What is the benefit (if any) to using a recruiter over direct applying or going through a contact at the firm?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Lots of benefits of working with a good recruiter. I help my candidates edit their materials. I have relationships I can leverage (sometimes with recruiting folks, sometimes with attorneys in the group). I help all of my candidates prepare for interviews both in who they are interviewing with and the sorts of questions they'll get. The firms I work with frequently know I send them quality candidates so I am vouching for the candidate. I can leverage one form process against another. I can help negotiate start date, signing bonus, year end bonus, etc. I know of openings at firms that associates (especially in different practice areas) may not know about.

In short, I am with my candidates through the whole process. And your friend can still vouch for you when you submit through a recruiter. But a good recruiter is invaluable in the process.

like

If you have a contact, definitely use that. Good recruiters help if you need to find the right match. My recruiter found me a firm that I wouldn't have considered on my own, and they were clearly a better judge than me. The firm I thought I wanted to work at was definitely wrong in retrospect. So glad I dodged that bullet.

like

A good recruiter has deep connections at certain firms. I got auto-dinged at the firm I eventually came to when I applied on my own. It didn’t even make it past recruiting when I applied.

like

My recruiter found me an off market position.

like

Top recruiter utility is for unlisted positions since the recruiter has a good relationship with the hiring partner and is familiar with the market. More understated one is that if you’re slammed with work, having the recruiter manage the process saves you a ton of grief.

But all other things equal, an internal referral is probably viewed more favorably if only since there’s less $ involved.

like

While awkward to have to reach out directly for opportunities and the negotiation process, the most obvious drawback is that firms typically will not offer any signing bonus (or a significantly reduced one) when they're already shelling out a ridiculous 30% of starting salary. Needless to say my recruiters have done little more than forward a few emails around - absolutely zero value-add for me, but I obviously have the wrong ones.

like

I got two candidates signing bonuses of $250k+ last year and just negotiated a signing bonus up from $50k to $75k for a first year. A bad recruiter won't do that because the signing bonus doesn't affect their comp. But the good ones will and the firms are willing to pay.

like

I've used numerous recruiters since Dec to help me transition to a new area of law and a lot just want to keep me where I'm at. Last recuriter I used for my second job made the firm seem amazing and it was a hellhole. I personally have had bad experiences with them and prefer to do the search on my own.

like

Related Posts

So I’m about to start my interview process for Capital One next week for a Senior Financial Analyst position. My recruiter going give me a prep call on Friday but I wanted any advice that recruiters don’t tell you during the interview process. Also I wanted to ask if Capital One a decent place to work at. I will be working at the one in McLean Virginia if that helps.

like

Hi... Anyone having experience with Cerner build and configuration in EMR/EHR domain?
What kind of questions are asked in the interview.
Kindly assist.

like

After the initial interview with a recruiter, how long does it usually take to hear back about next steps and talking to the hiring manager? When is a good time to follow up?

I'm interviewing for a Marketing Lead Project Management (Strategic Program Mgr) role at ZS Associates in IL. Can anyone market rate salary range? 5-10 yrs Project Management w/bachelors/ 3-8+ with Masters. Thanks!

like

I currently work in SaaS software implementation and really want to break into product management. I am finding it hard to get interviews. I feel that I have a ton of transferable skills - agile delivery, customer insights, working with ui/ux, engineering, marketing, business, IT to get something shipped and more. Anyone willing to help me out? Review my resume?

likehelpful

I’ve been in a grad job for 1.5 years. Looking to get into MBB at the 2 year mark. What level roles should I be applying for? Also, will I have to do the PST?

like
likesmart

How do you interview for a new position without alerting your current firm that you are looking to leave?

likehelpful

Any tips on how to get into Booz Allen? I'm a program analyst for the government (CBP & DOJ) with almost 3 years of experience in program management. I've applied to over 80 postings and got one interview. Thank you! 🙏

like

Had a recruiter reach out to me on LinkedIn about a Business Development role with GrowthPlug (tech sales). Meeting tomorrow for an informational interview. I’ve never done this before so does anyone have any advice for how to prepare and what sort of questions to ask/expect to be asked? Any tips are welcome. Thanks!

I felt that I bombed an interview, they told me that they will let me know by last week, but I haven’t heard back, thought I was silently rejected, then all of a sudden recruiter reached out saying that they are wrapping up interviews and will let me know by this week. Any hope?

like

Is it true that companies just interview candidates for the sake of meeting a quota and then hire someone internally instead? Interviewed with Charles Schwab a while back and never heard anything. Interview went really well, at least that’s what I thought.

likehelpful

This year I have given 17 interviews in this year, some of interviews has been cracked till 2 round , most of all got rejected and then other couple of interviews I did followed up 1 - 2 months , I an exhausted while doing this..now the funny part is I cleared 3 rounds of 3 companies in different time intervals ( plz note I am not playing counter- bcz I don't have anything in my end to counter) HR discussion has been done CTC discussed I was happy But now I was told to put on hold...waiting

Hey folks how interview and onboarding process happen in HCL Technologies i have a notice period of 90 days and cleared all the rounds had my salary discussion what next ?

After salary discussion how much time usually HCL Technologies take to release offer i am asking because i am waiting for the offer letter so that I can resign.

like

How many days Capgemini takes to reach you after 1st Interview ?

Capgemini

like

Hi Fishes,

Going through interview for Senior Data Analyst role -
Uber Hyderabad.

Skillset - Business Analytics & Intelligence, SQL, Python, Azure, Power BI

YOE - 5.6 | CCTC - 11 lpa | Counteroffer EY GDS - 18 lpa

Kindly provide any ballpark number/range of CTC at market standards for Uber for above profile?  Uber

Thanks in advance ;)

like

Anyone feel like they bombed the LBS virtual interview? 😖

like

What are some questions to ask in an interview to assess culture and WLB without sounding like you don’t want to work hard or put in long hours when it’s needed? And what are some red flags?

like

Anyone know what the turnaround time is for getting a call after applying to a firm? A friend of mind said if they havent contacted you in a week, you should probably move on.

like

An agency interviews you for 3 rounds (job involves a move). Is there value in saying “I have an offer” just to get them to say yes or no, so you can finally know if you’re moving or staying?

More Posts

I’m really struggling mentally. The understanding of how insanely busy and overwhelming it will be because of this COVID-19 crap is giving me severe anxiety and panic attacks. I want to leave so badly but no one is hiring right now. I don’t know what to do. I feel trapped with no way out.

like

What is a good introduction book on investing?

Do you feel like making a personal connection with your resources to learn about them, their interests etc can make a difference on whether or not someone quits?

like

I believe in the philosophy of learning from other's experiences, success stories, mistakes and regrets while keeping in mind that similar set of life events may unfold into totally different ways/outcomes for others as there are always too many variables in the equation called LIFE. People may arrive at different destinations at different times while being on the almost similar path.

That being said-

If given a chance to RELIVE your life again, what would you do differently and why?

like

In light of the GH/GT merger…. where could a fish look 👀 if wanting to find a PS consulting firm with a truly great company culture ? Big, small, in-between….

like

How is everyone celebrating New Year's Eve? What are the can't-miss events?

like

The first action could be to make a high school resume and your LinkedIn profile.
Start early and maximize your visibility.

like

Anyone who has successfully transitioned from consulting to IB/ PE (deals) can share their story? On what you did to pivot and what you think contributed to a huge part of your success

like

I’ve been laid off and, as I embark on my job search, I’d like to keep my marketing skills sharp. Any recommendations on must read books, or resources?

like

Hello,
Anyone looking for cssa exam dumps??

like

Any good DC area recruiters?

"Until I found you" both piano version and normal by Stephan Sanchez.. ❤

like

Best carry on bag?

like

Hey Fishbowl peeps!
Does anyone know of a US based company hiring freelancers based out in Canada (Montreal to be specific) please?
Thanks guys!

like

Hello,
I hope everyone is having a great week.

I am working as Tableau/ Qlik administrator in london, UK from past 3 years on ICT visa with total 9 years of experience.

Visa sponsorship is required.

Any references will be greatly appreciated 😀

like

DM me if anyone interested for the below openings.

Post Photo
like

Recruiter reached out and said I can skip phone assessment and move straight to onsites. Is this normal? Is it a good sign? Currently at AWS

like

If you’re in the middle of your summer internship and you’ve been working hard and doing your best work, how to do you help yourself get an offer extended to you?

like

Why does the 3% Conference get so much money from agencies & clients when they have a history of showcasing toxic, abusive to female employees underneath them, women in advertising? Every year, people are shocked at who gets featured there. The idea is not just to celebrate women, it’s to celebrate aspirational women. Maybe they ran out of speakers and are dipping down too much. But agencies and clients should take a hard look at who is speaking before giving money.

likesmart

what difference does 109% vs. 100% utilization make at Year End? Latter basically means you took your PTO, former means you worked every minute of the year (Consulting, S&O)

Additional Posts in Big Law

Question for the Biglaw Bowl: How common is it to take a pay cut when being promoted from associate to income partner? I had heard about this happening at some lower ranked V100 firms. But now that I’m more senior and my friends are making partner, it sounds like it’s a lot more common than I thought and happens at firms where I wouldn’t expect it. Does anyone here have any insight into this? How common is it, how much of a pay cut, and how long until your pay catches up to associate pay?

like

how to be a lawyer if you can barely use a computer help

likefunny

Do your firms have a billing code you use if you don’t get enough billable hours in the day? Like say you only billed 6 hours one day. What do I do about the other 2 hours?

like

Lateral here probably not making hours. So frustrated but it was a very slow ramp up period and I was so burned out from my previous firm. 😩 worries about how to address in my review if it comes up.

likesmart

How hard is it to get a job at a plaintiff firm like RGRD etc out of biglaw and how much do they pay?

like

Hi! I’m a junior associate at a big law firm in NYC, and I’m considering a move to Dallas. I’m 28 and single, originally from Texas but have lived in the northeast/midwest since graduating from high school. Has anyone else made a similar move to the south? Thoughts on living in the Uptown area?

like

Started at a new big law firm almost five months ago. Had to ask the partner I report to for more work today for the first time since I started. I feel like a failure. Is this a normal scenario?

What’s the worst thing you’ve seen at the office Christmas party?

like

Had someone lateral into our firm as a fifth year (soon to be sixth). They were kind of a retool and went from small law to the firm I’m at. They are still learning a lot of basic stuff, and I think it’s weird that the firm hired someone at that level as a retool. They sometimes ask me for help with stuff, but I’m just getting annoyed at this point. Can I just say “no” since they’re about to be a mid/senior associate who should know all of this?

like

Corp/securities associate and lateraled to a 40-50 attorney firm earlier this year. I’m a non traditional candidate and considered a 3rd or 4th year and make $200k base. Waiting on raise/bonus info but can’t help but wonder if I could be making $100k more at a larger firm and working similar hours. I put a premium on the people I work with and have gotten a good rhythm here as well as built up a good rep so far. For reference I have billed avg. 180-200 hrs a month. Any insights?

likesmart

Is it a bad idea to lateral now? Market is hot but I hear people are worrying about the stock market and the slowing of deals. I’m lateraling in M&A/ECVC space.

like

Any corporate entertainment firms looking to hire a second year associate?

like

Does anyone have a sense of what Greenberg Traurig is paying associates in Minneapolis?

like

Is it okay that I’ve been a slow junior as we’re hours away from closing? I’m trying to be proactive and available to cross things off the list but I’m SLOW: takes me long enough that they do it themselves (even though this wasn’t an issue earlier in the deal) and even on quick tasks or emails, they respond to it before I can click send. There’s also so much about closing that I don’t understand and I feel like I’m bothering the higher-ups on the team whenever I ask. *end anxiety post*

like

I’ve seen this rant a lot so I know we all have that one partner—but for the love of god can you just forward me the emails when you get it?? I see you got this urgent request over 10 days ago 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

likefunny

How soon is too soon to lateral (if you’re a three week old lateral)

funnylike

Anyone ever work for the IRS as an attorney? Curious to hear about your experience.

smart

Do FAANGs prefer you have tech experience or does having a deal list with a bunch of Fortune 100 companies make you marketable enough? I have the latter but not the former. Happy at my firm, though it doesn’t do a lot of tech work.

like

What do you do to keep hours stable in corporate practice/ ECVC?
Just joined a new firm 3 months ago. Old firm had no billable requirements. 1950 bonus target and have been doing 140-150 each month. I don’t want to ask for too much work but also concerned not hitting hours… any tips?

like

Does anyone have insight into the work-life balance at Eversheds' tax practice? I'm preparing for an interview in the next few days, and I don't have any colleagues there.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal