What Is a Legal Headhunter?
Headhunters and recruiters are often used as interchangeable terms because both are responsible for matching candidates with available job. However, headhunting is the process of recruiting very skilled and experienced individuals to for a particular job. A headhunter resembles a talent scout looking for specific talent. Some call this sourcing.
What is a Legal Recruiter?
A legal recruiter is someone who helps fill open positions for law firms and companies with candidates that match the skill sets and level. Whether you are an active or passive job seeker, legal recruiters help keep an eye out for open job positions that may help you build your career.
Both headhunters and recruiters are skilled at connecting the right legal professionals with the right positions. They have relationships with law firms and companies that are hiring or are planning on hiring in the near future. Additionally, they often have access to information about jobs that is unavailable to the public.
The professional reputation of headhunters relies on their ability to match law firm and companies with qualified candidates, so your success is an important aspect of their job. A majority of headhunters will work to find you interviews as well as guide you through the process and advertise your abilities. They can often offer key insight that will help you develop your resume and skills to find a job, in addition to coaching you to make sure that you are adequately prepared for the interview itself.
How to Find a Headhunter or Recruiter for Your Job Search
Absolute #1 — Find one that specializes in your industry or niche. If you’re a lawyer or other legal professional looking for a job with a law firm or in-house with a corporation, you should absolutely work with an experienced legal search firm – a firm that works with legal professionals exclusively.
- Aside from conducting a general search online, you can often find headhunters on various networking sites by doing a keyword search. Within these sites, you can also ask other members if they can refer you to anyone.
- Headhunters often belong to associations or groups that are relevant to their specialty. By joining these organizations, you will have access to the list of members and be exposed to chances to network with the various headhunters that have a membership.
- Good ‘ole Google search. Compile a short list and make a few calls. This is not a one-size-fits-all. Find one you like and that matches your needs.
You’ve Found a Legal Recruiter or Headhunter to Work With, Now What?
Continue to look for jobs on your own. A recruiter should be one of many resources you use in your job search. It’s a good idea to keep the headhunter aware of the law firm and companies who you have contacted on your own.
View it as a partnership – Your success is mutually beneficial when working with a headhunter because you are helping them fulfill their client’s needs. You should view your relationship with them as a partnership and give them the honesty and communication that you expect in return. Additionally, you should alert them if there are any changes, including if you have any doubts about an opportunity.
Momentum Legal Search have experienced recruiters with 20+ years of legal recruiting experience. Our recruiters were either former practicing attorneys or worked in a recruiting role for a law firm. We often work as combo recruiter and headhunter on our searches. Most of our searches come to us through our long-time relationships with law firms and the legal departments of corporations in Texas. This combination approach includes searching our extensive, proprietary database for on-point candidates, using one of our several subscription-based services to conduct an additional search and finally search on LinkedIn Recruiter.
Once our list is compiled, we begin making calls and sending emails to discuss this new opportunity and determine level of interest, experience fit, compensation match and the other intangibles we figure into the equation and hopefully a successful match.