Do you know how to manage your career as outside counsel? What are the expectations for you to grow your book of business? How should you evaluate your career path within a firm? How do you know if you are being compensated fairly? Brian Davis, a seasoned recruiter with Major, Lindsey & Africa, graciously shared his insights into managing your career as outside counsel.

Listen to Brian's insights HERE!

UNDERSTAND THE MARKET

There are a myriad of tools that candidates can utilize as they contemplate a search, but training yourself to be alert and aware of the competition can provide key insights. Often this entails utilizing LinkedIn or other news sources, but as Brian emphasizes in this episode of Hiring Insights, it's also part of practice development and you really should know what's going on in the market.

At Top Talent Advocates, we speak with our recruiting contacts across industries on a regular basis, striving to ensure that we are providing the best and most current information and data to our clients.

WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE CONSIDER MAKING A SWITCH TO A NEW FIRM?

When we’re approached by clients, they generally come to us ready to look for opportunities. They might be ready to move now, or they might be preparing for 6-12 months down the road. Prior to starting an actual search, we do a career assessment.

What are your short-term vs. long-term goals? Do you have a 5-year plan?
What is your breadth of experience?
What does the market look like currently... is it the right time to make a move?

Clients come to us with a variety of questions about a potential career change -- including what their present value in the market might be.

Brian said it best, “Nobody is worried about your career. So, YOU need to worry about your career. Floating along, thinking that there's somebody in your firm who's worried about you is just unrealistic. So, I always suggest developing a relationship with one or two or three recruiters, do background checks, try to find out who you think would match up with what you want to accomplish out of life, and then check-in with that person once a year, once every six months.”

RECRUITERS MANAGE EXPECTATIONS

There are myths and fallacies surrounding recruiters, but a well-experienced recruiter understands the delicate balance of aligning the aspirations and capabilities of candidates with the needs and objectives of hiring firms or companies. A search can last from three months to a year or more, but the most recent survey by Major, Lindsey & Africa showed 50% of people said their search took three months.

As with most initiatives, having good communication is paramount. A recruiter manages communication between both parties and navigates complexities of the hiring process, providing guidance and support to candidates while ensuring that the client's expectations are met in terms of candidate quality and fit for the organization.

Recognizing that a recruiter's primary objective is to facilitate successful placements rather than securing a specific position for an individual candidate is crucial, but fostering a relationship with a reputable recruiter goes beyond immediate job placement. It can serve as a strategic partnership offering ongoing guidance and valuable insights into career management. A trusted recruiter can offer advice on market trends, skill development, and potential career paths, helping candidates make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals.

We previously interviewed another world-class recruiter from MLA, Dimitri Mastrocola. Dimitri tends to focus on in-house legal positions. You can listen to Dimitri's incredible insights HERE.

COMING UP NEXT...

Stay tuned for our next episode featuring Lisa Lang Vice President and General Counsel at Ohio Northern University. As a seasoned and respected attorney, Lisa’s varied experiences will shed light on navigating opportunities and advancing one’s legal career.

Thank you to everyone who subscribes to this newsletter. You can find more information about Top Talent Advocates on our website here, by following us on our LinkedIn page HERE, or by emailing us at

TTA@TopTalentAdvocates.com. We encourage you to provide feedback on the podcast by posting comments, forwarding to others in your network, and encouraging others to gain insights into the hiring process for executives and attorneys. Don't forget to listen and subscribe here. You can also find the transcript for each episode of Hiring Insights HERE.

If you are thinking about a career move or want support on your executive branding and social media management, let's have a conversation. Leverage our network of recruiters, hiring managers, business leaders, and our personalized coaching to get noticed and carve your personalized path to success.

As always, thanks to Lindsay Hofbauer and our previous guests!