., it wont be posted online). there are also some recruiters that specialize in inhouse job hunts, but i find them annoying and to have an inflated sense of self-worth. they also represent companies in such recruiting (because the companies engage them to look for candidates), so their advocacy of your interests is pretty limited because they're trying to maximize the company's interests and their interests, which very frequently dont correspond with your interests.

[Anonymous User]

Canadian 2L here. SA job at (Canadian equivalent of) big law firm next summer in Toronto. Want to work in NY. Did a little bit of interviewing in NY this summer, no dice, but fucked up and applied far too narrowly.

Rank somewhere around 10-20% of my class at top Canadian school.

Any idea if any headhunter would spend any time on me? I'm down for the endless networking and stuff if not, but sure would make life easier otherwise.

[Anonymous User]

Not any good ones, no. 3Ls aren't in sufficient demand to pay a recruiter fee.

[Anonymous User]

Not any good ones, no. 3Ls aren't in sufficient demand to pay a recruiter fee.

Thanks.