Like everything in life, some are good at what they do, and some are not so good at what they do.

Maybe it is the optimist in me, but I believe most recruiters, just like most people, are good and strive to do the right thing. The realist in me knows this is, unfortunately, not always the case.

Below is a quick guide on what you should look for in a good recruiter.

Strong communication

I am referring to factors such as: are they getting back to you within a reasonable time, are they providing you with employer feedback, are they keeping you updated throughout the process, are they keeping you in the loop of new interesting opportunities that you would like to hear about, etc.

Communication is the foundation of any great relationship and, a good recruiter will be on top of making sure you are in the loop every step of the way.

Strong connections

Work with a recruiter who has connections in your area. At the end of the day, our biggest value to you is our ability to get your foot in the door of new interesting opportunities that align with your interests.

This is why Holtz & Bernard focuses on placing attorneys with law firms in South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach) rather than just anywhere and everywhere.

Sure, we could help attorneys and law firms nationwide, but by focusing on one area, we can be a Shark in a small body of water rather than a Mino in a huge body of water.

A recruiter who will knock down doors for you

Sometimes I will be working with an attorney who has their eye on a particular opportunity with a law firm with which I may not have a relationship. This does not stop me from doing everything I can to get that attorney's resume seen by the decision-maker.

I will go above and beyond come hell and high water to get that candidate's foot in the door. Of course, it does not work out 100% of the time because while most law firms will work with a recruiter, not all do, but I give it my all, and that is all you can ask for. In these cases, if unable to get the attorney's foot in the door, I always let them know so they can apply directly.

When working with a recruiter, find someone who will do the same.

Expertise

Work with a legal recruiter or legal staffing agency that focuses on attorney recruitment. Each industry has its own insights, trends, data, etc. If juggling many industries, you never get a chance to really understand and master one industry.

This is important because, as recruiters, we are also consultants and advisors. You want someone who knows if an offer is fair and competitive or not. Who knows if a particular firm is right for you or not.

This is another reason why Holtz & Bernard chooses to stay in one lane. In our case, it is legal recruitment where we are not just a legal staffing agency, we are consultants and advisors specifically for attorneys from Miami to West Palm Beach.

Not too pushy

I have heard stories where candidates felt their recruiters were too pushy or aggressive when it comes to scheduling interviews or accepting offers. This is not the norm, and if it does happen, know that it is unacceptable.

It is fine for a recruiter to offer guidance, being that we have such a strong pulse on the job market, it is a big plus to work with a recruiter who can offer sound advice, but there is a big difference between advice and pushiness.

The way I look at it is this is your life, you are the one who has to live it, not me. It has to be the right move for you, not me. I will offer my opinion based on my experience, but the rest is up to you.

In closing, these tips should help you better select the right recruiter to help you with your search. Recruiters can be a big help in saving you time from applying, getting your resume seen directly by the decision-maker, landing you that interview, and keeping you in the loop of new interesting job opportunities you may not have otherwise been privy to.

Confidentiality

It's important that you only work with a legal recruiter who respects your confidentiality. If your recruiter spams your resume to law firms without your knowing, you should drop them immediately.

For example, we will only present your resume after you've given us your permission. If unfamiliar with the law firm, we strongly advise that you do your due diligence before deciding whether you'd like to be presented.