Below you’ll find some questions that we have been frequently asked by candidates. Here are our honest answers!
How long does the overall process take?
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
How long does the overall process take?
It varies. Sometimes the process is very quick and other times it can take several weeks, even months, depending on a multitude of factors, including the client involved, the age of the search, the timetable for when the position needs to be filled, the number of candidates in the applicant pool, the economy, etc…We will do everything in our power to help facilitate the process as quickly as possible.
How long after the interview before I hear from the firm?
Some firms are very quick to respond, and others take longer. It depends on each firm, the timing of the search, as well as other factors. We do follow up with the firms after the interviews to provide candidate feedback and seek it from the firm at the same time.
Im worried that the partners I work for may find out Im looking around. Is this a valid concern?
Of course the concern is valid because this is your career. With all the stresses associated with the practice of law, the last thing anyone needs is to worry about losing their job as a result of something being leaked. This is why we always work on a confidential basis. Your resume, transcripts, writing samples, and other confidential information and communications are stored in a highly secure database. Your information is reviewed internally and is never submitted anywhere without your express consent. Similarly to “attorney-client privilege”, all documents, communications and information that a candidate shares with consultants at GreenWorth Recruiting is always confidential. In addition, the clients that we work with are well aware of the importance of confidentiality and we stress that in all of our cover letters to our clients.
If I have a contact at a firm that I am interested in, is it better to just go directly to my contact?
As we are often taught in law school, “it depends”. Generally speaking, it will be a case-by-case basis, but as a general rule, it is a smart idea to use a legal search consultant instead of someone that you know at a firm of interest. With most firms, there is a certain process and protocol within the internal recruiting department and sometimes when candidates go directly through contacts it can disrupt or prolong the hiring process. In addition, there are times during the process where it will be necessary to have an objective professional with experience that has dealt with various types of situations similar to the one you find yourself in. In that instance, it’s nice to have a person to confide in, as well as to receive consulting – after all, it’s in our job title! Of course connections in the business world can be helpful, and we will encourage the use of those resources when the timing is appropriate. We advise our candidates to allow us to handle the initial introduction. Once the process has been initiated, it may be a good idea to reach out to your contact to let them know that your information has been submitted as a matter of professional courtesy and at that point they may be able to do some “behind-the-scenes” work for you!
Do my grades in law school really matter?
We work with a wide variety of clients who all have different hiring needs and requirements. Some of our clients require certain academic credentials and accomplishments while other clients are less strict on these things. Some clients focus on the academic achievements, and other clients focus on experience or other intangible factors that stand out on the resume. Perhaps you speak a foreign language that would be very useful in international dealings. Or maybe you have a unique skill set that separates you from the rest of the pack. Of course in any business, the more well-rounded you are as a candidate, the more competitive and marketable you will be.
Can I work with multiple legal recruiters or is it best to just use one?
The decision is entirely up to you. However, as a general rule, we suggest that you find one legal search consultant that you like, trust, and believe has your best career interests in mind. Of course, we hope you are comfortable with the consultants at GreenWorth Recruiting, but ultimately this is your career, so it is a very important decision. If you can develop a strong professional relationship with one legal search consultant, it can make a significant difference in your confidence in the overall recruitment process and experience. It can also help you locate the job that you really want. The old adage “too many cooks may spoil the broth” can definitely apply when you have too many legal search consultants working on your behalf. When you use multiple recruiters it can increase the likelihood that your resume and other confidential information may be submitted to the wrong firm, or to a firm you have already applied to. When this happens, we call this a “duplicate submission”, and it doesn’t help but it can certainly hurt.
If I have to travel for an interview, will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses?
It will depend on the client and the situation. Many law firms typically do reimburse for out-of-market candidates’ travel expenses. However, some do not reimburse. If the candidate and client are not located in the same city (i.e., New York & Client), many times a client will request a telephone interview or screening prior to a live interview . Often the firm will agree to reimburse for travel if they invite the candidate for an in-person interview following the telephone interview. In any event, if GreenWorth Recruiting places any of our candidates and the candidate was not reimbursed for travel for any reason, our company will gladly reimburse the candidate for reasonable travel expenses.
Do you place attorneys internationaly?
Yes, we work with many of our law firm clients’ international offices; however, our primary focus is on the national level.
What cities and states do you place attorneys in?
GreenWorth Recruiting has a strong network of clients nationally. Our recruiters work with clients and candidates involving opportunities on a national level, including large metropolitan cities, to smaller areas of the country. Some of the many markets we work in and have dedicated relationships in include, but are not limited to, Florida, Atlanta, North Carolina, Virginia, Philadelphia, Denver, Arizona, Washington, D.C., New York, New Jersey, Las Vegas, Connecticut, Portland, Texas, Chicago, Seattle, and California.
What kinds of lawyers do you work with and place?
We place attorneys from various different backgrounds, practice areas, and levels of experience. We work with candidates looking for various types of employment, including attorneys looking for a change of practice area, office atmosphere, lifestyle, and compensation structure. Our recruiters have experience placing a very wide range of talent to small firms, mid-size firms, large firms, boutique firms, and In-House positions.
Do I have to pay the legal search consultant?
The candidate does not pay the legal search consultant and our services are free for the candidate. A legal search consultant is paid by the law firm or company who ultimately hires the candidate. A legal search consultant enters into fee agreements with law firms and companies and those respective agreements outline the relationship and compensation structure.
What is the difference between a recruiter and a legal search consultant?
A legal search consultant is a recruiter who specializes in the legal market and provides consulting and recruiting services to a wide array of clients and candidates.