10 reasons why legal professionals transition to a career in legal recruitment

Transitioning from practising law to placing others in legal roles allows skilled experts to satisfy their work-life balance aspirations while making the most of the networks that they have established. This is one of many reasons why numerous lawyers see legal recruitment as a stimulating and rewarding alternative to traditional legal practice.

10 reasons to make the change

1. Work life balance. As we mentioned above, legal recruitment offers an excellent work life balance, with few, if any, demands placed upon you outside of your contracted working hours. Where legal practice requires long hours and is often accompanied by high stress levels, legal recruitment is predictable and time constrained.

2. Utilise legal experience. Many lawyers understandably feel that the years spent training and working their way up the career ladder would be wasted if they left the profession entirely. Legal recruitment offers a valid outlet for their skills, as they are ideally positioned to assess the competency of others based upon their own experience.

3. Use your established network. Lawyers who move into the field of legal recruitment have a significant advantage over traditional recruiters - they already have an established network and understand the demands, objectives and expectations of the firms for whom they are recruiting. This allows them to effectively match candidates with appropriate placements, increasing the likelihood of a successful and lasting hire.

4. Develop a network. Legal recruiters often become involved with new and emerging law firms and can expand their professional network very quickly. Not only does this keep their industry knowledge current but it allows them to access other career opportunities should they decide at a later date that they wish to resume legal practice.

5. Gain transferable skills. Even the most competent lawyer will benefit from a stint as a legal recruiter, as in this environment, different skills are foregrounded, including the much-valued soft skills of strategic thinking, communication and negotiation, which are essential to progressing up the career ladder, in or out of a law firm.

6. Diverse workload. Legal recruitment is a varied and interesting environment in which recruiters divide their time across a range of activities, including meeting with and managing clients' expectations, sourcing and interviewing candidates, negotiating with both parties and working towards successful outcomes.

7. Fulfilling work. There is great satisfaction in making a good match between a firm and a candidate and many legal recruiters find their role to be personally and professionally rewarding. Being involved in the human side of the legal profession is a refreshing change from negotiating billable hours targets and attending court.

8. Career progression opportunities. Legal recruitment offers a clear pathway for career progression, allowing talented recruiters to develop their skills and advance into managerial roles. Some even build their own client base and seize the entrepreneurial opportunity of establishing their own business.

9. Maintain market currency. Leaving the legal sector is a major step for a lawyer who may one day wish to return. Side-stepping into a legal recruiter role allows lawyers to maintain market currency, keep their knowledge current and stand them in good stead for future career decisions.

10. It makes financial sense. Legal recruiters with a track record of successful hires attract high salaries and often receive performance related bonuses. This makes moving to legal recruitment a lucrative career decision for many lawyers.

Of course, it isn't all plain sailing and legal recruiters still have to meet their targets and put in the legwork to identify and place suitable candidates, but those with an aptitude for the work can carve out a superb career which keeps them within the industry that they worked so hard to join.

Are you a law graduate or legal professional looking for a new career? Get in touch with interlink: [email protected]

Or head to our website to find out more about joining us as a recruiter: https://www.interlinkrecruitment.com/about-us/join-our-team

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