Not all recruiters are created equally.

I own a legal recruitment company and we recruit the most qualified legal professionals for firms of all sizes and practice areas all around the country.

But ironically, my career and company originate from a deep-seated resent for recruiters that began in 2005 when I had just moved to Denver from North Carolina. I was a post-grad with a few years of litigation experience and very little else to my name except for a rusty Ford Explorer, tons of books, and a dog. My net worth was not impressive, but I thought my soft skills were. I was a driven over-achiever determined to exceed expectations.

In my first month in Colorado, I sent dozens of blind applications to which I got a response from exactly ONE, and it was a hard-copy rejection letter. It’s hilarious to me almost 15 years later when it’s impossible to get a simple email rejection, but at the time, I was obviously defeated. I was so lame they took the time to tell me via snail mail!

Going about it on my own clearly wasn’t working, so I set up an appointment with a national recruitment company. I needed professional support, connections to law firms who would give me the chance to interview. I felt confident if I could land the interview, I could land the job.

I walked into their office and was greeted by the receptionist who led me to a dark room where I’d take every computer test in existence: Microsoft Everything, typing, spelling, Solitaire – you name it.

This introduction was cold, and the order in which they conducted the process made it clear that my test results would trump my soft skills. And while I’m a wild typist (100 wpm, thank you Mrs. Klein from 7th grade typing class) my other tests were mediocre.

Sure enough, when I met with a recruiter, we sat down and discussed the results (not my goals, experiences, or ideas), and based on those scores where she thought she could send me on interviews. I walked out feeling like she knew me no better than when I walked in. I have yet to experience a more impersonal business interaction that so obviously placed someone’s agenda over my best interests.

I did not go on to complete the process with the recruiter. I found a position on my own a month later which led to a rewarding career as a civil litigation paralegal (turned legal recruiter/business owner).

The residue of this experience is what drives me as a recruiter. I want to know you and make sure you feel heard and understood. Isn’t that what we all want out of our relationships?

Most importantly, I don’t sugar coat hard facts or leave you high and dry. If I can’t help you for whatever reason, I tell you I can’t and why. That’s part of being a trusted resource for people. I need to know my strengths and limitations and you need to know yours. Then – and only then – can we be successful together.

My mission is to offer you transparent and motivational career advice and to expose you to some of the best legal opportunities around the country. I became the change I wanted to see in this industry so that I can offer you what I desperately wanted and needed when I was in your shoes.

Wishing you a fulfilling career in 2020!

Katie McMahan

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