Recruiter or Apply Directly Forum

[3141595]

I'm a second year at a firm applying for a lateral position at a peer firm. I have a friend at the target firm who tried to refer me, but the head of recruiting indicated I should just apply through the application portal. A recruiter is trying to sell me on applying through them since they have contacts in recruiting at the firm. I'm curious if (1) recruiters can actually get your applications read when they otherwise would not be and (2) whether people actually get jobs through application portals (it seems like the application will disappear into the void of space, never to be seen again).

Anyone have luck with application portals or think recruiters might be the better route?

[Anonymous User]

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[nealric]

I'm a second year at a firm applying for a lateral position at a peer firm. I have a friend at the target firm who tried to refer me, but the head of recruiting indicated I should just apply through the application portal. A recruiter is trying to sell me on applying through them since they have contacts in recruiting at the firm. I'm curious if (1) recruiters can actually get your applications read when they otherwise would not be and (2) whether people actually get jobs through application portals (it seems like the application will disappear into the void of space, never to be seen again).

Anyone have luck with application portals or think recruiters might be the better route?

Generally speaking, you are better off applying without a recruiter if you have a contact within the firm willing to go to bat for you. Applying through a recruiter adds a big cost to hiring you. Where recruiters can come in handy is where firms are looking for a pre-screen and have a trusting relationship with a particular recruiter. But 9 times out of 10, they would prefer an attorney vouching for you than a recruiter.

Remember, it doesn't really matter whether recruiting reads your resume. It needs to get to the partner in charge of the hire (usually office department head). Recruiting just serves as as screen. Your friend can forward you resume to that partner and (even better) talk you up.

[objctnyrhnr]

I'm a second year at a firm applying for a lateral position at a peer firm. I have a friend at the target firm who tried to refer me, but the head of recruiting indicated I should just apply through the application portal. A recruiter is trying to sell me on applying through them since they have contacts in recruiting at the firm. I'm curious if (1) recruiters can actually get your applications read when they otherwise would not be and (2) whether people actually get jobs through application portals (it seems like the application will disappear into the void of space, never to be seen again).

Anyone have luck with application portals or think recruiters might be the better route?

Generally speaking, you are better off applying without a recruiter if you have a contact within the firm willing to go to bat for you. Applying through a recruiter adds a big cost to hiring you. Where recruiters can come in handy is where firms are looking for a pre-screen and have a trusting relationship with a particular recruiter. But 9 times out of 10, they would prefer an attorney vouching for you than a recruiter.

Remember, it doesn't really matter whether recruiting reads your resume. It needs to get to the partner in charge of the hire (usually office department head). Recruiting just serves as as screen. Your friend can forward you resume to that partner and (even better) talk you up.

Seconded.

That said,

Submission via:

Partner in firm > associate at firm > recruiter > black box direct apply (particularly if one isn’t coming directly from a peer firm or has some other unusual thing on their resume).

Just make sure that the associate you know will help to shepherd you along.

[2013]

I'm a second year at a firm applying for a lateral position at a peer firm. I have a friend at the target firm who tried to refer me, but the head of recruiting indicated I should just apply through the application portal. A recruiter is trying to sell me on applying through them since they have contacts in recruiting at the firm. I'm curious if (1) recruiters can actually get your applications read when they otherwise would not be and (2) whether people actually get jobs through application portals (it seems like the application will disappear into the void of space, never to be seen again).

Anyone have luck with application portals or think recruiters might be the better route?

Generally speaking, you are better off applying without a recruiter if you have a contact within the firm willing to go to bat for you. Applying through a recruiter adds a big cost to hiring you. Where recruiters can come in handy is where firms are looking for a pre-screen and have a trusting relationship with a particular recruiter. But 9 times out of 10, they would prefer an attorney vouching for you than a recruiter.

Remember, it doesn't really matter whether recruiting reads your resume. It needs to get to the partner in charge of the hire (usually office department head). Recruiting just serves as as screen. Your friend can forward you resume to that partner and (even better) talk you up.

Seconded.

That said,

Submission via:

Partner in firm > associate at firm > recruiter > black box direct apply (particularly if one isn’t coming directly from a peer firm or has some other unusual thing on their resume).

Just make sure that the associate you know will help to shepherd you along.

Unless you are a strong candidate, I would flip black box applying on a website and using a recruiter.